What IREX delivers
IREX delivers value to its beneficiaries, partners, and donors through its holistic, people-centered approach to development and unique combination of traits. The sum of these parts is what distinguishes IREX.
Expertise: IREX brings expertise and experience in fields such as education, civil society, gender, media, governance, access to information, and youth employment.
Holistic approach: IREX works with partners to design and implement comprehensive approaches integrating a focus on people, institutions, and communities and an understanding of how they interact to advance prosperity and social justice.
Global relationships and presence: IREX maintains more than 20 offices globally and operates in more than 100 countries. We have a deep network of alumni and partners numbering in the tens of thousands.
Management acumen: IREX delivers quality, well-executed programs with professionalism and integrity.
Compassionate and caring approach: IREX treats its beneficiaries and partners with dignity, respect, and empathy, in a genuine spirit of collaboration.
Our guiding principles
People are paramount: IREX’s approach to development prioritizes people. We treat our partners with respect, dignity, and empathy.
Just and prosperous societies are inclusive: Inclusive societies are more just and prosperous but social, political and economic inclusion does not happen automatically. IREX strives to bridge social divides and works for broad participation in its programming.
Change is possible: Injustice and poverty are prevalent but can be overcome through human initiative, community action, and good governance. IREX promotes change by working in authentic partnership to develop both individuals and institutions.
Sustainable change comes from within: IREX’s role is to support individuals and communities working to build more just, prosperous and inclusive societies. Our partners must be the ones to drive change in their own societies.
Results are more important than credit: We take pride in being a good partner, sharing credit liberally, and prioritizing the practical details that determine long-term sustainability.
Humility is essential: Achieving a just and prosperous world in which all people can achieve their potential is a complex undertaking. IREX will approach this mission with humility and a sincere spirit of collaboration. IREX and its partners have expertise but acknowledge their limitations. We will learn and remain open to new ideas.
Our commitment to ethics
IREX is committed to the highest standards of legal compliance, ethics, and transparency.
All IREX personnel are expected to act as responsible stewards of the funds entrusted to us. Current and former IREX employees are encouraged to disclose any information they become aware of, whether confidential or not, through our internal reporting procedures, third party fraud hotline service, or to an appropriate public official, if they are under the reasonable belief that the disclosure is required, authorized, or protected by law or IREX policies, is in response to a government request or investigation, or is a good faith exercise of whistleblower or similar rights.
No current or former IREX employee will be subject to discrimination, retaliation, or reprisal of any kind for reporting or disclosing to any government official information that the employee reasonably believes is evidence, in relation to a federal grant or contract, of a false claim, gross mismanagement, abuse of authority, gross waste of funds, substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or a violation of law, rule or regulation. Employees who believe they have been subject to discrimination, retaliation or reprisal for such reports or disclosures may submit a complaint to the Inspector General of the donor agency in accordance with 41 U.S.C. § 4712
Our story
A nonprofit organization committed to international education and development, IREX has embraced a people-centered approach since 1968.
Our organization was created to bridge geopolitical divides by fostering the exchange of scholars, teachers, students, and ideas. IREX then built on our expertise and network of relationships in Eurasia to support people driving educational reform, leading newly empowered movements in civil society, and building effective and accountable governance. IREX became a leader in improving access to information technology, strengthening independent media, and empowering youth through education and leadership development. As global needs shifted, IREX brought this expertise to new regions: first Asia, then the Middle East and Africa, then Latin America.
Throughout these decades of change, our focus on people and communities has been steady. We have nurtured a distinctive approach combining caring and efficacy.
Visit International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX)