Vladivostok, 19 November 2003
A seminar "Adaptive Technologies for the Disabled" took place in the Primorskiy Regional Library for the Blind within the framework of "International Education Week 2003". The event was attended by Pamela Spratlen, Consul General of the Russian Far East as well as local government officials and representatives of local universities. It marked another step Project Harmony and IATP, sponsored by the USA Department of Educational and Cultural Affairs, have taken in their efforts to have a positive impact on the situation of disabled in local communities.
As part of the seminar, local students with disabilities demonstrated the use of current adaptive technologies to those present. The library, which has been working successfully with the IATP program for several years, is one of the few places in Primorye where the disabled citizens have access to materials and technologies necessary to them. The impressive demonstration gave way to a lively discussion about the difficulties facing those with disabilities.
[more >>]
|
|
Vyborg Adds USA to Cultural Mix
29 Oct. 2003, Vyborg
Vyborg, located on the border of Russia and Finland, has a long history of cultural intermingling between Russians, Finns, Norwegians, and Swedes; and now Americans too. On 29 Oct. 2003 Project Harmony opened its 86th IATP Center in Vyborg and with it, a window to American culture and life. The ceremony, held in Vyborg's administrative headquarters, consisted of speeches from Lyudmila Dianova, Vyborg Region Biblio-informational Center Director; Sergey Shinov, Head of Vyborg Administration's Committee of Culture; David Siefkin, St. Petersburg Consulate Consul for Press and Culture; Zoya Zheldina, Leningrad Oblast Deputy Chairman Committee of Culture; Agnessa Gurina, Director of Regional Universal Academic Library (St. Petersburg); Irina Torova, Member of Vyborg City Parliament, Chairman of Budget Policy Committee, alumnus of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs exchange programs; Michael Eckels, IATP Deputy Director; Ruslan Nozdryakov, IATP Regional Coordinator for the Northwestern Russia; and Irina Semenova, Vyborg's new IATP Center Coordinator. Siefkin's speech underlining the importance of understanding and respecting cultural differences and similarities was very fitting in the context of Vyborg's multi-cultural history.
[more >>]
|
|
Kemerovo Comes on Line-Congrats Live from Tomsk
Kemerovo
16 Oct. 2003
On 16 Oct. 2003, the 83rd IATP Center came on line in the Kemerovo Regional Academic Library (after Federov). The library surprised all by holding an online video-conference with the Tomsk IATP Center as part of the opening ceremony! While online video-conferences are common IATP practice, holding one during an opening ceremony is a new achievement-bravo! The Tomsk IATP community wished the Kemrovo contingent luck in its new endeavor. Another noticeable aspect of the ceremony was the presence of a quartet of classical musicians who melodiously charmed all those in attendance.
[more >>]
|
81st Center Open in Nakhodka
Nakhodka 10 Oct. 2003
In an atmosphere of bubbling champagne and excitement, the 81st IATP center was christened in Nakhodka. At 14:00 in the Nakhodka branch of Far Eastern State Academy of Economics and Management, with a lovely view of Nakhodka's bay, the ceremony commenced with a small presentation by Project Harmony's Far East Regional Coordinator Svetlana Laletina. Laletina was followed by Pamela Spratlen United States Consul General of the Russian Far East, Tara Rougle, Public Affairs Officer.
The traditional red red ribbon was cut by Spratlen, Michael Eckels, IATP Deputy Director, and Dean Belkin of FESAEM who beforehand, gave a motivating speech on the role of internet in society. Also on the Russian side, Yuriy Migunov, Director of FESAEM Nakhodka Branch; Victor Fersht and Vladimir Baturin of FESAEM's main corpus in Vladivostok; and Yuriy Ilin, Vice-Mayor of Nakhodka lauded the days activities with warm words smiles and handshakes.
|
IATP Ural Conference:
"Electronic resources in regional education"
Mari El Republic, October 8-10, 2003
The conference "Electronic resources in regional education" started with the presentation "Ethnic tour to Mari-El history" created by Mari El State University where IATP center is situated. The following officials attended the event and made congratulation speeches: Vitaly Makarov, rector of Mari-El State University; Leonid Garanin, Deputy of head of Mari-El Republic government; David Koenig, IATP Director; Galina Shvetsova, Minister of Education. The conference continued with speeches of main trainers in order to emphasize main goals and tasks: Sergey Grigoriev, Federal expert Union (Moscow), "Evaluation of educational resources"; Michael Morozov, Mari-El State University (Youshkar-Ola), "IT Education as a factor of innovation process of Education development". Then representatives from every participant city told about their innovations, problems, current work, shared ideas about electronic educational resources. Thus during the first day the main goal of the conference was stated, the main problems were identified in order to be solved during the conference.
[more >>]
|
PH welcomes the Republic of Chuvashia to the IATP
 Irakun. Ebe sire kurma kavos. Good morning - happy to see you. With this traditional greeting Project Harmony expanded the Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) to the Republic of Chuvashia. The National Library of the Republic of Chuvashia celebrated with U.S. government exchange program alumni and the general public the opening of the 80th Russian IATP center on October 7, 2003 in Cheboksary. Natalia Volodina, Deputy Representative of the Republic's Cabinet of Ministers; Sara Michael, Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer (U.S. Embassy/Moscow), Svetlana Mikhailovna Starikova, Library Director and David Koenig, IATP Director underscored to the mass media and ceremony participants the new IT capabilities the National Library offers. Chuvashia, birthplace of famed writer and poet Gennady Nikolaevich Aigi, joined the IATP bringing with it extensive experience in social project implementation, electronic cataloging, statistical analysis and public outreach programs. Furthermore, the library is the leading institution for the Chuvashia presidential program "Model Libraries" that will bring computers to 100 Republic libraries by the end of 2004. Recognizing the library's dedication to development and democracy building programs, Sara Michael expressed her support for the future placement of an American Corner in Cheboksary. More information can be found at
www.sovch.chuvashia.com (Soviet Chuvashia, 8 Oct 2003 № 197).
|
24 Sept. 2003, Orenburg
 With resounding hurrahs from a cross section of community members and guests, the seventy-ninth IATP center opened its doors to all in Orenburg. After motivational and informative presentations by Lyudmila Pavlovna Skovorodko, Director Orenburg Oblast Universal Academic Library (where the new center is housed); Viktor Vasilyevich Bytyazhenko, Deputy Chairman Orenburg Oblast Committee of Art and Culture; and Antonina Ivanovna Andronova, Director Orenburg Oblast Children's Library; as well as Project Harmony IATP representatives Elena Morgun and Michael Eckels, the red ribbon was cut and the first patrons made their way towards waiting computers.
 Orenburg which lies on the Ural River, the geographical border between Europe and Asia, has now become the intersection of electronic trans-continental interaction as well. Natalya Vadimovna Nikitina the new Center Coordinator was ecstatic about the possibilities of the new IATP Center to broaden the community's horizons. Nikitina, like Bytyazhenko, marked the importance of inter-cultural exchange of experience and ideas as fundamental to their future plans for the center. Skovorodko and Andronova, veterans of ECA's Open World Program, related similar thoughts and desires to see the Project Harmony IATP Center used to cross geographical and political borders.
In Orenburg there has long been a bridge that spans between Asia and Europe, now there is one that spans the entire world.
|
Samara
28 August 2003
 Heeding the call for modernization in less than urban locations, an Internet training seminar was held in Samara for librarians from the city's outlying communities. The five hour seminar was run by Marina Anatolyevna Nevzarova, Samara's IATP Technical Coordinator, in the IATP Center in the Samara Oblast Academic Library. As the Internet begins to trickle into the countryside from the city, it is becoming increasingly necessary to train more people from these recently untouched areas. Libraries as centers of information have frequently provided the most effective locations for the installation of public access Internet. Librarians in turn have encountered new responsibilities and new opportunities for professional development-the aim of the training seminar. Nine municipal librarians from five different outlying regions attended the seminar, which was the second of its kind in recent months.
Project Harmony, recognizing the difficulties surrounding Internet development in rural areas, was glad to see the success of this training. Librarians were trained in the basics of Internet and showed keen interest and enthusiasm. As technology advances, and the Internet expands, it should come as no surprise to anybody to see this type of training become more and more widespread future. Well done.
 On June 11, 2003 the Internet Access and Training Program launched its new center for ECA alumni in Moscow. The new alumni center is located at Ushinksy State Pedagogical Library a long term partner of Project Harmony that also hosts an IATP center.
Over 30 people attended the event among which were representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Ushinsky State Pedagogical Library, Project Harmony, and IATP partners dedicated to alumni outreach and education. Among official attendees were Sara L. Michael, Deputy Cultural Attache for Academic Exchanges of the US Embassy Public Affairs Section; Jeffrey A. VanDreal, First Secretary of the US Embassy in Moscow; Boris Sizov, Director of the State Pedagogical Library named in honor of Ushinsky; Marisa Fushille,  Director of the American Center in Moscow; Edward Roslof, Fulbright Program Director; and Alumni Coordinators from AIEC and IREX - Sergey Votjagov, Mary Shea and Elena Arsentjeva.
The ceremony began with opening remarks by Sara Michael who stressed the significance of such a center in Moscow that will serve as a strong link between two cultures - Russian and American. Boris Sizov greeted the attendees and wished the newly opened center prosperity and success. Finally, David Koenig, Director of IATP/Russia, called for all agencies and partner organization to cooperate in attracting exchange program alumni using the existing resources and particularly the newly opened Moscow alumni center of the IATP.
 The Moscow alumni center is the first site created solely for alumni to be opened during the fourth phase of the IATP. Based on the Project Harmony administered Saint Petersburg alumni center, the Moscow center will serve as a meeting and chill-out place for all ECA alumni. In addition to informal communication, the center will provide alumni residing in or traveling through the capital city with free access to the Internet, offering 16 workstations equipped with the latest hardware and software as well as the opportunity to participate in IT seminars and training events conducted by Project Harmony and the IATP. The center's central location at Ushinsky State Pedagogical Library (3rd floor, room # 27) and its working hours (12:00 - 20:00) will provide a comfortable and convenient venue for alumni to visit and participate in activities and events.
Galina Angarova, Center Coordinator, is actively working on future event plans including training events and seminars. Additionally, she is finalizing topic selection and schedules with qualified trainers and teachers for upcoming educational events. In particular, final participants are being selected for Project Harmony's distance learning initiative with Stanford University, "Security, Civil Liberties and Terrorism" that will be hosted by the alumni center this fall. The center will become the first IATP site to implement the IATP pilot program of I.D. card registration for ECA alumni and will soon launch its own website soon to be filled with the IT resources of ECA alumni.
Take a Virtual Tour of the Center
 June 19, 2003 - Ambassador Alexander Vershbow greeted the Cheliabinsk community at three celebrations underscoring U.S. diplomacy and educational outreach to the Ural region of the Russian Federation. Ambassador Vershbow officially opened an American Corner at the Cheliabinsk Regional Academic Library, followed by participating in the opening of an Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) center co-located at the library. Following meetings with U.S. government alumni and a press conference, the Ambassador marked the official launch of the Cheliabinsk area Virtual U.S. Consulate.
Each official opening marks a dramatic increase of opportunities for residents of the Cheliabinsk area to better understand the U.S. and initiate cooperative efforts with partners abroad. The Cheliabinsk American Corner joins a network of 18 centers nationwide dedicated to providing access to informational, cultural and educational resources about the United States. The American Corner will work in close cooperation with the newly opened IATP center, funded by the U.S. Embassy (Moscow) and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and administered by Project Harmony.
 In addition to the U.S. Ambassador, numerous Russian and foreign officials attended the day long events: Andrew Kosilov, Deputy Governor Cheliabinsk Region; Anne Chermak, Minister Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Moscow; Cris Scharf, Cultural Affairs Officer Assistant, Public Affairs Section, Moscow Embassy; Thomas C. Niblock, Consul General (U.S. Consulate, Ekaterinburg); Barbara F. Cates, Political/Economic/Commercial Officer (U.S. Consulate, Ekaterinburg); Slava Syrokomskiy, IT specialist (U.S. Consulate, Ekaterinburg); as well as four guest from the U.S. Department of State Jay Snyder, Joe Merante, Rick Ruth and Matt Lauer.
This occasion gained immense response among the citizens of Cheliabinsk due to Mass Media detailed covering the day long event. Now the inhabitants of the city have the more clear and firm idea about the activities performed by American Center, Virtual Consulate Project and of course IATP.
On May 1, 2003, Project Harmony opened a three day conference "Educational Communities: Setting Goals, Building and Developing" in Elista, the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia. The event marked the first day of the fourth phase of the IATP in Russia, and the first event within the IATP regional emphasis project in Kalmykia, "Creation of an Educational Community of TEA and PIE Alumni in the Republic of Kalmykia". Thirty two teachers from 7 cities and 6 rural schools participated in the project.
The main goals of the conference included introduction of the regional emphasis project to participants and the presentation of the educational community, including its theoretical concept as well as its practical development and implementation. Nadezhda Kouznetsova (CI '00), professor of Mariisky State University in Yoshkar-Ola, was the leading trainer. She shared with her Kalmyk colleagues her own experience in building an educational community in the Republic of Mari El. This experience is very valuable since the Republics of Mari El and Kalmykia have many similarities. Both are small ethnic republics located away from main transportation roots and with lightly developed industry. Svetlana Tcherepanova, IATP alumni coordinator, and Artyom Popov, IATP regional coordinator for Southern Russia, conducted practical sessions on using computers in schools and on creating and implementing educational internet based projects. Besides their work in practical sessions conference participants took part in roundtables and discussions about new opportunities for students, teachers and school directors within the educational communities, IT implementation in the processes of education and perspectives for new methods in the schools of the Republic. By the last day of the conference participants developed a concept for joint projects, that participants will implement by the end of 2003. The next event within the IATP regional emphasis in Kalmykia will be an eleven day IT training event at the regional center of the Federation of Internet Education, based at Volgograd State University in the beginning of July 2003.
November 22, 2002 - Project Harmony, Kaliningrad City Administration and over 30 USG exchange program alumni gathered to celebrate the opening of the 75th IATP center in the Russian Federation at Kaliningrad’s Central City Library named in honor of Chekhov. During the opening, Tatiana Morozova, Vice-Mayor/Social Services Chairperson and David Koenig, IATP Director cut a red ribbon celebrating the 50th city connected to the IATP network.
Thirty-one USG alumni logged onto the Internet moments after the ribbon cutting ceremony ended and twenty-two alumni signed up for web-design and Internet marketing classes that will begin on November 28, 2002. Alumni represented six USG exchange programs: Excellence in Teaching (2), International Visitors (1), Junior Faculty Development Program (1), FSA Secondary School Exchange Program (FLEX and/or “Bradley”) (3), Citizens Exchange (4), Open World (20).
Saratov alumni were very happy to hear that finally they got place in the city created specially for them, where they can meet, socialize, have fun and have free access to any information on the Web available.
The southern-most IATP center was opened in Stavropol on July 8, 2002. The Stavropol Regional Scientific library named in honor of Lermontov, which also celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, hosts the IATP site in the very heart of the city.
What makes a successful presentation? Is it enough for a presenter just to know the contents well? How much animation is more than enough? How can you fight your stage fear? These were the questions alumni asked at the beginning of the workshop which took place at IATP Alumni Center, St. Petersburg, July, 27.
Arkhangelsk - The northernmost point in the Internet Access and Training Program was christened on June 28, 2002 by US Ambassador to the Russian Federation Alexander Vershbow. Vershbow noted the importance of continued communication between Americans and Russians and the important role Internet plays and the role the IATP occupies in this endeavor.
May 16, 2002 - The historical city of Volgograd was added to the IATP network with the opening off a center at the Regional Academic Library named in honor of Gorky. Over 50 people attended the opening, including more than 20 alumni (FSA FLEX and U-grad) and the Volgograd region ACTR director.
The IATP continued to spread across Southern Russia with the opening of a new center in Elista, capitol of the Kalmyk Republic on May 17, 2002. The region, famous for its traditions, unique history and ancient culture, now boasts free public Internet access for the first time in their history.
Representatives of the U.S. Department of State, the Internet Access and Training Program, local Ministries of Culture and Education and the National Library of the Republic of Tatarstan gathered on March 29 to officially open the first IATP center in the city of Kazan and the Republic of Tatarstan. The new center is co-located with the American Center at the National Library, which traces its history at the center of Kazan's cultural life to 1906.
On February 18,2002 amid an unforgettable setting of volcanoes and geysers, IATP Director David Koenig and Far East Regional Coordinator Svetlana Laletina opened the new IATP center in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The center is the 61st IATP site in the Russian Federation, and is located in the Kamchatskaya Regional Scientific Library named for Krasheninnikova.
Project Harmony and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State (ECA) are pleased to announce Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) grants for alumni of exchange programs sponsored by the ECA.
|
