An International Dimension in Extension

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An International Dimension in Extension

• The
• Michigan State University
• Experience
• Mary Andrews

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Major Goals

• Enhancing the organizational culture
• Staff Capacity Building-Professional Dev.
• Programming FacilitationAn international
  dimension in all programs
• Coordination Encouragement
• Experimentation

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Beliefs

• Extension professionals with access to
  information and appreciation for the nature of
  global issues can be a source of unique help to
  local clientele, and can be active partners in
  global development.
• Mary Andrews

web1.msue.msu.edu/intext
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Program Strategies International Extension
Training Program (IETP)

• Intense Professional Development Experience
• Groups of 12-15 agents and specialists
• Two year commitment of in-service time
• Includes international travel
• Financed by MSUE Counties

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Campus Training Faculty
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Campus Training Interaction
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I cant believe how much I learned during our
first session

• Even if we never traveled together, this training
  is invaluable
• Getting updated on global issues is important for
  all agents
• I already value my involvement in IETP

Jim Wiesing, Grand Traverse Co.
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Field Training Exploration
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Field Training Sharing
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Planning for Outreach

• Upon return from intnl travels, the group
  debriefs and plans for educational programming in
  MI
• Outreach happens before, during and long after
  IETP

Group XII, January 2002
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(No Transcript)
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Program Strategies Study tours and Exchanges

• Participation in existing or self designed study
  programs (Study Abroad, Study Tours,
  Professional Meetings)
• Add-ons to international projects
• Serving as chaperone to youth or adult travel
  experiences

ESP Study Tour to SE Asia, 2002
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The Study Tour reminded me of all the great
interactions during IETP

• IETP has always been with memy travels to SE
  Asia reinforced those lessons
• I feel better able to talk about the global food
  system nowI have first hand experience

Jan Seitz, Jackson Co.
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Program Strategies International Assignments

• USDA opportunities
• ACDI-VOCA and other Citizen Volunteer Programs
• Service Club/Partner Projects
• Self designed opportunities

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Program Strategies Partnerships and Exchanges

• Irish Rural Development Exchange
• South Africa-
• Univ. of the North Extension Development
• EFNEP Adaptation in Johannesburg
• Latvia Extension Management Training
• India World Bank Model Development
• Polish 4-H Foundation Development

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I am a different person because of my
international work

• I can empathize with peoples of other countries
  and cultures
• I am critical of our press and our govt.
• I wish more people would travel and learn about
  the world

Roberta Dow, Grand Traverse Co.
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Program Strategies Hosting

• Cochran Fellows
• Various Delegations (Russia,
  Mexico,Ukraine, Egypt)
• International Visitors to MSU
• International Students at MSU
• Youth Exchanges

Indian Students Isabella Co.
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International Experience as Leadership
Development Julie Pioch, County Extension
Director Van Buren County

• The IETP program gave me a better understanding
  of myself and my leadership abilities.
• The pre-travel seminars expanded my awareness and
  provided an opportunity to develop a better
  understanding and appreciation for those who have
  had different cultural experiences.
• The international travel experience makes you
  test your limits in terms of cooperation,
  patience, physical stamina, and communication -
  all of which are important skills to practice as
  a leader.
• I now have a sense of commitment to my staff and
  clientele to help them understand how we are
  connected to the rest of the world and to
  appreciate the leadership role we have as
  Americans and example we can set if we act as
  good global citizens.
• I encourage my staff, my family and friends to
  seek out training experiences and travel
  opportunities that will expand their awareness,
  test their limits and increase their appreciation
  of different cultures and situations.

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International Experience as Leadership
Development Julie Pioch, County Extension
Director Van Buren County

• The pre-travel seminars gave me a chance to study
  and appreciate the global economy
• I have a better understanding of the
  interconnectedness of the local economy with
  global markets and I can better articulate that
  to clientele
• Discussions changed my perspective on personal
  buying decisions and their global impacts.
• The seminars reviewed and refreshed my knowledge
  of technical financial concepts that have
  improved my abilities as an extension educator.

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International Experience as Leadership
Development Julie Pioch, County Extension
Director Van Buren County

• The travel experience provided opportunity to
  analyze Extension systems
• Learning about other Extension systems provided
  an opportunity to analyze our own system in
  Michigan and in the US. I have a better
  appreciation for the historical relationships
  that we have in this county and appreciate our
  base within the university.
• I witnessed that outreach models that are
  effective in this country are also effective in
  India when the needs of the client are understood
  and programs are client driven.

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Citizen Education Initiatives Methods

• Citizen travel and involvement
• Global Education
• Trade/Global Economy
• Sustainable Dev.
• Environmental Issues
• Interdependence-terrorism/immigration

• Trade Expansion
• Intnl Business Center
• Trade Fairs
• Networking/info access
• Technological Advances
• Zebra mussel
• Rotational grazing
• Bedding plant industry

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Maximizing Citizen International Exposure

• Creating opportunities for exposure to intnl
  people, ideas, concerns
• Involving local leaders in hosting/educating
  intnl guests
• Creating linkages from local to global
• Modeling global citizenship
• Reinforcing intnl interests of citizens

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Lessons Learned International Exposure

• Important for staff credibility and confidence
• Important to give comparisons/examples
• Important for sensitivities and perspective taking

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Lessons Learned Training

• International exposure is not enough
• Staff need guidance, instruction to create
  messages, programs
• Staff need to see examples of opportunities for
  education
• Being proactivecreating generalized interest
• Being responsivetaking risks/speaking out
• Working together

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Lessons Learned

• International Education is public affairs
  programmingnot right/wrong answers
• Educators Role is to expand awareness, interest,
  knowledge, involvement
• People learn from interaction/involvement
• Global issues are everyday matterspart of
  lifestyle, personal and professional practice
• International dimension is everyday business

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Future Issues

• Maintaining staff competency/experience
• Expanding global leadership
• Expanding collaborations and partnerships
• Accessing external funding

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The future is now

• Our world is globalizing around us. To serve
  our domestic clientele well, Extension needs to
  be globally aware and internationally active. We
  cannot, not be involved!
• Mary Andrews, Director
• International Extension Programs, MSUE