ABOUT GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
Under the Stevens Initiative, Global Solutions, implemented by IREX, connects students in the United States, Jordan, and Iraq to virtually collaborate on a sustainable solution to local challenges related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Bi-national teams engage during an eight week period (Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge) or through six dialogues (Global Solutions Conversations) to ideate a sustainable solution to real needs in their local communities. Throughout the program participants develop important workforce skills.
Global Solutions uses virtual exchange to improve mutual understanding and problem-solving skills among students in post-secondary colleges in the US, Jordan and Iraq. By exposing students to real-world applications in their subject areas and equipping professors with the skills in teaching global citizenship and interdisciplinary project-based learning, we can increase the number of students that are qualified and successful in their careers and who have strong mutual understanding across cultures.
Four objectives support the Global Solutions goal for students:
- Improve global citizenship by demonstrating that one’s responsibility and humanity transcends beyond borders;
- Strengthen problem solving skills;
- Develop cross-cultural collaboration and competency;
- Develop job readiness skills through online collaboration.
Four objectives support the Global Solutions goal for facilitators:
- Develop and improve facilitator’s skills in supporting innovation and global citizenship for their students;
- Strengthen student’s technical and non-technical workforce development skills;
- Develop enduring connections between diverse colleges in the US, Jordan, and Iraq based on classroom content and meaningful collaboration;
- Increase community excitement and investment in cross-cultural communication and business-related education for youth.
ABOUT THE STEVENS INITIATIVE
The Stevens Initiative is an international effort to build global competence and career-readiness skills for young people in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa while growing and enhancing the field of virtual exchange: online, international, and collaborative learning. The Stevens Initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, and is administered by the Aspen Institute. It is also supported by the Bezos Family Foundation and the governments of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. For further information, please visit http://www.stevensinitiative.org/
ABOUT IREX
IREX is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. For further information, please go to: http://www.irex.org.
CONTACT
Contact Information Email: globalsolutions@irex.org
The Finalist Team Small Grants is an incentive for students to participate in the Global Solutions SustainabilityChallenge (GSSC) program, providing a unique opportunity to further develop participants’ skills outside a normal class experience. The funding amount has been as follows: First Place is $2,000, Second Place is $1,500, Third Place is $1,000.Under the Alumni Supplement within the current award, IREX has been providing finalist teams from the United States, Jordan, and Iraq in the GSSC track with LinkedIn Learning subscriptions to access further professional development opportunities. Student who state interest must be committed to use the subscriptions and courses provided by LinkedIn Learning.
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