Extension Professionals can make a difference at home and abroad: Our International Mandate Jeff Olsen Oregon State University Extension Horticulturist

The Continuum of Global Perspectives in Extension Ranges from Domestic experiences working with people from other countries and cultures. To International experiences as a volunteer technical advisor, study tour participant, speaker at international conferences, traveler, etc. We don’t necessarily have to get on a plane to have international experiences that increase our Global Competencies.

U.S. In The World Top 20 Recommendations Set up arguments with big ideas and context, then give specifics. Help the public understand what can be done (by whom) to make a difference. My addition: invite them to become involved. Keep it simple. Talk so you will be heard. (Be sincere, be yourself.) Keep your cool. Keep questioning communication choices.

Common Critiques and Effective Responses Extension people should stay in their own county, state or country.Response: Direct exposure and experience internationally broadens the knowledge and confidence of Extension professionals in ways that improve their effectiveness in their work at home. These international trips are just paid vacations. Response: International work experiences are typically filled with scheduled activities designed to take full advantage of the time abroad. They are often exhausting, yet professionally stimulating.

Aiding the Competition? You are helping create competitors for our products. Response: Especially in developing countries, our work can improve the standard of living for the people. This may eventually allow them to buy more of the various products that we produce. Yes, but what about developed countries? Response: International exchange of information, germplasm, and technologies have helped build the foundations of many of our industries. We gain as much as we get from international exchanges.

Extension Institutional Support for International Involvement “Title XII of the International Development and Food Assistance Act of 1975 provided authority for the U.S. Land Grant and State University systems as a whole to participate in the U.S. governments international efforts to support the application of science to solving food and nutrition problems in developing countries.” -- Andrews, Place and Crago, in “A Globally Focused Extension Service.”

Extension Committee on Policy (ECOP) International Task Force Their report, “New Directions: The international mission of the Cooperative Extension Service – a statement of policy” strengthened the role of Extension international involvement, and endorsed the positive effects of that involvement in serving our domestic clientele. A successor Task Force updated the goals, and included the integration of international dimensions into all aspects of Extension Programming.

Globalizing Agricultural Science and Education Programs for America This policy and funding initiative addresses the entire missions of teaching, research and extension/outreach of the Land Grant and State University System. It recognized the necessity for commitment from the University community to respond to the changing demands of increasing globalization.

Extension versus extension: a Worldwide Development Perspective The World Bank, USAID and the Neuchatel Group (a group of agencies and institutions working in agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa) convened a workshop on Extension and Rural Development. They brought together 70 extension experts representing donors, practitioners and policy makers to review recent approaches to revitalize extension services in a broadly defined manner.

What is new? What did they learn? There is a recognition that there is a new pluralism in extension systems. There are many new “actors” in the system beyond the traditional public extension agencies. They operate as for-profit firms or private non- profit agencies. Examples of non-profits in extension: non- governmental organizations (NGO’s), and rural producer cooperatives or associations.

What Does This Mean For Us? Extension agencies in many countries, especially developing countries, are burdened with an ineffective reputation. Our system is unique in our successful association with our Land Grant University system. Most Extension agencies are linked with the Ministry of Agriculture, which is somewhat analogous to our State Departments of Agriculture. Wholesale export of our Extension system is not practical in many countries. But, we can adapt the best parts whenever possible.

Big E versus Little E We should frame our expertise not in terms of a System or Service. We are experts at the skillful transfer of knowledge and information thru a participatory process of learning with the people that we serve. Every “actor” in the new pluralism of extension can benefit from the skills that we have to offer. We are willing and able to help them all. We should position ourselves as Leaders in this.

Re-examine Our Skill Sets Think outside your Program or Position and identify your skill sets that could be used internationally. Opportunities to work internationally have expanded well beyond agriculture to include areas such as: HIV/AIDS, Nutrition, Gender Issues, Business Development, Natural Resource Conservation, Information Technologies. The recent tsunami disaster calls for an even broader set of skills in re-building the devastated areas.

We Have So Much To Offer Americans are a generous people. Working internationally is a way to put our generosity into action by helping people help themselves. Every step of progress matters. The smallest improvements can be greatly appreciated. Do what you can.