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IATP News for May 2006
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KYRGYZSTAN
Deputy of Talas City Council Bakyt
Nurjanov moderates the chat
on labor
migration at the IATP access
site in Talas, Kyrgyzstan
Citizens of Kyrgyzstan Discuss Problems and Prospects of Labor Migration in Online Chat
On May 22, more than 27 representatives from international and local NGOs, governmental agencies, educational institutions, and alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs participated in an online discussion on the problems and prospects of labor migration in Kyrgyzstan from seven IATP access sites across the country. Moderated by Bakyt Nurjanov, a deputy of Talas City Council, and the Director of National Democracy Institute (NDI) office in Talas Gulnara Izbasarova, the online discussion addressed challenges associated with labor migration in Kyrgyzstan, including the reasons for continuing increase in labor migrants, the steps the government and NGOs take to help migrants, and ways to regulate migration. Medet Aydaraliev, the director of Migration and Employment Agency in Kerben, noted, “I can name several reasons for Kyrgyzstan’s residents migrating abroad for employment or permanent residency. Most importantly, there is a big shortage of jobs in the country due to an underdeveloped economy. Secondly, migrating people do not witness any steps to improve the local labor market, and they do not want to sit and wait.” One of the possible solutions to help the migrants came from Arzikan Momuntaeva, the manager of the Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society in Talas, who remarked, “I believe that if Kyrgyzstan’s Labor Committee opens an online portal with useful information on labor migration compiled in one place, the migrants will greatly benefit from this online resource. The thing is that Kyrgyzstani migrants encounter an obstacle - a lack of legal and other information related to administrative procedures and migrants’ rights.” The overwhelming majority of Kyrgyzstan’s migrants are heading to Russia and Kazakhstan in search of jobs. Between 350,000 to 500,000 Kyrgyz nationals, out of an overall population of roughly 5 million, work either seasonally or full-time in foreign countries, according to some estimates. By holding this online chat, IATP helped people throughout Kyrgyzstan working on migration issues exchange information and share knowledge in order to raise public awareness of the issue.
Residents and Alumni in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, Mark 61st Anniversary of WWII Victory
On May 4, 22 residents, including three alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs, 15 veterans of World War II (WWII), and four high school students, gathered at the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, to mark the 61st anniversary of Victory Day, the May 9 holiday commemorating the cessation of hostilities with Nazi Germany in 1945. The IICs, former IATP access sites, 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. Ruslan Abdullaev, the IIC administrator, started the event by showing a multimedia presentation on WWII facts, including the battle for Stalingrad, combat on the streets of Berlin, and placement of the flag of victory on the Reichstag in Berlin, based on information at a bilingual online portal. The veterans shared their dramatic wartime experiences from the toughest years of their lives during the former Soviet Union’s fight against Nazi Germany. Their experience in the war taught them the importance of international cooperation and friendship. Prior to the event, Maruf Babayev (FLEX 04) assisted eight veterans in searching for names of their relatives and friends missing in the war by using online databases and search services at www.poisk.vid.ru and www.pobediteli.ru. Out of approximately 360,000 soldiers from Kyrgyzstan who went to the war, some 150,000 were killed or reported missing in action. Kyrgyz civilians also helped to win the war by manufacturing spare parts for tanks, machine guns, and supplying grain and meat products. Veteran Alexander Galtsev, who is 76 years old, remarked, ”I enjoyed the event and an happy to learn that the young people remember us. I cried when I saw those photos, but I cried because I was happy that we won the war. God bless you!” School textbooks in Kyrgyzstan dedicate only a few pages to the war despite the Kyrgyz people’s contribution and active participation in WWII. The veterans thanked the alumni and the administrator for providing the opportunity to sing songs, view archival photos, and search for their missing friends and relatives on the Internet.
AZERBAIJAN
US Second Secretary to Azerbaijan
Paul Narain (right) fields
participants’
questions during an
online forum from the US-Azerbaijan
Education Center in Baku, Azerbaijan
Citizens Discuss Democracy and Human Rights with US Second Secretary to Azerbaijan Online
On April 25, more than 40 individuals participated in an online forum with Paul Narain, second secretary at the US Embassy to Azerbaijan, from IATP access sites and Regional Library Information Centers (RLIC) throughout the country. During the online discussion in English, Narain answered questions touching on various aspects of democratization and human rights. Rashad Ibrahimov from Ganja asked about the role of citizens in building a democratic society, to which Narain replied, ”A functioning democratic society very much depends on a vibrant, well-informed and engaged public that is an active participant in the political process shaping the direction of public policy.” He added, “That is why the United States through its Agency for International Development has always supported the development of NGOs’ community based solutions to local problems, because society’s role is so important to a country’s democratic development.” The online discussion also included an exchange with Elshan Kerimov, business advisor from the Azerbaijan Business Assistance Development Program, who asked about the impact of democracy on relationships between countries. Narain replied, “If you look at the history of the 20th century, you notice an important trend that democratic nations don’t go to war with each other. Democracies stand united in the defense of common rights, free trade, and collective security.” The local newspaper Electronic Azerbaijan published an article about the event. Due to IATP-organized online discussions, thousands of Azeri citizens learn about US policy and about the importance that the United States places on human rights, freedom, and democracy in countries with which it has relations.
Participants discuss challenges
facing the media during an online
forum from the IATP access
site Baku, Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani Citizens Honor World Press Freedom Day Online
On May 12, 25 people, including journalists, students, teachers, and alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs, gathered online from IATP access sites in five cities throughout Azerbaijan to celebrate World Press Freedom Day (WPFD). WPFD honors sacrifices around the world made for freedom of the press and reminds governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression that is guaranteed under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Moderated by IATP Training Coordinator Tamerlan Badalov, the main goal of the discussion was to illustrate the impact of press freedom on society and the transition to democracy in the country. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the history of World Press Freedom Day, its role in society, and existing media problems in Azerbaijan. Fakhraddin Rahimov, a journalist from Ishig, a local newspaper in Ali Bayramli, spoke about the history of the day, noting that it originated in Namibia. Ganja IATP Access Site Administrator Elmar Ibrahimov noted that according to several UNESCO websites, “Independent, free, and pluralistic media have a crucial role to play in the good governance of democratic societies, by ensuring transparency and accountability, promoting participation and the rule of law, and contributing to the fight against poverty.” Teacher Leyla Sultanova underlined the essence of press freedom by remarking that civilized governments guarantee a free public press for citizens and associations, extended to members of news gathering organizations, and their published reporting. The IATP-sponsored online discussion promoted increased public awareness about the state of press freedom in Azerbaijan, encouraged participants to state problems and suggest solutions, and contributed to an enhanced understanding of significance of the free press in building a market-oriented democratic society.
KAZAKHSTAN
Dmitry Lemayev (FLEX 03) posts
a question for Mark Pomar from
Kyrzylorda, Kazakhstan
IATP Partners and Staff Share Accomplishments with IREX President via Online Chat in Kazakhstan
On May 18, 32 participants, including staff of IATP’s partner organizations, alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs, IATP administrators, and volunteers gathered in 12 IATP access sites and Independent Internet Centers (IICs) across Kazakhstan for an online chat with IREX President Mark Pomar about their accomplishments and plans. The chat was held in Russian, as Pomar is fluent in the language, as are all partners and staff in Kazakhstan. To begin the discussion, staff of the partner organizations posted brief presentations about the services and resources offered at the IATP access sites and IICs in their cities. Oleg Kim, the IIC administrator from Kyzylorda, described recent activities, such as a series of seminars on Web design in partnership with the Regional Center for New Technologies in Education for teachers from remote regions, which resulted in the development of 36 new websites, more than a half of them in the Kazakh language. During a question and answer session, each participant had the opportunity to ask follow-up questions, which centered around future funding prospects for IATP, further partnership with IREX, and grant opportunities for local organizations. Dmitry Lemayev (FLEX 03) from Kyzylorda asked, “What plans does IREX have in terms of programs benefiting and developing young people?” Pomar answered, “IREX administers the Tech Age Girls Program. The program is designed for girls between 12 to 16 years old who attend computer training, after which they become trainers and independently teach others.” The chat enabled Mark Pomar to learn about experiences, activities, and successes of the IATP access sites and IICs in Kazakhstan, while IATP’s partners, alumni, and administrators had an opportunity to inquire about IREX’s plans.
Journalists explore online media
outlets at the IIC in
Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan
Journalists in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan, Discover Online Media Outlets
On May 3, the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan, was the venue for a two-and-a-half-hour workshop dedicated to online media outlets for 11 local journalists commemorating World Press Freedom Day. Among the eleven participants were Rahat Omarov, Chief Editor of Democracy Newspaper, Alua Sakenkizi, a Semipalatinsk TV Channel journalist, and Saltanat Abdusalyamova, the Editor of Arna Newspaper. The participants had an opportunity to undergo training by Aliya Kalizhanova, the IIC administrator, who introduced them to the Google news search engine and a local online digest among other resources. The journalists also explored and discovered a wide spectrum of online sources of information for their reporting, including the UK-based magazine Guardian, the Reuters news agency, and the International Federation of Journalists. Zuhra Abdysheva (CC 00) helped the participants to focus their efforts not only on finding sources of information, but also on making connections with their counterparts in Kazakhstan as well as other countries who are active in promoting press freedom. To do this, Abdysheva and the journalists opened new topics on Kazakhstan’s online forum (www.forum.kz), including topics such as “E-Government: Reality and Prospects,” “Journalists and Local Authorities,” and “What the Freedom of the Press Is.” The workshop was dedicated to World Press Freedom Day, which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom throughout the world. In many countries the press faces formidable hurdles in exercising the rights that are guaranteed to them by their national constitutions. Journalists are often harassed, beaten, jailed, or even killed for real or perceived criticism of the government. Omarov commented, “The seminar opened the door to valuable online outlets. Having learned about search engines and websites of international news agencies, I can compare information broadcast on local media with those in foreign media for objectivity. I am also planning to establish contacts with fellow journalists across Eurasia and the United States.”
ARMENIA
Anahit Yeranosyan presents the
results of her work to other course
participants at the IATP access
site in Spitak, Armenia.
Computer Skills Help IATP User Find Job in Spitak, Armenia
On May 1, Anahit Yeranosyan, started a new job as a computer operator and designer at the Art and Design Company (ADC) after participating in a training course that gave her an advantage. ADC announced a vacancy contest in April seeking an individual with advanced skills not only in word processing and spreadsheet use, but also in digital image editing. Yeranosyan, who had already completed a computer course at the IATP access site, decided to learn how to create and edit digital images in order to increase her competitiveness for the vacancy. Throughout the course, she learned about the wide range of tools that can be used to express creativity and meet the needs of customers of a photo design studio. By the end of the course, Yeranosyan practiced skills in working with colors and layers of the images, and created a photo album and a calendar that she submitted to the competition organizers. Impressed by her skills, the hiring committee chose her for the job. IATP courses gave Yeranosyan the edge over ten other qualified candidates and helped her obtain a better job.
NGO Spitux staff participate in
the online chat with the help of
Trainer Edik Ehtibaryan (left) at
the IATP access site in
Spitak, Armenia.
IATP Partners and Staff Across Armenia Discuss Sustainability Progress Online
On May 23, 10 representatives of IATP’s partner organizations, IATP employees, volunteers, and alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs came together for an online discussion entitled “Sustainability: New Opportunities to Develop Access Site Services” from five cities across Armenia. During the online chat, moderated by Kapan IATP Access Site Trainer, Karen Arzumanyan, participants described the types of services provided at each access site and discussed the challenges they encountered while drafting and finalizing their business plans. Trainer Edik Mkoyan from the access site in Gyumri, Armenia asked
about the relative profitability of different services, such as Internet access and computer courses. Other participants explained that the amount of profit generated from providing one or another service depends on the specifics of each access site, but that it always works to provide diverse services. Mkoyan commented, “I found the discussion to be very useful and important for me and the volunteers of the newly opened IATP access site in Gyumri, Armenia. I learned things that I will need to know in order to catch up on the process of becoming sustainable.” By the end of the discussion, participants agreed to hold these kinds of discussions on a regular basis. The online chat helped increase the knowledge and understanding of IATP partners and staff about sustainability issues, while increasing their readiness to manage of IATP access sites in Armenia.
TAJIKISTAN
Nuriddin Karshiboev, answers
participants’ questions during the
online chat from the IATP office in
Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Citizens Discuss Press Freedom in Tajikistan Online
On May 2, IATP brought together more than 20 people, including journalists, representatives of NGOs, and students at five access sites throughout Tajikistan for an online chat with Nuriddin Karshiboev, director of the National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (NANSMIT), an independent media watchdog monitoring press freedom in Tajikistan. The two-hour virtual discussion, held in honor of World Press Freedom Day, focused on achievements and challenges facing press freedom in the country, as well as the organization’s work in protecting rights of member organizations and promoting their interests before the government. According to official statistics, there are over 340 newspapers in Tajikistan. However, the International Press Institute claims that independent media in Tajikistan in 2005 suffered one setback after another, as major opposition newspapers were shut down, and two journalists were given harsh prison sentences on charges many believe to be politically motivated. Karshiboev remarked, “For the past year, we didn’t see active government pressure limiting freedom of the press. However, press freedom did not gain anything from this. You all know very well about the closure of the popular opposition newspapers Ruzi Nav (New Day) and Nerui Sukhan (Power of Speech) and difficulties with registration of new media outlets. Issues in licensing of TV and radio broadcasting are still not solved.” Zafar Murodov, a journalist from Kulyabskaya Pravda (Kulyab Truth) newspaper, asked, “Recently, journalist Bilol Shamsov has been suspended from working at Mavji Ozod (Free Wave), a private TV station, in Kulyab. He had been pressured by local police officers to leave his job after some critical statements he made about the work of authorities there. What actions has your organization taken to address this situation?” Karshiboev replied, “We have already distributed information about this case. We are preparing a report about the results of our monitoring and will submit it to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), as it is not the first case of violation of journalists’ rights by local law enforcement departments.” The IATP-sponsored online discussion promoted increased public awareness about the state of press freedom in Tajikistan, encouraged participants to voice problems and suggest solutions, and contributed to an enhanced understanding of the significance of the free press in building a market-oriented democratic society.
Disabled User Studies Psychology Online at the Independent Internet Center in Kanibadam, Tajikistan
On May 25, Sitora Qurbonova, a disabled, active IATP user, visited the Independent Internet Center (IIC) in Kanibadam, Tajikistan, to e-mail her latest completed assignments to the Art and Image Internet Institute (AIII) where she is currently taking a distance learning (DL) course on psychology. Although Qurbonova has been confined to a wheelchair since birth due to paralysis of both of her legs, it did not prevent her from completing IATP courses, creating several websites, and even conducting an Internet basics course herself at the access site with the help of volunteers to maneuver her wheelchair during the training sessions. She was excited to learn about DL two years ago, and since then has been searching the Internet and asking friends to help in finding available online courses. On March 9, she applied for a DL course on psychology and was accepted on March 14. Considering her great interest in the field and her financial situation, AIII waived the $ 897 fee for the nine-month course. Qurbonova has completed such topics as tasks and methods of psychology, structure of personality, traits of temperaments, and psychological profiling. Assisted by her family and friends, she regularly visits the IIC to access the Internet to obtain course materials and work on the computer three to four hours to send her completed assignments by e-mail. Qurbonova commented, “There is no other Internet center in town that provides basic conditions for physically disabled people, such as a wheelchair ramp and wide doors. Thanks to free Internet access, upon successful completion of the course I will obtain a therapist diploma and will be able to assist people in the community.”
TURKMENISTAN
World War II Veterans watch a
presentation by local high
school students in
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Alumni Pay Respect to World War II Veterans in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
On May 8, 36 residents, including seven alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs and six veterans of World War II (WWII) gathered at the Alumni Resource Center (ARC) in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, to mark May 9 - the 61st anniversary of Victory Day in WWII. IATP Country Coordinator Byashim Berdiyev and IREX Country Director Osman Seyidov delivered a congratulatory speech, after which alumni gave the veterans gifts and a letter of congratulation on behalf of all Turkmenistani alumni. Dayanch Hojageldiyev (UGRAD 05), a third-year student at Turkmen State University, delivered a slide show presentation on WWII chronology. Hojageldiyev visited the ARC a month before the event, and using IATP resources prepared a presentation based on information from websites such as World War II, and Facts on World II. The presentation was followed by a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the war. Seventeen students from Ashgabat Specialized School No. 7 sang songs and presented cards and pictures they had prepared in image editor software when they attended a one-week Computer Basics course by Valentina Burmistrova (Fulbright 03) at the ARC in Ashgabat in March. The veterans shared their war experience by telling stories of the places they had fought, and the conditions they lived in along with medals they received. Aga Garajayev, an 84-year-old veteran, remarked, “As one who had witnessed the war; experienced the hard years of seeing the suffering of innocent people and rubble of buildings, I ask the young people to appreciate life, and this victory, that we achieved through difficult fights and with the loss of our friends and relatives.” Through the IATP event veterans met with alumni and high school students and by telling their life stories, contributed to the younger generation’s knowledge of WWII.
Sazonova’s website about
Turkmenistan’s national parks is
available at
www.iatp.edu.tm/tmpreserves
Homemaker in Mary, Turkmenistan, Posts Website on Turkmenistan’s Natural Preserves
On May 16, homemaker Irina Sazonova posted her first website, about the national parks of Turkmenistan, after a week-long Web design course at the IATP access site in Mary, Turkmenistan. Sazonova first visited the IATP access site in October 2005 at the age of 51, and has taken IATP’s series of basic training courses. IATP Administrator Bazar Bugrayev introduced Sazonova and other six participants to the basic features of Web page editors and taught them how to design a website, create links, optimize images for the Web, and create a user-friendly layout. Following the course, she created a new website (www.iatp.edu.tm/tmreserves) about eight national parks of Turkmenistan, with interesting historical and geographical details and facts along with pictures of flora and fauna. Sazonova commented, “Thanks to IATP, I created my website about Turkmenistan’s wildlife and parks, which will help people abroad learn more about the beauty of this country." Sazonova's website brings the total number of resources hosted by IATP in Turkmenistan to 161, representing the majority of websites hosted in the country.
UKRAINE
Oksana Bondar gives a tour of
websites dedicated to AIDS
Young Volunteers Discover Internet Resources on AIDS in Vinnytsia, Ukraine
On May 12, the IATP access site in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, was the venue for a seminar on Internet resources on AIDS for five volunteers from the School of Equal Opportunities, a youth nonprofit organization. Since the AIDS epidemic in Ukraine continues to grow and AIDS awareness among Ukrainian youth is one of the most urgent issues facing the country, IATP Site Administrator Oksana Bondar and Illia Maksymchuk, an employee of the City Center of Social Services for Family, Children, and Youth, conducted the seminar to inform the young volunteers about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention methods. Maksymchuk shared statistics on HIV/AIDS throughout Ukraine and in the Vinnytsia region. According to UNICEF, the estimated number of people living with HIV in Ukraine ranges between 180,000 and 590,000 people, which is over one percent of the total adult population, and this figure is increasing every year. The participants also learned about HIV transmission and methods for AIDS treatment and prevention, discussed ways to fight against the disease by spreading information about HIV transmission and prevention in the region, and visited the information portal www.aids.ru, where they posted questions about AIDS to experts. Bondar introduced the attendees to organizations working in Ukraine to overcome HIV/AIDS, in particular, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine, and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. She also gave a tour of the website of the Coalition of HIV-Service NGOs– a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2004 and consolidates regional and national NGOs operating in the primary prevention, harm reduction, care and support of HIV-positive people. As a result of the seminar, the young volunteers improved their knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and discovered Internet resources with reliable information about AIDS; with their newly obtained knowledge they will be able to conduct lectures on AIDS prevention for their peers.
Schoolteachers Learn Computer and Internet Use in Education in Kharkiv, Ukraine
On May 4, the IATP access site in Kharkiv, Ukraine, was the venue for a seminar entitled “Educational Internet Resources,” conducted by Professor Lyudmyla Filipova (RSEP 00) for eight teachers from three local schools. This seminar concluded a Step-by-Step training series sponsored by IATP in April to equip local educators with computer and Internet skills to increase the effectiveness of teachers’ work. Due to IATP training, the participants discovered the basics of computer use, learned about operating systems, mastered skills for managing files and folders, and explored different software. IATP Trainer Vadym Cherevyk explained how to create documents, edit text, work with tables, and save data. The attendees also gained skills for searching the Web for information of professional interest to them and sending messages, images, and scanned documents via e-mail. Then Cherevyk devoted part of the training to electronic presentation software. Filipova gave a tour of Internet resources for educators, such as online libraries and websites containing methodological materials and tests. In particular, attendees explored the website of the Ministry of Education of Ukraine, which contains the texts of education-related legislation, curricular materials, and other useful information for schoolteachers. In addition to their lessons, schoolteachers in Ukraine have to do a lot of paperwork (such as reports, plans, and curricula), but by using their newly acquired skills, they will be able to reduce the time needed for preparing, typing, and printing documents and pay more attention to teaching. Also, IATP classes equipped the educators with skills in Internet use for their professional activity to provide more interesting lessons to their students.
MOLDOVA
Vladimir Catan explores online
resources dedicated to PR
Alumni Learn PR and Communication skills in Chisinau, Moldova
From May 2 to 5, the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau, Moldova, hosted a seminar entitled “Communication and Public Relations (PR)” and dedicated to World Press Freedom Day for seven alumni. IATP Assistant Cornelia Iacubovschi explained to the attendees that PR is the management of relations between an organization and its target audience, and emphasized that the aim of PR is to produce a good image of an organization and enhance its prestige and goodwill. The participants learned about media tools for organizations’ outreach and publicity, such as press conferences, press releases, TV and radio appearances, and articles in newspapers and online media. The alumni practiced by planning a marketing and PR campaign for an organization—they learned how to create an organization’s name and logo, determine the marketing objectives of the organization, and draft a PR strategy. lacubovschi gave a tour of websites containing theoretical research and practical recommendations on PR and communication strategy. The attendees explored a collection of useful links and materials at the Online Public Relations website. They also visited the Independent Journalism Center – the leading online resource about Moldovan media. The center was founded in 1994 and supported by US Embassy in Moldova, IATP, and other international organizations. The participants also compiled the lists of useful online resources and links for further use in their work and studies. Vladimir Catan (CI 04), manager of a local business, remarked, “For me, as an executive, it is very important to have skills and knowledge in PR, since I am responsible for organizing such publicity events as presentations and exhibitions. In this course I learned how to organize these events properly, and this will make my work more effective.” By sponsoring the seminar, IATP gave participants the skills and knowledge they needed to obtain information about PR online and use the Internet for their professional and personal development.
Melissa Smith explains Internet
use for English study
Peace Corps Volunteer Teaches English to Local Residents in Chisinau, Moldova
On May 26, Peace Corps volunteer Melissa Smith conducted a seminar on online tools for teaching and studying English for nine English teachers and students at the IATP Training Laboratory in Chisinau, Moldova. Smith, who teaches English at Ion Vatamanu high school in Straseni, Moldova, wanted to demonstrate to the participants the new opportunities for English study brought about by modern information technology. Smith explained to the attendees how to search the Web for information of professional interest to them and paid special attention on how to use search engines to translate a world or a phrase. The participants explored websites containing free materials for English study, online dictionaries and tests, and the websites of organizations providing English courses, including the website of the Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Professional Network. The attendees also compiled lists of useful links and materials for further use in their English classes. By sponsoring this seminar, IATP facilitated the work of a Peace Corps volunteer for the benefit of the local community and encouraged English teachers and students to use the Internet for their professional development.
GEORGIA
Alumni Resource Center
Administrator Vano Tsertsvadze
participates in online chat from
Tbilisi, Georgia.
IATP Partners and Staff Across Georgia Discuss Sustainability Issues Online
On May 11, four representatives of Independent Internet Centers (IIC) and four IATP access site administrators gathered online from Tbilisi, Khashuri, Telavi, Kutaisi, Gori, and Rustavi, Georgia, to discuss sustainability programming, exchange experience, and share plans. The online chat provided participants with an opportunity to discuss sustainability issues faced by access sites as well as share experience and best practices with representatives of IICs. Moderated by IATP Program Associate Shota Gvaramadze, the online discussion started with IIC administrators’ brief presentations on the concept of sustainability for IATP access sites, sustainability programming, and achievements and obstacles they faced when they started moving toward sustainability nine months ago. Administrator Rezo Barbakadze from the IIC in Rustavi wrote about his experience of starting and operating a sustainable access site, shared details of IIC activities including costs and revenue sources, and gave consultations to participants on how to prepare and cope with these issues. He commented, “Intense advertising campaigns also helped the IIC find its niche in today’s competitive market.” Telavi IATP Access Site Administrator Beso Javakhishvili asked, “In Rustavi, computer courses cost $50 and yet you don’t lack trainees, but in Telavi it only costs $15 and it is hard to find people. What do you think is the reason for this?” Barbakadze replied, “The population of our town is much bigger, and therefore, demand for computer literacy is higher as well. But we believe that through hard work and determination you can find people willing to pay for computer education.” Alumni Resource Center Administrator Vano Tsertsvadze from Tbilisi, Georgia, suggested introducing unique services such as English language lessons using multimedia resources. The online chat helped increase the knowledge and understanding of IATP partners and staff about sustainability issues and increased their readiness to take over management of IATP access sites in Georgia.
Dulani Woods (right) gives tips on
writing a business plan with the
help of interpreter Teona Bolokadze
(left) at the IATP access
site in Khashuri, Georgia.
Peace Corps Volunteer Conducts Business Seminar in Khashuri, Georgia
On May 24, Peace Corps volunteer Dulani Woods conducted a seminar entitled “How to Start a Small Business” for 10 NGO representatives, economists, and teachers at the IATP access site in Khashuri, Georgia. The aim of the seminar was to teach local residents how to develop business strategy, write a business plan and attract investors to their ventures. Woods demonstrated an example of a proper business plan, and mentioned that a clear description of the structure of the business, accurate marketing predictions, and precise financial calculations must be included in order to attract investors and run a successful business. Woods offered his ideas about the kinds of businesses that would be successful in Khashuri, if managed wisely, such as a fast food restaurant in front of Khashuri University and renovating the old movie theatre and showing movies. At the end of the seminar, Woods directed participants to online materials dedicated to business planning, such as the website of United States Small Business Administration. Participant Nino Sukhiashvili remarked, “If I start a business, knowledge I acquired here will definitely help me to achieve success.” The seminar helped local residents become more educated in business and increased their chances of succeeding in business ventures to improve their lives.
IATP Helps Users over Age of 50 Learn Computer Skills
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Approximately 900 alumni over the age of 50 have used IATP services;
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More than 13,000 users over 50 have registered with IATP;
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IATP has trained more than 10,000 people over the age of 50 in computer and Internet skills. Many have gone on to a second career in a technology field.