Volume 33 summer 2003
FUTURE LEADERS Impact of the Civic Education Workshop EXCHANGE ALUMNI Seeing Ourselves as People NEWSLETTER Who Can Change the Fate of Nations Contents: Mariya Retuyeva '03 that frustrated me very much, but with which I Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky, would probably have agreed a month ago, before 1 10 Theme of the Issue Russia/Portland, OR I visited the U.S. Capitol. She said that I could Impact of the Civic [email protected] never do anything in our country, and that I Education Workshop couldn't possibly change it in a better way. Then I was very lucky to be chosen for the 2003 FLEX I talked to another person, and he said that Seeing Ourselves as People Who Can Change the Fate Civic Education Workshop in Washington, D.C. Russia is hopeless, that we common people can't of Nations The week of February 23 March 1 was the best influence the fate of our country. He told me Letter from the Editor week I have ever had. This program taught me that many people have tried without progress. Did it Show Democracy? many lessons, which I will try to put into prac He also mentioned that when those people got Bringing Democratic tice throughout my life. I couldn't imagine that tired of struggling with all the difficulties in Principles and Prosperity this workshop would be so interesting. I can say their way, they gave up and moved to other through Active Citizenship for sure that it changed me and my opinions on countries. They moved from their motherland to Exploring Washington, D.C. many important issues. countries that promised them a better life and Anything You Can Dream of better money for their effort. Such people leave You Can Do The program showed me what democracy really because they don't really want to face difficul Learning about the U.S. is and how it works in U.S. society. I could see ties and failures before they succeed in chang Disability Rights Movement with my own eyes how many wonderful choices ing their country. A Close Up Look At Future are open to U.S. citizens, and unfortunately how Leaders little most American people use those choices, Another important lesson that all the FLEX stu Tyranny of the Distance or even appreciate them. For example, it was dents learned at the workshop in Washington, A Wonderful Experience very surprising for me to see the House of D.C. is, "A small, highly committed group of indi A Voice in Ukraine's Representatives and the Senate in session, pass viduals can change the world; it is the only Constitutional Reform ing bills and resolutions the actual laws thing that ever has" (Margaret Mead, cultural Debate according to which people are supposed to live. anthropologist). The workshop helped us Understanding the Impact In Russia, I would never be allowed to attend understand that when we try to make changes to of the Civic Education such sessions without a special pass. To even improve our countries, we must believe in our Workshop earn such a pass requires a special position in selves and our cause. No matter how small our Winners of the 2003 "Faces society. I was surprised how easy it was to meet first steps, they will be a start to a great and def of FLEX" Photo Contest with any of the politicians and just talk with initely better future for our countries. At the Announced them about the current events going on in the workshop, we began to see ourselves as people 11 13 Alumni Beat world or in a certain state or city. Every U.S. cit who can change the fate of nations. We began Activities of the alumni izen can do that without indeterminable waiting to see ourselves as the very future leaders that associations throughout Eurasia for months or maybe years, which sometimes the FLEX program proclaimed us to be. happens in my country. I wondered why 14 15 Bradley Bits American people don't take advantage of this A final lesson to me was realizing how great my Individual alumni success great privilege that the government gives them. love for Russia is, and how much I am willing to stories At the same time, I asked myself how it is that do for the sake of it. Russia in not worse than 16 18 Alumni News Russian people select their governors, without other countries, it is better better in many National Scholarship Test in meeting them personally, and without knowing ways. Like any country in the world, it has its the Kyrgyz Republic what those people are doing in their offices, in positive and negative sides. However, it is in the Project Management their comfortable chairs, or even if they are power of the common people to turn its nega Seminar on the Volga River doing anything at all. tives into positives. With such great potential 19 Profiles before them, Russian people will make the dif When I returned from my Washington, D.C. trip, I ference in the development of Russia, if they Jafar Asimov wrote to a very good friend of mine, who is from start believing that it is possible. I look forward Svitlana Belushkina my hometown of Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky. I to returning to my country to show my people Evgeniy Pogrebnyak informed her of my decision to study at one of just how great our country is. the universities in Moscow. I said that I want to help my country to develop, and to make it bet I thank all of you who made it possible for this ter in some ways. My friend sent me an answer program to occur. The Bradley Herald Page 2 Impact of the Civic Education Workshop
Letter from the Editor Did it Show Democracy?
Dear FLEX Alumni, Much More…
Many alumni have contributed moving articles for this issue It Showed Me Direction! of The Bradley Herald, which focuses on the impact of the Nodari Rizun '95 Civic Education Workshop. Alumni who are dedicating their Nalchik, Russia/Richmond, VA professional lives to the development of civil society shared [email protected] their experiences. Recently returned alumni convey the energy and inspiration that the workshop has given them. I Eight years ago, I took part in the FLEX program's Civic Education think you'll also enjoy hearing from Close Up Foundation Workshop. In retrospect, this part of the FLEX program was one of the staff, who lead the Civic Education Workshop and one of the best, most important, and most exiting experiences of my life. As I FLEX volunteers, who comments on his experience reading understand it, the goal of the workshop was to introduce students to a essays and selecting participants to come to the Washington functioning democracy: its elements, and institutions. This aim was workshop. The timing of this issue coincides with recent perfectly achieved. elections in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia and may also stimulate your thinking about the elections processes which In my case, it was much more. Experiences, such as the Civic Education have already taken place or are scheduled for the coming Workshop, my U.S. Government class at Mills E. Godwin High School, and year in your countries. relationships that developed during my stay in U.S., greatly influenced me. It showed me that freedom and positive progress really can foster The autumn season is closely associated with recruitment in growth in a democratic society. But… the FLEX world. By our rough calculations, based on reports from FLEX alumni assistants and FLEX recruiting staff many It was the Civic Education Workshop that helped me to choose my of whom are themselves FLEX alumni more than 600 alumni occupation and find my professional passion. I decided to become a assisted in advertising the program, speaking at public meet lawyer, specializing in human rights, election laws, and lobbying. At ings, and assisting during registration at testing centers in the present moment, I am writing my Ph.D. in Law at the University of the 170 cities in all twelve countries where the FLEX program Hamburg. The theme of my doctoral dissertation is "Legal and is administered. Many thanks to all of you who spent your Practical Strategies and Precautionary Measures against the weekends this fall helping recruit the next group of FLEX stu Falsifications of Elections in Russia." This is a very real issue for my dents. Your participation is critical to the success of country at the present time. Unfortunately, analysis of sociopolitical American Councils' recruitment efforts. By talking about your and legal tendencies shows that this issue will continue to occur in U.S. experiences and sharing the program's impact on your the near future. life, you spark the imagination of many teenagers and give them the impetus to compete for this exchange opportunity. I chose this theme, because it is very important to me to support the democratization of the transforming Russian Federation. I feel that Please accept our apologies for the delayed printing of this this transformation will occur if the government would observe the issue of The Bradley Herald. The FLEX tenth anniversary sum human and civil rights of the residents of our country. I believe that if mit FSA FLEX: Ten Years of Service and Leadership, which the alumni of various democratic oriented programs would join togeth was held in Kyiv, Ukraine October 31 November 2, 2003, er and make a concentrated effort to modernize Russia, it would result demanded the attention of the FLEX alumni staff throughout in a modern, liberal, individual oriented, and prosperous state. Russia the fall. Please look for a full report on this exciting tenth could become a state, which respects the rights of individuals and cares anniversary event in the next issue of The Bradley Herald for them. which will be printed immediately on the heels of this issue! We plan to publish highlights and photos, including excerpts When I ask myself, "Why did you choose this way of life? Why did you from Bill Bradley's speech, the twelve alumni delegations' choose such a dangerous occupation and specialization? Why do you power point presentations, training sessions, roundtable dis enjoy legal science? Why is it so important to you to protect human cussions and Global Youth Service Day project proposals. rights?" I simply recall that day in D.C. during the Civic Education Workshop. We were sitting in the Supreme Court of the U.S. The Be sure to check the American Councils website guide was explaining something to us, but I was deep in my own (www.americancouncils.org) and the State Alumni website thoughts. I think I was absorbing the energy of the chamber. I was (https://alumni.state.gov) for the latest alumni news, thinking about the precedent cases that took part in this chamber, upcoming events and opportunities. You'll also find this how they influenced the past and the future. At that moment, the year's "Faces of FLEX" winning photos posted on both sites. decision was made… We've updated the summit website, which can be viewed at www.fsaflexsummit.narod.ru. Be sure to participate in the 7 September 2003 Hamburg forum. Right now alumni are discussing their Global Youth Service Day projects, which are planned for April and May. P.S. I would like to express my gratitude to Senator Bradley, the ini tiator and supporter of the FSA program. I would also like to thank Sending you all warm wishes for a successful and healthy the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department 2004! of State and American Councils for International Education, which made the experiences described in the article possible, organized the Mary Shea excursion to the Supreme Court of U.S., and wonderfully administered Editor the FLEX program in 1994 95. Page 3 The Bradley Herald
Bringing Democratic Principles and Prosperity through Active Citizenship George Baratashvili '01 something interesting that would bring wel I am a member of the Students' Union at my Tbilisi, Georgia/La Jara, CO fare and prosperity to us. university, where I try to come up with new [email protected] projects to change the students' lives and I returned to Georgia filled with all the new solve their dilemmas. I show them what During the FLEX program, I was able to spend and valuable ideas gained during my one true freedom of speech means, and how one week in the capital of the United States year stay in the United States and during my American people are proud of their human of America, which was one of my life dreams. workshop in Washington D.C. I went to the rights. Sometime ago, I made a survey. I I attended a week long Civic Education work youth parliament and shared with my experi asked students to freely express their idea shop on government studies, which was ences and new ideas. I told everyone around about the lecturers, who they thought were organized by the Close Up Foundation. me about the true principles of the demo not suitable to educate future generations. cratic system and about the rights of indi After the survey was done, I got a really I knew that the workshops were useful, but I vidual and independent citizens who live in interesting picture of the situations going did not realize how useful until I attended the heart of a democratic country. on at the university. I took the list of them myself. The experience gained during teachers to the deans' office and asked him there is the experience of a lifetime. I learned Today, I am an active citizen of the country to change the lecturers, as this was the will more about how democracy works in the of Georgia. I am enthusiastically involved in of majority of students. We were all happy United States and how it can possibly work in many activities and projects. This year, dur that we reached our aim. This was a huge Georgia. During the workshop, I understood ing the election process, I was an observer change for all of us. how citizens can influence the government by and tried to help hold fair elections. I active exercising their rights to bring about changes ly took part in registering citizens for the I am sure that my contribution and active in the government. Viewing the historic mon elections to gather the correct data of vot involvement in society will be successful uments in Washington D.C., I found out how ers. Georgian voters do not believe in elec and effective, and Georgia will become one this democratic country was started. During tions and thought that the elections would of the democratic countries in the world the discussions, I asked questions about social be false. I helped some NGOs hold trainings arena and will also amaze the world's equality and how the principles of democracy of observers on how to monitor the elections. nations with its highly developed econom could be developed in my own country. We tried to persuade citizens to go to the ic growth. I am very thankful for my elections and to cast their vote and that if exchange experience and education I After completing the workshop, my vision they didn't go the elections, their vote would gained in Civic Education Workshop in the and feelings were not the same as before. My be lost. Hopefully this time Georgian people United States, which gave me an opportu ambition was to bring something new and will have fair elections with the assistance of nity to be an active citizen of the 21st valuable to my people my country, and find foreign aid. century.
Exploring Washington, D.C. Svetlana Buko '98 ernment officials functioned both as Sevastopol, Ukraine/Riverside, CA a foundation module of professional [email protected] development and as a comprehen sive independent course of civic I never thought that one year could com education. Moreover, with the help pletely change a person's perspective on life. of this Civic Project in D.C., it During my year in the U.S., I was not only became evident to me that it is pos given the opportunity to experience sible to raise interest in involvement American culture, history, and lifestyles, but and understanding of different cul also to learn about U.S. democracy in the tures. During our sessions, we nation's capital, Washington D.C. My local learned a lot about opportunities for representative informed me about a special young leaders who want to partici civic education project for FLEX students in pate in the process of increasing the U.S.. I was impressed when I read that public awareness and strengthening there were 524 applications among the that the main core of world oriented edu cultural bounds. Shortly after this seminar, 1997 98 FLEX scholars for the 88 participant cation comes in the form of inspiration of I was confident that a new system of civic positions available. I was thrilled to be one students and development of citizens. education could promote the flow of new of the finalists and was ready to make my Most importantly, lectures, seminars, and ideas, which would henceforth stimulate contributions to the seminar. workshops were combined with field trips youth to take part and make a difference. around Washington D.C. We visited the Two main concepts that we learned at our Smithsonian museum and the White House, This wonderful civic program in the capital of Washington D.C. Civic Education Program met Hillary Clinton at an official presenta the U.S.A. gave me additional skills for serv opened a completely new way of thinking tion, watched a Supreme Court hearing, and ing as an ambassador of my country in the for me. On the one hand, this civic program spent an evening at the opera. Direct expe States, and supporting civic education gave me an understanding that education is riences like visiting the House of reform and the general democratic transfor as an integral part of the newly developing Representatives and United States Senate mation of Ukrainian society when I returned. society of the 21st century. During that chambers, interviewing our Senators, and This was a true gateway to the United States week in Washington D.C., I also realized discussing democratic concepts with gov and a window to the world. The Bradley Herald Page 4 Impact of the Civic Education Workshop
Anything You Can Dream of You Can Do
Elena Gladkova '99 solve society's problems. When my year in USA whom we were working for. Once they found Volgograd, Russia/ Guthrie, OK was over and I got home I had sort of a shock. out we were working for ourselves, they would [email protected] I didn't know what to do next and how to start immediately start helping us! making a difference here in my hometown of When I was studying in Guthrie, Oklahoma, I Volgograd. Russia was and still is facing many My next step was to get involved in politics. received a letter from Washington, DC inviting problems that need to be solved. At first sight Now that I am old enough to vote I will be me to take part in the Civic Education Workshop this magnitude scared me and made me feel sure to vote and become educated about the competition. All I had to do was write an essay tired and helpless. Not all people are nice and candidates. With the Volgograd elections about the issue that interested me most. Well, friendly to those who offer their help and time. coming up, I am trying to find out more infor that was a problem! I was interested in many People are not used to thinking about others mation about the candidates and their pro issues and it was difficult to pick one. At last and caring about anyone but themselves. grams and trying to share this information the choice was made, the essay about volun Things cannot be changed all at once. It has with the other first time voters so all of us will teerism was written, the letter was sent, and my to be changed slowly and one step at a time. make the right choice. host family and I waited for the reply. The advice and hints that the staff of the Close Up program gave became very helpful when I I am now ready to develop my own community I received a letter, which requested my arrival was faced with these difficulties. service project. I think this is the best step in in Washington, D.C. on April 11, 1999. There the process and that we, as alumni, should all were 100 young, energetic students. We all had The staff of the Civic Education Program taught take advantage of it. We can really make a dif new ideas and a great desire to find out more us how to make a difference by following some ference in the world around us. Right now I am about everything from politics, economy, and rules. They told us that we should be active cit working on my project, but it is far from being leadership skills to ways to improve our coun izens within our communities, stay informed done. I want my project to be in the medical tries. We found it all there at a one week pro about current issues, become active in politics, field, because I am going to be a doctor. The gram. We explored Washington, met with sena and finally develop one's own community serv idea alone makes me start thinking about help tors and representatives, went to workshops, ice project. ing people and improving the conditions and argued and discussed our ideas. I met with around me. It has really given me the drive to Kyle Loveless who worked in state representa When I returned to Volgograd, I wanted to be become a more active citizen. tive Ernest Jim Istook's office and with an active citizen and stay informed about prob Oklahoma senator, James M. Inhofe. We talked lems and developments in my community. I Participation in the Civic Education Program about environmental problems and public found out that one of the hospitals in my helped me to understand what it takes to pro works, because he served on the Environmental region was short of nurses, so I volunteered to vide a good year in the USA for an exchange and Public Works Committee. He also took me help. With the help of four of my friends we did student. A partnership between the govern to a Department of Defense hearing about land the necessary chores around the hospital for a ment and volunteers starts when people withdrawals and environmental problems. We, three or four month period, until the situation decide to keep and take care of an exchange the 100 students, had a week to discuss almost changed. student for the whole school year. Volunteer every subject we thought was important: poli work is an important part of our economic, tics, democracy, economy, and the role of free I wanted to do more for the community and to social, and political life. I believe that Russia press. We tried to find ways out of the difficult start programs at my school. When I returned needs powerful volunteer organizations now, situations our countries face, and we came up for my senior year of Russian high school, I more then ever. People now are too concerned with some reasonable solutions. We also had made a lot of presentations about my year in about their own problems and needs. In an time for fun. We went shopping, sightseeing, the USA. I tried to highlight all its aspects and effort to get more and more material posses and had a great final banquet and dance. give some lectures specifically about the U.S. sions, people often forget about the moral val Before the departure to Oklahoma, I knew I government. I also started a discussion club at ues that contribute to our freedom and inde could use the skills that I learned at the Close school for teenagers. Getting together and pendence. People forget about homeless chil Up Program. Although I knew I had to stay finding solutions to different problems became dren, hospitalized relatives, and poverty. I active to use and develop my new skills, it was a very important social activity for about 20 would like to develop a Russian civic service quite difficult to decide how to start. My host high school students. We talked about any program that will inspire people to dedicate father suggested writing an article in the local thing and everything, from love and marriage, part of their life to find ways out of the diffi newspaper about my experience, and that's to country politics and corruption. The club cult living situation that engulfs Russia. I still how I started making a difference. I became a exists now even though I graduated and am in have a lot of questions about this issue, but member of the Key Club, a youth civic service my fourth year of studies at Volgograd State participating in the Close Up Program organization. My work with the Key Club Medical University. I also decided to start a decreased the number of questions. It is included delivering assisting needy families, clean up the environment program when I got essential to keep the spirit of Close Up alive by entertaining people at nursing homes, and back from the USA. I gathered a group of peo staying informed, becoming involved, lobby organizing an "Easter Egg Hunt" for local chil ple who agreed to help me clean the beaches ing for what you believe in, voting, thinking of dren. We also worked with the third graders where little kids like to go to in the summer. the needs and the interests of all citizens and from the Fogarty Elementary School, taught While we were cleaning, I noticed that other responding to those needs with action, being them Russian folk dances, and played educa people were interested in what we were doing fair, and remembering that we have the power tional games with them. and would stop by to help us. We also had a lot to shape the future. This is our task and chal of camp outs and there we cleaned forests and lenge. I even had the chance to meet the Governor of parks. It was always funny to see people's reac Oklahoma and talk to him about how volun tions. First, the sight of 10 15 teenagers col teers can cooperate with the government to lecting trash astonished them, then they asked Page 5 The Bradley Herald
Learning about the U.S. Disability Rights Movement
Alfiya Battalova '01 years ago. We had a lot of discussions and Omsk, Russia/Columbia Heights, MN worked in groups, which let us dig deeper into [email protected] the problems disabled people face in the Eurasian states. We each told stories and As a student with disabilities, an integral shared experiences to demonstrate to each part of my FLEX experience was the Disability other and our American hosts things that we Re entry Workshop. The few days that I spent were going through back home. During our there added so much to my FLEX experience. discussions, we agreed how humiliating it is FLEX students with different disabilities for us to be stared at. Judging from my own gathered there not only to get to know each experience, people assume things without other, but also to discuss differences about knowing the real facts. I think it especially FLEX Disability Re entry Workshop Participants their countries' policies and how their coun the case for people with cerebral palsy who tries address the problems that disabled citi are born with this disease and break society's plans and dreams be hindered by my disability. zens face. A key aspect of our agenda was to stereotypes throughout their lives. As for me, examine the disability rights movement in I had to learn to live a new life when I was I think that FLEX and this part of the program the U.S.A.. We learned about the battle for twelve after being cured from cancer. So, have changed a lot in my mind. I learned how equality and rights of disabled citizens in the everything I had to experience was some to be open about my disability. I no longer set United States and the rewards that they thing new and different. barriers for myself. I want to reveal the poten received. There is no doubt that prejudices tial I have. Though I had some hesitations on and rejection would not have been eliminat Too often people equate a person's intellectu my return to Russia, I chose to take classes at ed without these efforts. I think this may be al capabilities with their physical ones. The the university, rather than study at home and useful for our country, but considering my disabled are judged by their ability to walk or take exams twice a year which is the common own experiences, I think that disabled peo not walk, hear or not hear, see or not see, etc. practice for most disabled students. I finished ple in Russia are too self conscious to do the So, the saying, 'don't judge a book by its cover,' my first year in the Department of History same. is appropriate in helping overcome these (regional studies) at Omsk State University. I stereotypes. It doesn't strike a lot of people am glad I made this decision, because despite I found it useful to listen to the history of that a rich, inner world lies behind a disabled the difficulties I face every day, it is compen the independent living movement. It start person's appearance. It's vitally important for sated by the valuable experience of studying ed in the late 1960s as a social movement in everybody, no matter what capabilities they in this setting. As I walk on a prosthesis, my Berkley, California. Historically, people with have, to show all their talents. I'd also like to challenges start with transportation, specifi disabilities have faced barriers, such as lack note that sometimes people with disabilities cally stairs, which are a real obstacle for me. of access to public accommodations, sub don't socialize much in public for these rea Though I have learned not to pay attention to standard housing, inadequate personal assis sons: they are afraid of being the source of things like this, of course it would be nice if tance, and unemployment. This movement whispering and curious glances. buildings and public transportation offered sought to put an end to such inequalities. easier access. Not many disabled people in Individuals with disabilities joined together Those four days together were extremely Russia choose to study in universities and to declare equality, dispute their exclusion enjoyable for all of the participants. In my institutes, because they think they will not be from mainstream society, and realize the opinion, information is a vitally important able to handle it and that they somehow don't value of a full fledged life. means to problem solving and the FLEX deserve it. I am sure that as more options Disability Re entry Workshop opened my eyes become available to disabled people who want Everything we did at the workshop added so to a variety of options ahead of me. I think to pursue higher education, more and more much to my perception of this problem. Our that the way Russian people with disabilities people with disabilities will find themselves in visit to the ENDependence Center of Northern will choose to fight for their rights is not a sphere of knowledge which is appealing to Virginia was especially rewarding. This com going to be the same as in America. While them. munity based resource and advocacy center there are a lot of predominantly non profit is managed by and for people with disabili organizations for the disabled, unfortunately Overcoming is not always easy, but these ties. ECNV promotes the independent living the scope of their work is not very wide. strong, determined, and motivated people philosophy and equal access for people with These organizations usually help by provid whom I had the chance to meet during my disabilities. The name of the center speaks ing physical rehabilitation through sports staying in Washington, D.C., helped me. The for itself. It's amazing how many organiza and other activities. results of their work showed me the impor tions and firms are interested in making the tance of being active. They showed me that lives of people with disabilities easier, so that We had a lot of interesting meetings, which the first step involves breaking stereotypes they will never feel excluded from the rest of included discussions with fascinating people about disabled people. Their own experience the world and will be able to perform as full at the workshop. We met the former assistant inspired me because they started changing members of society. Everything from legal secretary of special education and rehabilita the world around them by taking the initia and advocacy services to accessible trans tion services, president and founder of the tive and making efforts to have a better portation is provided. Disabled people run Inter American Institute on Disability, and future. It was an exceptionally meaningful most of the organizations, and I consider it many other people. Thanks to my experience event and I surely not only for me. It has one of the main reasons why the disabled in at the workshop, I have become firmly devoted become a real stimulus for my further actions the United States have reached goals they to the belief that I should be confident in at home. had never even expected to reach 50 or 60 order to be more self reliant and not let my life The Bradley Herald Page 6 Impact of the Civic Education Workshop
A Close Up Look At Future Leaders Jennifer Kosmela seek out answers to their questions. Every that the U.S. has made towards greater equal FLEX Program Instructor seminar with a Washington insider is filled ity, and discuss the obstacles and steps toward [email protected] with many more questions than time for change in their own countries. answers. Often, over half the students attempt to ask speakers from the U.S. State Each year has been a life transforming experi Department, media, or universities their opin ence for the Close Up staff, just as it is for the ions on a wide variety of issues. students. The intensity of the schedule from breakfast around 7 a.m. to curfew at 11 p.m. When students meet with U.S. Senators and helps form an important bond among all of the Representatives, they voice their opinion on participants and staff. Each year, following the issues affecting their U.S. communities, rang program, students exchange email addresses ing from terrorism and the war with Iraq to and attempt to keep in touch. Some correspond drug abuse and education reform. One FLEX only as long as they remain in the U.S., while Civic Education Workshop Participants Visit student asked Representative Tom Osborne others still correspond today. Several groups of Capitol Hill how his experience as a three time national FLEX students created their own website where After ten years, the U.S. State Department's champion football coach helped him be a bet they posted pictures and continued conversa Civic Education Workshop in Washington, D.C. ter leader for his district. Members of Congress tions. They established ties that hopefully will continues to be a life changing experience for are often surprised at the depth of the FLEX last them as they develop as career profession hundreds of FLEX students. We at the Close Up students' understanding and analysis of U.S. als. For the past ten years the Close Up Foundation witness the transformation of stu public policy. Students, in turn, are often sur Foundation has been honored to be a part of the dents from intelligent, motivated individuals prised at the open access they have to govern FLEX program and the life changing experience to confident future leaders over the course of ment officials and institutions. Some Members for over three thousand FLEX students. One for their week in Washington. On the first evening of Congress have even taken time from their mer FLEX student, describing the power of the of the program, an excited murmur fills the busy schedules to personally give FLEX stu program, wrote "You made me believe that even room as FLEX students eagerly await the dents a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol. one person can change the future of the whole beginning of their program. By the end of the country even by simply changing himself and week the same room is filled with dancing, Sometimes the most powerful experience for people around him." cheering students, snapping photos and students is visiting Washington's awe inspir embracing for tearful goodbyes. A recent FLEX ing monuments and memorials. Sitting on the Editor's note: If you are interested in more alumnus wrote "At the Workshop we began to Lincoln Memorial steps, admiring the Capitol information about the FLEX Civic Education see ourselves as people, who can change the building and the Washington Monument, FLEX Workshop conducted by the Close Up fate of nations. We began to see ourselves as students and their instructors often discuss Foundation, contact Tim Hair by email the very future leaders that the FLEX program Abraham Lincoln's leadership during the U.S. ([email protected]). proclaimed us to be." Civil War and his views on slavery. Other FLEX students stand on the spot where Martin FLEX students express an almost overwhelm Luther King, Jr. stood to make his famous "I ing thirst for knowledge and enthusiastically have a dream…" speech, debate the progress
Tyranny of the Distance Alexey Rumyantsev '95 Union. The exchange students, at this young Personally, I lost this feeling of awareness that Cheboksary, Russia/Corydon, IN age, are still open to changes and ready to the program gave to me shortly after I com [email protected] accept new values that could have a strong pleted the program. I managed to experience impact on the future of their lives and the it again in Russia and make practical use of it. Originally, the metaphor "tyranny of the dis future of their countries. The Washington This past winter, I learned about an opening tance" was used to describe the vast expanse Enhancement Program (now called the Civic for an assistant journalist, thanks to an email of the inner Australian territory of bush land. Education Workshop), in which I participated announcement from the Moscow FLEX alumni Later, it meant the huge contrasts in people's in 1995, provided plenty of opportunities to office. I decided to take advantage of this cultural outlooks on opposite sides of the understand the system of the U.S. govern opportunity. Thus, for several months I Atlantic. ment, the NGO sector, international organi worked as an interpreter for an American free zations, and religious societies. By talking to lance journalist, Adam Ellick, who was writing The unique concept of the FLEX program is common people during these field trips, I was a series of story entitled "Life in Russian that it gives students a chance to experience able to get a better picture of American soci Provinces" for various English language living overseas and to compare the United ety, compare the U.S. form of democracy to newspapers in Europe and the U.S. His States to our own homes, and serves as a Russian democracy, and understand how it biggest project was a news report for the bridge to close the inter cultural communi was possible for the American forefathers to Jewish Telegraph Agency (available at cation gap. FLEX alumni participate in an have had the foresight to build this democ http://www.jta.org/page_siberia.asp). The experience, which can be extremely benefi racy and see how it has developed and tyranny of the distance almost overtook me cial to the relationship between the United evolved throughout the numerous obstacles twice. One of the main hardships was that the States and the countries of the former Soviet it has faced. continued on p. 7 Page 7 The Bradley Herald
Tyranny of the Distance from p. 6 explain to him the causes for people's obses prison camp, which was turned into a muse trip was long. We traveled from Moscow to sion with identification papers in a country um), athletes and coaches (describing the Vladivostok on the Trans Siberian railway. As which still bears the traces of its closed past. life of the former Czech National Hockey we came into the railway station in Very frequently the interviewees referred to League players who played on the Omsk Khabarovsk, I realized that I had overcome some event or notion from Russian life such "Avangard" team), environment activists this tyranny. The biggest challenge of all for as the BAM. I had to explain to Adam that the (while examining the environmental hazards me was to be a facilitator for the journalist BAM is a portion of the Trans Siberian railway endangering Lake Baikal), religious leaders who had never been to Russia before. I had that was built during the 1970s by a Soviet and monks (living a typical day in the life of to introduce him to a lot of purely Russian labor force, which had been inspired by a Buddhist monk in a datsan monastery near aspects of life so as to close the culture gap. Communist propaganda. Such explanations Ulan Ude), teachers and students (sitting in In time, the triumph over the tyranny was helped Adam, and later the readers, have a on Yiddish classes in Birobidzhan), and many complete. The Washington experience helped better understanding of what common more fascinating people. Throughout the me. I was able to put myself in Adam's place Russian people had to say. trip, I felt this division between people. I and give examples of what I had seen in U.S. tried as hard as I could to make the life in society to paraphrase experiences and for During the trip I had to deal with so many Russia's provinces more comprehensible for eign events that he was experiencing on the aspects of life. The themes that we covered the journalist and consequently for the read trip so that overseas readers could easily pic in the articles were very broad. Interviews ers in the West. I was more capable of ture the situations he described in article. were held with government officials ( in revealing and describing many aspects of Adam was amazed to find that harsh weather preparation for the 1000th anniversary of Russian life, especially the work of the gov conditions only make people more open and Kazan), human rights activists and historians ernment and of the NGOs, thanks to the helpful in Siberia. It was really hard to (while writing about the former GULAG Washington Enhancement program. A Wonderful Experience Bob Dickerman seen through the eyes of kids 14 and 15 years dent from Russia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, or Civic Education Program Evaluator old. I was hooked. I became even more so Ukraine; and how impressed they were by [email protected] when I was invited to fly to Kyiv twice, and them. "If a teacher could have just one stu Almaty once, as a FLEX flight leader. I stayed dent like that in one class each year, what a I have to admit it; I was a huge fan of FLEX with local families each time, and spent won joy it would be," wrote one. These kids had kids long before I first volunteered to evalu derful hours with FLEX alumni (thanks, faced challenges (succeeding as an exchange ate their applications for the Civic Education guys!), sharing their memories, perspectives student is not easy!); had drawn on remarkable Program. They had already taught me so very and insights. I was finally having the kind of inner resources; and really were beginning to much. I was a just retired American diplomat communication and friendship, which the seem like future leaders. when, in 1994, I was first invited to evaluate Cold War had made almost impossible. applicants for the Freedom Support Act/FLEX Then there was the joy, when the lucky ten program. A newly retired cold warrior, if you Then, in 1999, my admiration for FLEX kids percent or so arrived in Washington, of actu will. During my 30 year career in press and grew even more. I became an evaluator for ally meeting individuals who until then have cultural affairs work, I served in Africa, Asia, the Civic Education Program, the very special existed only on paper. Seeing them interact; Western Europe and the Caribbean. However, one week experience in Washington D.C. to seeing them sharing their experiences with I never went behind the Iron Curtain. That which, unfortunately, for budgetary reasons, one another; quizzing State Department and was too complicated for an American diplo only about ten percent of each year's FLEX Congressional personalities; and performing mat in those years. And why bother? The joy students can now be invited. musical, dance and other talents at the final of having an international career was getting banquet. to know, and communicating with, real folks, The applications that I had read before were not officials. In those years, behind the Iron of potential FLEX participants. Now I was It all makes one very, very proud to be a Curtain, I certainly would not have been able able to learn what individual students were part of this FLEX program, of this family of to meet plain, ordinary citizens, speaking actually doing here, what they were enthusi such fine and remarkable young men and openly and honestly. astic about, what they were learning, and women. As an evaluator, I was often very what others were learning from them. humbled. While one does one's best to Then, in 1994, I started reading these mar choose the very most deserving, one knows velous FSA applications, from these impressive How impressive many of them were! These very well that many other applicants, appli kids in the Newly Independent States: were kids that had arrived as complete cants who weren't finally chosen, were just teenagers telling me about their lives in strangers only three months previously. They as deserving, and would have been just as Moldova, Kamchatka, Central Asia, the Arctic, were living in Alaska, Mississippi, Texas, impressive. the Black Sea, the Caucasus. They were won Minnesota, in rural towns and large cities, even derfully bright, thoughtful, involved, energetic, on an Indian reservation. They had made Thanks, future leaders, for having taught me highly motivated kids. They would tell me, in themselves members of new families, started so very much. their second, third, or even fourth (!) language, in new schools, made new friends, and of their lives, families, hometowns and dreams. absorbed, shared and taught (!) new ideas. Bob Dickerman Teachers often found FLEX exchange students What had seemed a vague grayness behind to be exemplary. They wrote, frequently, about Editor's note: Bob Dickerman now raises cat the Iron Curtain became a wondrous sparkle. how much both they and their American stu tle on a rocky farm in Virginia's Shenandoah These towns, schools, and families could be dents had learned from this or that FLEX stu Valley. The Bradley Herald Page 8 Impact of the Civic Education Workshop
A Voice in Ukraine's Constitutional Reform Debate
Artyom Shyrkozhukhov '02 United States, the Supreme Bila Tserkva, Rada (Council), the Parliament Ukraine/Mondovi, WI of Ukraine, cannot influence [email protected] presidential nominations. The President does not need It has been a year since I the consent of the highest returned to my home country, legislative body to appoint Ukraine. The year spent in the government officials. United States was the greatest Another issue that I do not of my entire life. Besides agree with is that the improving my English and President of Ukraine appoints meeting a great number of new all the governors and district people, I discovered a consid administrators. This is an erable amount of information absolutely undemocratic pro about American government cedure. People are deprived and the history of the country. of their most important con The bulk of this information stitutional right, to be the came from the Civic Education Workshop I was accepted. I chose this academic full authority of the state. But still, in Washington, D.C. This week was the path to help me pursue my larger goals, despite impressive support nationwide, apex of my whole year spent in the inasmuch as the Civic Education the President has not expressed his will United States. I have always dreamed of Workshop fostered my leadership poten to abdicate his right. going to the United States of America tial and self confidence to make a dif and visiting its capital. Thanks to the ference in this country. I also disapproved of the President's American taxpayers, the U.S. desire to create a bicameral parliament Department of State, and the Close Up Unfortunately because of my young age instead of the current unicameral one. I Foundation, both of these aspirations I cannot claim any significant accom think it is absolutely irrelevant in came true. plishments, but I am confident that this Ukraine as a unitary state. Ukraine is is just the beginning of a very long not a federation and there is no need to Since the age of five, I have had an process. Nevertheless, I have one occa compromise between state and national interest in politics. Many people think sion of which to be proud. This year, I interests, as was the case in the United that politics is boring, but even at this participated in an all Ukrainian discus States at its dawn. This issue did not young age I loved watching the TV news sion on constitutional reform in receive a lot of public support, and he and talk shows about current issues of Ukraine. On Ukrainian Independence did not include it in his final draft law. perestroika and the collapse of the Day in 2002, President Leonid Kuchma There are some other parts of his pro Soviet Union. Now I am completely announced his desire to amend the posal that people did not support, and engrossed in politics. The trip to Ukrainian constitution. He wanted to our President was forced to amend his Washington, D.C. was a great opportuni shift Ukraine from a presidential parlia bill to correspond to public opinion. ty to visit the world's major political mentary republic to a parliamentary That is a big victory for my fellow citi center. Of all my memories of the U.S. presidential one. This will be a formida zens and me. Moreover, President capital, the most fascinating was the ble alteration for both the government Kuchma is now experiencing serious Capitol Hill Day. On that day I had an and the nation. There was, and still is, clashes with the Rada over this consti exciting chance to move among the "big an impressive amount of work lying tutional reform. The Rada is the only wheels" of the American political estab ahead. In the fall 2003, President body in the country that can amend the lishment. In addition to all the meet Kuchma, in his address to the nation, constitution, and it disagrees with him ings, seminars, and workshops, I enjoyed appealed to the public to express their on a number of matters. As a result the glamorous city, particularly its mag opinions on the proposed constitutional there are now two draft laws, one presi nificent memorials. I could dwell on reforms. I decided to participate in this dential and the other parliamentarian. this city's beauty for the entire article, discussion, because I wanted to apply but Washington, D.C. speaks for itself. my perception of democracy. The I dedicate this small victory to the Civic United States and Ukraine differ drasti Education Workshop and the Close Up The benefits of the Civic Education cally, but the common factor of both Foundation staff. You provided me with Workshop are greater than sightseeing. countries is democracy. The American essential information on democracy. I That week in February had a major form of democracy could be applied to am trying to apply the things that you impact on my life. After the meeting the Ukrainian system in many ways. Our taught me now in my fight for a better with Assistant Secretary A. Elizabeth president's draft law is not too bad, but Ukraine. That is the first and most Jones of the U.S. Department of State, I it has many contradictions and incon important step in becoming a truly was inspired to pursue a career in inter gruities. active citizen of Ukraine I am grateful national relations. The day after I dis to the people who worked at the Civic embarked from the airplane, I started I consider that that the main cause of Education Workshop February 24 March working hard to enroll in the Kyiv our misfortunes is the lack of checks 2, 2002, and may God bless you all for International University, and eventually and balances. Unlike the Senate of the the great job you did!!! Page 9 The Bradley Herald
Understanding the Impact of the Civic Education Workshop
Svetlana Alekseyeva '97 I learned during those five days was to finalists of the Open Russia Ambassadors Yelets, Russia/Pataskala, OH believe that things can be changed and program. It's a new project that is organ [email protected] improved, and that it's difficult, but possi ized by the Open Russia Foundation in ble, to find people who share the same collaboration with American Councils for When I took part in the Civic Education ideas, and are ready to build a team and high school students who are to become Program in February, 1997, about 120 FLEX work together for a better future. At future leaders of Russia. Some of them students were chosen to participate in the Lipetsk State Pedagogical University, I were selected to go to the States for one Washington, D.C. program. We had to write became involved with the Youth year, but all together they were part of essays and send recommendations from our Discussion Club, where we discussed lots the project called "Newlandiya", where American Studies teachers to demonstrate of problems of modern Russian society: they learned how to build and govern an our qualifications, motivation and interest roots of nationalism and how to cope with independent country, be a citizen and in the program. I don't think that when I it, military service, the future of higher active participant of the state, and be tol was writing the essay and even when I got education in Russia, relationships of this erant towards others and responsible for the invitation letter and travel instructions country with the European Union and one's own life and actions. During the les that I realized what was waiting for me. I NATO, and many other topics. In groups, we sons and simply through every day com simply wanted to meet other exchange stu discussed different aspects of the problem munication with students, I noticed how dents, share my impressions and ideas and invited foreign guest speakers, local their attitude changed towards the issues about living in the States, visit new places officials and even schoolchildren to par concerning civic society, democracy, and participate in something unknown, but ticipate. We didn't solve global problems human rights and others. I think that this definitely interesting and exciting. of course, but I am sure that those discus project, as well as the Civic Education sions in Lipetsk, as well as the ones in Program, has great influence on students During those five great days in Washington which I took part in Washington D.C., at this age, though the participants might we had different discussions and role helped each participant to determine his not realize it right away. These projects plays, visited Congress, talked to senators attitude and perspective towards certain help to raise a generation of talented, and representatives from our host states, issues, and helped to become an active broad minded, independent and responsi went to a lot of museums and simply participant of society instead of an ble individuals who can really lead their enjoyed ourselves. The true understanding observer. country and help it become a valuable of my experience came much later, after I member of the world community. returned to Russia and became a universi This year, I had the chance to be one of ty student. The most important thing that the English teachers who worked with the Thanks for the Recruiting Help! A special thanks to the more than 600 FLEX alumni throughout Eurasia who assisted FLEX recruiters this fall. Recruiters noted that many alumni went beyond the call of duty to help recruit outstanding FLEX students. They gave up many a weekend and put in long hours to make this year's competition a success. Alumni advertised the pro gram in local schools, contacted the media, assisted with crowd control during testing, and made the recruiters feel welcome in their cities. We don't have room to print all your names, but we thank you and couldn't have done it with out you!
Armen Burnusuzyan '97 (Razdan, You may send congratulations care Getting Armenia) and Karine Petrosyan of Elena at [email protected]. would like their friends to know Personal that they gave birth to Anna Burnusuzyan on May 23, 2003. You may send congratulations to the The Bradley Herald family at [email protected]. invites alumni to share personal news Elena Verbitskaya Wisely '01 in this new (Volgograd, Russia) announced her column. September 6, 2003 marriage to Chris Wisely. Elena met her hus band in Texas during her FLEX year. The Bradley Herald Page 10 Impact of the Civic Education Workshop
Winners of the 2003 "Faces of FLEX" Photo Contest Announced
Anna Kirey '97 (Nikolayev, Ukraine) won The third place prize is shared by three Six more photographs were selected first prize in the Faces of FLEX photo alumni. Pavel Khizhnyak '96 for honorable mention. They are contest for her photograph "Taking Care (Blagoveschensk, Russia) submitted a "American Day" submitted by Vladimir of Our Future," in which Asiya Bobrova photo of himself "The Underground Gordeev '98 (Kirov, Russia); "Great '98 and Elnura Adylova '02 are holding Interpreter," taken on June 5, 2003 Chiefs' Hospitality" submitted by one month old babies in Bishkek while he was serving as an interpreter Gaukhar Kenzhegaliyeva '99 (Almaty, Hospital #3. Alumni visit the hospital to during a USAID funded mine inspection. Kazakhstan); "Vote for Me" submitted nurture these newborns, who have been "Brownie Night" by Damira by Nino Gordeladze '98 (Tbilisi, abandoned by their parents. Contest Musurmankulova '01(Mailuu Suu, Georgia); "Dressed to Kill" submitted judges from the Youth Programs Kyrgyzstan) depicts yet another creative by Aleksandra Vasil'eva '01 (Mogilev, Division of the Bureau of Educational FLEX approach to fundraising. Alumni of Belarus); "Let's Help the Children" and Cultural Affairs selected this win different years gather regularly to bake taken by Laura Muslimova '01 ning photo from among 180 submis brownies. The group in this photo baked (Lenkoran', Azerbaijan); and "Answers sions from alumni in all twelve of the all night long on October 19, 2003, and We Know" taken by Ani Hakobyan '00 countries in which the FLEX program is in the morning sold them to loyal cus (Yerevan, Armenia). administered. According to the judges' tomers at Bishkek international organi evaluations, this year's photos bring to zations, who were already familiar with Many thanks to all alumni who submit life the wide range of FLEX alumni their "American" product. Brownie sales ted photos for this year's contest. activities, as well as the creativity and allowed alumni to raise enough money Winning photographs and descriptions energy that goes into their efforts. to buy glasses for children at the Blind of activities may be viewed on the Alumni presented their alumni grant Children's Center in Bishkek. Third place State Alumni website: https://alum projects, as well as charity initiatives is also shared by winner Lela ni.state.gov. Winners will be contact and numerous projects in which they Elizbarashvili '99 (Gurdzhaani, Georgia) ed shortly to receive their prizes. work and play with children. for "Democracy in Action Flowers for Mtskheta Children," taken on April 12, Start thinking now about participat Second place in the contest was award 2003, in conjunction with Youth ing in the 2004 Faces of FLEX photo ed to Serhiy Paliychuk '97 (Lutsk, Volunteer Day in Georgia. More than 20 contest, which will be announced this Ukraine) for the photo of U.S. Senator alumni participated in the joint activity summer. Be sure to take your camera Bill Bradley surrounded by Ukrainian with the Urban Institute, during which to alumni events so that you will be alumni at the Tenth Anniversary FLEX they cleaned up the park and planted ready to catch fellow alumni doing all Alumni Summit, which took place in many colorful flowers and played games the ordinary and extraordinary things Kyiv, October 31 November 2, 2003. with the local children and orphans. they do! Page 11 The Bradley Herald Alumni Beat
Pre departure orientations, and "Find Fellow Alumni." After the event, Ms. Brandt demonstrated how to summer camps and re entry use the website as a tool for the seminars kept alumni busy American Center for Education and throughout the summer. FLEX Research staff working with alumni to alumni in many countries coordinate projects and keep the alum ni database updated. All FLEX alumni organized and participated in are encouraged to register on this site reunions with alumni of other at https://alumni.state.gov. ECA programs. In conjunction Yerevan Alumni Debate the Enlargement of with these reunions, several the European Union Georgia new alumni associations have tled "European Union Enlargement," FLEX alumni showed the newly been created. FLEX alumni are participants examined both the posi returned '03 alumni how to celebrate helping to set the directions tive and negative outcomes of a possi the U.S. 4th of July holiday "Georgian for the work of these new ble enlargement. In the final debates, style." During the largest FLEX event participants disputed the idea of organizations. The activities of the year, senior alumni celebrated "Freedom of Religion in the EU" and the arrival of the new alumni by treat highlighted below show how the question "EU is in Europe, but is ing them to a picnic in the mountains alumni are working with oth Europe in the EU?" FLEX alumni were of Saguramo. More than sixty alumni ers in their cities to share very active in this event and without had the opportunity to talk about their their knowledge and skills their help it would not have been such experiences in the U.S. and senior a success. alumni gave advice about how to man through community service age issues such as culture shock. At and professional develop Azerbaijan the end of the celebration alumni ment projects. played a few games of American foot FLEX alumni and Red Cross representa ball and threw around frisbees. tives participated in the Red Crescent Armenia and Red Cross Summer Camp in the Kazakhstan month of June. The close relationship During the summer, FLEX alumni from that some FLEX alumni have with the On May 23 24, approximately 250 Armenia diligently worked to make the Red Cross in Baku gave them a great alumni of U.S. Government sponsored "Youth for Achievements" televised opportunity to spend time with men programs attended the Tenth debates successful. This project, which tally challenged children who really Anniversary Reunion for Kazakhstan was funded by European Commission appreciated their help. Participants of Bureau of Educational and Cultural Delegation Branch Office in Armenia, the camp traveled from Ganjlik to Affairs (ECA) alumni. Zhandos Shaikhy aimed to provide a wide range of infor Surakhani and spent four days at an '00 wrote a grant proposal on behalf of mation to the public and increase pub orphanage for mentally challenged the FLEX Alumni Association and was lic awareness on issues and problems children. They had the opportunity to awarded $20,000 from the U.S. associated with the European Union. play, talk, and read to the children and most importantly to bond with them. FLEX alumni also had the opportunity to interpret for the Red Cross represen tatives. Belarus
Hilary Brandt, webmaster of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, met with FLEX and Muskie program alumni in July. The aim of the meeting was to The Kazakhstan FLEX Alumni Quilt, Created at their Reunion, Symbolizes their Unity Armenian Alumni Receive Certificates for inform alumni about the opportunities their Contributions to the Tele debate Series "Europe Problems and Tendencies" the website offers and how to use it Embassy, Public Affairs Section for the effectively. She highlighted the site's alumni reunion. Representatives from In the first debate, FLEX and Ugrad sections which are of particular inter American Councils, International alumni made their cases about the est to alumni, including news, discus Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), advantages and disadvantages of the sion forums, career opportunities, and the Public Affairs Section at the E.U. During the second debate, enti grant and training announcements, U.S. Embassy opened the two day The Bradley Herald Page 12 Alumni Beat
reunion with a bash! Participants uation in the Kyrgyz Republic. For ernmental organization (NGO) repre attended workshops, watched more information on this project visit sentatives to discuss different aspects slideshows, discussed the develop the "Political Participation" seminar at of civic engagement and the possibili ment of alumni activities, and brain http://politicalpart.host.net.kg. ty of implementing a new educational stormed for alumni activities that sup system with a civic engagement com port the main goals of the FLEX pro ponent at Moldova State University gram: professional development, and (MSU). Ludmila Bilevschi wanted to the promotion of the English language, show the audiences that an education American culture, community service, al system with a civic engagement and democracy. Alumni from different component has many benefits over a programs were able to come together more traditional approach. At the end and celebrate their experiences in students, including FLEX alumni, had America. Active FLEX alumni in Almaty the opportunity to voice their opinions tracked down more than 80 "lost" FLEX about the issue and many gave sugges alumni for whom they had outdated Political Participation Seminar Students tions about how to improve the learn information and reconnected them to Speak Out Against Torture ing process and help local communities the alumni association. and civic groups. FLEX alumni in Kyrgyzstan, together Kyrgyzstan with UGrad, Teaching Excellence Russia Awards, Partners in Education, and FLEX alumni and students from the Soros program alumni, organized and In July, FLEX alumni from Nizhny American University Central Asia conducted their fourth annual Novgorod and Samara joined together (AUCA) launched a project to promote Leadership Camp for High School stu to participated in their first ever tele political participation among college dents in June at the Sputnik Resort in debate. Alumni debate teams and students in southern Kyrgyzstan in the Issyk Kul region. This year 123 their support groups gathered in May. This project, which was supported teenagers and 40 FLEX alumni from Internet Access and Training Program by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Kyrgyzstan, as well as six FLEX alumni (IATP) centers in Nizhny Novgorod and from Tajikistan participated in the Samara to debate the topic "The camp. One of the primary goals of the Internet Will Replace Books." Due to camp was to bring together high the strong arguments from both sides, school students from rural and remote the judges were not able to make a areas of Kyrgyzstan for an interactive final decision. Therefore prizes were learning experience. Their curricu awarded to the alumni/ alumna with lum included classes which taught the best presentation, the most emo students how to effectivly make pre tional speech, and the best argument. sentations and debate and taught Alumni were thrilled to communicate them about issues such as human with alumni from another city with the Youth Empowerment Summer Campers rights, democracy, drug abuse, and help of the Internet and hope to Received Gifts of English language Books HIV prevention, ECA exchange pro become involved in more activities and U.S. Flags grams, the concept of volunteerism, where they can cooperate again. Embassy, aimed to promote democracy and the Internet. To learn more about Six FLEX alumni and three Ugrad alum in the Kyrgyz Republic and academic Leadership Camp '03, see their web integrity. Two seminars, each two and page at http://leadershipcamp.host. a half days long, took place in the city of Osh. The alumni and AUCA students Moldova taught forty college students about democracy, open and civic society, Ludmila Bilevschi '97, American monitoring of elections, and voting Councils' Higher Education alumni during the two seminars which were coordinator, and the faculty of Moldova held in Osh. After the teaching ses State University's International sions they involved the participants in Relations Department organized an debates on related issues. Later in the international conference entitled Novosibirsk Alumni Team Up with Operation summer, two more seminars were car "Concept of Civic Engagement in the Smile ried out in Talas and Naryn. There, the Context of University Training: project trainers taught classes on free Theoretical Bases and Practical ni from Novosibirsk and Tomsk partici elections, different government sys Implementation" on May 20 22. This pated in the medical charity mission tems, human rights, democracy, voting program aimed to encourage local fac called "Operation Smile." The mission processes, and the current political sit ulty members, students, and non gov provided free of charge reconstructive Page 13 The Bradley Herald
surgery to 160 children with facial were able to transmit messages to each and discussed projects to improve the deformities. Alumni translated for the other and FLEX alumni and members of situation in Ukraine. The goals of this operating teams, helped to screen the English Conversation Club helped annual meeting are to encourage prospective patients, helped with to translate messages for the resi youth to become more active in local administrative tasks, made presenta dents. To see the background of the and central government politics and tions about dental hygiene, and had sister city relationship and discussions to develop action plans to ensure the the opportunity to observe some of the during on line forum, go to: www.boul fulfillment of the United Nations operations. der dushanbe.org or www.boulder Millennium Development Goals On August 15, Senator Richard Lugar dushanbe.irex tj.org. (MDGs) in Ukraine. The participants were taught the skills needed to work Turkmenistan with the government, feel confident enough to become active in political FLEX alumni in the cities of Dashoguz, life, and to strengthen the "Voice of Turkmenabat, Turkmenbashy, and the Ukrainian Youth." For more infor Ashgabat have united to reach out mation about this summit visit and show that the FLEX alumni and http://www.un.kiev.ua/en/youth program can do great things for their summit/index.php. communities. Alumni in these cities have opened the doors of their Uzbekistan Alexander Nozdrin '01 Shares News with American centers and have made Mothers of Children who were Helped by almost all of their activities available On July 12 13, the Public Affairs Operation Smile during the Medical Mission and appealing for interested members Section of the U.S. Embassy organized to Novosibirsk of their communities. Classes such as the first Uzbekistan Alumni Reunion found time to meet with six outstand the "Life Skills" class in Dashoguz, in the mountains of Chervak Lake ing FLEX alumni during a business trip which aimed to prepare high school resort. Eighty alumni representing all to Moscow. Each of the alumni shared students for adulthood by teaching U.S. Government exchange programs their academic and professional them life skills and focusing on self participated in the reunion, 20 of achievements and engaged in conver esteem, really help to bring FLEX whom were from regions other than sation with Senator Lugar. They also alumni closer to their communities. Tashkent. Alumni coordinators from stressed to him the importance of the Poetry clubs, movie nights, English different programs made presenta alumni association and its role in unit grammar, slang, business English, and ing and supporting ambitious young conversational English classes are people on their return from the U.S. also provided, organized, and taught Senator Lugar, a strong supporter of by FLEX alumni. These alumni are the FLEX program, spoke about what a really reaching out and sustaining wonderful experience the program and support the main goals of the offers to young people from the former FLEX program Soviet Union and told the group that he makes an effort to meet FLEX alum Ukraine ni wherever possible in the course of his Eurasia travels. The All Ukrainian United Nations FLEX Alumni in Uzbekistan Gather for First Youth Summit was held on July 17 20 Ever Alumni Reunion Tajikistan in a Kyiv suburb. During this amazing summit, FLEX alumni along with many tions on the existing alumni programs International communication was the other Ukrainian youth planned events and grants available and then alumni talk of the town on May 23 26 in made presentations about their own Boulder, Colorado and Dushanbe, successes with FLEX Alumni Grant Tajikistan when over 1,550 residents of Program projects. All alumni then the sister cities participated in the participated in leadership and team Boulder Dushanbe Sister Cities Virtual building training where they had to Event. FLEX alumni organized a virtual work in groups to solve problems. At event between the sister cities with the end of the two day event, partici the help and support of American pants had the opportunity to play Councils for International Education, games and be involved in different fun the International Foundation of activities. The event increased cama Election Systems (IFES), and the Ukrainian Alumni Promote the "Race for Life" raderie among Uzbekistan alumni International Research & Exchange at the All Ukrainian United Nations Youth from different programs. Board (IREX). Residents of both cities Summit The Bradley Herald Page 14 Bradley Bits
Akademischer Austauschdienst (German he received from the Korea Foundation. He Send us updates about your Academic Exchange Service) to perform sci also won an essay contest organized for place of work and title. If entific research at the Technische graduating students by the British you’ve moved, send your Universitat in Chemnitz, Germany. American Tobacco Company. new contact information to Anastasia Ekkert (Samara) worked this sum Olga Babicheva (Krasnoyarsk) graduated [email protected] mer as a translator and interpreter to the with honors from Krasnoyarsk State president of the International Foundation to University. She continues working as a Support Humanitarian Programs. translator and interpreter in a small compa Class of '94 ny which produces Geographic Information Azerbaijan Systems (GIS) products. This autumn, she Armenia Yusif Akhundov was hired by the U.S. traveled to Japan to study for three months Ara Vardanyan is the head of the European Embassy's Office of Defense Cooperation as at Toyama International Academy. Union Affairs Division in the Ministry of a translator and project liaison for the Joint Trade and Economic Development of the Contact Team Program. Tajikistan Republic of Armenia. Nazokat Yakubova (Chkalovsk) has been Class of '97 working for the United Nations Development Russia Program since 1999. Her work involves sup Grigory Ivankov works as a recruiting assis Kyrgyzstan porting the process of Tajikistan post war tant for American Councils for International Medina Aitieva received a Master's degree in revival by encouraging development within Education in Yekaterinburg. sociology from Ball State University, Indiana the 14 districts of the Sogd region. at the Muncie campus and was accepted as a Class of '95 Civic Education Project Local Fellow (Open Society Institute, Soros Foundation). Medina Class of '99 Ukraine is going to teach sociology at the American Serhiy Koltakov is working on a Ph.D. in University Central Asia. Moldova computer science at Stanford University Andrei Kaigorodov worked as the "Get Out with a focus on computer graphics. Russia the Vote" campaign coordinator, organized Recently, Serhiy was involved in the produc Natalya Kurenkova is currently doing an by the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section tion of Star Wars Episode II and Terminator internship in the sales department of the from April 24 May 31. He communicated III and upon graduation, he hopes to find a Nestle Graduate program. with grantees, gave logistical and informa full time position working with special tional support, and coordinated many activ effects for Hollywood feature films. Ksenia Yafasova (Kazan) works as an inter ities in efforts to increase public awareness preter for Teleset, Ltd., a telecommunica of the importance of voting and civic Turkmenistan tions operator in Kazan. responsibility in conjunction with local Dinara Matkarimova is working as an alum elections on May 25. ni coordinator at the Public Affairs Section Tajikistan of the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat. Shabnam Mullo Abdulova (Khorugh) is cur Ukraine rently employed by the Aga Khan Anna Opanasyuk (Kyiv), a recent graduate Moldova Foundation in the Mountain Societies of International Christian University in Alexandru Culiuc was one of the winners of Development Support Program (MSDSP). Kyiv, was promoted from logistics manager the Photo Contest "Best Places I Have Seen He has also been involved in a health serv to project director for the Donetsk Region this Summer," which was organized by the ices project, through which the organiza at Counterpart International's Community Chisinau Alumni Resource Center. Alumni tion provides English language and com and Human Advancement Program. Some submitted more than 140 photos, which puter classes to doctors and nurses in the of her new duties will include building NGO have been posted on the web site at: Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region of capacity in the Donetsk region and promot http://www.ac.iatp.md/photocontest.html. Tajikistan. ing the sister city relationship between Donetsk and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Class of '96 Class of '98 Russia Russia Russia Ekaterina Litvyak (Irkutsk) is working as a Evgeniya Malaya (Cheboksary) received an Dmitriy Polynkov (Volgograd) successfully facilitator for the Open World Program. Honorable Mention at the 2002 defended his undergraduate thesis on International Essay Contest organized by internal combustion engines and was Kyrgyzstan the Goi Peace Foundation. accepted into the Graduate School of Medina Aidarova is working as an assistant Internal Combustion Engines Department to the press service department head at the Ekaterina Savrasova (Nizhny Novgorod), at Volgograd State Technical University. Kyrgyz White House. She is currently help upon receiving her diploma, also received a ing to develop an English language version "Best Student Research Work" award from Dmitry Mironenko (Moscow) graduated of the presidential website. the Russian Ministry of Education. from the Korean Language Institute at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, Yulia Hwang won a grant from the Embassy Alexander Sladkov (Nizhny Novgorod) where he successfully completed all of Italy in Uzbekistan to attend summer
received a scholarshipBradley Bits from the Deutscher requirements involved with the fellowship language courses in Italy in 2003. Page 15 The Bradley Herald
Class of '00 Kyrgyzstan students the opportunity to explore global Ulan Duishebaev is currently doing an intern issues with today's world leaders and ana Azerbaijan ship program at the Academy of Educational lyze concepts surrounding communications, Akpar Dashdamirov will participate in the Development, USAID Bishkek office. diplomacy, peace and security, economics, Human Rights Messenger Project sponsored law, human rights, and the role of the United by the European Union. Fourteen European Sevara Ismailova received a grant from the Nations in the global international commu participants will participate and conduct U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic to nity. The GYLC program includes creative workshops about Human Rights as a part of organize a summer camp on academic decision making simulations, where hands their volunteer service to the host country. integrity for 30 students in Osh, Kyrgyzstan on skill sessions challenge students to solve After spending six months in the host coun in July 2003. The idea of implementing the problems and lead their peers. try, these Human Rights Messengers will 'Academic Integrity' summer camp grew out continue their efforts in their home coun of a series of seminars on academic integri Turkmenistan tries by promoting human rights in there. ty in the Republic, initiated by the Public Eduard Dzhunelov is attending Kent State Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in the University in Kent, Ohio for the next four Georgia Kyrgyz Republic. Sevara Ismailova organ years on a full scholarship. He will double Teona Maisuradze won first place at the ized seminars in the south of Kyrgyzstan. major in business administration and inter International Silk Road Student Conference national relations. for the presentation of her paper "Silk Road Class of '02 Benefits." Teona is a student at the All Classes International Black Sea University, which Azerbaijan organized the conference. She also pre Tohida Kazimova will participate at the Russia sented a paper at the International Silk Connecting Futures Summer Camp, sponsored Svetlana Alekseyeva '97 (Yelets), Irina Road Symposium at the Metechi Palace by the British Council in Baku. She is cur Buldakova '96 (Izhevsk), Ekaterina Sycheva Hotel in Tbilisi, Georgia in June. rently working as a project assistant at Mercy '96 (Kaluga), and Irina Yegorova '95 Corps/Cluster Access to Business Services. (Kaliningrad) were selected by American Ukraine This project aims to train farming communi Councils to teach English to high school stu Yuliya Klymenko (Kharkiv), an active mem ties to work together to solve their problems. dents who were chosen to participate in the ber of the Kharkiv State Medical University Open Russia Ambassadors Program, spon aerobics team, traveled to Belgium to par Ayla Samadova has been accepted to the sored by the Yukos Company and adminis ticipate in the Open Belgian Sports and American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) on tered by American Councils. The language Fitness Aerobics Cup. Her team won first a full scholarship, and will major in business classes were offered in conjunction with the place in two categories. They also compet administration. She has also been giving Yukos sponsored New Civilization camp in ed and won first place in two categories in private English lessons to a local orphan Istra, a suburb of Moscow, June 26 July 7. the Ukrainian Championship. who is planning to take her university exams this summer. Tajikistan Uzbekistan Miskola Abdullaeva '02, Aziza Baimatova '98, Diora Ziyaeva participated in the summer Ukraine Farrukh Khamzaev '01, and Nikolai Khvan '01 school 2003 at the European College of Ismail Hayredinov (Odesa) was hired as a volunteered as trainers at the Kyrgyzstan Liberal Arts in Berlin, Germany. manager and interpreter at the Ridkem Ltd. Leadership Camp for High School Students Company. He has also finished the web page 2003 at the Issyk Kul resort. Ninth and Rustam Abdurahmanov was awarded a FSA design about the life of indigenous peoples tenth grade students from rural areas Undergraduate Scholarship to study for one of the world, which can be viewed at learned about computers, effective presen year at Williams College in Massachusetts. www.indigenousprogress.org. Due to his tations, intercultural learning, drama, talents in web design, he decided to volun basics of proposal writing, debates, AIDS, Class of '01 teer at the Crimean Republican Boarding drugs, volunteerism, and human rights. In Gymnasium School for gifted children. His August, they conducted a similar camp near Russia team of students, after receiving training Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Svetlana Botkina (Saratov) published her on web design, completed a website on research paper on lexicology in the Saratov leadership, which can be viewed at Ukraine State Socio Economics University student www.club.cris.net/leadership. Lviv journal. She will also participate in a sum Nataliya Bak '01, Antonina Popova '98, and mer leadership English camp, "Speak out." Kateryna Komarova (Odesa) became the edi Oleh Sybira '02 interpreted for a joint mili tor and one of the anchors of the new TV show tary exercise, which tested the American, Georgia Bez Kolebaniy (No Hesitation), which covers Azerbaijani, Georgian, Moldovan, Ukrainian, Lasha Chkartishvili, while participating in a teenage problems, interests and opportuni and Uzbekistani militaries on their reaction student meeting with NATO Secretary ties. The first episode aired on one of the to emergencies. This exercise, "Rough & General Rt. Hon. Lord Robertson, was Odesa regional TV channels in July 2003. Ready 2003" was held at the Yavoriv mili noticed by the director of "Imedia" TV chan tary base from June 20 6. Each of the nel and was offered a job as a newscaster. Olena Rybak (Kyiv) was selected to partici interpreters received a letter of apprecia pate at the Global Young Leaders Conference tion from Major General Serhiy Zozulya from Sandro Rtvelade is working at the Interna in Washington, D.C., which is coordinated the Ministry of Emergency Management, tional Fund for Election Systems (IFES) Voter through the Congressional Youth Leadership and Brigadier General Douglas R. Moore of Lists project as the manager of operations. Council. This conference offers outstanding the California Air National Guard. Bradley Bits The Bradley Herald Page 16 Alumni News
National Scholarship Test in the Kyrgyz Republic
Nargiza Khakimova '94 Karakol, Kyrgyzstan/West Seneca, NY [email protected]
My name is Nargiza Khakimova. I am a '94 FLEX alumna of the first generation of FLEX in the Kyrgyz Republic. I work at American Councils for the National Testing Initiative project, sponsored by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), as a chief national test administrator. There are five permanent staff members in our project, of whom two are FLEX alumni: Altynai Moldoeva '96 and me. She is a logistics specialist and interpreter.
I would like to share the achievements of our project with other alumni. This project has been functioning in the Kyrgyz Republic since 2002. Its purpose is to develop a test that would serve as a uniform instrument in assessing high school graduates' critical thinking skills and learning abilities. teachers were involved in developing test bleshoot problems which could arise during According to President Askar Akaev's decree, questions. testing and held eight trainings. this test score is the only criterion in com peting for 5,085 state educational scholar I was responsible for the registration process Testing was conducted from May 17 31, ships to study at a state university. and test administration. For the registration 2003, at 85 test sites. Together with my process we hired 133 temporary staff mem assistants, I managed logistics for the test This test consists of one main test and bers, who worked in local education depart ing teams. We had to arrange lodging, test several subject tests. The main test has ments all over the four sections: Mathematics, Analogies and country. They regis Sentence Completion, Reading and tered students, col Comprehension, and Practical Grammar. lected forms and Graduates may choose from among four passed the forms to us subject tests: chemistry, biology, English for processing. I had and German. Students could choose only to design training for one subject test, except for chemistry and them which would biology. Those who planned to study explain the project in medical, veterinary and some technical general, the purpose majors had to choose both chemistry and of test scores, and biology. Tests were developed in three their duties. Together languages that are widely used in the with Altynai Moldoeva, Kyrgyz Republic: Kyrgyz, Russian, and we compiled a hand Uzbek. Over 120 school and university book that would guide
registrars in their center schools, transportation, and packing work. During regis and delivery of main and subject test tration, I coordinated copies to each test center. the work of the regis trars. Forty three FLEX alumni participated in In order to test over testing as administrators. Maksat Tynaev 35,000 students who '99, Azamat Baltabaev '00 and Manas registered for the Mambetsadykov '00 served as team leaders. test, we had to hire Among their many responsibilities, the over 800 administra team leaders had to ensure the profession tors. Together with al work of their administrators, provide the project team, we security of test materials, and communicate developed a guide with local school directors, officials and book for administra parents. Besides FLEX alumni, about 20 tors that would trou continued on p. 17 Page 17 The Bradley Herald
National Scholarship Test from p. 16 We also had 15 American Councils staff last year showed academic performance 15 alumni of other Bureau of Educational and from Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, and percent better than the students of previ Cultural Affairs programs such as FSA Tajikistan who came to the Kyrgyz Republic ous years who are enrolled under the old Undergraduate, Teaching Excellence to help with testing. They served as team system of distributing "budget places." Awards, and Partners in Education were also leaders and were part of our front that The National Scholarship test is popular involved in testing. It is great that in ensured integrity in testing. among people because now any bright stu implementing such a project we have peo dent can compete for free education, ple whom we can trust. These are the peo The National Testing Initiative project is a despite financial abilities. ple who understand and share our ultimate giant step in reforming education in the goals: integrity and transparency in assess Kyrgyz Republic. So far, it is an instrument On behalf of the project, I would like to ing students. We distributed alumni on for distributing educational scholarships. thank all American Councils staff from each team so that every team would have a Further on, analysis of the test could serve Eurasia who helped out with testing and all person committed to our principles and as a means for advancing teaching method ECA program alumni who participated in would ensure that others on the team ology. Kyrgyz National University students test administration this year. You were a would follow them. who were enrolled under the scholarship great help and support for us! Below are FLEX Alumni who worked as test administrators: Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov '98, Uzbekistan Nurzada Joldoshbekova '01 Elena Klintsova '98 Kamilya Kadyrova '96 Asylgul Musaeva '02 Tamara Tashbaeva '02 Aigerim Jolomanova '01 Oleg Valiev '01 Elnura Djenish '01 Kishimjan Osmonova '00 Azamat Baltabaev '99 Timur Muhamedov '01 Aijan Karabukaeva '02 Pavel Pimenov '01 Farida Abdulhafizova '01 Maksat Tynaev '99 Bakyt Azimkanov '01 Tuichy Meliboev '97, Uzbekistan Anna Grigorova '00 Rashid Ivaev '01, Uzbekistan Felix Tsoi '01 Manas Mambetsadykov '00 Bermet Uraimova '01 Ulan Dushebaev '01 Artem Zozulinskii '00 Sevara Ismailova '01 Halil Halilov '01 , Turkmenistan Merdan Halilov '98, Turkmenistan Cholpon Abasova '98 Veta Shapkina '99, Uzbekistan Asel Samakova '02 Shuhrat Kamalov '01, Uzbekistan Irina Wolf '00 Nodira Inoyatova '01, Uzbekistan Dmitriy Polyakov '98 Yulia Vasilieva '99 Asiya Bobrova '98 Shukurjan Rozmetova '02, Turkmenistan Janara Tajek tegee '01 Nurgiza Kulmanbetova '01 Eldar Supataev '02 Zamira Yusupjonova '00, Tajikistan Asylgul Alymbaeva '00 Stepan Filshin '02 Jyldyz Sultanmuratova '00
FIFTH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF GLOBAL YOUTH SERVICE MOVEMENT Global Youth Service Day 2004 Mobilizes Youth around the World to Rebuild Communities, Break Down Ethnic Barriers and Increase the Peace through Community Service www.gysd.net
New York and Washington, DC January 26, 2004 From Pakistan to the Philippines to Uganda, from Bolivia to India to Spain, millions of youth around the world are organizing community service projects and special events to celebrate the 5th Annual Global Youth Service Day, April 16 18, 2004.
Global Youth Service Day is a public education campaign that highlights the amazing contributions made by youth year round to their communities through volunteering. Led by Youth Service America, with the Global Youth Action Network as its key partner, together with a consortium of international organizations and national coordinating committees, this initiative engages young people around the world in responding to terrorism, war, and ethnic violence through service. Young volunteers are mobilizing en masse to eradicate hunger and HIV/AIDS, address education problems in their communities, and resolve conflicts. Global Youth Service Day is sponsored by the GM Foundation, the Bubel Aiken Foundation, DisneyLand, CitiGroup, and the Inter American Development Bank.
"Countries around the world are beginning to recognize young people as assets, tapping into their amazing ener gy, commitment, and skills to solve problems," said Steven A. Culbertson, president and CEO of Youth Service America. "Young volunteers from different geographic, socio economic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds are organizing service projects, public awareness campaigns, and forums that tackle some of society's most intractable problems," Mr. Culbertson added. Editor's note: Contact the FLEX alumni assistant for your region to learn about how you can participate. The Bradley Herald Page 18 Alumni News
Project Management Seminar on Volga River
Yegor Mikhalev '95 Among our guests was Paul Hinshaw, direc help of the Internet. The fourth project Elista, Russia/Chanute, KS tor of the Project Harmony Russian office. "Information Technologies as Help to [email protected] Professor Nikita Kultin of St. Petersburg Children" envisioned conducting Internet State Polytechnical University served as con skills development training courses for FLEX and FSA Undergraduate alumni from ference trainer. Right after introductions, orphans and creating a web site with an across southern Russia participated in a participants picked out the four most inter orphans and families database. They hope to "Project Management" conference, August esting projects and split into four groups. help orphans find families through the 4 8, 2003. The unique thing about the con They chose "Journalism Without Borders", Internet. ference was that it took place on board the through which journalism students would wonderful river cruiser Alexander Nevsky. hold a video conference, with the goal of During the four day conference, alumni Thirty of us, including staff and partici worked in groups to develop these proj pants, departed from the Volgograd river ects, using Project Expert, Microsoft port and sailed up the Volga river, making Project, and Microsoft Powerpoint soft stops in Saratov and Samara. ware. The software is tremendously useful in helping conduct a general analysis of the business idea and then determine the project's financial needs. More sophisti cated options include a description of the tax environment and its possible change during the course of project management. We found the software's ability to create a developing interna calendar of the project, as well as a tional collaboration detailed description of expenses very and exchanging pro instructive. Conference organizers also fessional experience planned our conference, so that at its among journalists conclusion, participants would be encour around the world. aged to bring these projects into life in The "Spiritual their cities. Revival" chat/video conference on the Our daily schedule included listening to lec The conference was organized by Project topic "Youth and Freedom" was designed for tures and doing practical work on note Harmony Inc. In order to be selected to senior high school students and university books. During the days, we also had the participate, an alumnus/a had to create a students. Project designers wanted to draw chance to do some wonderful sightseeing community service project, which was eval youth's attention to modern problems of in Saratov and Samara, swam in the Volga uated by the staff of the Project Harmony Russian society and to acquaint them with and at night we had so much fun dancing, Inc. regional office for southern Russia, some alternative approaches to moral and singing and just talking to each other. I headed by Artyom Popov '96. He and his spiritual problems solving. This group con really think that "COOL!" is the only word I team selected the alumni who submitted ducted its first conference on September 9, can use to describe our river conference. I'd the 25 most interesting projects. 2003. Another creative project proposal was like to express my deepest gratitude to for an "On line Law Tournament" to be held Project Harmony staff for its organization The conference began with introductions among senior secondary school pupils. Their and my hopes that one day Southern Russia and project presentations. I was personally aim is to increase level of law culture and to alumni will get together again for such an pleased to meet so many nice people there. present a new form of law education with outstanding event. FLEX alumni who participated in the seminar were
Irina Karpova (Astrakhan) '02 Timur Kurmaev (Samara) '02 Ivan Nikulshin (Astrakhan) '02 Irina Malakhovskaya (Samara) '98 Victoria Davaeva (Elista) '03 Oksana Kholod (Saratov) '01 Ekaterina Isinova (Elista) '03 Aleksandr Klimov (Stavropol) '03 Araltan Manjhiev (Elista) '97 Antonina Chernishova (Volgograd) '99 Egor Mikhalev (Elista) '95 Darya Karpenko (Volgograd) '01 Karina Khadzhimova (Krasnodar) '02 Olga Kornienko (Volgograd) '03 Roman Zaporetskii (Krasnodar)'98 Artem Popov (Volgograd) '96 (organizer) Pavel Zaporotskii (Krasnodar) '03 Irina Shigidina (Volgograd) '98 Vlad Shlyapnikov (Krasnodar) '02 Irina Vasilenko (Volgograd) '03 Olga Starchecnko (Pyatigorsk) '03 Elena Verbitskaya Wisely (Volgograd) '01 Margarita Minullina (Rostov on Don) '03 Maria Chizhmakova (Voronezh) '99 Page 19 The Bradley Herald Profiles
Jafar Muzaffarovich Asimov ator customer billing & care software and hardware. At the same time I'm run Home town: Dushanbe, Tajikistan ning my own Web Design studio (www.caftar.com). U.S. City and State: McClure, Ohio Year returned home: 1994 A personal achievement I'm proud of: Trained 25 school age students, by Email address: [email protected] teaching them a one and a half year course on "Advanced Web Mastering." Five of my students are now professional webmasters and some already found well Education: I graduated in 2000 from the Department paid jobs with local Internet Service Providers (ISPs). of Computer Systems and Networks at Belarussian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics. How I feel about the future of my country: I see the future of my country in intelligent and well educated young people. I believe that we can change this Current place of work and title: Babilon Mobile Company, Billing Center world. Administrator, Caftar.Com Web Design Studio Team Leader. The FLEX Program is important because: It gives high school students the Highlights of your work: I've been working in IT for over nine years. I have opportunity to explore a different world with many interesting people. worked as system administrator, software developer, technical expert, web master, and IT consultant. My current work is administration of the GSM oper
Svitlana Belushkina right now "Democratizing Ukraine Small Project Scheme" targets this issue in Home town: Born in Yaroslavl, Russia; live in Kyiv, the context of social and economic development of communities. And of Ukraine course, the presidential elections in Ukraine in 2004 for obvious reasons. U.S. City and State: San Diego, CA Year returned home: 1997 An interesting FLEX alumni activity in which I took part: With the best team Email address: [email protected] of the FLEX alumni, and creative, talented Ukrainian television producers I ini tiated the creation of a youth TV program. The program reflects the return of Education: I completed a bachelor's degree in business investment of the FLEX alumni in Ukraine. It shows the real lives of real peo administration from International Christian University, ple, our friends, who returned from the States with the passionate desire to Kyiv. I believe that education is a never ending process. stay in their country and achieve their dreams. How they achieved it, what they think, dream this all is reflected in the FLEX alumni TV program "PRISM." Current place of work and title: Non profit organization Counterpart Creative The program was financed by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy, Center, Deputy Director Ukraine, and I still consider it to be one of the most interesting and useful activities in which I have been involved. Educational, Professional, and Personal Goals: I would like to be myself and find my own balance between ambitious personal, educational, and profes Your Volunteer/Community Service Activity: I work in the sector of non gov sional goals (order in them matters :). ernmental organizations for four years already. Volunteer/community service activity I consider to by my professional field. A personal achievement I'm proud of: I am proud of many small achieve ments in my life. To be interviewed for The Bradley Herald is one more achieve Right now I'm reading: Great Contradictions, Patrick J. Buchanan. The book is ment. As they say, the mountains may be moved one pebble at a time. an analytical piece about the tendencies of today's society, meaning and place of the family institution in modern society, etc. How I feel about the future of my country: Every morning I wake up with the thought that "everything is gonna be alright." It reflects my attitude towards The FLEX Program is important because: of the human side. It gives global the future of Ukraine and my own future. I strongly believe that in order to ization, cultural exchange, politics, etc., a human face. change something in your work, in your city, in your country, you have to start with yourself, and that is rather hard. What I'd like to say to fellow alumni: I like the phrase of Jeffrey Garten in his book The Mind of the CEO that says, "A vision without execution is a hallu The local issue of greatest concern to you and why: First of all, passiveness cination." My wish is that all FLEX alumni do what they dream about and fol and loss of hope for a better future among the people in the remote regions of low the vision they have inside of themselves. Ukraine. It hurts to think about it. One of the projects that I am working on
Yevgeniy Pogrebnyak Russian business slang vocabulary Home town: Moscow, Russia U.S. City and State: Akron, Ohio How I feel about the future of my country: positive. True love for your coun Year returned home: 1994 try doesn't need reasons, but events like Safin's taking over Agassi in Email address: [email protected] Australian Open quarterfinals definitely encourage more patriotism.
Education: Graduated from the Economics Department The global issue of greatest concern to you and why: US occupation of Iraq of Moscow State University. and trade embargo on Cuba.
Current place of work and title: Deputy Head of An interesting FSA FLEX alumni activity in which I took part: Long ago in Research at Institute for Complex Strategic Studies, Moscow 1995 I started the first FLEX debate competitions together with former alum ni coordinator Kathy Lotspeich. Most recently I attended the meeting with Highlights of your work: carrying out policy relevant economic research and Senator Lugar in Moscow. providing policy recommendations to government, academia and business Right now I'm reading: Russia Rebounds (IMF); Rodichi by D. Liskperov Educational, Professional, and Personal Goals: A visiting PhD study at the London Business School on price modeling at competitive electricity market in The FLEX Program is important because: it offers an opportunity early in Russia; finalizing PhD studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences by com your career, when its effect is most profound. pleting my thesis on electricity restructuring What I'd like to say to fellow alumni: Be thoughtful of others and share. A personal achievement I'm proud of: Compilation and publication of the The Bradley Herald Page 20
Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Lviv Vladivostok Offices in Eurasia Ukraine, 79000, Lviv, Russia, 690091, Vladivostok, 4, ul. Ferentsa Lista Okeanskiy prospekt, 15a Alumni Office (380322) 97 11 25 (fax/phone) (74232) 40 82 13 (fax/phone) Russia, 119049, Moscow, a/ia 1 (for mail) [email protected] [email protected] Leninsky prospect, 2, k.503 (for visits) (7095) 230 4582, 230 4544, 230 2223 (fax) Minsk Volgograd [email protected] Belarus, Minsk, Russia, 400066, Volgograd, www.americancouncils.ru [email protected] Ul. Porta Saida, 18, kom. 18 www.amcenter.by (78442) 38 62 97, 36 42 85 (fax/phone) Almaty [email protected] Kazakhstan, 480091 Almaty, Nizhny Novgorod ul. Seifullina 531, k. 604 Russia, 603600, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg (73272) 72 08 03, 79 80 96 (fax) Zelensky S'ezd 6 Russia, 620144, Yekaterinburg, [email protected] (78312) 77 87 27; 77 87 28 (fax) 104 Khokhryakova, office 309 http://www.actr.org/eic/astana/ [email protected] (73432) 257 82 05; 257 74 23 (fax) http://www.actr.org/eic/uralsk/ [email protected] http://www.actr.org/eic/ust kamenogorsk/ Novosibirsk http://www.actr.org/eic/shymkent/ Russia, 630090, Novosibirsk, Yerevan Prospect Lavrentieva 17, 1st floor, 4th Armenia, 375019, Yerevan, Ashgabat entrance, rooms 1 3 Marshall Bagramyan 18/2, room 1 Turkmenistan, 744000, Ashgabat, (73832) 34 42 93; 34 42 93 (fax) (3741) 56 14 10, 56 14 98 (fax) 48a Gerogly Street [email protected] [email protected] (99312) 35 42 27, 34 26 34 (fax) http://actr.nsk.ru www.yfa.am [email protected] http://www.actr.org/eic/ashgabat/ Odesa Ukraine, 65091, Odesa, Baku Bul. Staroportofrankovskaya, 26, room 61 Azerbaijan, 370001, Baku, (38048) 222 90 77 (fax/phone) AZ1014 , Baku, [email protected] 183 Suleyman Rahimov Street www.accels.odessa.ua (99412) 92 34 50 (fax/phone) [email protected] Samara [email protected] Bishkek Kyrgyzstan, 720040, Bishkek, St. Petersburg ul. Tynastanova 98, apt. 1 Russia, 191025, St. Petersburg, (996312) 66 48 38 (fax/phone) Nab. Fontanka, 46, 4th floor [email protected] Biblioteka im. Mayakovskogo (7812) 117 76 55, 117 35 51, 325 30 86 Chisinau (fax), Moldova, MD 2012, Chisinau, [email protected] 37B Tricolorului Str. www.acie.spb.ru. (37322) 22 58 60; 27 07 66 (fax) [email protected], [email protected] Tashkent
http://www.iatp.md/accels/ Uzbekistan, 700031, Tashkent, ALUMNI NEWSLETTER FUTURE LEADERS EXCHANGE 68 Konstitutsiya str. Dushanbe (99871) 152 12 81; 120 70 03 (fax) Tajikistan, 734001, Dushanbe, [email protected] 105, Rudaki Apt., 13 14 http://www.actr.org/eic/bukhara/ (992372) 21 21 03; 21 17 95 (fax) http://www.actr.org/eic/namangan/ The Bradley Herald alumni newsletter is fsaflex@actr tj.org http://www.actr.org/eic/tashkent/ sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and http://www.actr.org/eic/dushanbe http://www.actr.org/eic/nukus/ Cultural Affairs of the U.S. State Department. http://www.actr.org/eic/samarkand/ It is produced and edited by American Kharkiv Councils for International Education Ukraine, 61022, Kharkiv, Tbilisi ACTR/ACCELS. Maidan Svobody, 7, korpus 1, suite 278 Georgia, 380079, Tbilisi, (380572) 45 62 78; 17 56 06 (fax) 2 Arakishvilli str., Email: [email protected] flexalumni@americancouncils (99532) 29 21 06, 25 21 07 (fax) kharkiv.org.ua [email protected] Editor Mary Shea www.acie.kharkov.org Editorial Intern Lauren Hurley Kyiv Design and Production – Domino Company Ukraine, 04050, Kyiv, Prospekt Mira, 105, Moscow, Russia vul. Melnykova 63 Tel.: (+7 095) 105 5104 Tel.: (38044) 246 8222; E mail: [email protected] 246 8221; 213 77 57 Fax: (38044) 246 8220 [email protected] http://www.actr.org/eic/ukraine/