Allied Efforts
The
National Initiative was informed by two major allied efforts in the field
of communications sponsored by the Aspen Institute. These efforts provide
a theoretical underpinning for the work of "internationalizing extension".
1. The Global Interdependence
in Agriculture Project adapted for use in the Land Grant System from
the original project: Talking Global Interdependence: A FRAMEWORKS Toolkit
for Global Interdependence. These concepts and materials were showcased
in the First National Conference held at Michigan State University in 2003.
2. U.S. in the World: Talking Global Issues with
Americans--a guidebook and instructions for how to structure messages to
change perceptions of global engagement to more pragmatic, collaborative
views. These materials were showcased during the Second National Conference
held in Florida in 2005.
Another allied effort was the first comprehensive evaluation of the impacts of overseas assignments on the people and programs in the USA--The Polish-American Extension Project Impact Study. This effort helped to inform current practice about the importance of preparing for and then extending one's overseas assignments with the people back home. A popular version of the Executive Summary of that report is available on this website as jpeg images. The full text report is available at the Penn State website: "Domestic Benefits of International Cooperation: An Impact Study of the Polish-American Extension Project", Final Report, Conducted by Michigan State University and Pennsylvania State Unverisity for CSREES/USDA