Center for Civil Society International ([email protected])
Fri, 6 Dec 1996 16:27:39 -0800 (PST)
Sender: [email protected] (Dennis McConnell - Maine Business School)
Subject: CEP On-Line Partners Program
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I have recently received information about the new CEP On-Line
Partners Program, and have attached the announcement to this
note. It is my understanding that Partners will be matched after
the forthcoming holidays. Interested list members can complete
the attached information form and e-mail it to Ron Kim at the
address provided in the announcement. List members with web
capability may want to visit the CEP website.
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CEP On-Line Partners Program
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The true strength of the Internet is not in its ability to deliv-
er infinite amounts of information to a passive audience; rather,
it lies in its potential to create real communities where people
actively correspond with people to achieve a concrete objective.
The On-Line Partners Program (OPP) represents an effort to tap
into this potential of the Internet by promoting academic links,
expanding educational resources, and facilitating cooperation
between scholars and students in Central/Eastern Europe with
their counterparts in North America and Western Europe.
Due to a communist system that stifled open discussion in the
social sciences as well as generally poor economic conditions
that have left universities in the region with few resources,
many Central/East European professors and students are deprived
of the rich scholarly network they need to rebuild their depart-
ments, and that their Western counterparts take for granted. Many
do not have access to the latest literature in their fields and
few have been able to establish lasting contact with others who
share similar research and teaching interests. At the same time,
they offer many ideas and insights that have yet to enter into
the discussions of a wider academic community.
In response, the OPP offers a cost-effective and more sustainable
means of addressing the isolation experienced by universities
from Slovakia to Kazakstan, thereby assisting them integrate into
the global academic community. The increased availability of e-
mail throughout the region has given us the opportunity to link
Westerners with their Eastern colleagues in order to share ideas,
advice, and information in both directions. The focus of this
program is, therefore, to encourage and develop strong long-
distance relationships that focus on real academic questions.
The On-Line Partners Program is designed with the following
interconnected goals:
* Facilitating matches between Eastern and Western scholars and
students, thereby helping to establish a vital, living network
that furthers the development of social science scholarship and
cooperation.
* Creating a database of participating scholars and students that
will include research and teaching interests.
* Offering new content across social science disciplines.
* Serving as an information clearinghouse.
* Offering responsive and helpful coordination.
CEP is now recruiting Western partners for scholars and graduate
students at Russian regional universities in Yaroslavl, Novosi-
birsk, and Vladivostok where The Open Society Institute has
provided free Internet access to the local academic communities
through its recently opened University Internet Centers (29
additional centers are scheduled to open over the next 5 years).
CEP is also recruiting partners who will assist the most promis-
ing students and colleagues of current CEP Visiting Lecturers in
15 countries in Central/Eastern Europe. In particular, we are
searching for volunteers willing to provide guidance on specific
research and teaching topics or serve as academic advisors for
students.
In order to respond to the needs of its on-line partners, CEP
will also be expanding its World Wide Web homepage to include
such academic materials as syllabi, research articles, library
resources, grant information, and more. It will also attempt to
initiate new programs that reflect the future needs of its par-
ticipants. Examples might include publishing new research, incor-
porating the Internet into seminars, organizing virtual student
conferences, and launching distance education initiatives.
It is difficult to anticipate the exact time commitment the
program will require of its participants. For some, it might
entail answering an occasional question about grant-writing or
editing an essay. For others, it might involve more substantive
inquiries on teaching or research methodology. Some partners will
find themselves busier than others -- much will depend on indi-
vidual interests and schedules. Ultimately, the time you devote
can be very flexible but please keep in mind that even one hour a
week can represent a significant contribution.
As an on-line partner, you will be matched eventually with a
scholar or student in Central/Eastern Europe or the Former Soviet
Union who shares your academic interests or is need of your
assistance. Otherwise, your e-mail address will remain confiden-
tial. From time to time we will send out updates or information
you may find helpful as a partner.
If you would like to participate in the program, please complete
the following form and return to Ron Kim.
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ON-LINE PARTNERS FORM
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Name:
Title:
Department:
University or Institute:
E-mail address:
Major academic field(s):
Any previous experience living/working overseas?
In which country(ies):
Current research interests:
Current teaching interests:
Approximate number of hours per week you are willing to volunteer
as a partner:
Comments:
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Ronald Kim: [email protected]
Civic Education Project
CEP Homepage: http://www.cep.yale.edu
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