I just came home from Rwanda, Liberia, Romania and Ukraine. What do these countries have in common you ask and why is IREX focusing on them right now? Each one of these countries is in transition from a difficult past to a hoped-for brighter future. Each one of these countries is in a better position now than in over a generation to make genuine progress toward the goals they’ve set for themselves. Each has its own unique set of challenges, naturally.
IREX, implementing more than 60 projects in 110 countries around the world, hews to its basic principles everywhere we work. We work in full partnership with local people and institutions, while also seeking to engage national and local governments. We combine these elements with superb staff to produce highest quality results ensuring lasting change in citizens’ lives. Our “social infrastructure” space is the IREX sweet spot; by strengthening education, civil society and media development, we and our local partners widen the path towards mature democracies. In carrying out this work, nothing compares to meeting program participants and beneficiaries and seeing real development work on the ground. It was my honor and pleasure to witness innovative IREX programs changing lives for the better in each of these four countries.
Rwanda
In Rwanda, I met with the National Unity and Reconciliation Council and learned how the Youth for Change project is truly a key part of the national reconciliation process. Media work remains a challenge, but in talks with government and with journalists, I stressed the importance of free media. Over 400 journalism students have been trained, and two community radio stations established [27]. These stations are especially important for the rural areas they serve. In an interview with Radio Isangano, a community radio station in Karongi in western Rwanda working to build community engagement on local issues, I talked about citizen and government responsibility to strengthen grassroots efforts. The concept of civil society owned and run community radio is still relatively new in Rwanda, but concerned Rwandans are determined to move forward. The civil society strengthening process has been a struggle to overcome initial resistance from both government and established organizations; a good foundation now is in place, over 90 organizations have received grants or training, and a positive attitude prevails to complete the project on time.
Liberia
In Liberia, the country is still recovering from fourteen years of civil war, and civil society organizations and media supporters are recognizing the need to work together, especially this year as new presidential elections are expected. One key roundtable to which I spoke focused on “Promoting non-violent elections and maintaining post-elections peace.” The participants agreed civil society and media need to come together to better analyze, disseminate and explain information for the public. The group intends to meet again to continue the dialogue. In an interview with Liberian Dream Talk Show on a local Monrovia radio station, we answered questions about the challenges to good governance, civic advocacy and free media development [28] that still face Liberia. At every turn, I emphasized that any skills IREX and local partners would share were for a foundation that Liberians themselves would build upon during and after the project.
Romania
This focus on sustainability carried over to the Romania and Ukraine visits. In Romania I had the privilege of accompanying Ms. Sylvia Matthews Burwell [29], President of Global Development Programs at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation [30]. IREX is proud of its opportunity to implement this far-reaching program – Biblionet [31] - for Gates; 800 libraries now participate across Romania, and 1100 are to be in the program by the end of 2011. The Romanian Government and the National Association of Public Libraries and Librarians provide dynamic impetus to the effort. Modernizing libraries with computers opens the gateway to community and citizen participation throughout the country. Visits to urban and rural libraries let us see first-hand the impact of technology, from active seniors learning the internet ropes and children anxiously arriving after school to learn more to farmers applying for EU support via a national reporting system. Everywhere, we witnessed the diverse and dynamic power of libraries to help governments connect with their citizens and facilitate e-government services through the project. Entering its third year, the project now begins to have those conversations that must ensure that Biblionet is a lasting legacy for the Romanian people.
Ukraine
Ukraine also is close to the IREX heart, with programs in education, media and civil society development all underway. In Ukraine since independence, IREX was delighted to be chosen three years ago to also implement a global libraries program (Bibliomist) [32] there. At a Library Innovation and E-governance Fair organized by the Bibliomist project, I joined hundreds of librarians, government officials, journalists and Ukrainian citizens in exploring the many ways libraries are helping citizens expand their horizons. I listened as a young chess champion, Vira Konovalova, talked about how she helped others learn and improve their game with library programs and internet connections. With the active support of the Ukrainian national and local governments and parliament and the Ukrainian Library Association, libraries all over the country are engaging communities as never before.
Ukraine was a fitting final stop on my nearly three week odyssey. I ended where I began, looking at projects and talking to people determined to take their societies to the next level of development and to enrich the lives of their children. In that space where the building of strong institutions and leaders is key to further progress, the social strengthening of key elements of society, I was proud to see IREX contributing to the effort. Finally, I extend thanks again to our wonderful IREXers around the world and express my renewed appreciation for your talents and dedication.