Internet Access and Training Program (IATP)

Program Overview

IATP News for March 2006

View news from:

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan

Moldova
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Ukraine

TAJIKISTAN

IATP users
Rustam Bahriddinov, program
coordinator at Fidokor, IATP’s
partner organization, joins the online
discussion from the IATP access
site in Kurgan-Tube, Tajikistan

IATP Partners Across Tajikistan Discuss Sustainability Issues Online
On March 29, seven representatives of IATP’s partner organizations gathered online to discuss sustainability programming, experience, and plans with three representatives of Independent Internet Centers (IIC) in Dushanbe and Kanibadam, Tajikistan. The online discussion provided the opportunity for staff of partner organizations to learn more about sustainability issues faced by IATP access sites, learn from the experience of IICs, and increase their knowledge on the matter. To start the discussion, IATP staff explained the concept of sustainability for IATP access sites, sustainability programming, expectations for the future, and the experience of other countries. Aleksey Tanin, manager of Caftar Web Studio (CWS), and Musharaf Hasanova, director of the local nonprofit organization Payvandi Shahrvandi (Civil Bridges), IATP’s partner organizations that host the Independent Internet Centers (IIC) in Dushanbe and Kanibadam, respectively, wrote about their experience of starting and operating sustainable access sites, shared details of their activities including costs and revenue sources, and gave consultations to participants on how to prepare for and cope with these issues. Tanin commented, “We provide various computer courses and services for fees and rent out the center for different organizations’ events. I suggest operating mainly as a computer center and either offering limited Internet access or getting a deal for free Internet from an ISP to reduce the burden of connection costs.” Professor Furqat Azamov from Kulyab State University asked, “Which is better, searching for donors or running a sustainable access site independently?” Tanin replied, “It’s better to form good partnerships with ISPs and other local community organizations. We moved some of our staff to the premises of the center, expanded our capacity, and started working more productively.” The online chat helped increase the knowledge and understanding of IATP’s partners of sustainability issues and increased their readiness to take over management of IATP access sites in Tajikistan.

Events in Tajikistan

On April 8, IATP will host a countrywide online chat on bird flu with Chief Veterinarian of the Republic of Tajikistan Mullojon Amirbekov and officials from the Tajik Ministry of Health.

On April 6 and 7, IATP users across the country will create flyers, posters, and brochures in Tajik and Russian about bird flu based on information from the Ministry of Health and distribute them in local organizations such as schools, colleges, libraries, markets, and city streets to raise public awareness of the problem.

On April 24, as part of IATP’s celebration of Earth Day, representatives of the Ecological Health Youth Organization will conduct a seminar on current environmental issues and environmental protection activities in Tajikistan and throughout the world at the IATP access site in Khujand, Tajikistan.

IATP user
Safarkhon Rafiev from Kulyab State
University shares information online
about local Navruz traditions from
the IATP access site in
Kulyab, Tajikistan

Eurasian Residents Discuss Traditions of Navruz Online
On March 17, more than 50 people, including representatives of educational institutions and nonprofit organizations, students, and teachers, alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs, and the general public gathered at IATP access sites in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine to participate in an online discussion on traditions of Navruz holiday celebrations in different countries of the region. Prior to the online chat, IATP users posted photos and descriptions to a Navruz Web photo gallery depicting their national traditions of celebrating the holiday, and IATP volunteers in Kulyab, Tajikistan completed and posted a new Tajik-language website about local celebrations of Navruz. To begin the discussion, participants made short presentations describing local variations in Navruz celebrations in their countries, including information about traditional festival preparations, food, dresses, contests, games, and songs. Mirzo Ergashev, from the Independent Internet Center in Kanibadam remarked, “The main festivities are held in the central stadium from morning to evening, including traditional Navruz contests such as Gushtingiri, a type of national wrestling, and cooking a traditional dish called Sumalak, prepared only on this day of the year.” Alik Aliev from Sumgayit, Azerbaijan, commented, “As a Navruz tradition, our people forgive each other’s offenses, prepare various national dishes, drinks, and sweets, and set up bonfires to jump over as an ancient ritual cleaning the soul and curing illnesses.” The online chat helped participants learn more about various celebrations of this major holiday of the region, compare cultural similarities and differences, and promote friendly communication among people throughout Eurasia.

GEORGIA

IATP users
Bela Tsipuria (rear) answers
questions,while Ketevan Vatiashvili
(front) moderates the chat session
from the IATP access site in
Tbilisi, Georgia

Georgian Citizens Discuss Ongoing Reforms in State Education Program Online
On March 16, more than 40 students, high school teachers, college professors, and staff members of educational institutions from Tbilisi, Khashuri, Telavi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Poti, Zugdidi, Gori, and Rustavi, Georgia, gathered to participate in an online discussion with Vice Minister of Education and Sciences Bela Tsipuria to discuss ongoing education reforms in the country. The educational reform package, launched in January 2004, has been an important and controversial process that followed the Rose Revolution. Moderated by Keti Vatiashvili (UGRAD 05), the purpose of the one-hour chat was to give concrete answers to citizens’ questions about changes in the system of education. One of the changes is Unified National Testing (UNT), an unprecedented attempt to free university entrance exams from corruption by requiring that every student trying to enter college go through a standardized, national testing process. However, the novelty of the new standardized examinations has caused much confusion. Teacher Manana Churkveidze from Batumi asked, “What are the new changes made to the Unified National Testing?” Tsipuria replied that in comparison with the first UNT, conducted last year, which was meant to check students’ abilities in math and Georgian and foreign languages, this year, additional questions related to geography, history, chemistry, and physics will be included. The event was publicized in Radio One, and was covered in the local media. Mze TV channel ensured the event was seen by an audience of nearly 150,000 viewers. Through the event and subsequent media coverage, IATP was able to inform a large number of Georgian citizens about the ongoing changes in the Georgian system of education.

Events in Georgia

On April 6, IATP will host an online chat among alumni of different US government- funded exchange programs to share their ideas on community service activities.

On April 19, IATP will host a countrywide online chat with Nana Janashia, executive director of the Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) to discuss issues related to the environment. The event is dedicated to Earth Day, April 22.

Radio contest winner Valery Isakov
collects his prize of free Internet
access at the IATP access site
in Telavi, Georgia

IATP Access Site Advertises on Local Radio Station in Telavi, Georgia
On March 10, the IATP access site in Telavi, Georgia, was advertised on the local My Radio station. On March 9, station director Nana Kamushauri contacted IATP Site Administrator Beso Javakhishvili, to offer a cooperative arrangement between the radio station and the IATP access site. The partnership will promote the access site throughout the city with radio advertisements in exchange for prizes consisting of one hour of free Internet access given to the station’s listeners who win various on-air contests. Previously, information about the access site was distributed through word of mouth and brochures. “Promotion of the site by radio is a great campaign, which should lead to a smooth transition toward sustainability of the site,” commented Tamar Matureli, a staff member of the Kakheti Regional Center for Development of Informational Technologies (KRCDIT), IATP’s partner organization. KRCDIT has hosted the site since January 2003, covering such expenses as rent, electricity, heating, and staff salaries. Thanks to the new partnership with the local radio, the Telavi access site will make the transition to an independent, self-sustainable Internet center by the end of the year as scheduled.

KYRGYZSTAN

IATP trainer
Hasanov demonstrates to
participants how to save information
from the Web at the IATP access
site in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan

Alumni Help Students Enrich Knowledge of Academic Honesty
From March 13 to 17, Sabina Uzakova (UGRAD 04), Timur Hasanov (FLEX 04), and two volunteers from the Academic Honesty Project led a workshop on online educational resources and academic honesty for 15 students from Abdrahmanov High School in Kizil-Suu Village at the IATP access site in Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. The United States Embassy in Kyrgyzstan provided funding for the project, which was launched in February 2003 at 14 universities throughout the country. Academic honesty has been identified by the US Embassy as a crucial issue in reform and improvement of Kyrgyzstan’s educational system. Initiated by Uzakova, Hasanov, and project volunteers, the seminar aimed to improve students’ skills in using online educational resources and to promote academic honesty in a rural high school. During the first two days of the workshop, participants set up their first e-mail accounts and sent their first messages, browsed websites of such as the website of High School No. 6 in Talas, and SIFE Jalalabat Youth Movement. Hasanov, Uzakova, and volunteers used interactive methods, including games, role-playing, and case studies, to cover how to correctly cite sources, including Web resources, and use the Internet for finding information. By the end of the course, the participants obtained skills necessary to search for information on the Internet, avoid academic dishonesty by citing sources of information, and make good use of these materials in their research and term papers.

Events in Kyrgyzstan

On April 21, Ruslan Abdullaev, the administrator of the Independent Internet Center in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, will moderate a two-hour online discussion on volunteer movements in Kyrgyzstan, dedicated to Global Youth Service Day. The chat is co-sponsored by the United Nations Volunteers’ Youth Project.

IATP trainer
Chupakhin explains how to use search
engines at the IIC in Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Alumnus Teaches College Faculty to Use Internet Resources
On March 18, Kirill Chupakhin (UGRAD 04) led a two-hour seminar on online educational resources for 11 faculty members of Osh State University, Osh Technological University, and Osh Kyrgyz-Uzbek University at the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. The IICs throughout the country, operate independently and continue to provide at least 20 hours of free Internet access and training each month, but charge modest fees for other services to sustain the high costs of Internet, labor, and maintenance. The college faculty often needs to search for the latest publications in various languages to enrich their lectures and curriculum. An active member of the Alumni Advisory Council (AAC) and IATP trainee, Chupakhin led the two-hour session in order to improve the participants’ online search proficiency and translation skills to help them incorporate useful online educational materials into their teaching. Participants learned to use search engines and browsed online educational resources such as the Finbook Online Library and the Electronic Library. Participants also discovered multilingual translation tools, such as the ABBYY online translator at www.lingvo.ru. “I personally opened for myself many useful online resources that will be useful in my work. I am against using outdated facts, and have faced difficulties finding current and reliable publications. Now, I have enough skills and resources to update my teaching materials,” remarked Gulshayir Zhunusova from Osh State University. Since his return from the United States, Chupakhin has already conducted five similar seminars for high school and college students and faculty, and has administered the IIC himself four times.

ARMENIA

IATP user
Seyran Avetisyan, co-founder of the
Scientific and Cultural Youth Organization,
IATP’s partner organization, joins the chat
from the access site in Kapan, Armenia

IATP Partners and Staff Discuss Sustainability Issues Online
On March 24, fourteen IATP employees and volunteers, alumni of US government-funded exchange programs, and representatives of Independent Internet Centers (IICs) joined an online discussion entitled “Are We Ready for Sustainability?” from five cities across Armenia. During the online discussion moderated by IATP staff, participants discussed IATP’s sustainability programming; shared experiences about successes and challenges encountered during the process of attaining sustainability, and exchanged suggestions to address these difficulties. Khachanush Sargsyan, director of the Yeghegnadzor State College of Economics, one of IATP’s partner organization, asked about the legal and organizational steps required to set up an IIC. Other participants explained that educational institutions need to set up a commercial subsidiary as a first step, and then obtain a license from the Ministry of Finance and Trade to operate as an Internet provider. Participants agreed to apply what they have learned over the next two months, and meet online again in May to discuss their experiences. Thanks to the online chat, IATP’s partners shared experience and knowledge and increased their understanding of concepts and strategies that will prepare them for sustainability.

Events in Armenia

On April 4, IATP Intern Victoria Ohanjanyan will moderate a countrywide online chat entitled “April Fools Day: Origin and History.”

On April 23, Anna Minasyan (FLEX 01) will conduct a seminar entitled “Communicate with International Women’s Organizations Online” for members of the Kapan Women’s Association at the IATP access site in Kapan, Armenia.

On April 25, IATP will host a countrywide online chat commemorating the 91st anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

IATP Trainer Edik Ehtibaryan
(center)helps participants join the
online chat from the IATP access
site in Spitak, Armenia

Citizens Discuss the Role of Women in Armenian Society
On March 9, Narine Sargsyan, president of Your Future, an Armenian nonprofit organization, participated in an online discussion on women’s roles in Armenian society with nine representatives of nonprofit organizations, teachers, and alumni of US government-sponsored programs from the IATP access sites in Yeghegnadzor and Spitak and the Independent Internet Center at Yerevan State University of Architecture and Construction in Yerevan, Armenia. Each March 8, in honor of International Woman’s Day, people around the world celebrate women’s achievements and their role in society and the community. Sargsyan, the leader of an NGO that works with vulnerable children, delivered a presentation on the current status of women in Armenia, noting profound changes in their roles. She remarked, “Women can’t afford to have as many children as before, and are concerned by the problems of their feeding and clothing... In such conditions, changes in the roles within families are inescapable.” Participants addressed Sargsyan with numerous questions and discussed the current situation of women’s rights, gender balance, and ongoing local government activities in this area. Sargsyan concluded, “From my point of view, these online events are very effective, as I have an opportunity to exchange ideas with NGO representatives and teachers in the regions.” The online chat allowed participants to discuss views on the status of women and women’s issues in Armenian society, and determine ways to increase women’s leadership role in society and the community.

TURKMENISTAN

Dovlet Jumakuliev (JFDP 02) asks a
question on GMO’s status in Europe

Alumna Leads Discussion of Genetic Engineering Online
On March 13, more than 30 residents of Turkmenistan, including alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs and biologists, gathered at the IATP access sites in Mary, Turkmenabat, Dashoguz, Balkanabat, and Ashgabat for an online discussion on genetically modified organisms (GMO) with Ejebay Kokanova (Cochran 00). Kokanova is the director of the research laboratory at the Turkmen National Scientific Research Institute for Wilderness, Plant, and Animal Life. Moderated by IATP Alumni Coordinator Myahri Altybayeva, the main goal of the chat was to provide information to participants on GMO, and to raise their awareness of recent innovations in biology. Kokanova started the discussion with a history of GMOs. She stated that advances in molecular biology since the early 1970s have resulted in the growth of a wide variety of techniques, which result in genetic modification. These techniques have been applied to a wide range of micro-organisms, plants and animals, resulting in increased scientific understanding of organisms, their interactions, genetics, and functions, as well as enabling production of enyzmes, therapeutic agents, and gene therapy vectors. During her exchange year, Kokanova had the opportunity to learn what American entomologists are doing to protect crops from field moths and grain insects; she also had a unique chance to take a closer look at the results of research in genetic engeeneering. Thanks to the IATP-initiated online discussion, participants had a chance to learn about the latest biological innovations in genetic engineering.

Events in Turkmenistan

On April 7, IATP will host a countrywide chat entitled "Mothers and Their Health" dedicated to the International Day of Health, with Ian Reynolds, a Peace Corps Health Volunteer.

On April 14, Aina Kekilova (CI 02) will conduct a countrywide chat entitled “Global Warming and Ozone Depletion” at the Alumni Resource Center in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The main goal of the IATP-initiated event will be to raise residents’ awareness of current environmental issues and to encourage participants to take action to improve the situation.

In honor of Global Youth Service Day, April 21 to 23, and Earth Day, April 22, IATP Alumni Coordinator Mehri Altybayeva will moderate a regional chat entitled “Alumni Take Action for a Healthy Environment” for alumni of US Government-funded exchange programs on May 1. The main goal of the online event is to discuss the actions taken by alumni to accelerate environmental progress in their respective countries.

Tournament coaches take notes on teams’
performance at the Peace Corps office
in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Internet Serves as Information Resource for Regional Debate Tournament
On March 5, 50 residents, including 15 alumni of US government–sponsored exchange programs, gathered at the Peace Corps office in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, for a debate tournament initiated by Peace Corps volunteer Sam Tranum and alumna Mehri Karyagdiyeva (FLEX 01), and co-organized by IATP access site administrators across Turkmenistan. First, Karyagdiyeva and Tranum met interested Peace Corps volunteers from different parts of Turkmenistan, who would train debating teams in the regions on how to use online search engines to find information on the topic and prepare for the tournament. From February 1 to March 1, eight teams from Balkanabat, Turkmenbashy, Mary, Dashoguz, Turkmenabat, and Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, prepared for the competition. Debate participants learned different types, styles, and procedures of debates and focused on the Karl Popper debate method, which develops skills of critical thinking, argumentation, and rhetoric, and promotes values of tolerance and respect for the opinions of others. To arm themselves with needed arguments on the topic, participants accessed various online resources such as the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the United Nations, and the Drug Policy Alliance. On March 4, debaters and tournament coaches arrived in Ashgabat to practice and show off the skills they had acquired. On March 5, the eight teams were divided into four sub-groups, which debated in four separate rooms of the Peace Corps office. Based on their level of preparation, use of logic, and persuasiveness of arguments, the team from Mary won the tournament. Each participant was given a copy of the Debate Coach’s Handbook, a booklet printed by the organizers with grant funds, based on Discovering the World through Debate by William Driscoll and Joseph P. Zompetti. The debate competition, the first of its kind in Turkmenistan, promoted debating skills among young people across the country that are helpful for developing critical thinking, eloquence, creativity, and logic. The event was helpful for improving youths’ debating skills, and using Internet resources to promote dialogue and free discussion of vital questions shaping society.

UKRAINE

libarian
Olena Bashun prepares to moderate
the online discussion from the IATP
access site in Donetsk, Ukraine

Ukrainian Librarians Share Experience in Online Chat
On March 14, IATP access sites throughout Ukraine and several other countries of Eurasia hosted more than 70 librarians for an international online chat entitled “Lobbying for the Interests of Libraries: the Ukrainian Experience.” Olena Bashun (CI 03), deputy director of Donetsk Regional Scientific Library, moderated the chat and opened the discussion by narrating how IATP helped Ukrainian librarians lobby for changes in the law. In January, the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture had made changes in procurement procedures after librarians lobbied for the changes in IATP chats in December. Bashun, who is also head of the Donetsk Branch of Ukrainian Library Association, remarked, “I think that a library association should play the main role in lobbying for the interests of libraries. It works in Ukraine.” In addition to the lobbying success, the librarians participating in the chat discussed a series of common issues that they face, in particular the development of electronic catalogues. Participants shared the addresses of their libraries’ websites and exchanged contact information, and proposed future joint projects. For example, librarians from Azerbaijan suggested creating a bibliographical guide on Ukraine-Azerbaijan cultural connections as well as holding a regional conference for library associations this autumn. The participants decided to continue meeting in IATP online chats to exchange best practices. IATP contributed to cooperation among librarians across Eurasia and encouraged them to use computer and Internet technologies in their daily work.

Events in Ukraine

On April 3, Ihor Matkovsky (CC 02) will conduct a seminar entitled “Internet Resources on AIDS” for local schoolchildren at the IATP access site in Vinnytsia.

On April 20, the IATP access site in Sevastopol will host a seminar entitled “The Youth Volunteer Movement in Sevastopol” in honor of Global Youth Service Day.

On April 22, the IATP access site in Kharkiv will host an annual scientific conference for schoolchildren within the framework of the local “Earth – 21st Century” project.

On April 28, Natalia Asaturian (CC 00) will conduct a seminar entitled “Journalism on the Internet” at the IATP access site in Ivano-Frankivsk.

Journalists and Observers Monitor Parliamentary Elections Online in Vinnytsia, Ukraine
On March 26 and 27, the IATP access site in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, hosted an information marathon entitled “Election Day 2006.” IATP co-sponsored this initiative together with the European Information Center in Vinnytsia, with support of the International Renaissance Foundation, the Vinnytsia Regional Universal Library, and Forum Youth Center. The aim of the event was to provide real-time information on the elections through the Internet for 12 hours on Election Day, March 26, and 12 hours on the day after the elections. Thirty-four international observers (including observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Network of Election Monitoring Organization), journalists, representatives of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, members of the local election committees, parliamentary deputies, and ordinary citizens took advantage of the opportunity. They learned about the voting process in different regions of Ukraine and results of exit polls, and received information about observed violations of election law from online newspapers and the website of the Central Election Commission. Visitors also received e-mail reports directly from observers and viewed an online broadcast dedicated to the election process from the Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (UNIAN). By offering alternative online resources of information about the election process, IATP improved the flow of information during the election and contributed to fair parliamentary elections in Ukraine.

AZERBAIJAN

website
The website of Jafar Jabbarly
Republican Youth Library is now
hosted on the IATP’s server
in Baku, Azerbaijan

Student Creates Library Website in Baku, Azerbaijan
On March 3, IATP volunteer Samir Abbasov created the official website of the Jafar Jabbarly Republican Youth Library (JJRYL) in Azeri and English after completing a Web design course held at the IATP access site in Baku, Azerbaijan. Abbasov is an active IATP user who has conducted several computer and Internet basics courses for other users after gaining the necessary skills at the access site. He learned how to use a common programming language, create links, optimize images for the Web, and design a website. The newly created Web resource contains general information about the history, departments, and work of the library. Before deciding to create the website, Abbasov discussed the idea with the JJRYL management team, which gladly supported it, provided information and pledged assistance in further development of the content and design of the website. Abbasov commented, “It’s great that I can continue benefiting from the free access to Internet and computer courses that IATP offers. I am happy that now I can not only continue my studies, but also create websites to make my contribution to Azerbaijan’s online resource development.” The new Web resource brings the total number of websites hosted by IATP in Azerbaijan to 391, increasing the number of websites related to history, culture, literature, and education to 104.

Events in Azerbaijan

On April 7, IATP will host a countrywide online chat entitled “Successes and Problems of Azerbaijani Youth” with staff of the local committee of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Ishimli, Azerbaijan.

On April 7, Sevinc Heydarova, chair of the nonprofit organization Alternative Development in Ganja will conduct a forum on bird flu and its prevalence in the Caspian Region.

On April 21, Ali Bashirli, candidate for deputy to the Milli Mejlis (parliament) will lead a countrywide online chat dedicated to International Earth Day for a group of 8 NGO representatives, teachers, and students from the IATP access site in Ali-Bayramli.

KAZAKHSTAN

Contest winner Nasyr Abdizabekov
accepts congratulations from his
peers at the IATP access site
in Atyrau, Kazakhstan

Elementary School Children Develop Electronic Postcards Dedicated to Navruz
On March 18, 29 students from six elementary schools attended a two-hour seminar on image editing to develop electronic postcards dedicated to Navruz at the IATP access site in Atyrau, Kazakhstan. Navruz, which means "new day" in Persian, is the traditional festival of the New Year in the Persian calendar, and coincides with the vernal equinox, the start of spring. The holiday is celebrated in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Turkey, and the countries of Central Asia. Six school principals, including Victor Rassuhin (CC 01) and Svetlana Ismagulova (CC 01), requested IATP’s course on image editing for their students so that they could have fun while learning computer skills and celebrating a traditional holiday. IATP Administrator Ainurly Kisimova explained how to use image editing software to create images, add effects, paste in elements of other photos, manage color and insert text. The children had the opportunity to insert photographs and poems of their own creation. At the end of the seminar, well-known local artist Rafael Slekenov judged the students’ e-cards and announced the winner, Nasyr Abdizabekov from High School No. 12, who received a book on image editing software. All of the students received printed copies of their cards to present to loved ones. Abdizabekov remarked, “I will be glad to show my postcard to my parents, who will be happy to receive such a gift from me.” IATP’s workshop equipped the children with image editing skills and familiarized them with computers that they will be able to use for their academic work in the future.

Events in Kazakhstan

From April 17 to 28, IATP Administrator Alexander Parfentyev will conduct a series of computer courses, including computer and Internet basics for 12 disabled Afghan War veterans at the IATP access site in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

libarians
Librarians discuss a standardized
format for their business cards at
the IIC in Karaganda, Kazakhstan

Librarians in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, Learn to Develop Promotional Materials
From February 27 to March 17, Dana Mamrayeva, administrator of the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, led a course for eight librarians from the Gogol Regional Scientific Library (GRSL) on developing library’s promotional materials. GRSL is IATP’s partner organization, providing free room and utilities for the IIC, which was previously funded by ECA and administered by IREX. For most of IATP’s partners, advertising, and promotion are new concepts. GRSL staff and Mamrayeva are developing a comprehensive publicity strategy that includes brochures about the library’s and IIC’s services, as well as business cards for staff. Mamrayeva introduced the participants to image editing software, scanning methods, and word processing skills. The librarians used their new skills to create an informational brochure describing GRSL and IIC’s services, including the number and types of books available for patrons, check out and return procedures along with computer courses, and a schedule of services and fees of the IIC. Additionally, by digitizing rare literature and periodicals, the librarians can provide services to a far greater number of patrons, who can access content using computers rather than waiting for the only original book at the library. The workshop was one of several capacity-building trainings conducted by Mamrayeva. Vera Kuptsova, head of the Children’s Literature Department, commented, “Such seminars help us develop librarianship in general. In our case, we obtained new skills that should help us effectively advertise the library’s resources, especially among young people.”

MOLDOVA

Seminar attendees learn about the
newest methods for coping with stress

Local Residents Learn to Cope with Stress through Internet in Chisinau, Moldova
On March 17, the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau, Moldova, hosted a seminar entitled “Stress Management,” conducted by IATP intern Aliona Birzoi for 10 local residents, including college students, professors, and employees of non-profit organizations interested in psychology. The main purpose of the training was to explore Internet resources dedicated to coping with stress. Birzoi introduced the primary symptoms of stress and described some of the factors that cause stress, such as environmental and psychological stressors. She also directed the participants to websites dedicated to the newest methods of coping with stress and online psychological tests (in particular, http://www.crtp.ro). Participants also discussed psychological issues of interest to them in online forums and received recommendations on coping with stress at http://aid.xhost.ro/. IATP demonstrated to the attendees the capabilities of modern information technology for obtaining the latest information of interest to them, and encouraged local residents to use the Internet for their professional and personal development. Over 50 Moldovans benefit from IATP training every month.

Events in Moldova

In April the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau will host a seminar entitled “Medicine Online” dedicated to World Health Day.

From April 3 to 27, the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau will host a Step-by-Step training series for employees of the Moldovan Ministry of Health.

On April 28, the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau will sponsor a seminar entitled “Communication in Professional Relationships” for local ECA alumni.

From April 27 to 30, the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau will host a training on developing interactive presentations for local residents.

IATP and Women

Since IATP began in 1995, more than 150,000 women have used IATP's resources;
IATP has trained almost 100,000 women in computer, Internet, and Web design basics;
In March, in honor of Women's History Month, IATP held numerous online chats, seminars, and trainings targeted for women about women's issues and health.