Exchange Programs
Short Term Programs
The US-Russia Volunteer Initiative (USRVI)
Following a summit at Camp David in September, 2003 between Presidents George
W. Bush and Vladimir Putin, a Presidential Initiative was announced to deepen
US-Russian partnership in solving global problems. The program, called the
US-Russia Volunteer Initiative (USRVI), has two U.S. Government sponsors, the
Department of State and the US Agency for International Development. Through the
first round of USRVI nearly 50 young American and Russian community leaders were
sent as volunteers to communities in the other country for five weeks of service
in November and December, 2004. The volunteers had three areas of focus:
- Increasing HIV/AIDS awareness
- Providing information and communication technologies to underserved areas and populations (ICT)
- Preserving cultural heritage sites
This program has begun a new phase of US-Russian cooperation, and opens the door for future collaboration in addressing similar needs in other countries. The volunteers also competed for small grants to support similar projects in their own communities after returning home, providing sustainability to their efforts. In 2005 an additional 60 volunteers will participate in the program, with some significant enhancements to the program after the first year of implementation. The priority themes for 2005 remain:
- Increasing HIV/AIDS awareness
- Preserving cultural heritage sites
The U.S. Embassy in Moscow works closely with U.S. and Russian implementing partners for the initiative, IREX and the Union of Youth, who will recruit volunteers and host NGOs and organizations throughout the two countries. A bi-national steering committee, consisting of Russian and American officials appointed by their respective governments, will assess progress and provide strategic direction for the initiative.
More information, as well as applications for the program can be found at the
following website:
http://www.irex.org/programs/USRVI/index.asp