Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge

Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge

Overview

Global Solutions is a virtual exchange initiative that supports workforce development in the U.S., Iraq and Jordan through two programs: Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge & Global Solutions Conversations.

Community college and university students from the U.S. and technical college and university students from Iraq and Jordan come together to solve global challenges in their communities. The program improves global citizenship, strengthens problem-solving skills, and develops enduring connections, while enhancing students’ job skills through online collaboration.

Global Solutions is implemented by IREX and is supported by the J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI). JCSVEI is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute.

Connect your students to the world

Applications are now open for the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge and the Global Solutions  Conversations programs! 

Interested in providing relevant, hands-on learning experience to develop student job skills through a binational virtual exchange? 

Apply by June 4, 2023 to lead a binational team of students through the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge for the Fall 2023 Cohort. Learn more about application criteria and how to apply.

Interested in leading a group of students through a series virtual exchange conversations? 

Apply by June 4, 2023, to lead a group of students for the Fall 2023 Cohort through the Global Solutions Conversations, a virtual exchange series consisting of six binational calls and no outside additional work. Learn more about application criteria and how to apply.

Programming for Fall 2023 pending further funding.

Partners

US flag, Department of State logo, Stevens Initiative logo, Aspen Institute logo

Academic partners: Alcorn State University, Al-Balqa Applied University, Ammon Applied University College of Hospitality & Tourism, Davidson Davie Community College, Duhok Polytechnic University / Technical College of Administration, Elizabeth City State University, Erbil Polytechnic University, Estrella Mountain Community College, Gordon State College, Harper College, Khawarizmi University Technical College, Kirkwood Community College, Lone Star College, Luminus Technical College University, Miami Dade College, Middle East University, Moreno Valley College, Norfolk State University, Prince George’s Community College, Rockland Community College, Salahaddin University, Soran University, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Tarrant County College, The City University of New York (CUNY), University of Cumberlands, University of Duhok, University of Garmian, University of North Carolina in Greensboro, University of San Francisco, University of Zakho

Quick Facts from Cohort I & IV

  • 90% of MENA students and 77% of the US Students expressed the program was beneficial for their future career.
  • 92% of MENA students and 76% of US students expressed the program strengthened their leadership skills.
  • 88% of MENA students and 79% of US students increased confidence with technology tools for virtual collaboration.
  • 89% of MENA students and 87% of US students strengthened cross cultural communication skills.
  • 75% of MENA students and 64% of US students positively changed pre-existing stereotypes.

Goals

Four objectives support the Global Solutions goal for students: 

  1. Improve global citizenship by demonstrating that one’s responsibility and humanity transcends beyond borders; 

  1. Strengthen problem solving skills; 

  1. Develop cross-cultural collaboration and competency; 

  1. Develop job readiness skills through online collaboration. 

Four objectives support the Global Solutions goal for facilitators: 

  1. Develop and improve facilitator’s skills in supporting innovation and global citizenship for their students; 

  1. Strengthen student’s technical and non-technical workforce development skills; 

  1. Develop enduring connections between diverse colleges in the US, Jordan, and Iraq based on classroom content and meaningful collaboration; 

  1. Increase community excitement and investment in cross-cultural communication and business-related education for youth. 

“My involvement with the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge gave me the ability to participate in a group effort that opened not only borders but our perceptions of other cultures.  The skills I gained throughout the Challenge helped me secure a job within a sustainable business. The ability to work alone or in a team has been an invaluable lesson learned from the Challenge.” Student, United States

Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge Project Activities

  • Facilitator training workshop: Participating faculty from community colleges and universities in the U.S. and colleges and universities in Jordan and Iraq learn how to facilitate the challenge’s curriculum. Faculty receive training on inclusive teaching strategies, design thinking, cross-cultural collaboration, and technology.
  • Binational virtual competition: Facilitators put together gender-balanced teams to pair up with their binational partner over a 8-week period. Each team is guided by the provided curriculum to create a sustainable solution to their selected sustainability problem, inspired by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Teams work together to research, brainstorm, design, test, and pitch their innovative solution.
  • Global Solutions curriculum: IREX developed a curriculum that teaches students to innovate and solve problems, and also facilitates connections between people of different backgrounds. Teams collaborate over the course of a design challenge to create solutions to real-world problems. The curriculum has both  synchronous and asynchronous activities that take place online in real-time as well as away from the computer. All activities prompt regular sharing and ideation between binational partners.
  • Virtual Global Business Expo Binational teams from the United States and Jordan or the United States and Iraq create innovative solutions as part of the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge. Solutions are displayed at the Virtual Global Business Expo and Career Fair. Explore previous cohort's top innovations »

Global Solutions Conversations Program Activities

  • Facilitator training workshop: Participating faculty from community colleges and universities in the U.S. and colleges and universities in Jordan and Iraq learn how to facilitate the Conversation curriculum. Faculty receive training on inclusive teaching strategies, design thinking, cross-cultural collaboration, and technology.

  • Series of Binational Calls: Through a six-week virtual exchange series consisting of six binational calls, students will practice cross cultural collaboration and learn about each other’s culture as they engage in the process of design thinking and discuss global issues in their community. Individual teams will brainstorm a community project idea to support increased sustainability in their local communities. Scripts are provided to guide facilitators and students through each binational call. No additional work is required outside the binational calls.   

 

People

About the Stevens Initiative

The Stevens Initiative is an international leader in virtual exchange, which brings young people from diverse places together to collaborate and connect through everyday technology. Created in 2015 as a lasting tribute to Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the Initiative invests in virtual exchange programs between the U.S. and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA); shares research, resources, and promising practices to improve impact; and advocates for broader adoption. Through its 86 grants, the Stevens Initiative will expand its reach by summer 2023 to nearly 75,000 young people in 17 MENA countries and the Palestinian Territories, and in 48 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, one tribal community, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C. Learn more: http://www.stevensinitiative.org/

Contact

Tags

  • Education
  • Technology
  • Youth
  • Americas
  • Middle East & North Africa
  • Jordan
  • United States