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Community Connections The Community Connections program is designed as a partnership between government, nonprofit organizations, and business. Its goal is to bring mid-level professionals and businesspeople from countries of the former Soviet region to the United States for short-term internships at small and mid-sized businesses and organizations. The program is an expansion of the Business for Russia program which was established in 1993 to promote business training for Russian entrepreneurs. Since its inception in 1996, Community Connections has expanded to include professionals in the fields of business development, educational administration, law, and NGO development through the Community Connections Professional Program, as well as entrepreneurs in Russia through the Business for Russia component of the program. In 1997 Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, and Kazakhstan joined Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine as part of the Community Connections program. IREX recruits and selects participants from Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Participants travel in groups of ten or less and live with American host families while they experience hands-on training in US business practices, law, and government. During their internships they develop skills that can be transferred to their careers at home. Interns also make contacts within their host communities that will enrich their professional lives in Azerbaijan. The program serves to bring together members of communities both in the US and in participants' home countries with very positive results. This year the program is being conducted in Azerbaijan for the first time. Recruitment of interested candidates will begin in June 2001. Internships will be provided for 20 English-speaking businesspeople from the Baku metropolitan area, 10 NGO leaders from the Khachmaz and Quba regions under the auspices of Community Connections. Cincinnati, Ohio, Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania are possible host cities for the groups. Requirements: Business and Entrepreneurship NGO Development All candidates can receive applications
and information regarding Community Connections by contacting
Program Coordinator Jose Hernandez or Program Assistant Yusif
Akhundov at IREX: |
