What would an Internationalized Extension System look like?

1. What would an Internationalized Extension System look like? Summaries of discussions from the National Conference to Internationalize Extension, March 2003, Michigan State University

2. Leadership for international programming across the Institution. • Institutional leaders will strongly articulate and affirm the importance of international and multicultural programming in teaching, research and extension. • Leadership for internationalized extension will also be reflected in the actions of faculty and field-based extension educators. • Providing the intellectual, educational, and operational leadership around global issues, multicultural issues, and international programming.

3. Institutional commitment to an internationalized extension system. • Budgeting and allocation of resources will reflect a commitment to global perspectives. “We will put our money where our mouth is”. • There will be formal international/global training programs for faculty and staff. •  Institutional policies and guidelines will reflect a commitment to global issues. •  There will be new and innovative relationships between U.S. and foreign universities. • The formal vision and mission of the institution will embody a commitment to international work. • A commitment to global perspectives and multiculturalism will be reflected in hiring decisions.

4. Organizational culture will support an internationalized institution. • There will be important changes in how we educate students. •  For undergraduates, this means that global/multicultural/and international issues will be incorporated into curricula. •  For graduate students, these issues will also become a standard part of the curriculum. In addition, their education will include opportunities to engage in international work. • Even more importantly, extension and outreach will be an integral part of their graduate training. • International students will interact with Extension audiences and local communities.

5. Organizational Culture… • Research, teaching and extension will form a seamless whole: • Multiculturalism and global perspectives will be expected as part of programming and scholarship. • International programming and scholarship will incorporate all three functions. • International expertise will support domestic multicultural efforts and vice versa.

6. Organizational Culture… • There will be a commitment to organizational and programmatic change which reflects global geopolitical and economic change. In fact, the rate of organizational change should keep pace with the rate of change in the global context.

7. End state: • Finally, we will know that we have an internationalized extension system when it is no longer an issue to talk about. It will be a part of our organizational fabric! • Clientele and community/state leaders will be deeply involved and benefit from our global perspectives.

8. Summary Elements • Vocal/active leadership • Embedded in organizational fabric: • Mission statement • Staffing and staff development • Supportive policies and relationships • Budgeting and program mgt. • Expectations in Research-Extension-Teaching • Active programming

9. National Initiative to Internationalize Extension • History—sporadic efforts to internationalize • Steady building of interest and commitment • Realization of changing demographics • Desire to be cost effective

10. What are States Doing now? • Establishing coordination strategies: • Across intn’l units • Identified “point persons” • Clearinghouse unit/function • Providing Staff Development/training • Systematic in-service offerings • Ad Hoc or periodic concentration • Supporting Programming initiatives • With colleagues abroad • Targeted to key issues and communities in-state

11. Current models in use: • In-depth exposure and learning about international issues to build confidence • Travel and international work experiences to build credibility and competence • Exchanges and outreach to involve local audiences in global thinking/exposure to cultures • Establishing a climate--Organizational coordination, training, support & visibility for international involvements

12. Domestic Diversity Multicultural Sensitivity Dealing with “isms” Supporting “inclusively” Serving the underserved Internationalization Multicultural Sensitivity Exposure/learning Dealing w/ Globalization Economy People/cultures Environment Security Interdependence Domestic/International Interface