IREX is currently seeking 16 US specialists-policymakers, academics, and
community and religious leaders- to travel to Uzbekistan for two weeks,
as participants in US specialist component of the Cultural and Religious
Pluralism in Uzbekistan and the United States Program. Participants will
have the opportunity to meet and exchange with various community and
religious leaders in Uzbekistan about religious and cultural pluralism
in each other's countries.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
The Cultural and Religious Pluralism in Uzbekistan and the United States
Project is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
(ECA) of the US Department of State and administered by IREX. This
project seeks to encourage an exchange of ideas between relevant figures
in Uzbekistan and the United States about religious and cultural
diversity in a multi-ethnic and complex society. Program participants
are exposed to the issue of cultural and religious pluralism in each
other's countries through mutual travel and educational and cultural
visits.
>From August 2004 through May 2005, 59 religious and community leaders
from Uzbekistan traveled to different communities in the United States
to communicate and collaborate with American colleagues on issues that
have included freedom of religion, church - state relations, community
and faith-based social services, interfaith activities and dialogue, and
other aspects of cultural and religious diversity.
THE US SPECIALIST COMPONENT
The second component of this program will take place over the next year.
Four groups, each consisting of four US specialists, will travel to
Uzbekistan to gain a valuable understanding of the religious, political,
and cultural issues in Uzbekistan today. During their two-week program
in Uzbekistan, each US group will spend a few days in the capital city
of Tashkent and possibly visit one or two other cities or communities.
They will meet with returned Uzbekistani participants, visit mosques and
other religious groups and institutions, and meet with various community
and religious leaders. Participants may also be asked to speak at local
universities, schools, or NGOs on cultural and religious pluralism in
the United States.
Each US specialist program will address the following topics:
* Inter and Intra Group/ Faith Activism
* Faith-based and Community Service
* Pluralism in Education
* Pluralism and Democracy
The groups are tentatively scheduled to travel to Uzbekistan in
September 2005, November 2005, February 2006, and March 2006. However
because of a current travel warning for US citizens traveling to
Uzbekistan, one or more of the dates may need to be postponed.
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
IREX will cover the following program expenses:
* Visa fees for travel to Uzbekistan;
* International round-trip transportation from the United States to
Uzbekistan for the period of the program;
* Emergency evacuation insurance;
* Lodging in Uzbekistan;
* A meals and incidentals allowance.
QUALIFICATIONS
* US citizenship, currently residing in the United States;
* Experience working with at least one of the following: universities,
government, think tanks, nongovernmental organizations, or
community/religious organizations;
* Experience and interest in issues of religious and cultural pluralism
that include but are not limited to: interfaith activism or dialogue,
community or faith-based social services, community advocacy, religious
education, etc.; and
* Expertise in the religion and culture of Central Asia, especially
Islam, is helpful but not required.
A preference will be given to applicants who met with Uzbekistani
program participants while they were in the United States. However,
other applicants who might contribute a unique element to this program
will also be strongly considered.
TO APPLY
Please submit a resume and cover letter specifying your interests and
expertise as it relates to the program to: Amira Maaty via fax to (202)
628-8189, or type "Pluralism: US Participant" in the subject line of an
e-mail message and send to amaaty@irex.org. In your cover letter please
be sure to note if and where you met with an Uzbekistani program
participant and if you have a preference for any one of the four
tentatively scheduled travel times (September 2005, November 2005,
February 2006, and March 2006). Applications are available for download
online at http://www.irex.org/programs/pluralism/application/index.asp.
** APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JULY 29. **
ABOUT THE BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS (ECA), US
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
The mission of the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs (ECA) is to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic
and peaceful relations between the United States and other countries by
fostering mutual understanding. ECA does this through a wide range of
international exchanges and training programs, as authorized by the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended. ECA
works in close cooperation with US Embassies overseas to promote
personal, professional and institutional ties between private citizens
and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by
presenting US history, art, and culture in all of its diverse forms to
audiences overseas.
ABOUT IREX
IREX (the International Research & Exchanges Board) is an international
nonprofit organization specializing in education, independent media,
Internet development, and civil society programs. Through training,
partnerships, education, research, and grant programs, IREX develops the
capacity of individuals and institutions to contribute to their
societies.
Since its founding in 1968, IREX has supported over 20,000 students,
scholars, policymakers, business leaders, journalists, and other
professionals.