http://www.americancouncils.org/ American Councils news and announcements. Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:15 CDT en-us http://www.americancouncils.org/images/logo-small.jpg http://www.americancouncils.org/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/xnO6WnguTXw/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/k2/President_Tsakhiagiin_Elbegdorj_Hosts_American_Councils_Delegation_in_Mongolia/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/k2/President_Tsakhiagiin_Elbegdorj_Hosts_American_Councils_Delegation_in_Mongolia/ Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:15 CDT <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac051413122338_6677_s.jpg"><br /><br />Dr. Dan E. Davidson, President of American Councils for International Education led an American Councils delegation to Mongolia on March 5 - 7, 2013, to meet the President of Mongolia Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and his key cabinet ministers. President Elbegdorj expressed his gratitude to American Councils for organizing “The Media & Presidential Politics: Spotlight on the 2013 Inauguration,” an executive training and content-based language acquisition course for a Mongolian media group in Washington, D.C. in January-February 2013. The President emphasized his commitment to increase the number of journalists from Mongolia taking part in American Councils professional programs in the U.S., as well as other potential areas of cooperation in education and professional development. Reflecting on this visit, Dr. Davidson said, “American Councils has been greatly impressed by the commitment of the President of Mongolia and his government to the improvement of education and the strengthening of institutions through the active professional development of staff, particularly in the field of journalism and English language. We look forward to expanded cooperation with Mongolia in the education sector.” The trip also included meetings with Mr. Puntsag Tsagaan, the President’s Chief of Staff; Mr. Purevsuren Lundeg, National Security/Foreign Policy Advisor; Mr. Ganbaatar Amgalanbaatar, Public Relations/Public Policy Advisor; Mr. Luvsannyam Gantumur, Minister of Education; Ms. Oyungerel Tsedevdamba, Member of Parliament, and Minister of Culture, Sport, and Tourism; and Mr. Dashjamts Battulga, Chairman of the Ulaanbaatar City Council. Alumni of the first journalist study tour hosted American Councils over a Mongolian traditional dinner, and shared their impressions of the U.S. visit, as well as latest developments in their professional careers. Reporting from the Field: Mongolian Journalists Explore Approaches to Media in D.C. Throughout the month of April, the second group of 18 media professionals from Mongolia visited Washington, D.C. to gain perspectives on the intersection of the media and U.S. politics while improving their professional English-language skills. Daily classroom instruction in general English and English for journalism was complemented by interactive meetings with U.S. journalists, political analysts, and current affairs experts at media outlets, think tanks, and NGOs in Washington, D.C. English-language instruction was provided through intensive training at the International Language Institute (ILI). Courses were tailored to meet the needs of each participant’s level of English comprehension. American Councils partnered with the Osgood Center for International Studies to administer the professional development component of the program. The Osgood Center organized various speakers to provide insight into the current trends shaping U.S. journalism. Participants also visited C-SPAN, the Brookings Institution, the Washingtonian, and China Central Television (CCTV), which is China’s largest English-language news channel, to explore various approaches to media in the U.S. Another highlight of the program included a visit to the Mongolian Embassy, where participants were welcomed by Ambassador Baatar Choisuren. About American Councils A leader in international education, academic exchange, and overseas language immersion, American Councils for International Education creates opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions for success in an increasingly interconnected world. American Councils provides learning in key world languages, cultures and regions, helping individuals to achieve personal and intellectual growth through education, and creating the conditions for mutual respect among the peoples of the world. In over 35 years of educational exchange programs for high school students, teachers, professionals, and scholars, American Councils has helped thousands of people worldwide achieve language proficiency and cultural immersion through study abroad programs, training opportunities, and cross-cultural exchanges from the countries of Russia, Eurasia, China, Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Europe. News from Andrey Gidaspov, Senior Manager, Strategic Development

Dr. Dan E. Davidson, President of American Councils for International Education led an American Councils delegation to Mongolia on March 5 - 7, 2013, to meet the President of Mongolia Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and his key cabinet ministers. President Elbegdorj expressed his gratitude to American Councils for organizing “The Media & Presidential Politics: Spotlight on the 2013 Inauguration,” an executive training and content-based language acquisition course for a Mongolian media group in Washington, D.C. in January-February 2013. The President emphasized his commitment to increase the number of journalists from Mongolia taking part in American Councils professional programs in the U.S., as well as other potential areas of cooperation in education and professional development.

Reflecting on this visit, Dr. Davidson said, “American Councils has been greatly impressed by the commitment of the President of Mongolia and his government to the improvement of education and the strengthening of institutions through the active professional development of staff, particularly in the field of journalism and English language. We look forward to expanded cooperation with Mongolia in the education sector.”

The trip also included meetings with Mr. Puntsag Tsagaan, the President’s Chief of Staff; Mr. Purevsuren Lundeg, National Security/Foreign Policy Advisor; Mr. Ganbaatar Amgalanbaatar, Public Relations/Public Policy Advisor; Mr. Luvsannyam Gantumur, Minister of Education; Ms. Oyungerel Tsedevdamba, Member of Parliament, and Minister of Culture, Sport, and Tourism; and Mr. Dashjamts Battulga, Chairman of the Ulaanbaatar City Council.

Alumni of the first journalist study tour hosted American Councils over a Mongolian traditional dinner, and shared their impressions of the U.S. visit, as well as latest developments in their professional careers.

Reporting from the Field: Mongolian Journalists Explore Approaches to Media in D.C.

Throughout the month of April, the second group of 18 media professionals from Mongolia visited Washington, D.C. to gain perspectives on the intersection of the media and U.S. politics while improving their professional English-language skills. Daily classroom instruction in general English and English for journalism was complemented by interactive meetings with U.S. journalists, political analysts, and current affairs experts at media outlets, think tanks, and NGOs in Washington, D.C.

English-language instruction was provided through intensive training at the International Language Institute (ILI). Courses were tailored to meet the needs of each participant’s level of English comprehension.

American Councils partnered with the Osgood Center for International Studies to administer the professional development component of the program. The Osgood Center organized various speakers to provide insight into the current trends shaping U.S. journalism. Participants also visited C-SPAN, the Brookings Institution, the Washingtonian, and China Central Television (CCTV), which is China’s largest English-language news channel, to explore various approaches to media in the U.S. Another highlight of the program included a visit to the Mongolian Embassy, where participants were welcomed by Ambassador Baatar Choisuren.

About American Councils

A leader in international education, academic exchange, and overseas language immersion, American Councils for International Education creates opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions for success in an increasingly interconnected world. American Councils provides learning in key world languages, cultures and regions, helping individuals to achieve personal and intellectual growth through education, and creating the conditions for mutual respect among the peoples of the world. In over 35 years of educational exchange programs for high school students, teachers, professionals, and scholars, American Councils has helped thousands of people worldwide achieve language proficiency and cultural immersion through study abroad programs, training opportunities, and cross-cultural exchanges from the countries of Russia, Eurasia, China, Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Europe.

News from Andrey Gidaspov, Senior Manager, Strategic Development]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/k2/President_Tsakhiagiin_Elbegdorj_Hosts_American_Councils_Delegation_in_Mongolia/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/1Nyc_kmfrlA/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/k1/FLEX_Celebrates_20_Years_in_Armenia/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/k1/FLEX_Celebrates_20_Years_in_Armenia/ Tue, 14 May 2013 11:48:30 CDT <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac051413114830_4064_s.jpg"><br /><br />April 26, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John A. Heffern hosted scores of Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program alumni--from the earliest years of the program to recent participants--as well as parents, teachers, school directors, and employers of FLEX alumni at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan in celebration of the 20th anniversary of FLEX. Ambassador Heffern drew attention to the impact of the exchange experience on the individual lives of each of the more than 800 participants over these twenty years and on the development of Armenia through the contributions of FLEX alumni to Armenia's public and private sectors. "Every sector has benefited," said Heffern, bringing examples of high-ranking alumni such as Aram Orbelyan '99, Deputy Minister of Justice, "FLEXers will change the world." Thanks were also extended to program stakeholders, many of whom attended the reception, including the parents, teachers, and school directors of FLEX alumni, American host families and high schools, and the organizations that work together to implement the program, especially American Councils and the Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia. Deputy Minister of Education and Science Ms. Karine Harutyunyan echoed Ambassador Heffern's words of congratulations, describing the FLEX program as an example of long-standing successful cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Armenia and thanking the U.S. Department of State for providing such opportunities to Armenia youth. The performance by the FLEX Band of Ambassador Heffern's favorite song "Knee Deep" with backup singing by Heffern himself set a cheerful tone for the more informal activities of the evening. The photo collages of FLEX alumni's U.S. experiences for almost all of the 20 years of the program caught everyone's attention. Alumni gathered around the collages from their years to share memories not only about America, but also about alumni activities in the years after their return to Armenia. Volunteer activities such as clean-ups, flash mobs, youth trainings, and fundraisers organized by alumni over these two decades were highlighted in multi-media displays around the room, while albums of printed photographs sparked reminiscences from participants in the earlier years of the program. Both alumni and stakeholders were given the opportunity to share their impressions about the value of the program in interviews for a forthcoming 20th anniversary video. Karine Gyogchyan, parent of two FLEX alumni (Liana and Davit Tadevosyan, '99) described FLEX as "life-changing" and listed some of the many doors the program opened for her children. Gayane Hakobyan, English professor at the French University in Armenia, has taught many FLEX alumni and finds them to be "totally different" from their peers and thanked them for making "great contributions to the prosperity of the country of Armenia." Alumni themselves all emphasized the degree to which FLEX expanded their horizons and made them ready for challenges. The evening closed with an interactive human mapping activity, in which alumni demonstrated their alumni years and Armenian and U.S hometowns, remarks from Andranik Martirosyan from the FLEX-founded Youth for Achievements NGO, and a set of songs performed by the FLEX Band. All guests were invited to take part in the ongoing series of events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Future Leaders Exchange Program. In closing, the evenings' organizers invited everyone to the first "global" FLEX 20th Anniversary event, May 15, an online Social Media Party! For 24 hours all FLEX alumni, students, host families, and supporters will share their FLEX stories on Facebook and Twitter.

April 26, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John A. Heffern hosted scores of Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program alumni--from the earliest years of the program to recent participants--as well as parents, teachers, school directors, and employers of FLEX alumni at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan in celebration of the 20th anniversary of FLEX.

Ambassador Heffern drew attention to the impact of the exchange experience on the individual lives of each of the more than 800 participants over these twenty years and on the development of Armenia through the contributions of FLEX alumni to Armenia's public and private sectors. "Every sector has benefited," said Heffern, bringing examples of high-ranking alumni such as Aram Orbelyan '99, Deputy Minister of Justice, "FLEXers will change the world." Thanks were also extended to program stakeholders, many of whom attended the reception, including the parents, teachers, and school directors of FLEX alumni, American host families and high schools, and the organizations that work together to implement the program, especially American Councils and the Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia. Deputy Minister of Education and Science Ms. Karine Harutyunyan echoed Ambassador Heffern's words of congratulations, describing the FLEX program as an example of long-standing successful cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Armenia and thanking the U.S. Department of State for providing such opportunities to Armenia youth. The performance by the FLEX Band of Ambassador Heffern's favorite song "Knee Deep" with backup singing by Heffern himself set a cheerful tone for the more informal activities of the evening.

The photo collages of FLEX alumni's U.S. experiences for almost all of the 20 years of the program caught everyone's attention. Alumni gathered around the collages from their years to share memories not only about America, but also about alumni activities in the years after their return to Armenia. Volunteer activities such as clean-ups, flash mobs, youth trainings, and fundraisers organized by alumni over these two decades were highlighted in multi-media displays around the room, while albums of printed photographs sparked reminiscences from participants in the earlier years of the program.

Both alumni and stakeholders were given the opportunity to share their impressions about the value of the program in interviews for a forthcoming 20th anniversary video. Karine Gyogchyan, parent of two FLEX alumni (Liana and Davit Tadevosyan, '99) described FLEX as "life-changing" and listed some of the many doors the program opened for her children. Gayane Hakobyan, English professor at the French University in Armenia, has taught many FLEX alumni and finds them to be "totally different" from their peers and thanked them for making "great contributions to the prosperity of the country of Armenia." Alumni themselves all emphasized the degree to which FLEX expanded their horizons and made them ready for challenges.

The evening closed with an interactive human mapping activity, in which alumni demonstrated their alumni years and Armenian and U.S hometowns, remarks from Andranik Martirosyan from the FLEX-founded Youth for Achievements NGO, and a set of songs performed by the FLEX Band. All guests were invited to take part in the ongoing series of events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Future Leaders Exchange Program.

In closing, the evenings' organizers invited everyone to the first "global" FLEX 20th Anniversary event, May 15, an online Social Media Party! For 24 hours all FLEX alumni, students, host families, and supporters will share their FLEX stories on Facebook and Twitter. ]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/k1/FLEX_Celebrates_20_Years_in_Armenia/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/GKsh9Wl8nwU/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/k0/English_Access_Microscholarship_Program_Successfully_Expands_to_New_Areas_in_Moldova/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/k0/English_Access_Microscholarship_Program_Successfully_Expands_to_New_Areas_in_Moldova/ Mon, 13 May 2013 12:57:05 CDT Since September 2012, the English Access Microscholarship (Access) Program in Moldova has extended to six new regions of the country: Soroca, Balti, Ungheni, Comrat, Varnita/Bender, and Chisinau. With this expansion, the number of total enrolled students has increased from 80 to 120 in the program. Established in 2010, the English Access Microscholarship Program in Moldova aims to provide a foundation of English language skills to talented 14-18 year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions. Access students gain an appreciation for American culture and democratic values, increase their ability to participate in the socio-economic development of Moldova, and improve their chances to compete for, and participate in, future U.S. exchange and study programs During the past six months, Access Program students have been involved in numerous community development projects across the country. From September 2012 to January, 2013 they participated in IEARN’s <a href="http://www.iearn.org/circles/lcguide/cc/cc.html#computer/">Computer Chronicles Learning Circles</a>, where they showcased their creative thoughts and ideas on social issues with projects such as, <a href="http://iearn-words-govern-the-world.webstarts.com/?r=20130112132532/">“Words Govern the World”</a>, <a href="http://www.americancouncils.md/access/news/665/">“The History of Money: In God We Trust”</a>, and <a href="http://www.americancouncils.md/access/news/620/">“People Who Write The History.”</a> They joined the <a href="http://www.americancouncils.md/access/news/691/"> "Talking Kites Around the World"</a> iEARN project in March where they created kites as a symbol of bridging the gap and understanding of the "other.” And, in Ungheni, students organized a “Horse Alert!!!” flash mob in April to raise awareness about the poor treatment of horses at <a href="http://www.americancouncils.md/access/news/736/">racing venues</a> inside the country. One of the most successful collaborative activities included the <a href="http://americancouncils.md/access/news/741/">“Access Youth in Action” flash mob</a>, performed by current students and program alumni in the six regions. A total of 400 participants joined together to encourage Moldovan youth look for opportunities to participate in U.S. exchange and study programs through dance performances, posters, flags, and thematic songs. Aside from collaborative projects, the Access programs students had the opportunity to receive several distinguished U.S. official guests, such as, <a href=" http://americancouncils.md/access/news/653/">Bay Fang, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs</a> and <a href="http://www.americancouncils.md/access/news/655/">U.S. Ambassador to Moldova William H. Moser.</a> Click <a href=" http://americancouncils.md/access/"> here</a> to learn more about the English Access Microscholarship Program News from David Jesse, Country Director, American Councils Moldova and Olga Morozan, Access Program Coordinator, American Councils Moldova
Established in 2010, the English Access Microscholarship Program in Moldova aims to provide a foundation of English language skills to talented 14-18 year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions. Access students gain an appreciation for American culture and democratic values, increase their ability to participate in the socio-economic development of Moldova, and improve their chances to compete for, and participate in, future U.S. exchange and study programs

During the past six months, Access Program students have been involved in numerous community development projects across the country. From September 2012 to January, 2013 they participated in IEARN’s Computer Chronicles Learning Circles, where they showcased their creative thoughts and ideas on social issues with projects such as, “Words Govern the World”, “The History of Money: In God We Trust”, and “People Who Write The History.” They joined the "Talking Kites Around the World" iEARN project in March where they created kites as a symbol of bridging the gap and understanding of the "other.” And, in Ungheni, students organized a “Horse Alert!!!” flash mob in April to raise awareness about the poor treatment of horses at racing venues inside the country.
One of the most successful collaborative activities included the “Access Youth in Action” flash mob, performed by current students and program alumni in the six regions. A total of 400 participants joined together to encourage Moldovan youth look for opportunities to participate in U.S. exchange and study programs through dance performances, posters, flags, and thematic songs.

Aside from collaborative projects, the Access programs students had the opportunity to receive several distinguished U.S. official guests, such as, Bay Fang, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and U.S. Ambassador to Moldova William H. Moser.

Click here to learn more about the English Access Microscholarship Program

News from David Jesse, Country Director, American Councils Moldova and Olga Morozan, Access Program Coordinator, American Councils Moldova]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/k0/English_Access_Microscholarship_Program_Successfully_Expands_to_New_Areas_in_Moldova/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/aqYS-IEYCDM/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jv/Application_season_for_the_USRussia_Innovation_Corridor_USRIC_is_now_open/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jv/Application_season_for_the_USRussia_Innovation_Corridor_USRIC_is_now_open/ Mon, 13 May 2013 11:36:13 CDT <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac051313113613_5469_s.jpg"><br /><br />Russian start-up companies and leaders of innovative projects interested in exploring collaborations with U.S. partners and accessing incubation services and U.S. networks in their target industries are encouraged to apply <a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.usric.americancouncilsnetwork.org" title="Link" TARGET="_blank">here</a>. The US-Russia Innovation Corridor is housed at the Maryland International Incubator (MI2) and is affiliated with the University of Maryland. The resources of the Maryland International Incubator will be available to Russian participants, with the help of the USRIC staff. Professional and research networks within Maryland and other states/regions will be accessed in service to those projects that participate. Physical presence in the U.S. is not required for projects to participate and support of USRIC by American Councils for International Education and the EURECA project helps to keep their costs minimal. USRIC offers a spectrum of services and welcomes the participation of Russian start-up companies and innovative projects at any stage of development for the duration of 3 months or longer, depending on participant’s needs. Companies and projects selected as USRIC participants will receive: • dedicated support of a Russian-speaking member of the USRIC staff • targeted support in business development and client/partner networking in relevant industries/research areas • assistance with registering as a business in the U.S., if desired • access to funding opportunities available through the State of Maryland or through investor • access to office space, facilities, meeting rooms and logistical support for visits. USRIC does not take any equity. The aim of the program is to further research and commercialization collaborations which have the potential to accelerate success in business for Russian and U.S. partners. U.S. projects and companies interested in cooperating should contact USRIC directly to learn how. At this stage, project applications are being accepted from Russian entities only. To learn more please visit <a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.usric.org" title="Link" TARGET="_blank">www.usric.org</a>, or access the application directly <a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.usric.americancouncilsnetwork.org" title="Link" TARGET="_blank">here</a>. Please direct written inquiries to: info@usric.org. The current selection round will close June 14, 2013 at 11:59PM EST. The Announcement is available in Russian language <a class="inlineLink" href="http://www.actr.org/documents/1017ac051313114326_8665.docx" title="Link" TARGET="_blank">here</a>.

Russian start-up companies and leaders of innovative projects interested in exploring collaborations with U.S. partners and accessing incubation services and U.S. networks in their target industries are encouraged to apply here.

The US-Russia Innovation Corridor is housed at the Maryland International Incubator (MI2) and is affiliated with the University of Maryland. The resources of the Maryland International Incubator will be available to Russian participants, with the help of the USRIC staff. Professional and research networks within Maryland and other states/regions will be accessed in service to those projects that participate.

Physical presence in the U.S. is not required for projects to participate and support of USRIC by American Councils for International Education and the EURECA project helps to keep their costs minimal.

USRIC offers a spectrum of services and welcomes the participation of Russian start-up companies and innovative projects at any stage of development for the duration of 3 months or longer, depending on participant’s needs.

Companies and projects selected as USRIC participants will receive:
• dedicated support of a Russian-speaking member of the USRIC staff
• targeted support in business development and client/partner networking in relevant industries/research areas
• assistance with registering as a business in the U.S., if desired
• access to funding opportunities available through the State of Maryland or through investor
• access to office space, facilities, meeting rooms and logistical support for visits.

USRIC does not take any equity. The aim of the program is to further research and commercialization collaborations which have the potential to accelerate success in business for Russian and U.S. partners. U.S. projects and companies interested in cooperating should contact USRIC directly to learn how. At this stage, project applications are being accepted from Russian entities only.

To learn more please visit www.usric.org, or access the application directly here.

Please direct written inquiries to: info@usric.org.
The current selection round will close June 14, 2013 at 11:59PM EST.

The Announcement is available in Russian language here. ]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jv/Application_season_for_the_USRussia_Innovation_Corridor_USRIC_is_now_open/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/ylTBEBTKgWA/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/ju/FLEX_Celebrates_20_Years_in_Ukraine/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/ju/FLEX_Celebrates_20_Years_in_Ukraine/ Mon, 13 May 2013 09:31:32 CDT <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac051313093131_7324_s.jpg"><br /><br />April 25th, the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program in Ukraine celebrated its 20th Anniversary at the new Embassy of the United States Kyiv. More than 150 guests attended the event, including 85 FLEX alumni from nearly all program years, Ukrainian secondary and higher education representatives, other U.S. government sponsored exchange program alumni, Embassy and USAID staff, former and current Ministry of Education & Science officials, and other government officials. For most of the Ukrainian guests, including the FLEX alumni, it was their first time at the Embassy’s new facility. As FLEX alumni guests entered the event, they were invited to a video interview station by a representative of the Embassy’s Press Section. Over the course of the event, many brief interviews and heartwarming testimonials were collected from FLEX program alumni. In the coming weeks, this material will be edited into 20 individual segments and featured on the Embassy's website as a "20 for 20" anniversary promotional campaign. After passing the interview station, guests made their way into the atrium for an exhibition of 15 unique social initiatives spearheaded by FLEX alumni. Exhibitors made excellent use of the opportunity to spread information and garner support for their projects. For example, Maksym Popovych ’10 spoke with several alumni lawyers and law students about joining his recently founded Alumni Law Society. Alumni representatives from four regions of Ukraine were also on hand to present the many projects organized in conjunction with this year’s Global Youth Service Day. At the same time, Olha Shykova ’04 took the opportunity to showcase the upcoming Sustainability Summit. Additionally, American Councils staff from the Kyiv Alumni Resource Center were on hand to distribute copies of the recently published book entitled, "Ukrainian Participants in U.S. Exchange Programs. Building a New Country: My Story," which thoughtfully documents the individual success stories of 90 U.S. government sponsored exchange program alumni. Ukrainian MP and current WBC heavyweight boxing champion Vitaliy Klychko also made a special appearance at the event. Mr. Klychko made some insightful remarks about the value of international education and language training and encouraged all FLEX alumni to continue making Ukraine a better place. At the exhibition, a group of students with disabilities from the Embassy's English Access Microscholarship (Access) Program in Kyiv were on hand to meet with FLEX alumni and take a look at the many projects on display. Over the past few months, FLEX alumni have partnered with the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section on a mentorship project to further assist these young students. During her visit to the Access class earlier last month, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Tara D. Sonenshine was especially pleased to learn of this collaboration. At the end of the exhibition, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John F. Tefft took to the stage and gave heartfelt congratulations to American Councils and all FLEX program alumni on a successful 20 years. After candidly recalling some fond memories of his own interactions with FLEX alumni over the years, the Ambassador went on to underscore former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley’s original intentions of establishing a program to promote peace and mutual understanding between the U.S. and the countries of the former Soviet Union. Following the Ambassador, senior FLEX alumnus Vasyl Myroshnychenko ’97 gave some inspirational remarks about the many ways Ukraine’s community of almost 6,000 FLEX alumni have already made a tremendous impact on the country. Vasyl, who was recently named one of the 40 most influential Ukrainians under the age of 40, encouraged all in attendance to continue tapping into the tremendous potential of the alumni community. After Vasyl, FLEX alumna Alina Beskrovna ’07, then took the opportunity to highlight the many positive qualities FLEX program participants stand to gain from a year-long educational and cultural exchange. As an Open World program finalist and current president of the U.S. Embassy’s Youth Council, Alina stressed that all alumni should continue drawing upon their senses of open-mindedness and independence as the FLEX program moves forward into its next 20 years. In all, the event served to reconnect and energize the FLEX alumni community in Ukraine like never before. News by Roman Petruniak, FLEX Program Officer, American Councils Ukraine

April 25th, the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program in Ukraine celebrated its 20th Anniversary at the new Embassy of the United States Kyiv. More than 150 guests attended the event, including 85 FLEX alumni from nearly all program years, Ukrainian secondary and higher education representatives, other U.S. government sponsored exchange program alumni, Embassy and USAID staff, former and current Ministry of Education & Science officials, and other government officials. For most of the Ukrainian guests, including the FLEX alumni, it was their first time at the Embassy’s new facility.

As FLEX alumni guests entered the event, they were invited to a video interview station by a representative of the Embassy’s Press Section. Over the course of the event, many brief interviews and heartwarming testimonials were collected from FLEX program alumni. In the coming weeks, this material will be edited into 20 individual segments and featured on the Embassy's website as a "20 for 20" anniversary promotional campaign.

After passing the interview station, guests made their way into the atrium for an exhibition of 15 unique social initiatives spearheaded by FLEX alumni. Exhibitors made excellent use of the opportunity to spread information and garner support for their projects. For example, Maksym Popovych ’10 spoke with several alumni lawyers and law students about joining his recently founded Alumni Law Society. Alumni representatives from four regions of Ukraine were also on hand to present the many projects organized in conjunction with this year’s Global Youth Service Day.

At the same time, Olha Shykova ’04 took the opportunity to showcase the upcoming Sustainability Summit. Additionally, American Councils staff from the Kyiv Alumni Resource Center were on hand to distribute copies of the recently published book entitled, "Ukrainian Participants in U.S. Exchange Programs. Building a New Country: My Story," which thoughtfully documents the individual success stories of 90 U.S. government sponsored exchange program alumni.

Ukrainian MP and current WBC heavyweight boxing champion Vitaliy Klychko also made a special appearance at the event. Mr. Klychko made some insightful remarks about the value of international education and language training and encouraged all FLEX alumni to continue making Ukraine a better place.

At the exhibition, a group of students with disabilities from the Embassy's English Access Microscholarship (Access) Program in Kyiv were on hand to meet with FLEX alumni and take a look at the many projects on display. Over the past few months, FLEX alumni have partnered with the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section on a mentorship project to further assist these young students. During her visit to the Access class earlier last month, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Tara D. Sonenshine was especially pleased to learn of this collaboration.

At the end of the exhibition, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John F. Tefft took to the stage and gave heartfelt congratulations to American Councils and all FLEX program alumni on a successful 20 years. After candidly recalling some fond memories of his own interactions with FLEX alumni over the years, the Ambassador went on to underscore former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley’s original intentions of establishing a program to promote peace and mutual understanding between the U.S. and the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Following the Ambassador, senior FLEX alumnus Vasyl Myroshnychenko ’97 gave some inspirational remarks about the many ways Ukraine’s community of almost 6,000 FLEX alumni have already made a tremendous impact on the country. Vasyl, who was recently named one of the 40 most influential Ukrainians under the age of 40, encouraged all in attendance to continue tapping into the tremendous potential of the alumni community.

After Vasyl, FLEX alumna Alina Beskrovna ’07, then took the opportunity to highlight the many positive qualities FLEX program participants stand to gain from a year-long educational and cultural exchange. As an Open World program finalist and current president of the U.S. Embassy’s Youth Council, Alina stressed that all alumni should continue drawing upon their senses of open-mindedness and independence as the FLEX program moves forward into its next 20 years. In all, the event served to reconnect and energize the FLEX alumni community in Ukraine like never before.

News by Roman Petruniak, FLEX Program Officer, American Councils Ukraine
]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/ju/FLEX_Celebrates_20_Years_in_Ukraine/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/S3xKWYYNF9s/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jt/Inspiration_through_Collaboration_USCAEF_Fellows_Attend_KIMEPAUCA_Joint_Event/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jt/Inspiration_through_Collaboration_USCAEF_Fellows_Attend_KIMEPAUCA_Joint_Event/ Mon, 13 May 2013 09:19:00 CDT March 4-5, American Councils held its first joint conference for fellows of the U.S.-Central Asia Foundation Enterprise Fellowships (U.S.-CAEF). The conference was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan for fellows studying at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic and KIMEP University in Almaty. U.S.-CAEF provides full four-year scholarships to undergraduates from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan at these leading, western-style institutions in the region. The program serves to cultivate a principled entrepreneurial environment in Central Asia that fosters the growth of free enterprise and open markets. Fellows receive the scholarship after going through a rigorous selection process based on academic merit and financial need. The idea for the event was fashioned by the fellows themselves. Students proposed the event to American Councils as a way to foster communication between the two U.S.-CAEF institutions. The U.S.-CAEF Board of Directors welcomed the fellows’ initiative and two directors, Margaret Grieve, and Mary Ginsberg, traveled to Almaty to attend the event, which drew 82 out of 108 participants. The conference was a successful platform for building relationships among the fellows. It focused on team-building activities and offered lectures, presentations, and panel discussions on topics such as leadership, business start-ups, the economy, and labor markets in Central Asia. Among the conference’s guest speakers were Michael Trueblood, a Director in the Economic Development Office at USAID, and Tristram Perry, a Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Almaty. Other presenters included consultants and representatives of the U.S.-CAEF Alumni Association, local banks, financial investment companies, and local small businesses. The speakers’ presentations provided valuable insights into the economic environment and dynamic job market of Central Asia and the mechanisms through which young professionals can adjust to changes, overcome obstacles, and succeed in their careers. Interactive experiences, such as the Best Business Competition, proved to be meaningful for fellows. “Finding the best and most unique way of making your own product with the whole team and selling it to the Board members when every single team member had different cultural background was the most fun and interactive part of this event,” said Jemal Agayeva, a sophomore from Turkmenistan about the Best Business Competition. After the conference, fellows noted that the success stories of young entrepreneurs will inspire them to expand their professional networks and explore new business ideas through internships and other work opportunities. “The speeches of the successful people in Kazakhstan and other countries motivated me so much to open my own business. I got back home to Kyrgyzstan and started working on my own start-up,” commented one participant from AUCA. The final event of the conference was a talent show, in which students demonstrated their fellowship as well as their diverse talents, energy, creativity, and appreciation for the different cultures they represent. “During this first KIMEP-AUCA Joint Event we, U.S.-CAEF Fellows, had an amazing opportunity to network with each other, become inspired by the speakers and our peers, and meet our U.S.-CAEF Board. As a first-year student, this was a great chance to meet AUCA fellows, with whom I will keep in touch and hopefully collaborate on future business projects throughout the upcoming three years. I believe our friendships will last and will be powerful,” said Chynara Erkulova, a current fellow and the President of the U.S.-CAEF Student Association at KIMEP. For more information on the U.S.-CAEF Fellowship Program, contact Terrence Graham, Director of Higher Education Programs Division at <a href="mailto:Graham@americancouncils.org">Graham@americancouncils.org</a> News from Amy Holter, Program Officer, Higher Education Programs
The idea for the event was fashioned by the fellows themselves. Students proposed the event to American Councils as a way to foster communication between the two U.S.-CAEF institutions. The U.S.-CAEF Board of Directors welcomed the fellows’ initiative and two directors, Margaret Grieve, and Mary Ginsberg, traveled to Almaty to attend the event, which drew 82 out of 108 participants.

The conference was a successful platform for building relationships among the fellows. It focused on team-building activities and offered lectures, presentations, and panel discussions on topics such as leadership, business start-ups, the economy, and labor markets in Central Asia. Among the conference’s guest speakers were Michael Trueblood, a Director in the Economic Development Office at USAID, and Tristram Perry, a Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Almaty. Other presenters included consultants and representatives of the U.S.-CAEF Alumni Association, local banks, financial investment companies, and local small businesses. The speakers’ presentations provided valuable insights into the economic environment and dynamic job market of Central Asia and the mechanisms through which young professionals can adjust to changes, overcome obstacles, and succeed in their careers. Interactive experiences, such as the Best Business Competition, proved to be meaningful for fellows.

“Finding the best and most unique way of making your own product with the whole team and selling it to the Board members when every single team member had different cultural background was the most fun and interactive part of this event,” said Jemal Agayeva, a sophomore from Turkmenistan about the Best Business Competition.

After the conference, fellows noted that the success stories of young entrepreneurs will inspire them to expand their professional networks and explore new business ideas through internships and other work opportunities.

“The speeches of the successful people in Kazakhstan and other countries motivated me so much to open my own business. I got back home to Kyrgyzstan and started working on my own start-up,” commented one participant from AUCA.

The final event of the conference was a talent show, in which students demonstrated their fellowship as well as their diverse talents, energy, creativity, and appreciation for the different cultures they represent.

“During this first KIMEP-AUCA Joint Event we, U.S.-CAEF Fellows, had an amazing opportunity to network with each other, become inspired by the speakers and our peers, and meet our U.S.-CAEF Board. As a first-year student, this was a great chance to meet AUCA fellows, with whom I will keep in touch and hopefully collaborate on future business projects throughout the upcoming three years. I believe our friendships will last and will be powerful,” said Chynara Erkulova, a current fellow and the President of the U.S.-CAEF Student Association at KIMEP.

For more information on the U.S.-CAEF Fellowship Program, contact Terrence Graham, Director of Higher Education Programs Division at Graham@americancouncils.org

News from Amy Holter, Program Officer, Higher Education Programs
]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jt/Inspiration_through_Collaboration_USCAEF_Fellows_Attend_KIMEPAUCA_Joint_Event/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/Eph3HnSxyxQ/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/js/Russian_Delegation_Explores_US_Institutions_of_Higher_Education/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/js/Russian_Delegation_Explores_US_Institutions_of_Higher_Education/ Fri, 10 May 2013 11:02:44 CDT <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac051013110244_3913_s.jpg"><br /><br />April 14, American Councils welcomed a delegation of ten faculty and administrators from the National University of Science and Technology (MISiS) located in Moscow, Russia, for a two-week professional development program. MISiS is in the process of redesigning its curriculum and reorganizing student services as it expands to a new campus that will position the institution as the premier science and technology university in Russia. The visit was the fourth of its kind to be administered by American Councils for MISiS. The primary purpose of this professional development program was for the group to explore management systems at U.S. higher education institutions in the D.C. area followed by a program with American Councils’ partner, The University of Iowa. The programs sought to provide valuable insights into effective policies and practices that might be adapted to the Russian context in a constructive and meaningful way. Over the course of the week, the group visited George Mason University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland, where they learned about the philosophies and strategies used in the management of recruitment, retention, and financial aid systems professional accreditation, intellectual property, student wellness programs, and student associations among many other topics. The group also visited the U.S.-Russia Innovation Center (USRIC), an organization that provides assistance to Russian start-up companies and innovative university projects to collaborate with U.S. partners and develop new markets. Participants also explored the D.C. area by sightseeing on the National Mall and attending a Washington Capitals hockey game and a concert at the Kennedy Center. Participants were fascinated by systems organized to cultivate student pride in their universities such as sporting events, campus stores, and student associations. They were impressed by the number of students who participate in campus-wide events and hope to encourage this sense of pride among students in Russia. “In all universities in the U.S., there are events and activities in which about 98% of students participate. This creates a common experience, nurtures traditions, and creates pride in studying at that university,” said Dmitry Konstantinov, a specialist in cultural and leisure services of the Division of Co-curricular Activities and Student Services at MISiS. “This spirit is lacking at most Russian institutions,” he noted. Andrey Voronin, a specialist in information technologies and student services in the Division of Research and Innovation at MISiS, wrote to American Councils after returning to Russia. “These two weeks were rich and full of valuable information for us. This adventure will stay in my memory for the rest of my life. The week in Washington, D.C. practically blew our minds and gave us a lot of food for thought. The days spent on this program have changed me. I’ve learned so much about institutions in the U.S., and I am excited and ready to change my environment in Russia.” Following a week in Washington, D.C., the group continued their program at the University of Iowa. The program in Iowa provided an institution-level perspective on all aspects of student life at this major research university. News from Amy Holter, Program Officer, Higher Education Programs

April 14, American Councils welcomed a delegation of ten faculty and administrators from the National University of Science and Technology (MISiS) located in Moscow, Russia, for a two-week professional development program. MISiS is in the process of redesigning its curriculum and reorganizing student services as it expands to a new campus that will position the institution as the premier science and technology university in Russia. The visit was the fourth of its kind to be administered by American Councils for MISiS.

The primary purpose of this professional development program was for the group to explore management systems at U.S. higher education institutions in the D.C. area followed by a program with American Councils’ partner, The University of Iowa. The programs sought to provide valuable insights into effective policies and practices that might be adapted to the Russian context in a constructive and meaningful way.

Over the course of the week, the group visited George Mason University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland, where they learned about the philosophies and strategies used in the management of recruitment, retention, and financial aid systems professional accreditation, intellectual property, student wellness programs, and student associations among many other topics. The group also visited the U.S.-Russia Innovation Center (USRIC), an organization that provides assistance to Russian start-up companies and innovative university projects to collaborate with U.S. partners and develop new markets. Participants also explored the D.C. area by sightseeing on the National Mall and attending a Washington Capitals hockey game and a concert at the Kennedy Center.

Participants were fascinated by systems organized to cultivate student pride in their universities such as sporting events, campus stores, and student associations. They were impressed by the number of students who participate in campus-wide events and hope to encourage this sense of pride among students in Russia.

“In all universities in the U.S., there are events and activities in which about 98% of students participate. This creates a common experience, nurtures traditions, and creates pride in studying at that university,” said Dmitry Konstantinov, a specialist in cultural and leisure services of the Division of Co-curricular Activities and Student Services at MISiS. “This spirit is lacking at most Russian institutions,” he noted.

Andrey Voronin, a specialist in information technologies and student services in the Division of Research and Innovation at MISiS, wrote to American Councils after returning to Russia.

“These two weeks were rich and full of valuable information for us. This adventure will stay in my memory for the rest of my life. The week in Washington, D.C. practically blew our minds and gave us a lot of food for thought. The days spent on this program have changed me. I’ve learned so much about institutions in the U.S., and I am excited and ready to change my environment in Russia.”

Following a week in Washington, D.C., the group continued their program at the University of Iowa. The program in Iowa provided an institution-level perspective on all aspects of student life at this major research university.

News from Amy Holter, Program Officer, Higher Education Programs]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/js/Russian_Delegation_Explores_US_Institutions_of_Higher_Education/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/dCTyqbNgGdM/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jr/American_Councils_Moldova_Joins_eTwinning_Network_/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jr/American_Councils_Moldova_Joins_eTwinning_Network_/ Fri, 03 May 2013 13:04:44 CDT April 30, American Councils Moldova Country Director David Jesse met with Mihai Calalb, Organization for Reform and Development in Educational System (ORDSE) Chairman and eTwinning Project Coordinator in Moldova, to agree on an official partnership between American Councils Moldova and the eTwinning network. The <a href="http://www.etwinning.net/en/pub/index.htm">eTwinning </a> network is an exciting learning community that promotes school collaboration in Europe, through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Launched in 2005 through the European Commission’s eLearning Programme, eTwinning is available in twenty-five languages and has the involvement of nearly 170,000 members and over 5,324 projects between two or more schools across Europe. Since 2007, it has been firmly integrated in the European Commision’s Lifelong Learning Programme, with its Central Support Service operated by European Schoolnet, an international partnership of 33 European Ministries of Education, who develop curricula for schools, teachers, and pupils across Europe. American Councils Moldova will provide logistical support to the eTwinning network, employing its most experienced educators and students in online projects as mentors, trainers, and curriculum developers. With this new partnership, eTwinning members will be connected to Access Microscholarship Program teachers and students from over 6 regions around Moldova, with whom they will have the opportunity to share resources, tools, and best educational practices. The most active eTwinning members will have the opportunity to travel to Chișinău to participate in American Councils summer projects, such as, the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and Access Microscholarship Program summer camps. News from David Jesse, Country Director, American Councils Moldova
The eTwinning network is an exciting learning community that promotes school collaboration in Europe, through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Launched in 2005 through the European Commission’s eLearning Programme, eTwinning is available in twenty-five languages and has the involvement of nearly 170,000 members and over 5,324 projects between two or more schools across Europe. Since 2007, it has been firmly integrated in the European Commision’s Lifelong Learning Programme, with its Central Support Service operated by European Schoolnet, an international partnership of 33 European Ministries of Education, who develop curricula for schools, teachers, and pupils across Europe.

American Councils Moldova will provide logistical support to the eTwinning network, employing its most experienced educators and students in online projects as mentors, trainers, and curriculum developers. With this new partnership, eTwinning members will be connected to Access Microscholarship Program teachers and students from over 6 regions around Moldova, with whom they will have the opportunity to share resources, tools, and best educational practices. The most active eTwinning members will have the opportunity to travel to Chișinău to participate in American Councils summer projects, such as, the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and Access Microscholarship Program summer camps.

News from David Jesse, Country Director, American Councils Moldova ]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jr/American_Councils_Moldova_Joins_eTwinning_Network_/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/iDbkEUaW5TU/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jq/Youth_Leaders_Participate_in_English_Teaching_Workshop/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jq/Youth_Leaders_Participate_in_English_Teaching_Workshop/ Thu, 02 May 2013 13:48:59 CDT <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac050213151938_7959_s.jpg"><br /><br />April 14-20, 2013, the Workshop for Youth Leaders in Teaching English (WYLTE), a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), hosted twenty-eight American Serbia and Montenegro Youth Leadership Exchange (A-SMYLE), Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program students. Representing sixteen countries and hosted across the U.S., from Alaska to Florida, these students came together in Washington, D.C. for this intensive, weeklong training program. The workshop cultivated skills specific to teaching English, such as student-centered methodology, resource identification and adaptation, effective use of technology, classroom management, organization skills, and session design and delivery. Most participants had previously taught or tutored English in some capacity in their home communities—as individual tutors, teaching assistants, and substitutes, in village children’s programs, high school classes and clubs, English Olympiads, and with Peace Corps volunteers. One participant, FLEX student Zhamilia Klycheva, re-connected with Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, American Councils Program Officer, and WYLTE staff member Kyle Kastler, after initially meeting him over a community service project in Kyrgyzstan. The workshop’s interactive and content-rich instructional sessions were led by experienced teaching staff at American Councils, the <a href="http://eca.state.gov/about-bureau-0/organizational-structure/office-english-language-programs">U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs</a>, and the <a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/">U.S. Peace Corps </a>.Sessions were interspersed with a teaching practicum, site visits to local schools, and cultural excursions. During site visits to <a href="http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/einsteinhs/">Albert Einstein High School </a>in Kensington, MD and <a href="http://www.carlosrosario.org/">Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School </a> in Washington, D.C., participants interacted with diverse student populations and observed professionals in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Another surprise reunion occurred when FLEX student Anna Korieshkova from Ukraine ran into her former English teacher, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and current Carlos Rosario teacher, Rebecca Lee. Through the practicum, participants strengthened their teacher leadership skills in team-building, goal setting, lesson planning, and public speaking. The practicum built a strong foundation for participants’ professional teaching network. Many participants described the practicum as the most effective component; one participant explained, “I would not understand a lot without practicing it. It was very helpful and made me feel like a real teacher.” Conversations with A-SMYLE, FLEX, and YES Alumni Coordinators and videoconferencing with program alumni on the workshop’s final day allowed participants to see and hear from alumni in action and inspired them to envision their own alumni projects. After videoconferencing with <a href="http://yesprograms.org/impact/story/change-agent-inspires-community">YES alumna Maria T. </a> from Pakistan, YES student Khairunnisa Semesta from Indonesia said, “You inspire me through your effort in educating others. Hopefully I can change the world just like you, one student at a time.” In their concluding session, participants designed action plans they will further refine before returning home. Participants intend to organize formal and informal English language classes and American culture activities in their home communities and help other individuals qualify for U.S. Government-sponsored English teaching programs. Inspired by WYLTE, and in gratitude for all the opportunities they have received, participants expressed a strong determination to give back to their communities. As YES student Mishal Maqbool from Pakistan said, “My students [back home] are waiting for me,” and another WYLTE participant wrote, “I think I can make a difference in my country from this workshop.” Click on the following links to learn more about the <a href="http://www.americancouncils.org/program/3n/ASMYLE/">A-SMYLE</a>, <a href="http://www.americancouncils.org/program/1k/FLEXAD/">FLEX</a>, and <a href="http://www.yesprograms.org/">YES</a> programs. Visit the Workshop for Youth Leaders in Teaching English photo album <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Workshop-for-Youth-Leaders-in-Teaching-English-WYLTE/174941362655930?sk=photos_albums">here</a>.

April 14-20, 2013, the Workshop for Youth Leaders in Teaching English (WYLTE), a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), hosted twenty-eight American Serbia and Montenegro Youth Leadership Exchange (A-SMYLE), Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program students. Representing sixteen countries and hosted across the U.S., from Alaska to Florida, these students came together in Washington, D.C. for this intensive, weeklong training program. The workshop cultivated skills specific to teaching English, such as student-centered methodology, resource identification and adaptation, effective use of technology, classroom management, organization skills, and session design and delivery.

Most participants had previously taught or tutored English in some capacity in their home communities—as individual tutors, teaching assistants, and substitutes, in village children’s programs, high school classes and clubs, English Olympiads, and with Peace Corps volunteers. One participant, FLEX student Zhamilia Klycheva, re-connected with Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, American Councils Program Officer, and WYLTE staff member Kyle Kastler, after initially meeting him over a community service project in Kyrgyzstan.

The workshop’s interactive and content-rich instructional sessions were led by experienced teaching staff at American Councils, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of English Language Programs, and the U.S. Peace Corps .Sessions were interspersed with a teaching practicum, site visits to local schools, and cultural excursions. During site visits to Albert Einstein High School in Kensington, MD and Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., participants interacted with diverse student populations and observed professionals in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Another surprise reunion occurred when FLEX student Anna Korieshkova from Ukraine ran into her former English teacher, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and current Carlos Rosario teacher, Rebecca Lee. Through the practicum, participants strengthened their teacher leadership skills in team-building, goal setting, lesson planning, and public speaking. The practicum built a strong foundation for participants’ professional teaching network. Many participants described the practicum as the most effective component; one participant explained, “I would not understand a lot without practicing it. It was very helpful and made me feel like a real teacher.” Conversations with A-SMYLE, FLEX, and YES Alumni Coordinators and videoconferencing with program alumni on the workshop’s final day allowed participants to see and hear from alumni in action and inspired them to envision their own alumni projects. After videoconferencing with YES alumna Maria T. from Pakistan, YES student Khairunnisa Semesta from Indonesia said, “You inspire me through your effort in educating others. Hopefully I can change the world just like you, one student at a time.”

In their concluding session, participants designed action plans they will further refine before returning home. Participants intend to organize formal and informal English language classes and American culture activities in their home communities and help other individuals qualify for U.S. Government-sponsored English teaching programs. Inspired by WYLTE, and in gratitude for all the opportunities they have received, participants expressed a strong determination to give back to their communities. As YES student Mishal Maqbool from Pakistan said, “My students [back home] are waiting for me,” and another WYLTE participant wrote, “I think I can make a difference in my country from this workshop.”

Click on the following links to learn more about the A-SMYLE, FLEX, and YES programs.

Visit the Workshop for Youth Leaders in Teaching English photo album here. ]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jq/Youth_Leaders_Participate_in_English_Teaching_Workshop/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/actr_rss/~3/rJI0pi-o33E/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jp/American_Councils_President_Highlights_New_Model_of_USRussian_University_Engagement_in_Formation_of_Innovation_Corridor/ http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jp/American_Councils_President_Highlights_New_Model_of_USRussian_University_Engagement_in_Formation_of_Innovation_Corridor/ Tue, 30 Apr 2013 09:35:36 CDT <img src="http://www.americancouncils.org/newsImages/1017ac043013093536_6057_s.jpg"><br /><br />Members of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission/Innovation Working Group gathered at the University of Maryland in College Park and Baltimore on April 26 to discuss new international collaborations in the area of bio-medical research, as well as to mark the next phase in the development of a multi-year program (2013-17), Enhancing University Research and Entrepreneurial Capacity (EURECA), funded by the U.S. Russia Foundation and administered in the U.S. by American Councils for International Education. EURECA’s funder, the U.S. Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law (USRF) has approved American Councils and three Russian organizations to administer the next phase of the project, which develops and fosters new models of scientific and technical cooperation between Russian and American universities. The US-Russia Innovation Corridor (USRIC), housed at the University of Maryland’s International Incubator, is a tangible result of the cooperative relationship between American Councils, the University of Maryland (UMD), the University of Nizhniy Novgorod (UNN), and the state of Maryland and the Nizhniy Novgorod region in the context of the EURECA Program. Based on an initial biomedical focus – an area that UMD and UNN continue to refine and expand - USRIC is a platform connecting Russian research universities and entrepreneurs with their US counterparts while engaging appropriate state and regional governmental structures. UNN’s Rector Dr. Evgeny Chuprunov and UMD’s Vice President and Chief Research Officer Dr. Patrick O’Shea signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation around biomedical technologies, with placement of projects into USRIC. "A true ‘triple helix’ partnership," Dr. Dan E. Davidson, President of the American Councils for International Education noted, "the US-Russia Innovation Corridor represents the type of effective collaboration between state governments and private industries, with universities as the driving force, that can be a central vehicle for innovation-based regional economic development. Maryland and Nizhny Novgorod were uniquely positioned to actualize this collaboration, thanks to their shared history of regional cooperation and the work of their powerhouse research institutions. As the coordinator of USRIC, American Councils has focused its role on reducing the barriers to commercialization partnerships for both countries and cultivating and facilitating new, productive collaborations. As several members of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission Working Group have pointed out, 'innovation is not just about money and technology. It is about people, networks, and a culture of entrepreneurship.' In envisioning the broad landscape of collaboration, American Councils has recognized that these relationships take place on both a ‘macro’ level (triple helix regional partnerships around shared clusters), and a ‘micro’ level (individual startups and research projects that may, themselves, seed larger-scale relationships). By catalyzing new regional collaborations between our nations and responding to shared goals, USRIC advances the objectives of the new EURECA program and extends the substantial benefit of this program to new U.S. and Russian institutions." USRIC provides assistance to Russian start-up companies and innovative university projects to collaborate with U.S. partners and develop new markets, using the resources of the University of Maryland and the State of Maryland. Applications for service through USRIC will be accepted starting in May 2013. Going forward it will collaborate with other U.S. incubation sites and serve U.S. entities looking for partners in Russia. The US-Russian Innovation Corridor addresses a key goal of the Innovation Working Group of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Commission, as both countries seek to support the role of higher education institutions as centers of research, entrepreneurial thinking, and long-term economic development. Besides Nizhny Novgorod and St. Petersburg, Russia’s regions were represented by high-level officials from Bashkortostan, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Moscow Oblast, Novosibirsk Oblast, and Samara Oblast. EURECA The EURECA program creates collaboration between leading research universities in Russia and the U.S. to strengthen university capacity in applied and translational research and technology transfer, increasing the potential for meaningful research collaborations. The EURECA 1 pilot project (2010-2012) created “triple helix” models for U.S./Russian partnerships that engaged EURECA 1 pilot universities UNN, and the St. Petersburg University of IT, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO), with government, and business/ investors. American Councils advanced the “triple helix” during EURECA 1, building on a partnership between the state of Maryland and the region of Nizhny Novgorod to cooperate on research privatization in specific industries. EURECA 2 will facilitate additional U.S./Russian industry cluster relationships exercising the lessons of this first model, building sustainable capacity in both the U.S. and Russia. This will be accomplished by: Cultivating a culture of entrepreneurialism on campuses Attracting more business involvement Strengthening regional development and innovation clusters Creating more partnerships between research and business communities, and between the U.S. and Russia In the next two years, American Councils aims to establish two new state/regional partnerships between the U.S. and Russia, as well as to engage 4 to 6 companies or innovative projects from Russia in commercialization activity with U.S. institutions. Partners working in Russia also funded by USRF are focused on trainings and replicating models for capacity building. UNN will continue to develop as an innovative entrepreneurial university working with UMD and Purdue University, and will replicate its model at the Perm National Research Polytechnic University. In collaboration with the Higher School of Economics, and drawing upon experience with UCLA, ITMO will share best practices with several Russian regions in accelerating technologies. New Eurasia Foundation will deliver seminars on entrepreneurship, the university innovation ecosystem, and regional clusters. About American Councils A leader in international education, academic exchange, and overseas language immersion, American Councils creates opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. For a visual representation of American Councils, watch the <a href="http://youtu.be/ZdLXCzKxleo">Promotional Video</a>.

Members of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission/Innovation Working Group gathered at the University of Maryland in College Park and Baltimore on April 26 to discuss new international collaborations in the area of bio-medical research, as well as to mark the next phase in the development of a multi-year program (2013-17), Enhancing University Research and Entrepreneurial Capacity (EURECA), funded by the U.S. Russia Foundation and administered in the U.S. by American Councils for International Education. EURECA’s funder, the U.S. Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law (USRF) has approved American Councils and three Russian organizations to administer the next phase of the project, which develops and fosters new models of scientific and technical cooperation between Russian and American universities.

The US-Russia Innovation Corridor (USRIC), housed at the University of Maryland’s International Incubator, is a tangible result of the cooperative relationship between American Councils, the University of Maryland (UMD), the University of Nizhniy Novgorod (UNN), and the state of Maryland and the Nizhniy Novgorod region in the context of the EURECA Program. Based on an initial biomedical focus – an area that UMD and UNN continue to refine and expand - USRIC is a platform connecting Russian research universities and entrepreneurs with their US counterparts while engaging appropriate state and regional governmental structures. UNN’s Rector Dr. Evgeny Chuprunov and UMD’s Vice President and Chief Research Officer Dr. Patrick O’Shea signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation around biomedical technologies, with placement of projects into USRIC.

"A true ‘triple helix’ partnership," Dr. Dan E. Davidson, President of the American Councils for International Education noted, "the US-Russia Innovation Corridor represents the type of effective collaboration between state governments and private industries, with universities as the driving force, that can be a central vehicle for innovation-based regional economic development. Maryland and Nizhny Novgorod were uniquely positioned to actualize this collaboration, thanks to their shared history of regional cooperation and the work of their powerhouse research institutions. As the coordinator of USRIC, American Councils has focused its role on reducing the barriers to commercialization partnerships for both countries and cultivating and facilitating new, productive collaborations. As several members of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission Working Group have pointed out, 'innovation is not just about money and technology. It is about people, networks, and a culture of entrepreneurship.' In envisioning the broad landscape of collaboration, American Councils has recognized that these relationships take place on both a ‘macro’ level (triple helix regional partnerships around shared clusters), and a ‘micro’ level (individual startups and research projects that may, themselves, seed larger-scale relationships). By catalyzing new regional collaborations between our nations and responding to shared goals, USRIC advances the objectives of the new EURECA program and extends the substantial benefit of this program to new U.S. and Russian institutions."

USRIC provides assistance to Russian start-up companies and innovative university projects to collaborate with U.S. partners and develop new markets, using the resources of the University of Maryland and the State of Maryland. Applications for service through USRIC will be accepted starting in May 2013. Going forward it will collaborate with other U.S. incubation sites and serve U.S. entities looking for partners in Russia.

The US-Russian Innovation Corridor addresses a key goal of the Innovation Working Group of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Commission, as both countries seek to support the role of higher education institutions as centers of research, entrepreneurial thinking, and long-term economic development. Besides Nizhny Novgorod and St. Petersburg, Russia’s regions were represented by high-level officials from Bashkortostan, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Moscow Oblast, Novosibirsk Oblast, and Samara Oblast.

EURECA

The EURECA program creates collaboration between leading research universities in Russia and the U.S. to strengthen university capacity in applied and translational research and technology transfer, increasing the potential for meaningful research collaborations. The EURECA 1 pilot project (2010-2012) created “triple helix” models for U.S./Russian partnerships that engaged EURECA 1 pilot universities UNN, and the St. Petersburg University of IT, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO), with government, and business/ investors.

American Councils advanced the “triple helix” during EURECA 1, building on a partnership between the state of Maryland and the region of Nizhny Novgorod to cooperate on research privatization in specific industries. EURECA 2 will facilitate additional U.S./Russian industry cluster relationships exercising the lessons of this first model, building sustainable capacity in both the U.S. and Russia.

This will be accomplished by:
Cultivating a culture of entrepreneurialism on campuses
Attracting more business involvement
Strengthening regional development and innovation clusters
Creating more partnerships between research and business communities, and between the U.S. and Russia

In the next two years, American Councils aims to establish two new state/regional partnerships between the U.S. and Russia, as well as to engage 4 to 6 companies or innovative projects from Russia in commercialization activity with U.S. institutions.

Partners working in Russia also funded by USRF are focused on trainings and replicating models for capacity building. UNN will continue to develop as an innovative entrepreneurial university working with UMD and Purdue University, and will replicate its model at the Perm National Research Polytechnic University. In collaboration with the Higher School of Economics, and drawing upon experience with UCLA, ITMO will share best practices with several Russian regions in accelerating technologies. New Eurasia Foundation will deliver seminars on entrepreneurship, the university innovation ecosystem, and regional clusters.

About American Councils

A leader in international education, academic exchange, and overseas language immersion, American Councils creates opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.

For a visual representation of American Councils, watch the Promotional Video.]]> http://www.americancouncils.org/news/jp/American_Councils_President_Highlights_New_Model_of_USRussian_University_Engagement_in_Formation_of_Innovation_Corridor/