Forty-five years after IREX’s visionary founders established a single overseas office in Armenia [15], their NGO progeny works with 125 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Over half a million people were touched by IREX staff and projects last year. “Make a better world” is not only our commitment, it is our operational plan. Somewhere around the world at every hour of the day, IREX’ers are making a difference. Yes, it’s people, it’s time, it’s money that make that difference, but the key component is the power of ideas.
Ideas that make possible permanent positive change embrace universal truths that bridge cultures, generations and geography. Teaching young men and women skills that transform their communities, educating village elders to let their daughters stay in school, demonstrating the power of technology for social good, reflecting the strength of diversity and the power of tolerance in open discourse continue to make reality of the IREX spirit. Even if our reach should exceed our grasp, that reach points us toward change that lasts.
We’re reflecting that spirit when we mark our 45th anniversary on May 9. We’re recalling our heritage and highlighting our passion that day to honor Ambassador Melanne Verveer, a champion for women around the world. We are celebrating the Ambassador’s accomplishments to underline that societies that respect and fully engage women magnify their promise to themselves and all the human family. We’re part of the global effort to keep pushing back the walls of resistance to the full recognition that every human being has an undeniable right to fully engage in their societies.
When IREX began in 1968, we had no notion of being engaged in the expanded role of women in society in 2013. But we saw the path we would follow. Breaking down barriers, dissolving stereotypes, opening up opportunities for leadership, joining hands with participants in a global community for a better tomorrow are powerful ideas that lead us all in many possible directions. That is our commitment, not only to ourselves as we mark our 45th year, but more importantly our commitment to you, our donors and beneficiaries, that we will do our best to provide you with a result that matters and that endures.
Thank you for being part of the IREX family, for inspiring us with your support and counsel, and for helping us perform that special alchemy that makes reality from our dreams.