We don't have to imagine young people connecting across continents and cultures; it's what we do. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dwisByVM
The Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute
Non-profit Organizations
Washington, District of Columbia 4,381 followers
Learn together today. Lead together tomorrow.
About us
The Stevens Initiative is an international leader in virtual exchange, which brings young people from diverse places together to collaborate and connect through everyday technology. Created in 2015 as a lasting tribute to Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the Initiative invests in virtual exchange programs; shares research, resources, and promising practices to improve impact; and advocates for broader adoption. 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. The Stevens Initiative is housed at the Aspen Institute and is supported by the Bezos Family Foundation and the governments of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. The J. Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute.
- Website
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https://www.stevensinitiative.org/
External link for The Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute
- Industry
- Non-profit Organizations
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Washington, District of Columbia
- Founded
- 2015
Updates
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Happy #InternationalDayofFriendship! Today, we’re reflecting on the power of #VirtualExchange to foster friendships that transcend geographic and cultural boundaries. Even after a program ends, participants stay in touch on social media, messaging apps, and even in-person visits. Take 2022 Alumni Fellows Cassie, Hasan, and Nouha for example! Cassie and Hasan recently traveled to Lebanon to celebrate their close friend Nouha’s wedding. We love seeing how connections made through everyday technology can blossom into enduring, genuine friendships.
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Our followers might recognize Angelina Freeman from our class of 2023 Alumni Fellows. But did you know that she has also contributed to World Learning’s The Experiment Digital (TED) in almost every role? After participating in 2019, she became a program peer mentor, a program facilitator, and an intern before finally coming on board with World Learning as a TED program coordinator. Dive into Angelina’s incredible #VirtualExchange journey and her advice for participants today! https://lnkd.in/dV6JDFS8
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Special Olympics' newest research from the Global Center for Inclusion in Education raises key considerations as AI becomes more prevalent in our everyday lives. AI promises a landmark revolution in access and inclusion, but it is up to us to ensure these tools are integrated meaningfully and responsibly. Explore the full report ⬇️
Check out this exciting new research from Special Olympics’ Global Center for Inclusion in Education, which explored the potential of AI in education. When we realized no one was asking our community for their perspective on AI, we decided to do it ourselves. The research had important findings: 64% of educators and 77% of parents of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) see AI as a potential game-changer for inclusivity in classrooms and bridging educational gaps. However, there's still a lot of skepticism about whether AI can truly meet the needs of students with IDD. In fact, 72% of teachers and 63% of parents are concerned that AI models haven't been trained on data from people with IDD, which could mean it won't accurately reflect their abilities and contributions. We’re tired of watching innovation happen and bypass our community. The time is NOW to push for a more inclusive future for AI. We need tech companies and developers to hear our community's voices and factor them into future products. Ignoring people with IDD risks excluding 3% of the population from the most revolutionary technology since the personal computer – and that can't happen. Nothing can replace a high five after a game-winning goal, but AI has the potential to revolutionize classrooms and experiences for students all over the world. Read more from the research here: https://brnw.ch/21wLqB0 #InclusiveAI #ChooseToInclude
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Calling all member organizations of the Alliance for International Exchange 📣 Join the Summer of Action campaign to drive awareness of the many ways international exchange benefits Americans and their communities! Whether you lead advocacy in your city or share the impact of exchange by tagging #ExchangesStartHere, you can play a role in ensuring program sustainability and longevity. https://lnkd.in/gqayd45r
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#VirtualExchange opens doors to new and exciting opportunities for alumni. Take, for example, Dina and Maryam, two Yemeni participants in Amideast’s Qisasna who are dedicated to empowering women in Yemen and defying societal norms that often minimize their voices in the Middle East. Dina and Maryam leveraged the podcasting, interviewing, and storytelling skills they gained in Qisasna at the Women's Voices Without Borders Yemen's workshop in Erbil, Iraq. They co-produced a compelling podcast that resonated with participants and connected with other women journalists. Explore their journey from virtual exchange to creating social change for Yemeni women: https://lnkd.in/etYugZep
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We’re turning up the heat this summer with exclusive #VirtualExchange opportunities, campaign sneak peeks, and more in our monthly newsletter. Don’t just take our word for it, read along for our July digest of resources and opportunities for the field to convene, collaborate, and explore ways to advance virtual exchange. Be sure to subscribe to never miss an update: https://lnkd.in/ee59pzU
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Attention K-12 educators, join us at next week’s Global Teaching Dialogue, a free online event designed for teachers, by teachers to help bring global perspectives to your students. You’ll join a dynamic group of educators from around the world to hear about opportunities to participate in exchanges, including #VirtualExchange! Don’t miss this chance to explore how you can bring immersive learning experiences into your classroom, empowering students to go beyond their textbooks with peers worldwide. https://lnkd.in/gtgRKDFS
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Each day, #VirtualExchange empowers the next generation of global leaders, equipping them with critical thinking and cultural fluency skills needed to thrive. We’re committed to bringing these meaningful international experiences to all young people – but we can’t do it without the education and exchange leaders who implement and champion virtual exchange. Our flagship Virtual Exchange Academy offers a comprehensive introduction that will prepare you to adopt this powerful tool for connection and collaboration. Apply by Friday, July 19th to join a global cohort of 50 professionals dedicated to building global citizenship and career readiness skills in young people: https://lnkd.in/eACbbWkY
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Calling all virtual exchange leaders, implementers, participants and alumni! We’re inviting contributions to our next #Breakouts campaign, a collection of multimedia projects that demonstrate how #VirtualExchange can be a powerful tool for driving progress towards the SDGs. Have an experience, research, or insight to share? Submit a pitch by Friday, July 19! https://lnkd.in/g6r3Pq_z
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