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August 20, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

iEARN Launches the BRIDGE Project A U.S., Arab, and Muslim Student Exchange Program http://www.thebridgeproject.org

The International Education and Resource Network (iEARN) today announced the launch of the BRIDGE Program - Building Respect through Internet Dialogue and Global Education. Focused on building links between students and teachers around the world, the initiative will connect 24 schools in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Pakistan with their counterparts in the United States through collaborative online projects. This program is made possible through a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of State¹s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, and $375,000 in matching funds that iEARN is committed to raise over the coming eighteen months. To date iEARN-USA has received $70,000 in additional donations from private individuals in order to allow the BRIDGE program to expand to Middle Eastern countries not included under the initial round of funding.

Through iEARN's secure forums, the BRIDGE Program will provide online exchange opportunities for 3,500 students and teachers from these 48 schools allowing collaborative projects that promote academic, cultural, and community exchange. iEARN will assist schools in the development of multilingual classroom tools for educators, and with the distribution of print and web-based publications produced by the participants. Students will work on water-related and dream-school projects through e-collaboration, where planning and group activities will be carried out in the classroom, online, and in the community. A series of training workshops will culminate in a regional conference in Egypt where BRIDGE Country Coordinators and teachers will meet to review and exchange curriculum, and plan ongoing projects.

A highlight of the BRIDGE project will be a three-week physical exchange of students and teachers to the United States. During the exchange, participants will stay with teachers and students with whom they have worked during the academic year. Exchangees will also have the opportunity to learn about educational practices and the use of technology in US classrooms. The exchange will provide a foundation for ongoing and increased collaboration between students and teachers within the iEARN network.

Dr. Stephen Ortega and Adrian Cole of the US-Middle East Connections Program at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University will conduct an evaluation of the BRIDGE program.

iEARN is eager to broaden institutional partnerships with schools, agencies and organizations engaged in similar or complimentary activities. For information on how to participate or to become a partner organization please visit our web site: http://www.thebridgeproject.org

Current BRIDGE partners include:

1. iEARN. The International Education and Resource Network, is a nonprofit, global community of more than 4,000 K-12 schools and youth organizations in 95 countries. Founded in 1988, iEARN pioneers online collaborative education for the purpose of enhancing learning and connecting teachers and youth to make a difference in the world by empowering them to work together on educational projects. For further information, visit: iEARN-USA http://www.iearn.org or contact iEARN at 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 540, New York, NY 10115, 212-870-2693 or iearn@us.iearn.org
2. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) fosters mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international educational and training programs. The Bureau does so by promoting personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, society, art and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences. The BRIDGE program is managed through the Office of Citizen Exchange, Youth Programs Division. http://www.state.gov
3. The Copen Family Fund. CFF is a private family foundation dedicated to empowering youth to make a meaningful contribution to the health and welfare of people and the planet.
4. Schools Online Schools Online is a public benefit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to help students to gain access and use the communication and information resources of the Internet for learning and cross-cultural dialogue. SOL enables this by providing appropriate technology and Internet solutions, developing locally-driven and sustainable Internet Learning Centers, facilitating teacher professional development, cultivating online cross-cultural projects, and sharing our knowledge and experience. http://www.schoolsonline.org
5. Yahoo! Employee's Foundation. An advised Fund at The Peninsula Community Foundation
6. Private Individuals. iEARN would like to acknowledge and thank the numerous private individuals that have lent their support to this program. Your support is especially important in facilitating participation by countries not supported by the initial grant.
7. US-Middle East Connections Program, The Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard University.