THE WORLD IN YOUR BACKYARD: INTERNATIONALIZATION OF EXTENSION

Overview 1.Why incorporate? 2.What is internationalizing? 3. Implications for leaders

Shrinking Global Village Market & Economy Health and Wellness Environmental Stewardship Community and Partnerships Technology Why Incorporate Global Perspectives?????

What are leaders saying? America’s future rests on its ability to understand and compete in a world which year by year moves rapidly toward economic, political and social interdependence.

The Jack Welch of the future cannot be like me. I spent my entire career in the United States. The next head of General Electric will be somebody who spent time in Bombay, in Hong Kong, in Buenos Aires. We have to send our best and brightest overseas and make sure they have the training that will allow them to be the global leaders who will make GE flourish in the future. J. Welch, 1998

The great international economic, technical, geo-political forces reshaping the world are hardly by-passing higher education. We will not only lead new developments in globalization and technology, we will be reshaped by them. Expanding the International Scope of Universities, May 2000 William E. Kirwan, Chair Commission on International Affairs Peter Magrath, President of NASULGC

2000 U.S. Extension Systems Study n 50 land grant directors contacted - 98% response rate n states had no or minimal efforts to globalize, 9 were globalizing n states had minimal efforts, 35 states moving toward globalizing, 1 was globalized n states globalize, 30 continued progress and 5 minimal efforts

Changes in Extension Systems in USA n % have low or no globalization n % are becoming globalized n 2010 – Director’s predict 88% will be globalized Source: Ludwig, 2000 Poston & O’Rourke, 1991

What does Internationalization Mean?

The Vision Globally competent stakeholders, faculty and students who live, compete, work well in an ever dynamic and interdependent world community. GASEPA STANDING COMMITTEE 1998 Bobby D. Moser, Chairman

Sample Goals for Internationalizing TO DEVELOP A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE IN EXTENSION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS n n Expand exchange of knowledge with citizens of other countries. n n Facilitate economic and cultural opportunities for clientele. n n Provide Extension personnel with professional growth opportunities. Source: OSU Extension

Characteristics of a Internationalized Extension System n n Clientele understand interdependencies n n Stress impact of international economic forces n n Incorporate into on-going Extension activities n n Relationship between Extension’s mission and international issues n n Performance evaluation rewards global efforts Ludwig, 1997

Possible Barriers Time Clientele support Colleague support Administrative support Family commitments Expertise Not program priority No rewards Negative career impact No P&T recognition No teaching materials No training No financial support Language Cultural

Barriers Identified by Agents To Local Programming: (1) Time (2) Not a program priority (3) Expertise (4) Financial support (5) Clientele support To Work Outside the Country: (1) Family (2) Time (3) Not a program priority (4) Financial support

Point & Counterpoint for Globalizing Extension POINT: We have enough problems and issues at home to resolve. We are losing touch with our customers and are not dealing with the serious problems and concerns they face. COUNTERPOINT: Almost everything now has a worldwide impact in terms of trade and economic issues, environmental issues and human development. Interdependency as well as competitiveness in the global marketplace are at stake.

Extension professionals speak… We see ourselves as the best… maybe there is something we can learn from others in the world There’s no way, no time, no resources for those of us on the front line, the system has not yet built in these (international) experiences.

Extension professionals speak… How do we deal with people who don’t want to make changes? Don’t let language be a barrier Most European Americans don’t understand our own culture …and how others view us.

Potential Activities Host visitors Involve clientele in study tour Add global activity to current program Communicate by Subscribe to international publication Join an international organization Get involved in an international research project Sister city projects Participate in study tour Work on an international development project Develop a local international festival Study international tourism in local community Develop an inventory of local global resources Language study

Extension professionals speak… Education opens the public’s eyes that we are part of a world community… think about the impact you have when you give knowledge… It’s ironic, we don’t recognize the benefits here of international programs

“Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.” Alice and the Cheshire cat, Alice Through the Looking Glass

Implications for Leaders n Communication of support n Professional growth and development n Creating cross cultural competency n Small grants and travel grants n Hiring candidates with international experience

U. S. Land grant, European Advisory Services and Extension Centers globally are challenged to look beyond traditional roles and provide leadership for maintaining sustainable communities.

We are NOT your GRANDFATHER’S Extension Service Becoming --- a system engaging people and communities in education on critical issues and part of a global community

“You have to be responsive both to local issues that have global impact and to global issues that require local action.” R. Foster, 1999 Global Consortium of Higher Education and Research for Agriculture

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