Global Interdependence in Agriculture

1. Global Interdependence in Agriculture Communicating Effectively

2. Global Interdependence in Agriculture GOAL • To enhance the capacity of university faculty and staff to communicate effectively about global interdependence, cooperation, and development. .

3. National Advisory Committee: Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Florida A&M University Michigan State University Pennsylvania State University University of Florida University of Minnesota Washington State University The Aspen Institute USDA

4. GlobalInterdependence Initiative: • What does this mean for the university community? Extension -- Teaching -- Research • How can the findings of the GII project be adapted to meet the needs of our institutions and clientele?

5. Process • Reviewed the GII findings and the Toolkit developed by the FrameWorks Institute • Developed a new tool: “Global Interdependence in Agriculture: A User’s Guide for Effective Communication” • Sharing and testing this tool

6. Communicating effectively... • articles • speeches • reports • presentations • program planning • partnerships • community outreach

7. We want to use frames that... • Convey a sense of respect for all peoples and cultures • Promote cooperation • Motivate people to get involved • Dispel common myths: --the U.S. does it all --Americans are smarter --it’s global mayhem out there --U.S. aid is wasted --aid only helps our competitors

8. Talking Agriculture...Exploring Frames Moral Norms • Solving world hunger is the “right thing to do” • Making the world a better place for future generations Environment • Agriculture and the environment are linked • Preserving the natural resource base for food production (soil, water, plant and animal species) • Preserving the environment for future generations Adapted from Frameworks

9. Mentoring for Autonomy (not teachers) Americans as mentors Farmer to farmer Utilizing U.S. expertise to solve global problems Teamwork/Partnership Working together to ensure global food security Partnerships between universities and agricultural and community groups Common Groups Farmers, agriculturists, rural, mountain, ethnic links Adapted from FrameWorks

10. A new frame …. Mutual Benefits • Solving world hunger is a “win-win” scenario • International cooperation benefits developing countries AND the U.S.

11. Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development 50 case studies mutual benefits www.aiard.org

12. Why this frame might work... • Describes the benefits in general terms -- not narrow self-interest • Can be used with moral norms frame It’s okay to reap benefits as long as you’re “doing the right thing” too. • Fits well with other positive frames -- environment, partnership, mentoring • Dispels myth that aid only helps competitors • Emphasizes global interconnections

13. Metaphors are an important part of frames -- • Part of our everyday communications • Packed with meaning and connections • Some frames are essentially defined by metaphors -- Countries as “neighbors” in the world “community.”

14. Neighbors…. What does this metaphor tell us? • Nobody likes a nosy neighbor • Good fences make good neighbors • Neighbors help in times of crisis To mobilize support in a crisis situation, the neighbor metaphor could be effective, but it does not elicit support for long-term engagement. Adapted from FrameWorks

15. METAPHOR “FAMILIES” Identified by Cognitive Linguist, Pamela Morgan and published by the FrameWorks Institute • Competition • Cooperation • Interconnection

16. Competition Metaphors • Two or more competitors reaching for the same goal; only one can win • races, combat, war, team sports, winners and losers, predators and prey. • don’t promote cooperative or global systems thinking; promote self-interest frame A senior U.S. diplomat resigning his post due to opposition to war with Iraq: “My faith in my country and its values was the most powerful weapon in my diplomatic arsenal.”

17. Involve two or more entities that choose to work together to attain the desired goal family, friends, team players, partnerships, community groups promotes cooperative thinking consider the implications of each metaphor “It’s time for a global barn-raising” Cooperation Metaphors

18. Interconnection Metaphors • All parts are equally important and necessary to the whole • people, animals, plants, environment, machines, buildings, fabrics, webs, networks • Leads to “systems” thinking -- global connections --

19. Interconnection Metaphors • Sowing the seeds of promise • Harvesting the fruits of our labors • Planting, growing, cultivating, etc. • Weaving fabric of a global society • Pieces of a quilt • Building a strong foundation • Web of life • Circles, wheels, networks

20. MESSAGE CHECKLIST • Begin with words or visuals that highlight the global environment and get people thinking about interconnected systems. Segue into your specific topic.

21. Message Checklist • Appeal to moral values and the desire to make the world a better place now and for future generations. This is a powerful frame that can set the stage for the discussion of specific issues.

22. Message Checklist • Try out the mutual benefits frame. Explore the benefits to all parties and draw connections between them.

23. Message Checklist • Pay attention to your metaphors - use cooperation and interconnection metaphors rather than competition metaphors. • Agriculture as a global system • planting, seeds, growing, cultivating, harvesting, fertilizing (interconnection, living system metaphors)

24. Message Checklist Define the situation: • Clearly state the problem • Show the big picture • Identify a solution or opportunities to improve the situation • Identify host country problem-solvers • Clarify who is responsible for fixing the situation

25. Message Checklist • Focus on your role as a partner or mentor. Avoid reinforcing the idea that the “U.S. does it all.” • Highlight the good work of host country communities and work groups.

26. The story of Jennie

27. The listener hears... • Whew -- the problem is solved, end of story • Individual problem requiring an individual response • Incompetent/uneducated mother • American saves the day

28. What the listener did not hear... • The big picture -- the large issue: • scope of problem --how widespread? • lack of basic health services • education issues • lack of opportunities for young women • access to clean water • impact of marketing infant formula in poor countries • Solutions -- what could be done on a community level to solve the problem? • Local people helping to solve problems

29. Message Checklist • Talk about “global” rather than “foreign” issues, emphasizing connections rather than differences. Use caution with the term “globalization” -- a very charged term. • Emphasize similarities -- avoid dwelling on the exotic.

30. Message Checklist • Replace the unwanted frame -- don’t deny it. When you counter a perception or frame, present your case without restating (and reinforcing) the false perception or unwanted frame.

31. Message Checklist • Make sure visuals, titles, announcements reinforce positive frames.

32. Message Checklist • Explain numbers in terms that the audience will understand and can relate to situations in their everyday lives. For approximately $7 billion we could make basic education accessible to every child in the world OR….

33. For less than the price of what Americans spend each year on cosmetics, we could make basic education accessible to every child in the world. (FrameWorks) • Nearly half of the world’s population lives on less than $2.00/day -- the price of your morning coffee and donut. • A $4.00 mosquito net can prevent millions of people from contracting malaria. Yet, that $4.00 is out of reach for most of those who need it. To us it is a meal at McDonalds; to them it is two full days’ wages. (FrameWorks)

34. Message Checklist • Tell people how they can get involved or get more information about a particular project, university efforts, or global issues in general. Global Interdependence in Agriculture: http://www.aspeninstitute.org/gii/index.html