In the late 1980s, Peter Copen saw a world in need of improvement.

"Environmentally, the world was a mess. In terms of hunger and conflict and racism, all the issues that were facing humanity were getting worse and worse," said Ed Gragert, director of iEARN, the International Education and Resource Network.

Copen believed modern technology could help students communicate with their peers around the world -- and that through better understanding, those problems could be erased or diminished.

In 1988, Copen formed iEARN, a program to connect students and teachers around the world through educational projects of their own design. At first, only the United States and the Soviet Union were involved. Copen went to the State Department for support but was rejected. He then turned to his family foundation's resources.

Communication between the two nations was difficult because the Internet was not widespread and because of communist rule in the U.S.S.R. As part of iEARN, which started with 12 schools in New York and 12 in Moscow, students talked in English and Russian by video telephone. Students also sent e-mails at night through Moscow's only international phone line.

But as technology improved, so did the number of countries interested in joining iEARN. In 1996, iEARN began receiving support from the U.S. State Department and Department of Education.

"It was only after we'd demonstrated the power that the government support came," Gragert said.

In 1994, iEARN teachers started to gather yearly to discuss projects and collaborations. In 1997, students held their first summit, after arguing that they did 99 percent of the online interaction and work. This year's summit will be in Moscow July 7-14.

Gragert said iEARN links schools in 95 countries and is the largest educational network for elementary and secondary students in the world.

iEARN projects run the gamut. Aspects of Love is aimed at understanding the different kinds of love. The Bullying Project helps the tormented deal with being teased. And the Child Soldier Project looks at the lives of child soldiers and how that affects their futures.

"There are two main goals for every project, and that's true for our whole organization," Gragert said. "One is that learning is going to be enhanced -- that as a result of this project, people are going to learn better. The second one is as a result of the project, the world needs to be a better place."

To become involved with iEARN, go to www.iEARN.org

REPORTERS: Caroline Maxwell, 13; Natalie Szempruch, 12.