Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and implemented by Project Harmony, the School Connectivity Programs afford community members, teachers and students access to information and the ability to serve as cross-cultural ambassadors. Since the autumn of 2000, Project Harmony has worked with the ECA and Ministries of Education to facilitate the construction and renovation of over 300 Internet Computer Centers (ICCs) in middle and secondary schools in Armenia and over 70 school-based ICCs in Azerbaijan. The Armenian School Connectivity Program (ASCP) and Azerbaijan Connections and Exchange (ACE) have provided infrastructure, Internet connectivity, technical training, and sustainability planning to students, educators, and community members in hundreds of urban and rural communities in the Caucasus.

This developed infrastructure now provides U.S. teachers and students the chance to connect with their international peers via the power of secure, password-protected online web forums managed by PH. By joining these programs, innovative middle school and high school U.S. teachers can engage in English-driven collaborative partnerships with an overseas colleague addressing chosen topics that often can be developed to meet necessary curricular standards. Alternatively, PH facilitates multiple large-scale online events every semester that engage students in discussions addressing Gender, Civics, Social Justice, and Conflict Resolution among others. Students are empowered by intercultural exchange using cutting-edge technology in their classrooms. The SCP staff provides technical support and guidance throughout the process to participating teachers in the U.S. and overseas. Armenian and Azerbaijani students have come to understand and appreciate the value of engaging the world through the marvels of modern internet technology and collaborative learning methods. Have yours?