International Planning Retreat for UWEX Cooperative Extension Presentation on Results National...

International Planning Retreat for UWEX Cooperative Extension

Presentation on ResultsNational Conference on Global Perspectives:

Internationalizing ExtensionMarch 25 – 27, 2003Michigan State University

John Preissing, Northern District DirectorUWEX, Cooperative Extension

Current international situation with UWEX

• We have a working policy, no goals etc

• Majority of international work is with core “internationalists”

• Others, with more to gain and share have limited role

• Not a priority - training, orientation, or work

• Little systematic attempt to capture range of work done, results, or opportunities

• USDA has new initiative

Purpose of Paper

• To analyze the results of the international extension planning retreat.Review UWEX background with international programmingPlanning methodologyKey findingsTop goalsStrategies to achieve goalsConclusion for future action

Background

• UWEX stand alone “university” with ties to UW Madison/CALS and others

• Long history of international efforts

• We have strong skills to share

• We have some faculty with a high degree of interest

• There are opportunities and needs internationally

• We have a lot to learn from international groups and programs

Albrecht, Cave, and Havlovic remind us (Outreach Scholarship 2001) . . .

• International work helps us in two important ways:– It increases our sensitivity to cultural differences – it

helps us think of culture more broadly and to recognize and deal with differences more effectively in Wisconsin

– It challenges our conventional methods of teaching and learning

NASULGC

• “We urgently need to find ways to increase the level of engagement of our resident teaching faculty, research scientists, and Extension agents in addressing the global dimension”

From NASULGC’s 1998 International Agriculture section report

Barbara Ludwig, JOE article

• Her study of OSU personnel reported top barriers to participation:

1. Lack of time2. Not a programming priority3. Lack of experience

Refreshingly, negativity, lack or rewards or promotions were the

least often cited.

For these reasons, the Dean’s office and the ESP/UWEX International Committee proposed this retreat.

Planning Methodology

• Diversity of Interests Matrix – ensure diverse participation, especially non-internationalists

• Windshield Analysis – review international extension work by UWEX

• SWOT Analysis• Vision and Mission Statement development• Nominal Group Technique - goal identification

Diversity of Interest MatrixNameName ProgrammingProgramming GenderGender International International

ExperienceExperienceInternational International RegionRegion

John Admin M H LA

Fariba 4HYD F H ME

Aliesha Ag F L -

Mission Statement

• The purpose of UWEX Cooperative Extension international efforts is to contribute to the improvement of Wisconsin and international communities through the sharing of expertise and experiences

Goal – Create a Team International

• UWEX has teams, comprised of specialists and agents. Includes team plans, budgets, training, reporting, and mandate to pursue additional resources for plan. Team International should be one of these concentrations

Goal – Scholarship Context for International Programs

• We have strong interest in scholarship. Develop structures to allow and encourage research and sharing on this topic.

Goal – Develop Institutional Capacity

• We need stronger and clearer policies, administrative support, pursue additional resources, web site clearing house, and pursue international training/exchange opportunities similar to Florida or Missouri. Consider multi-state programs.

Staff TrainingWe need staff training in:

– Asset inventories for our relevant skills

– Language training– Cross-cultural training– Home institution advice– International travel tips– Preparing to leave and

returning home

– International development tools (RRA, others)

– How to tell the story back home, advice and templates?

– Integrating our overseas’ work with work back home

Evaluation Instruments

• There is a continual need to convey relevance of overseas work to local constituents and the impact, both in the international communities and domestically. There is insufficient information to document the impact and an inadequate communications strategy to share results back home.

Conclusions – Next Steps

Present Retreat results to Dean, Administrative Committee, and ESP/UWEX International Committee

Seek plan approvalShare results institution wide• Attend National Conference, seek partnership

support for initiatives• Develop specific action plans

Conclusion – Retreat process

• Raised awareness in institution of benefits and needs

• Developed more cohesive group of people with range of experiences (diversity of interest matrix)

• Valuable initial administrative support, more needed

• Goal development useful• Exercise raised expectations