Intercultural Managment Institute(03/13/2008) 
9:30
Welcome! Dr. Gary Weaver, the exectuvie director of the Intercultural Management Institute is giving some opening remarks, and going through the agenda for the conference.

Thursday March 13, 2008 9:30 
9:34
The first session starts at 9:45am (eastern) - I'll start posting some content then. The session options are:
-Through the Prism of Culture: Internet Based Negotiations and the US Air Force
-Make it Stick: Interactive Learning in the Training Room
-Challenges of a Multicultural Workforce
-ManagingYour Way in Emerging Markets

Im not sure yet which one I'll attend - its hard to choose!


Thursday March 13, 2008 9:34 
9:38
There are several "tracks" of interest at this conference - education, business, and public sector. I'll be focusing on public sector type sessions, but something that is interesting that Dr. Weaver just pointed out- students that complete a study abroad program early on intheir academic career end up with higher GPAs and better graduation rates. Something for those in higher education to think about...
Thursday March 13, 2008 9:38 
9:42
[Comment From KarenKaren: ] 
cool
Thursday March 13, 2008 9:42 Karen
9:42
[Comment From KarenKaren: ] 
I'm really interested in the "Make it Stick" session. Although the "emerging markets" sounds compelling.... ;{ Will look forward to whatever you post. Hey - post my comment! Or not.
Thursday March 13, 2008 9:42 Karen
9:43
[Comment From KarenKaren: ] 
I'm very interested to see how this compares to Twitter. Is there an audio feature? Hmm, interesting.
Thursday March 13, 2008 9:43 Karen
9:45
[Comment From KarenKaren: ] 
That's why you have 3 kids! Where are they right now? They should be taking notes at the various sessions...
Thursday March 13, 2008 9:45 Karen
9:46
[Be Right Back Countdown]10 minutes 
Thursday March 13, 2008 9:46 
9:58
I've managed to see people I know in some of the other session, so hopefully I can get their notes. Its hard to choose, but I'm now in the Making it Stick:Interative Learning in the Training Room session.
Thursday March 13, 2008 9:58 
9:59
This session is based on "Interactive Lectures" and is about engaging   people in learning...
The presenters work with Peace Corp volunteers
Thursday March 13, 2008 9:59 
10:23
Our opening activity was to break out into 3 groups. We then had 5 minutes to plan an information gathering activity. Each group  had a different thing to find out about the participants - one group needed to gather profiles of participants, one found out what the expectations are, and the last group found out what kind of experience people had with interactive trainings.
Thursday March 13, 2008 10:23 
10:24
We had 5 minutes to plan how to get the info, then 5 minutes to gather the information. We then had 2 minutes to plan how to present the info.
Thursday March 13, 2008 10:24 
10:26
One group presented the info by just telling us.
One group had people raising hands to respond to what tey found out (rais your hand if this expectation applies to you)
The last group had people hum if certain characteristics applied (hum if you've ever taught an interactive training...)
The humming was a fun way to keep people engaged- it was fun to do, and also fun to try to listen to the differences.
Thursday March 13, 2008 10:26 
10:29
Thiagi's Interactive Lectures
Thursday March 13, 2008 10:29 
10:34
Our second activity is to take a 3x5 index card and write down the answer to a question. Our question is "What is the most important issue in intercultural relations?"
Thursday March 13, 2008 10:34 
10:35
[Be Right Back Countdown]5 minutes 
Thursday March 13, 2008 10:35 
10:57
OK- this activity got us up again, so I had to take a short break. This activity was called "35." After we wrote our answers, we then got up and started exchanging cards with others in the room. We continued exchanging cards until the facilitator stopped us. When then got together with a partner and ranked the answers. We had a total of 7 points to assign. If one card had a great answer, we could give it a 6 and the other a 1. It could be divided in any way, as long as it totalled 7. We then started exchanging again. We repeated this 5 times.
Thursday March 13, 2008 10:57 
11:07
We then totalled the numbers and then arranged ourselves according to the rankings.
Thursday March 13, 2008 11:07 
11:19
We read off some of the highest rated cards. This procedure kept answers anonymous, and helped the individuals go through other ideas and discuss them with partners.
This could be useful in many settings - deteriming priorities, sharing resources...

Thursday March 13, 2008 11:19 
11:26
Third activity is called: Each One, Teach One. The activities are very intereactive (hense the title of the session) so I'll have to summarize them after the session.

Thursday March 13, 2008 11:26 
11:40
In the Each One, Teach One activity, the facilitator passed out cards from a playing cards deck. Then people gathered in groups based on the number on their cards (e.g. all the 6's got together) We then studied some material together in our groups and become "experts" in that topic. We then reorganized into groups based on suits (e.g. hearts, diamonds, etc) and then taught those groups about our new expertise. Those groups then use the information and apply it to different exercises. This uses a team teach approach, and can be useful in several different settings.
Thursday March 13, 2008 11:40 
11:43
The final activity was called "Fact or Fake." We each received an index card and had to write one statement- it could be either true or false, about the presentation's content. We then went through some and as a group determined if they were true or false. This is a good technique for summing up, ending a lecture.

Thursday March 13, 2008 11:43 
11:43
We were given a resource list - I'll share that a little later. Right now I'm off to lunch!

Thursday March 13, 2008 11:43 
11:43
[Comment From SusanSusan: ] 
This is fascinating!!! I'll be watching during the day.
Thursday March 13, 2008 11:43 Susan
11:44
[Be Right Back Countdown]60 minutes 
Thursday March 13, 2008 11:44 
12:43
[Be Right Back Countdown]60 minutes 
Thursday March 13, 2008 12:43 
12:43
[Comment From WendyWendy: ] 
Love the cover it live blogging...fun to hear and experience some of what you are experiencing during your conference. Thanks for sharing. I'll be checking back later and throughout the day.
Thursday March 13, 2008 12:43 Wendy
12:46
After a nice lunch, we are hearing from Keynote speaker,  Dr. Sherry Mueller
Thursday March 13, 2008 12:46 
12:49
Her speech is called The Power of Citizen Diplomacy, and she is speaking about the importance of exchange programs.
Thursday March 13, 2008 12:49 
12:49
[Comment From GMU DisabilityGMU Disability: ] 
This sounds facinating. I can't wait to hear more about it!
Thursday March 13, 2008 12:49 GMU Disability
12:51
She is withthe NCIV- National Council on International Visitor, a 501c3 in DC.

Thursday March 13, 2008 12:51 
12:54
...with 90 partner organizations around the country, incuding a large program  from the State Dept's Int; visitor program. Goals- cross cultural exposure, NGO management, orchestrate member efforts to build relationships with Congress...
They do this with national conferences, regional meetings (one coming up in Reno)..

Thursday March 13, 2008 12:54 
12:58
The term "citizen diplomacy" is becoming increasingly used. There are 2 dimensions of citizen diplomacy (CD):
- as part of a formal exchange program. Some are part of a country's public diplomacy program (such as the Japanese's JET program)
- as individuals, either traveling abroad, or receiving visitors. People need to understand their behavior reflects on ourselves.

Elvis Presely made a comment, as he landed in Germany: "What we do here will reflect on America and our way of life"

Ever thought of Elvis as a citizen diplomat?
Thursday March 13, 2008 12:58 
1:00
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:00 
1:02
So how do we get this on the radar screens of many more Americans?
Three goals:
1) Increase the recognition of value of exchange programs
2) Increase the way people see themselves as citizen diplomats
3) Expand the resources that go into these kinds of programs
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:02 
1:03
Also, community summits in various regions. Local leaders come together to think about citizen diplomacy.
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:03 
1:04
Check out: www.citizen-diplomacy.org
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:04 
1:05
Many people participate for the education of their children - hosting exchange students exposes children to other cultures, ideas, etc.
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:05 
1:06
Some do it for economic deveopment reasons
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:06 
1:07
But perhaps the most compelling reason is because those who participate are idealists - they are aware of the fragility of our planet/people and they want to make it a better place.
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:07 
1:08
You can get involved! Right now Dr. Mueller and others are working with Congress, trying to get more funding for these kinds of programs.
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:08 
1:13
Q&A

"When we look back at the Vietnam era, it took the US a long time to get back to the 'moral high ground' reputation. Do you see, given the current situation, that this is something you are working with Congress to accomplish?"
Answer- there is a bipartisan effort...There is a great book out, called Rebuilding Brand America. She is showing a graphic that comparison of spending - federal budget, military spending, public diplomacy... I'll try to get a copy of that graphic and post it...
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:13 
1:14
My battery is running out, and I'm not near an outlet. I will continue to take notes and post them before the next session.
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:14 
1:53
ROI?

Thursday March 13, 2008 1:53 
1:54
Question: How can you show ROI?
Answer: Don't sell the anecdote short. Mark Twain said, "Not everything that counts can be counted. Not everything that can be counted counts."
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:54 
1:56
There are some things which can be measured - content analyis of articles written by journalists who participate in the Edward R Murrow program

But also remember, our (the US) whole approach to evaluation is itself cultural.

We need more studies that try to show a quantitative approach.
Thursday March 13, 2008 1:56 
2:00
The State Dept tracks alumni of its exchange programs who have become heads of state...the list is extensive.

There is also a new book, "Networks of Empire" by Giles Scott-Smith about the impact of international visitors program on European leaders.
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:00 
2:03
Question: When has CD thrived the most? What was the context?
Answer: resources go up when we are worried about being surpassed by other countries. Resources go up when there is a good relationship with the president (e.g. Charlie Wick and Ronald Reagan)
We need to ask Congress to take a comparative analysis of what other countries are doing.
Most don't realize how far down the road, and how steep the climb that we have ahead of us. It is much harder to recover now, than it was after Vietnam.
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:03 
2:04
New session:
Managing Space: Cultural differences in perceptions of space and their implications for managers
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:04 
2:05
There are 6 "frames" for how we see ourselves....
Personal
Communal
Residential
Geographical
Environmental
Cosmologial

These effect our perceptions

Thursday March 13, 2008 2:05 
2:07
Cosmological:
Position of earth in space.
Relation to other cosmic bodies
Existence and position of other realms of existence
Meaning and importance of cosmic phenomena
Relationship of humanity to the earth and other forms of life.


Thursday March 13, 2008 2:07 
2:07
How do individuals see their place in the universe? Can they affect change? Is it fate?
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:07 
2:08
Think about how Copernicus changed the way people thought and behaved...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolaus_Copernicus
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:08 
2:11
e.g. from more modern times....Reagan appointed James Watt as Secy of Interior. During his confirmation hearing, he was asked how he would protect the environment for future generations. He answered that he didn't know how many more generations he could count on before the Lord came back.
Pat Robertson's attribution of punishment to Katrina or 9-11...
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:11 
2:11
These are ways cosmological "space" affects views.

Thursday March 13, 2008 2:11 
2:13
How about our idea of earth's place in the cosmos. Hell is below, heaven is above... up tends to be good...."moving up"
Some cultures are much more earth centered....we come out of the earth, and wil return to the earth...the idea of moving up, away from the earth is foreign to them...
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:13 
2:15
Places where they clash:
Feng Shui - corporations building in Hong Kong have to be very aware. Disney had to redesign their project. This is a way to appreciate the earth and our environment, that is completely alien to Western approaches.
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:15 
2:16
Does Grease Taste Nicer at Feng Shui McDonald's?
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:16 
2:17
The above link is to an NPR story about a Southern CA McDonald's that uses feng shui in its design.

Thursday March 13, 2008 2:17 
2:21
Geographical:
-The coneption of the earth, its lands and its peoples
-Orientation and navigation
-Maps and representation
-Knowledge of, and interest in other regions and cultures.
-Relative importance of local area and culture


Thursday March 13, 2008 2:21 
2:21
BTW, there is a great exhibit in Baltimore...
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/maps.

Thursday March 13, 2008 2:21 
2:24
How do we center our maps? How do we see other countries in relationship to ours?

Thursday March 13, 2008 2:24 
2:27
Where to we get images of other countries?
media?
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:27 
2:28
travel writer wrote: the person in LA thinks he knows Cambodia b/c he saw "The Killing Fields," and the Cambodian thinks he knows LA because he saw "The City of Angels"
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:28 
2:29
Mercator vs. Peters projection maps...
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:29 
2:30
orientation...we still put North at the top!

Thursday March 13, 2008 2:30 
2:31
Environmental:
-The nature of the surrounding landscape and climate
-Perceptions of the environment
-Variety and intensity of sensory environment
-Symbolic meaning of natural phenomena

Thursday March 13, 2008 2:31 
2:34
Things we often take for granted as hardwired in us, such as depth perception, when in fact its something we develop!
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:34 
2:41
some people can find true north instantly, some people can smell changes in weather, some can read the tides...
Polynesians and aborigines use songs to navigate The Songlines
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:41 
2:42
Communal:
Community and settlement patterns
Degree of accommodation to the environment
Urban/rural; public/private; communal/individual
Participation in decision making

Thursday March 13, 2008 2:42 
2:44
the shape of your community has profound effects on your communications, community interactions....(even if you are no longer in that community)
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:44 
2:44
is your city on a grid pattern?
does your village grow organically, based on population?

Thursday March 13, 2008 2:44 
2:45

Snout house - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thursday March 13, 2008 2:45 
2:46
(wow, that was big!)
the link is about homes where the garage extends well beyond the rest of the house...
http://www.google.com/search?q=snout+houses&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-.
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:46 
2:58
how has the car affected this? Many US cities were built around the car. And a study was done in three streets in San Fran. On the streets that have more traffic, the residents have less contact with each other.
Thursday March 13, 2008 2:58 
2:59
Residential:
-domestic environments
-degree of permanence and accomodation to the environment
-emotional attachment and concepts of possession
-utilization and difference of space
-comfort, utility, territoriality, privacy

Thursday March 13, 2008 2:59 
3:00
Interesting fact: as the size of the American family decreases, the size of the average family home increases
Thursday March 13, 2008 3:00 
3:04
What are people's houses? What do they mean to them?
Where are strangers welcome in your house? The living room, the kitchen....how about the bedrooms?
Thursday March 13, 2008 3:04 
3:09
Personal:
-individual requirements
-intimacy and crowding
-non-verbal behavior; contact; gesture; epxression; intonation
-degree of adaptation to setting
-symbolic menaings o posture and position

Thursday March 13, 2008 3:09 
3:10
Classic example, Middle Eatern men like to feel the breath of the person they are speaking with...
Thursday March 13, 2008 3:10 
3:13
think about your comfort level while waiting in line...
where you sit at dinner?
where is your office/desk/cubicle at work?

Thursday March 13, 2008 3:13 
3:15
These six frames can be used to think about other cultures and individuals...

Thursday March 13, 2008 3:15 
3:18
The presenter, Richard Harris, is the professor of management at Chukyo University.

http://www.bokkilden.no/SamboWeb/produkt.do?produktId=1013205&rom=MP
Thursday March 13, 2008 3:18 
3:19
[Be Right Back Countdown]30 minutes 
Thursday March 13, 2008 3:19 
3:41
At this point in the conference, we are hearing from Harriet Fulbright, widow of William Fulbright. A documentary, Fulbright: Then Man, The Mission & The Message, will be shown, and we will hear from Ms. Fulbright.
http://jwhfulbright.org/news/
Thursday March 13, 2008 3:41 
3:43
The DVD is divided into 7 chapters for use in high school and college classes. There is a 50 pg curriculum guide (meeting Natl Standards for Social Sciences).


Thursday March 13, 2008 3:43 
3:43
More after the film....
Thursday March 13, 2008 3:43 
3:43
[Be Right Back Countdown]30 minutes 
Thursday March 13, 2008 3:43 
5:03
After the film, Ms. Fulbright took questions, most of which had to do with the personal life of Sen. Fulbright. She did mention a new initiative she is working on, the Global Peace Index. This is a way to measure the peace of various countries. It began as a simple ranking, but now includes diaglogue and best practices (so to speak).
You can find out more at:
http://www.visionofhumanity.com.
Thursday March 13, 2008 5:03 
5:05
That's it for me today. The conference begins at 9:00am tomorrow.
Please comment on the blog and let me know how this format works. There is a playback feature, so you can read through this blog, even though the events are done for the day.
There are some tips for readers at:
http://www.coveritlive.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6.


Thursday March 13, 2008 5:05 
5:05
See you tomorrow!
Thursday March 13, 2008 5:05 
5:05
This Live Blog has now ended.

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