Global Perspectives: Local Impacts

1. Japan South Africa Costa Rica Thailand Missouri Global Perspectives: Local Impacts Ireland Sandra S. Hodge, Ph.D. State Public Policy Specialist Community Development Extension University of Missouri

2. Thailand

3. EGRET Exploring Global Resources through Extension Training Missouri’s International Extension Study Tour Costa Rica

4. Objectives • Learn how agriculture and business function in another country, global society • Implications of global society for Missouri • Compare different production technologies • Observe how extension functions in another country

5. Impacts • Home stays were mentioned as most valuable by the participants • A broader worldview and more accepting of cultural differences • A greater appreciation of the implications of alternative production systems for rural communities • Changes in how they develop programs in Missouri • More inclusion of diverse populations in programming • Learn Spanish

6. The Missouri Rice Research and Merchandising Council is incorporating unique products and value-added strategies in marketing specialty rice to Turkey and other countries. • Were awarded a grant to undertake a feasibility study for a rice drying, storage, and processing facility for value-added • Other extension faculty reported that they introduced the use of cooperatives, alternative agriculture and environmental preservation strategies in their work with Missouri clients.

7. “You start to look at people differently when put in situation where you’re new, an outsider. You don’t know what they are saying, have to trust them. It made me more sensitive to situations like that…where people need help. I had never been in that situation and can now understand how they are feeling..” Ted- Dairy Specialist “I have gone back to school to learn Spanish to assist me with my work with Hispanic populations. You realize when you get out of your own little corner of the world, that people speak more than one language so I thought I would expand my “horizons’ a little….”

8. After the study tour, the light bulb had gone off in nearly all of our participants. The big change came from the home stay. Short as it may have been, about 36 hours, participants were overwhelmed at the similarities between their hosts and the farm families back home. They realized that pride and happiness in oneself and one’s family are not necessarily associated with material wealth…

9. Additional impacts: • Learned more about each other and roles in extension • Presentations in communities, to other extension staff, extension councils • Network maintained among those who traveled • Another EGRET program

10. EGRET – Master Gardner

11. Thailand

13. On going relationship since the 1960’s through community development program • Since 1990 (one group/year): • 107 Missourians traveled to Thailand • 141 Thais visited Missouri • In 2000, alone, 542 Missourians participated hosting the Thais, 175 in instructional roles

14. Original Objectives • Learn about leadership, economic, environmental and community development • Focused on women in development issues

15. Current objectives • Deepen and broaden understanding of how • peaceful resolution of differences in multi-ethnic, multicultural, and multi-religious take place • various religious groups and institutions participate in a democratic and secular society, tolerance and separation of church and state. • Participants: • Civic, business, government, religious, media, and other community leaders from Missouri and Thailand

16. Impacts More engagement in their community after observing the effect groups can have on communities “By realizing the power of groups, I seek more group involvement in community projects“ “..[now] president of my county extension council;” “am now on the extension council board;” and “assumed UOE leadership roles.”

17. Building and maintaining relationships developed in this program seems to have had a significant influence on participants: “…developed a larger network of colleagues and have used that network in developing and implementing additional programs”; “continued association with several people who participated with me, we stay up on current events, e-mail group awareness of problems on their [Thai] government, economy, we continue to discuss this;”

18. Many participants stated that they made presentations to community groups and shared information about Thailand and the program: “these are not travel programs, my goal is to make my audience understand our common goals and see how we differ in our approach to solutions.”

19. Others have used the information gained to “learn more about Thailand;” and, “used the information in the classroom” ************ Some respondents indicated they have continued to travel to Thailand. “ I have returned to Thailand twice and will go again this September;” and, “succeeded in getting other delegates to go in other years.”.

20. As a result of the GLE program, participants indicated that they are looking at the global nature of our communities. “I’ve taken more of an interest in global affairs…find myself watching news from abroad and reading books on the effects of globalization.” Another indicated they are supporting the, “promotion of international projects in community organizations.”

21. Others stated that the experience changed their views : “my opinions on imports (especially clothing) changed drastically. When you see what this industry meant to a developing country and individuals, you look at it differently.” “The trip changed me and my perception of Thailand and developing countries” As one participant put it, “…this trip brought home how much our country is in the ‘news’ elsewhere, and how we need to be more aware of global events and how they can influence our lives”

22. The impact of this program can be summed up by the numerous participants who indicated that the GLE program is truly “alife changing experience” “Not a day passes that I don’t think about Thailand and people I encountered there.”

24. EGRET Exploring Global Resources through Extension Training Missouri’s International Extension Study Tour Costa Rica

25. Why Costa Rica? • Relationship with MU College of Ag and EARTH University • Proximity (travel time and cost) • Relationship with travel agency in Costa Rica • Latin America, exotic, friendly

26. Escuela de Agricultura de la Region Tropical Humeda

27. Partners over Five Years

28. Participants and Funding • 50 participants over 5 years • Participants paid 25% of the cost of the two-week trip. 2002 costs were $2895 so participants paid $700 • If funding was available, regional budgets paid the $700 • Extension paid the remaining $2197.

29. Participant Requirements • At least 2 years with extension • Commitment to 3-5 more years • Have a plan of how the experience can benefit their programming domestically • Limited or no international experience.

30. Marketing • Limited • Word of Mouth • Past Participants • Annual Conference • Weekly Email Extension News • Brochure • Targeted Specific Faculty

31. Objectives • Learn how agriculture and business function in another country, global society • Implications of global society for Missouri • Compare different production technologies • Observe how extension functions in another country

32. Outcomes • Incorporate into educational material • Develop a more global perspective • Great appreciation of diversity • Exchange of knowledge to benefit both Missourians and Costa Ricans.

33. Trip Details • Pre-Study Trip Training • Two-weeks in-country • A home stay • Hands-On • No language requirement

34. Week One • US Embassy • EARTH’s Mission • Community Development Projects • Tropical Forest • Agricultural Projects • Seaport • Time at the Beach

35. Week Two • Women’s Cooperative • Fish Farm Cooperative • Agro-Eco Tourism • Local Extension Center • Coffee Plantation & Processing • Rest & Reflection—Beach/Volcano/Fishing

36. Four-Year Evaluation • Conducted by the Institute for Human Development, UMKC • Surveyed the first four EGRET classes • Specific impressions • Behavioral Change

37. Master Gardner

38. EGRETExploringGlobalResourcesthroughExtensionTraining

39. Participants and Funding • Participants paid all expenses ($2500) • Two weeks • Master Gardners • 22 people in two years • Marketed by website, brochures, word of mouth • Newsletter

40. OBJECTIVE Gain an understanding of production practices and sustainability in another country and culture

41. Numerous sites throughout Costa Rica

44. $ $ $ $ • Travelers, with the exception of extension, paid their own way • Extension paid $500 • Will change with 2003-04 program

45. Partners • 1990- present • University of Missouri Extension (UOE) • Department of Community Development, Ministry of the Interior of the Royal Thai Government (CD) 2003 • UOE, Thai government • School of Journalism, Center for Dispute Resolution • St. Louis University

46. Exchange activities • Community Development • Groups • Cooperatives • Leadership • Environment

47. Current objectives • Dispute Resolution • Religious groups and institutions in a democratic and secular society, tolerance and separation of church and state • Same group, men and women • Why did we change?

48. Marketing • News release to mass media market • Marketing during the hosting to Missouri hosts • Extension organizations/councils, • Weekly newsletter internally • Most successful was recruiting from past participants.

49. Application process • past leadership experiences • how they planned to use information • past international experience • coordinators made the selection Who went? Community leaders, university faculty, couple of state legislators, extension council members, lots of different occupations. Women until the later years when men participated

50. Thai Delegates • Name: Thongbai Jaiman Age: 42 yrs. • Name for nametag: Thongbai Address, Phone • Birth date: 10/29/1960 Dietary restriction: Beef • Occupation: Farmer Passport No.: • Wants to learn: • Exchange knowledge and experience in social development, economic, politics, culture and tradition • Women role in development process in globalization • Leadership development ,community development, vocation development, product form development • Way of life and culture of America • Economic and environment management