Site Launch: IREX Weaves a Story of Positive International Development

The new IREX web site

The International Research and Exchanges Boards (IREX) is an inspiring, international development group we've been working with over the past several years, and we're pleased to announce the launch of their web redesign at IREX.org!

IREX promotes positive lasting change globally. They enable local individuals and institutions to build key elements of a vibrant society: quality education, independent media, and strong communities. Their program activities also include conflict resolution, technology for development, women, and youth. With more than 40 years of experience, IREX is guided by their enduring values and is committed to organizational excellence, measurable impact and thought leadership.

Spotlighting their rich and significant history, our goal with the site was to help IREX leverage its assets and profound expertise by telling the story of their organization through seven key focus areas. It was critical to clearly convey the resonant impact of their work, as well as their historical expertise with communities and groups all over the world. Like many of the groups we work with, IREX is dedicated to improving the lives of others, and their organizational story, as well as the success stories of their programs, needs to be shared!

Our goal was to weave the story of IREX through all the pages of their web site through text, imagery and video: most notably on their homepage, and secondly through their "News & Impact" section. Essentially a blog focused around storytelling, the News & Impact section allows IREX staff to share the organization's work and impact through the stories about their staff, programs, and partnerships. With an organization of over 500 people globally, it's been difficult in the past to promote everyone's voice in a consistent and notable way. The News & Impact area provides the venue to do just that, as well as providing a great incentive for program staff to share the stories with each other and build their institutional memory.

Other key features of the site you should definitely check out:

• The unique homepage that gives a brief snapshot of the many types of work that IREX is involved in through the seven feature focus areas (try the rollovers!).
• The world map of IREX's activities, detailing program sites and country presence.
• The News & Impact section - a blog written by the people in the trenches, that gives you a first-hand glimpse into all the great work that IREX is involved in.
• The rich Library featuring IREX's unique research briefs, policy papers, and more.

Beyond the awesome folks over at IREX (Keith Mellnick and Jason Vuong Do, you guys are rockstars!), I had a killer team to help with the development of the site. Thanks to everyone who was involved.

Enjoy exploring all the fun features on the new site, and check back frequently for all the great stories that emerge from the edges of the earth where IREX's work is changing the world for the better.