IATP Monitoring and Evaluation Report - IREX

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E. IATP Centers and Libraries The collaborative partnership between IREX and libraries has always been a natural fit. IATP and public libraries share the same basic goal—to provide society with access to information and resources—and they share the same principle—that access be free and available to all. In fact, most new IATP centers were initially partnered with local libraries, in a mutually beneficial relationship that has been a boon to the whole community. As government funds dried up, library collections and services suffered. Therefore one of the most important goals of IREX’s Internet Access and Training Program was to revitalize these natural information hubs in communities, bringing them and thereby the whole community into the information and technology age. IATP trained library staff across Eurasia in computer technology and then helped them design more efficient, effective library services. E-catalogues replaced card catalogues and free, often rare internet access enhanced library resources to make public libraries once again a vital space for exploring the world of knowledge. Librarian and IATP user from Chisinau, Moldova, Nelea Gitu, easily made the connection, “We need the knowledge that we receive [through IATP training] so we can improve the performance of our library.” 53 Her colleague, Irina Scorpan, added, “Computer skills are important because it improves the quality of our work, and makes it easier to serve the students that come to the library.” 54 IATP user and Director of the Central Library in Shirvan, Azerbaijan, Iltifat Nabiev, noted, “The employees of our library are training at the center and have already learned a lot. The training enables them to broaden their outlook and increase their capacity. The number of library visitors has already increased – they enjoy the services of both the library and the IATP center.” He added before the IATP program, his colleagues knew absolutely nothing about computers and the internet. 55 ICT skills for librarians are not only important for modernizing library services but in keeping librarians tapped into the global world of information. Maria Calancea, a 55-year-old librarian from Chisinau, Moldova, commented in a focus group discussion, “Being a librarian means that you are an important center of information, so we come to the IATP center in order to become acquainted with global information, not only the information that our library provides.” Her colleague, Elena Cortac, agreed, “We are very glad that someone finally paid attention to librarians, too, because it is absolutely vital that we stay in touch with the development of the informational world.” She added, “IATP helps the library by offering computer training. In this way, we become a true information center for the community.” 56 Internet users at IATP centers in libraries have also been useful to the library in helping keep up-to-date on the most accurate information. ltifat Nabiev, Director of the Central Library in Shirvan, Azerbaijan, noted, “Our readers who use internet sometimes provide the library with information that is missing on the websites of the Ministry of Culture or the National Library, for example, sometimes they inform us about rare books or editions that are not represented in the library.” 57 Even after IATP graduates a center and transfers the management of the center to a local partner they remain vital capacity-building tools for the partners; libraries are no exception. An example is the National Library of the Kyrgyz Republic, which partnered with IATP through June 2008, when IATP in Kyrgyzstan closed and transferred the centers to local partners. After graduation, the National Library of the Kyrgyz Republic introduced online access to the Russian State Library’s dissertations database for scholars, researchers, and students. The center became the only place in the country providing online access to scientific papers and research by Russian scholars. 53 Midline focus group discussion, IATP users group, Chisinau, Moldova, April 2, 2009 54 Midline focus group discussion, Internet laggards group, Chisinau, Moldova, April 2, 2009 55 Midline focus group discussion, IATP users group, Shirvan, Azerbaijan, April 10, 2009 56 Midline focus group discussion, IATP users group, Chisinau, Moldova, April 2, 2009 57 Midline focus group discussion, IATP users group, Shirvan, Azerbaijan, April 10, 2009 24
F. IATP Responds to Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) Needs in Georgia Military action between the Georgian and Russian armies in August 2008 left an estimated 10,000 families in the separatist regions displaced, homeless, and unemployed. IATP centers in Georgia mobilized and responded decisively to the needs of this new IDP community, even opening a new center in Gori where many of the IDPs are clustered. Starting in August 2008, IATP applied significant resources in Georgia to equip and empower IDPs to overcome post-war challenges. To date, over 300 IDPs have participated in IATP technical training since the August conflict, leading a number to secure new employment and begin to restart their lives. ncp.ge.iatp.net/), and Kartuli Dasi (http:// kartulidasi.ge.iatp.net/). So in January 2009, when 17-year-old IDP Merab Gurchiani needed to give voice to his concerns, their websites were ready and waiting. Gurchiani emailed them a list of his concerns about the very poor housing conditions in which he and many other IDPs in Tbilisi were living. He told them about their lack of food and bedding and toiletries and many other necessities. In response, the political movement IWSG sent a representative to investigate the problem and then organized a drive to collect the items they desperately lacked including food, bedding, toiletries, school supplies, among many other things. IWSG representative Irina Sukhishvili said, “After considering many methods, simple technology turned out to be the most effective means for communicating with our constituents. After we developed the website, numerous citizens have contacted us to share or receive information, including 17 yearold Merab Gurchiani.” 60 In August 2008, during military actions and during the initial post-war period when national mobile telephone services failed, IATP services were uninterrupted. In a network of centers across Georgia, IDPs could contact family members and friends via the internet to assure them of their safety and were able to get information about loved ones left behind in the separatist regions. 58 In October 2008, IATP organized an online forum linking Georgian government officials, NGO leaders, and nearly 40 concerned Georgian citizens—including refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs)—to discuss the aftermath of the war. The online discussion at http://forum.iatp.ge allowed forum participants to hear expert opinions on the recent conflict, question NGO leaders on their plans for supporting IDPs, and report on the conditions of those currently housed in Tbilisi shelters. The forum also provided an opportunity for Ministry officials to communicate some of the obstacles and considerations surrounding humanitarian aid provision. This event was the beginning of an open dialogue between state officials, NGOs and IDPs that has resulted in more effective government response to the needs of IDPs. 59 Earlier in the year, IATP partnered with the USAIDfunded International Republican Institute (IRI) to train 14 representatives from various political organizations and parties and assist three in developing their own party websites: Industry Will Save Georgia (IWSG) (http://mgs.ge.iatp.net/), New Rights (http:// 58 IATP Georgia News, August 2008 59 IATP Georgia News, October 2008 60 IATP Georgia News, April 2009 These and many other IATP initiatives provided better access to information and a reestablishment of communication between parties involved in serving IDPs needs, contributing to the post-war rehabilitation process in the country. In April 2009, IATP carried out an internal evaluation of IATP activities in Georgia as a part of the IATP monitoring and evaluation plan. During the course of the evaluation, focus groups were held in Tbilisi and Gori—locations with high IDP populations. During focus group discussions, IDPs mentioned the lack of information available during the military actions as one of the most significant difficulties they experienced. 25
Page 1 and 2: INTERNET ACCESS AND TRAINING PROGRA
Page 3 and 4: Executive summary .................
Page 5 and 6: I. INTRODUCTION IATP aimed to spur
Page 7 and 8: IATP users coming to IATP centers i
Page 9 and 10: IV. OBJECTIVE 1: Citizens are Empow
Page 11 and 12: NGO Officials IATP also partnered w
Page 13 and 14: Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs have pr
Page 15 and 16: 6 Midline focus group discussion re
Page 17 and 18: Implementation of knowledge and ski
Page 19 and 20: Thanks to IATP’s assistance and r
Page 21 and 22: IATP center contacts where they can
Page 23: Libraries were also sometimes menti
Page 27 and 28: G. IATP Empowers Youth in Turkmenis
Page 29 and 30: During the focus group she announce
Page 31 and 32: Year One : • 61 in-country online
Page 33 and 34: Natalya Polyakova, a 51-year-old do
Page 35 and 36: Objective 3 Outcomes : Year One:
Page 37 and 38: Living with HIV/AIDS (network.org.u
Page 39 and 40: ment. The deputy decided to provide
Page 41 and 42: Tajik.” Through IATP’s free tec
Page 43 and 44: VIII. CONCLUSIONS A.Summary of Find
Page 45: there still is a need for free, qua

IATP Monitoring and Evaluation Report - IREX

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