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IATP News for January 2006
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UKRAINE
Librarians communicate online
with representatives of the
Ministry of Culture of Ukraine
from the IATP access site
in Donetsk
Ukrainian Librarians Win Changes in Law with Help of IATP Online
Chat
On January 20, IATP received a letter of gratitude from Olena Bashun,
head of the Donetsk Branch of the Ukrainian Library Association. Bashun,
who is also deputy director of Donetsk Regional Scientific Library, the
partner of the IATP access site in Donetsk, wrote how IATP enabled Ukrainian
librarians to lobby for changes in the law. On December 7 and 13, IATP
and the Ukrainian Library Association co-sponsored two countrywide online
chats with representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry
of the Economy. Over 300 Ukrainian librarians gathered in IATP access
sites throughout Ukraine and LEAP (Library Electronic Access Project,
a project of the US Embassy in Ukraine) centers to communicate online
with Deputy Minister of Culture Olha Shokolo-Bench, Head of the Library
Department of the Ministry of Culture Iryna Shevchenko, and Deputy Director
of the Department of State Purchases of the Ministry of the Economy Oleksandr
Shatkovsky. The aim of both online discussions was to draw the attention
of government officials to the disadvantages in the law “On Purchasing
Goods, Works, and Services for Public Funds,” which implies that
all organizations, institutions, and enterprises should organize open
bids to purchase any goods or services with public funds. Ukrainian librarians
complained that requiring official bids make it impossible to purchase
books for their collections, since most publications are one-of-a-kind
and available from only one publisher. The law also assumes bulk purchases
of products, while most books are purchased on an individual basis. The
librarians argued that the procedures cost libraries a great deal of time
and money and asked for specific exceptions to the law for certain products,
including books and periodicals. As a result, the Ministry of Economy
and Cabinet of Ministers prepared and introduced to the Verkhovna Rada
(Ukrainian parliament) a proposal for changes to the law. IATP helped
the librarians communicate with responsible government officials, and
helped the officials in turn to increase their accountability, contributing
to a more open and responsive government.
A nonprofit organization for
hearing impaired youth launched
its online presence thanks
to IATP trainings
Young Hearing Impaired People Launch Online Presence in Vinnytsia,
Ukraine
On January 6, a new online resource dedicated to the activities of the Vinnytsia Organization of Young
Activists (MOVA) was posted on the IATP server. MOVA is a membership
organization comprised of local hearing-impaired youth. Website author
and MOVA director Serhiy Svichkolap had attended a training course on
Web design basics at the IATP access site in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, at the
end of December. IATP staff covered the main concepts of Web design, including
a common programming language, website structure, and visual website editors.
Participants learned how to use tables in Web pages and how to post resources
to a server. The trainer also gave recommendations on scanning and editing
images and demonstrated the IATP Hosting
Content Management System, used to facilitate Web development for
users without knowledge of programming languages. The newly-created website
contains information about the structure and history of MOVA, past activities
and future plans of this nonprofit organization, as well as pictures and
stories from the lives of local hearing impaired youth. Svichkolap and
other members of MOVA believe that their website will help them establish
contacts with hearing impaired people from other cities of Ukraine and
abroad as well as draw the attention of the local community to the problems
of hearing impaired people. Over 900 disabled people have benefited from
IATP services in Ukraine.
TAJIKISTAN
Dilrabo Jonbekova (FLEX 00)
postsher comments in an online
discussion from her office
in Khorog, Tajikistan
Eurasian Alumni Meet Online to Exchange Experience and Discuss
Regional Cooperation
On January 26, 45 alumni of various US government-sponsored exchange programs
from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine
met online at IATP access sites to share their achievements and discuss
challenges facing the alumni communities in their countries. The chat
was the first online gathering of alumni at the pan-Eurasian level. To
begin the online discussion, each participant posted brief biographic
information and a presentation about the benefits of the exchange experience,
types of activities alumni are conducting, and the impact of alumni on
the socio-economic development of their countries. Dilrabo Jonbekova (FLEX
00) from Khorog, Tajikistan, noted, “The exchange experience taught
us to be committed, serve with integrity, openness, and a positive attitude,
and above all to be role models in the lives of others.” At the
end of the online discussion, the alumni decided to hold more online meetings
on a regular basis and offered specific topics to narrow down the theme
of the next chat to be held in March. The online chat enabled alumni from
across Eurasia to learn about each other’s experience and accomplishments,
voice common concerns and problems, develop a sense of teamwork, and share
opinions for improvement of alumni activities and increasing the impact
of alumni communities on their countries and region-wide.
KAZAKHSTAN
Almas Orazaliev and Jandos
Jaksigeldinov, students at High
School No. 20, learn how to compose
search phrases at the IIC in
Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan
Partner Organization and Alumna in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan,
Advertise Internet Center via Internet Festival
On January 18 and 19, the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Ust-Kamenogorsk,
Kazakhstan, hosted a major Internet festival, comprised of a series of
workshops for 51 local high school and college students, faculty, and
unemployed residents. The East Kazakhstan Regional Library (EKRL), IATP’s
former partner organization that hosts the IIC, and Vera Aksenova (UGRAD
02) organized the festival to advertise the IIC’s resources and
services among local residents and organizations. For most IATP partners,
promotion and advertising are new concepts, but the EKRL staff is learning
to raise the center’s profile through campaigns, festivals, and
other events that are useful and interesting to local residents. The two-day
event included seminars with engaging titles such as “The ABCs of
Search Engines,” “Get a Free E-mail Account,” and “Ask
the Internet: Encyclopedia Resources.” Aksenova led a session entitled
“Virtual Job Hunting” for 22 unemployed residents, which introduced
the participants to writing résumés and preparing for interviews
using practice sessions. Having prepared their résumés,
the participants explored http://www.rabota.kz,
Kazakhstan’s free online employment resource, and each of them chose
positions that interested them and applied by sending resumes using newly-opened
personal e-mail accounts. Lastly, EKRL and Aksenova organized a lottery
among the festival participants, sold 320 lottery tickets, and gave out
68 prizes including free Internet access, computer courses, compact disks,
calendars, and books. The proceedings were covered by Kazakhstan-Oskemen,
a local TV channel. Through the festival, EKRL and Aksenova introduced
over 40 residents to computers and the Internet, equipping 22 unemployed
residents with skills necessary to compete in Kazakhstan’s tough
labor market, registering 71 new users, and giving out free two-hour Internet
access cards to 12 participants.
GEORGIA
Lawyer Kaxa Gogashvili (front),
Achiko Kukulashvili (in white) and
Aleksy Shoshikelashvili (in brown)
participate in the chat session,
while Keti Magalshvili (FLEX 04)
(rear) moderates.
Eurasian Citizens Discuss Outcome of Revolutions in Georgia,
Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan
On January 11, 35 representatives of government and nonprofit organizations,
educational institutions, and the general public, including alumni of
US government-sponsored exchange programs, gathered at IATP access sites
in Georgia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine to participate in an online
discussion on recent revolutions in Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan.
Moderated by Keti Magalashvili (FLEX 04) from Georgia, the main goal of
the chat was to evaluate the consequences of the Rose Revolution in Georgia,
as well as the revolutions in Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan. To begin the online
chat, two Georgian experts, Achiko Kukulashvili, the head of the Macroeconomic
Division of the Parliament Budget Office, and Aleksy Shoshikelashvili,
a lawyer at the local nonprofit Constitutional Rights Defense Center,
made brief presentations on the aftermath of the revolution in Georgia
in terms of its economic and legislative impact. Kukulashvili noted, “Positive
changes have been made in the economy...foreign investment in the Georgian
economy has increased …however, two years are not enough for people
to feel noticeable relief.” Shoshikelashvili stated that officials
have to make great efforts in the future to improve the human rights situation
in the country. Participants then shared their opinions concerning the
situations in their homelands. Liliya from Ukraine noted, “Since
the Orange Revolution, life has become better economically and culturally;
we have freedom of the media. I believe we should wait more in order to
see positive changes in the country. We need to unite for that as a nation.”
In response, Dato Tsikarishvili, a historian from Georgia, wrote, “Revolutionary
experiences in our countries are vivid examples that it is easier to make
promises and harder to fulfill them. Indeed, no government can fulfill
every promise completely, but people should see some attempt toward it.”
The online chat enabled the participants to share experiences, opinions,
and ideas about the outcomes of revolutions in three post-Soviet countries
first-hand from their counterparts.
Alumnus Conducts Seminar on Drug Problem in Rustavi, Georgia
On December 18, David Maisuradze (PIE 04) conducted a two-hour seminar
entitled “The Drug Problem and Its Prevention” on the premises
of IATP’s partner organization, the Georgian Association for Educational
Initiative (GAEI) in Rustavi, Georgia, for 16 college and high school
students, teachers, staff members of GAEI, Peace Corps volunteers, and
alumni of US- government exchange programs. Maisuradze, who is the head
of the regional department of the Ministry of Health and Social Defense,
conducted the seminar to increase the residents’ awareness of drug
abuse in Georgia. To begin the seminar, Maisuradze talked about different
aspects of the problem, such as the lack of government involvement and
a dearth of precise statistics on drug addicts in the country. Most Georgian
experts believe that there are more than 150,000 people suffering from
drug addiction in Georgia. Maisuradze described the physical and mental
damage caused by drugs, and ways to disseminate information about drug
abuse among the population, especially young people. He also introduced
the participants to local and foreign online materials on drug-related
issues, such as Alternative Georgia,
a local resource dedicated to drug abuse issues, and the website of the
nonprofit Partnership for a Drug-Free
America, which includes advice for young people, parents, and caregivers
on how to deal with drug-related issues. High school student Shota Mindadze
commented, “Thanks to this seminar, I learned many new things about
drug abuse in Georgia. Prior to the seminar, I thought that using morphine
once a year cleans one’s blood, but it was wrong. I am happy I know
it now.” The online discussion provided the residents involved in
these challenges with a rare opportunity to share knowledge on drug issues,
thus filling the information void in the country.
KYRGYZSTAN
Hasanov leads a course on
multimedia presentations at
the IATP access site in
Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
Alumnus Teaches Students Computer-Based Presentation Skills in
Karakol, Kyrgyzstan
On January 5 and 6, Timur Hasanov (FLEX 04) conducted a course on multimedia
presentation software for two students from Issyk-Kul State University
and five students from School No. 6 at the IATP access site in Karakol,
Kyrgyzstan. The students had attended computer and Internet basics courses
in November to acquire basic computer skills, and had since become regular
users. The college students had an assignment that required them to give
a presentation about the college student body’s organizational structure
and plans for the 2006 academic year. The high school students had an
assignment to present on Kyrgyzstan’s climate, geography, and environment.
Hasanov spent two hours each day teaching effective public speaking skills
and how to use computer-generated visual aids. By the end of the seminar,
the students had created their first multimedia presentations. Presentations
such as these are taken very seriously by the students and teachers in
Karakol and constitute a significant part of their grades. On behalf of
her classmates from School No. 6, Zulfiya Yakubova remarked, “I
am impatiently waiting the day of the presentation. I am proud of myself
and my classmates that we finished our assignment, which will be the best
in our school.” Hasanov’s workshop helped the students obtain
skills to develop dynamic computer-based presentations supplemented with
pictures and charts, representing a major improvement over traditional
paper-based presentations.
TURKMENISTAN
Dina Bayborodina asks questions
regarding Aral Sea deterioration at
the IATP access site in
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Eurasian Residents Discuss Aral Sea Issues Online
On January 18, 20 alumni and other ecologists, teachers, and journalists
from Armenia and Turkmenistan gathered at IATP access sites for an online
discussion entitled “Aral – the Problem of Central Asian States,”
moderated by geologist Dr. Timur Berkaliyev (Humphrey 02). The main goal
of the event was to give an opportunity to participants to discuss and
to raise awareness of the serious issue of the Aral Sea’s deterioration.
Before the 1960s, the Aral Sea was the fourth-largest inland body of water
in the world. Over the course of 40 years diversion of water, agricultural
practices, and industrial waste have caused the sea to shrink by more
than 50 percent, to lose two-thirds of its volume, to increase its salinity
dramatically, and to split into two bodies of water, the Big and Small
Aral Seas. Berkaliyev started the chat with an overview of the problems
of the Aral Sea, such as reduction of biodiversity, deterioration of climate,
degradation of soil, lack of drinking water, and population migration.
He later explained the side effects of growing cotton in Central Asia
to the Aral Sea. An intensive cotton monoculture in Central Asian states
has resulted in extreme environmental degradation. One participant asked
if countries in Central Asia will stop growing cotton in order to stop
the shrinkage of the sea and concentrate on cattle breeding, to which
Berkaliyev replied that states earn major revenues from cotton, “…but
soon it will change, since people started concentrating on fish-breeding
instead of cotton on the Big and Small Aral Seas.” Later, the chat
participants discussed requesting help from international funds for rescuing
the sea and its inhabitants and proposals on decreasing water usage. Through
this and similar events, IATP access sites help environmentally concerned
citizens gain access to information and exchange ideas.
Firuza Babayeva answers participants’
questions on grant opportunities from
the Alumni Resource Center in
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Alumni Discuss Grant Opportunities Online
On January 16, more than 10 alumni of US government-sponsored exchange
programs visited the IATP access sites in Ashgabat, Dashoguz, Mary, and
Balkanabat, Turkmenistan, for an online discussion on grant opportunities
and international fellowships, conducted by Firuza Babayeva (UGRAD 03),
US Embassy Alumni Coordinator. The goal of the online discussion was to
increase Turkmen alumni’s awareness of grant opportunities, inform
them of international fellowships, and to provide an opportunity to share
their project ideas. To start the online discussion, Babayeva explained
how important it is for alumni to be involved in community development,
as they have developed leadership skills and creative ideas. Babayeva
introduced alumni to grants provided by nongovernmental organizations
and the US Embassy in Turkmenistan, which range from $200 to $5,000. She
then covered selection criteria and the aims of these grants, which are
mainly directed toward community development. Among other programs, Babayeva
also described the Doors
to Diplomacy Award, offered by the US Department of State to encourage
middle school and high school students around the world to produce Web
projects that teach others about the importance of international affairs
and diplomacy. For questions about writing successful proposals, Babayeva
suggested visiting such websites as Basic
Elements of Grant Writing and How
to Write a Grant Proposal. In conclusion, Babayeva provided her email
address and contact information in order to assist alumni in their proposals.
The online chat helped the alumni learn about grants and conferences,
ask questions, and become acquainted with useful websites that will help
them in their community development projects and their professional growth.
MOLDOVA
IATP Trainer Margareta Buga
explains computer basics to
rural residents
Villagers Learn Computer Basics in Viisoara, Moldova
From January 9 to 13, IATP staff conducted a five-day mobile training
on computer and Internet basics for 61 local teachers, government officials,
and other local residents in Viisoara village in the Edinet district in
northern Moldova. The training was organized at the request of the Information
and Internet Access Community Center, a nonprofit organization providing
computer and Internet access. This center is the only computer class in
the region, so it is of vital importance in providing access to information
via the Internet to local residents. The attendees discovered the basics
of computer operations, learned about operating systems, mastered skills
for managing files and folders, and explored different software. The trainer
explained how to create documents, edit texts, work with tables, and save
information to various media. She also explained to participants how to
work with graphical programs. The participants also mastered basic skills
for creating electronic presentations. By using skills and knowledge obtained
at IATP trainings, the attendees will be able to use computers and the
Internet for study and professional development.
ARMENIA
Representatives of Khusthup
TV cover the countrywide online
discussion on bird flu from the
IATP access site in
Kapan, Armenia
Citizens Discuss the Danger of Bird Flu in Armenia Online
On January 19, the IATP access sites in Kapan, Spitak, and Yeghegnadzor,
Armenia, hosted a nationwide online chat for 12 people entitled “Bird
Flu: How Real is the Danger for Armenia?” with Dr. Vahan Abrahamyan,
head of the Epidemic and Hygienic Regional Inspector of Syunik Marz, and
Dr. Arthur Khachatryan, head veterinarian of the city of Kapan. The purpose
of the chat was to raise public awareness of the possible threats and
risks of avian influenza, also called the bird flu, to discuss prevention
methods, and to provide an overview of government actions to eliminate
and/or control the epidemic in the country. IATP Program Intern Victoria
Ohanjanyan, who moderated the two-hour online chat, opened the discussion
by giving an overview of the current situation with the bird flu in Armenia.
Peace Corps volunteer Philip George commented, “We are not very
worried about the bird flu virus in Armenia now; we still use chicken,
meat, and eggs. But as a preventative measure, the Peace Corps do not
allow volunteers to travel to countries where the bird flu virus is widespread.”
Khusthup TV, a local TV station in Kapan, broadcast a news story on the
chat the same day, bringing the general population up to speed on the
issue. As a result, IATP helped to disseminate timely and useful information
on a current issue throughout the country.
AZERBAIJAN
Residents of Imishli, Azerbaijan,
join the online discussion from
the IATP access site
Azerbaijani Citizens Gather Online to Mark Day of National Celebration
On December 28, 15 teachers, students, and representatives of nongovernmental
organizations gathered at four IATP access sites across Azerbaijan for
an online discussion to mark the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis.
The purpose of the online discussion was to promote conflict resolution,
enhance understanding of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, and promote
participation in responsible civil society. During the online discussion
moderated by Imishli IATP Access Site Administrator Abulfat Zeynalli,
participants discussed the cultural traditions of the Azerbaijani people
in various regions, architecture, arts, crafts, music, and carpets. Natig
Ismayilov, representative of the nonprofit organization Araz, suggested
that the chat participants join the Azerbaijan
Online Club and visit other Web resources of Azeri organizations worldwide, AzerRos - Azerbaijanis of
Russia. Participants also covered other topics, including Azeri lobbying
efforts vis-à-vis foreign governments, the promotion of Azerbaijani
culture, and the economic development of the country. The event enabled
Azerbaijani citizens from across the country to gather online to share
their thoughts on national identity, express solidarity with their compatriots,
and promote active civil participation in building a strong democratic
society.
IATP and Librarians
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More than 6,700 librarians have used IATP resources to improve their professional skills;
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IATP has trained over 5,800 librarians in basic computer and specialized courses;
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Every month, more than 500 librarians use IATP services and over 200 librarians are trained.