A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG AMERICANS AND RUSSIANS TOVOLUNTEER ABROAD! DEADLINE: May 15, 2006

[Elena Gapova]

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG AMERICANS AND RUSSIANS TO VOLUNTEER
ABROAD!

IREX (the International Research and Exchanges Board) is currently
accepting applications for American and Russian participants for its
U.S.-Russia Volunteer Initiative (USRVI). IREX (the International
Research & Exchanges Board) is an international nonprofit organization
providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of
education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil
society development.

DEADLINE: May 15, 2006 (Program subject to the availability of funds.)
Applications can be 1) requested from usrvi at irex.org or 2) downloaded
from www.irex.org or www.irex.ru starting April 12, 2006.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The goal of the U.S.-Russia Volunteer Initiative (USRVI) is to engage
both Russian and American citizens, organizations, and businesses in
cooperative volunteer activities through short-term bilateral exchanges.
USRVI provides a unique opportunity for young people interested in
promotion of Healthy Lifestyles and/or Community Development to
volunteer for approximately eight weeks in nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs) and/or governmental service centers throughout Russia and the
United States. Volunteers will be placed with organizations working to
promote Healthy Lifestyles and/or Community Development. 

Those selected will be offered pre-service training and orientation in
Moscow prior to beginning their volunteer assignments. Immediately after
completing their assignments, volunteers will be invited to a capstone
conference in Washington, D.C. with their counterparts in order to share
their experiences. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to
collaborate with their Russian home/host organizations in developing
follow-on projects after returning home.

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS OF THE PROGRAM
*	Round-trip travel from volunteer's home city to their host city;
*	Visa processing;
*	Limited accident and sickness insurance;
*	Housing and monthly living allowance; and 
*	Pre-service training, orientation, and capstone conference.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Volunteer applicants should:
*	Be available to participate in the program between late
September and late November 2006 (final dates to be 	determined).
*	Be available for semi-finalist interviews in mid-June [Note:
Russian semi-finalists must be available to travel to 	Moscow for
in-person interviews; American semi-	finalists must be available for
phone interviews).
*	Be a US or Russian citizen and currently hold a valid, active
international passport.
*	Be between the ages of 20 and 30 at the time of the application
deadline.
*	Be able to receive and maintain a Russian or US visa.
*	Submit a completed application with all required documents by
the application deadline.

Russian language ability is not required of American participants, but
is strongly encouraged. 

QUESTIONS?
Contact Oksana Jensen at IREX by e-mail at USRVI at irex.org or by phone at
202-628-8188.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------