SIG,

We need you to read and comment on the strategic plan. Please comment here or email me at mbyrnes@nmsu,edu. We would love some suggestions. We want to discuss this and vote on it during the conference so please give us a little of your time… particularly if you won’t be attending the conference. Leslie Edgar, your soon to be Chair, deserves major props for writing this. Don Poucher, your soon to be Vice Chair, deserves a big shout out for his significant contributions too. 

Take care

iSIG Mission:

Provides a forum for discussion of issues pertinent to international communicators and technologists; enables collaboration among communicators and technologists on various international projects and programs.

iSIG Goal 1 – Improve involvement, communication and collaboration in international activities among iSIG members.

Objectives –     

(a) Identify at least five individuals interested in mentoring new or young members, in and effort to explore potential involvement and expansion of international activities. (2009-2010)

                              i)  Increase to ten members (2010-2012)

(b) Identify at least five individuals interested in being mentored. (2009-2010)

                              i)  Increase to ten members (2010-2012)

Tactics –          

(a) Use the 2009 ACE iSIG meeting to initiate conversations regarding this goal.

(b) Update iSIG Web site with information about mentor/mentee program. (2009)

(c) Focus on building program collaborations and expanding international efforts. (2009-2012)

(d) Begin regular communications and/or meetings based on iSIG member feedback. (2009-2012)

 iSIG Goal 2 – Utilize technology more and provide greater access and communication among iSIG members.

Objectives –            

(a) Identify names and institutional affiliations of iSIG membership. (2009)

(b) From iSIG membership, develop inventory of available technology among members (such as SKYPE, polycom, etc) that will enable real-time collaboration. (2009-2012)

(c) Schedule and conduct regular presentations by iSIG members to iSIG members and others. Presentations will highlight past, present, and future activities in the international arena. (2010-2012)

Tactics –      

(a) Use the existing iSIG list and cross reference with the ACE list to identify contact information and institutional affiliation. (2009)

(b) Survey iSIG members to determine past and present international work. (2010)

(c) Use the 2009 ACE iSIG meeting to initiate conversations regarding this goal.

(d) Survey iSIG members to develop inventory of available technology. (2010)

(e) Initiate communication/collaboration with available technology. (2009-2012)

 iSIG Goal 3 – Build collaborations and connections with international organizations such as CGIAR centers, IICA, CATIE, and AIAEE.

Objectives –      

(a) Meet personally w/ representatives from two identified organizations to discuss potential collaborations. (2009-2010)

i)      Identify additional organizations. (2009-2012)

ii)    Increase to five organizations by 2012. (2011-2012)

Tactics –            

(a) Use existing relationships in iSIG to explore connections and collaborations.

(b) Develop and implement schedule of real-time collaborations. 

  iSIG Goal 4 – Maintain existing relationships and seek expansion of activities throughout the Americas: Central America, South American and Canada.

Objectives –      

(a) Among iSIG members, identify current relationships, activities and future plans in the Americas. (2009-2012)

(b) Increase participation and collaboration among membership. (2009-2012)

(c) Identify target people/organizations and begin regular communication with these individuals/entities. (2009-2012)

Tactics –      

(a) Use existing and future activities in iSIG to explore connections and collaborations in target countries.

For those of us with presentations check out Seth Godin’s blog on The hierarchy of presentations…

and his link to Presentation Zen.

Hey folks! Getting close to the conference… looking forward to seeing you all there. We are still looking for a Vice Chair-Elect to help maintain the leadership. If you or someone you know would like to help lead the iSIG into the future please give me a call or email.

Have a great day.

Hey folks!

Hope everyone is well. Brad just posted his latest. Read it here and check out the great pix too.

International World Water Day is held annually on 22 March as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.

Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater.

 In 2009, the theme for World Water Day is “Shared Water – Shared Opportunities”. Special focus will be placed on transboundary waters. Nurturing the opportunities for cooperation in transboundary water management can help build mutual respect, understanding and trust among countries and promote peace, security and sustainable economic growth. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) leads the activities of the World Water Day 2009 with the support of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 

Also check out:

http://www.waterforpeopledc.org/

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the trusted source for professional development, knowledge generation, advocacy, and leadership for innovation.

MAB’s Comparative Food and Agriculture Systems course offers an in-depth view of the global food and agribusiness industry from people who have experienced it first hand. This award-winning course is delivered by professors from France, Russia, Uruguay, New Zealand, Thailand, Uganda and India and covers the food and agricultural systems of the European Union, Russia and the Former Soviet Union, MERCOSUR, Oceania, East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The graduate-level, three credit-hour course will start in mid-April. Enrollment is open to anyone with a bachelor’s degree and an interest in the food and agriculture industry. For more information about the international faculty or the course, go to mab.ksu.edu/OurProgram/International_Elective.html.

Not so happy news from the Washington Post. How will this impact what we do? Leave some comments and tell us your thoughts.

The World Bank also cautioned that the cost of helping poorer nations in crisis would exceed the current financial resources of multilateral lenders. Such aid could prove critical to political stability as concerns mount over unrest in poorer nations, particularly in Eastern Europe, generated by their sharp reversal of fortunes as private investment evaporates and global trade collapses. 

A colleague of mine blogged this for our group and I am stealing his post. 

20 tips for better conference speaking

With the conference right around the corner many of you will be diligently preparing your sessions with notes and slides. Cameron Moll has a few great tips… most of you probably use, but it is a great refresher.

What are some of your conference presentation tips? We’d love to hear from y’all.

Just released a report that can be found here:

http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/oce091/

The global economic slowdown has dampened inflation.  Even with the U.S. and world economies projected to move back toward stronger, sustainable growth, global inflation is projected at relatively low rates, averaging about 3 percent globally through 2018.

 

Interesting to me is the long-term growth of 4 percent, projected for Latin America.  An overall improvement in macroeconomic policies has attracted foreign capital inflows (particularly foreign direct investment, notably to Chile, Colombia, and Brazil) and sustained growth in the region. Any comments?