Fall 2013 Skills Institutes

MAKING CHANGE BY CONNECTING THEORY WITH PRACTICE
Josh Joseph, Officer, Planning and Evaluation, the Pew Charitable Trusts

September 14 & 15, 2013

It's one thing to write a proposal, design a study or develop a program. It's another to make it viable, with a real chance of getting funded and ultimately working. And while there are no guarantees, the process doesn't have to be hit or miss. This interactive two-day skills institute covers four key steps in developing a workable theory of change, combined with hands-on practice for each step and plenty of group feedback along the way. The theory-of-change process can be used to help clarify what any initiative is trying to accomplish, identify critical barriers to change and surface assumptions about what's likely to work, what isn't and why.

INTERCULTURAL TRAINING AND FACILITATION
Ray Leki, Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, School of International Service, American University and Director, Transition Center of the Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State

September 21 & 22, 2013

What does it mean to be a "trainer"? What are the skills necessary to be effective with diverse populations, including children? Effective intercultural training must first be effective training. This Institute will review the unique combination of skills necessary for effective and responsible intercultural training with an experienced practitioner and provide participants with an opportunity to work on training designs for a variety of intercultural training challenges.

CRISIS PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
Rob Kelley, Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University

October 5 & 6, 2013

In times of international crisis, public diplomats often serve as first responders bearing two vital responsibilities: to reactively inform concerned publics of facts on the ground and to proactively shape public perceptions so that events may be seen in a certain light. This course introduces students to the high-stakes environment of managing crises under the intense scrutiny of international audiences. Under the guidance of experienced facilitators using simulations based on real events, it develops appreciation for the advantages and challenges of dealing with a multiplicity of actors with access to information in real time, and the increased frequency of private-public collaborations in crisis management.

INTERCULTURAL LEADERSHIP COMPETENCE
Bram Groen, Instructor, School of International Service, American University

October 26 & 27, 2013

This course is an intensive practicum for individuals engaged in or aspiring to a leadership role in a global, cross-cultural setting. The practicum addresses important cross-cultural aspects of global leadership and related subjects such as diversity management, teamwork, decision making, and negotiations. Drawing from "real-life" international work situations and challenges, participants will be exposed to case studies and small-group activities designed to articulate and reconcile cross-cultural business/organizational dilemmas.

Pre-institute individual questionnaires will supply case material relevant to the practicum's participants as a means of making the course as relevant as possible to the individual's work situation or career interests. This Institute is designed only for students who have completed basic coursework in Intercultural Communication, and who preferably have worked in an international setting.

BUILDING MEDIATOR CAPACITY IN A MULTICULTURAL CONTEXT
Gururaj Kumar, Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, School of International Service, Conflict Resolution Practitioner, 2013 Rotary International Peace Fellow at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand 

Jared Ordway, Faculty Member, Champlain College/Woodbury Institute Graduate Program in Mediation and Advanced Conflict Studies, and 2012-2013 Marie Curie Sustainable Peacebuilding Fellow at the University of Coimbra, Portugal.

November 9 & 10, 2013

To successfully tackle the challenges of today's multicultural academic and professional landscape, individuals must be able to facilitate difficult conversations and manage conflict effectively.Building the capacity to mediate successfully with differing cultural perspectives is a critical component for creating and maintaining sustainable relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. Designed as an interactive workshop, this institute provides participants with essential cross-cultural conflict management skills for building collaborative relationships when working with individuals and groups in conflict.

Using hands-on exercises and simulation role-plays, participants will identify and analyze personal approaches to conflict, increase their cross-cultural competency, build their capacity as mediators, facilitators, and problem-solvers, and learn to transform conflict into opportunity. This course is designed for students and professional who are preparing to work or are already working in multicultural environments including schools, NGOs, corporations, and government agencies.

Previously offered Skills Institutes

PERSONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL SECURITY IN A GLOBAL AGE
Ray Leki, Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, School of International Service, American University and Director, Transition Center of the Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State

This course will share effective personal security strategies for participants who envision moving into a highly mobile and international life and career. The basics of personal security, the dynamics of safety and security across cultures, and the phenomena of coping with business security threats on an office and organizational level will be covered. Participants will take away a personal security strategy and an awareness of the dynamics of coping with personal and organizational crises in international settings.

GLOBAL POSITIONING: CROSS-CULTURAL NEGOTIATING IN A POST- GLOBAL WORLD
Dean Foster, President, Dean Foster Associates

Negotiating effectively is a critical area of human endeavor, and in today’s global world, an essential activity that is profoundly affected by culture. Simply put, different cultures negotiate differently and interculturalists at all levels today must master both the discipline of positive negotiating and culture’s impact on the process. This course will look at both negotiation and cultural theory in today’s global environment, and provide attendees with the opportunity to develop their skills at both by using role plays and other techniques.

WASHINGTON DIPLOMATIC TRADECRAFT
Jack Zetkulic, AU Diplomat in Residence and professional diplomatic trainer

Embassies in Washington face a unique challenge as they try to advocate and advance their national interests to the complex community that influences and makes U.S. foreign policy. This course describes and analyzes the actors in the national security process, including traditional institutions such the NSC, State Department, DOD, other agencies, and Congress; it will describe the important role played by non-governmental actors, including think tanks and the media. It also offers practical advice on how to “work” the process, with case studies and experiential, hands-on exercises in key diplomatic skills, including: targeting key interlocutors, building contacts, and crafting a public diplomacy strategy.

CREATIVE ARTS AND INTERCULTURAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Michelle LeBaron, Director, Program on Dispute Resolution, University of British Columbia

In today's organizations, a range of creative, holistic approaches are needed to prevent, understand, and transform conflict. Holistic approaches meet difference with dialogue, integrating intuition with analysis to inform collaborative processes. In this intensive course, participants will learn ways to work across cultural and worldview differences by drawing on a range of creative tools such as using art, the power of storytelling, and improv techniques and approaches. This course builds on previous skills institutes offered this fall, and is designed to further explore the unique combination of skills necessary for effective intercultural training. Guest facilitators will enrich this institute by providing training on various techniques.

MULTINATIONAL TEAMBUILDING
Lance Descourouez, CEO, Lance Consulting

This institute will explore effective communication skills and problem-solving techniques to utilize when working with teams whose members are from more than one cultural background. Interpersonal and organizational approaches will be examined to help participants create tools for recognizing their strengths and developing cohesion among multicultural teams and individual team members, while acknowledging the contexts in which teams often function.

GAMING SIMULATIONS AND EXPERIENTIAL EXERCISES FOR INTERCULTURAL
Gary Weaver, Executive Director, IMI, and Professor, School of International Service, American University, Washington, D.C.; and Gary Wright, Adjunct Professor, School of International Service, and former Vice President of Campus Life, American University, Washington, D.C.

Simulations, games and experiential exercises are widely-used, effective learning tools in the area of intercultural training. Whether the sole focus of a training session or simply a training component, these exercises are used to enhance learning opportunities for participants. This two-day skills institute combines the theory behind the use of experiential exercises with the practice. Participants will not only take part in a mix of exercises, but will also learn the pros and cons of using such exercises, as well as effective setup and debriefing techniques. The seminar will also address such issues as safety, ethics, and confidentiality. Additionally, participants will gain awareness of the deeper cultural elements brought to light by these types of exercises. This institute is designed for students or practitioners interested in the field of intercultural training or in expanding their familiarity with using such exercises. The workshop will be conducted by IMI faculty members with extensive experience in both creating and conducting experiential exercises for the intercultural training of hundreds of clients across the business, nonprofit, educational and governmental sectors.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISING
Fanta Aw, Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, School of International Service, American University

This interactive seminar will focus on purposes and work of the international student advisor. Students in this seminar will be provided conceptual foundation and practical knowledge and skills to understand the role and responsibility of the international student advisor. Topics include cross-cultural counseling and advising, crisis management, administration and ethical responsibilities. The substance of F-1 immigration regulations and procedures will be covered in this seminar. In this intensive course, students will develop skills by using case studies.

MANAGING INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
Fanta Aw, Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, School of International Service, American University

This seminar is intended for students or practitioners in the field of international education exchange who are interested in management principles related to student exchange programs. Topics to be discussed include strategic planning (mission, long term outcome, and smart goals), effective program design and evaluation (developing marketing plan, assessing competitive advantage, evaluating appropriate means to promote programs), and budget management. The interactive seminar will provide awareness to the challenges of managing international student exchange programs and practical skills needed to successfully manage programs. Students will gain insight and skills by using case studies, reviewing and assessing plans and through discussions with guest lecturers.

PRESENTATION SKILLS INSTITUTE
Dan Deming, Adjunct Instructor, School of International Service, American University

A two-day workshop to prepare students for professional oral presentations including their graduate practica, this course covers effective use of PowerPoint and other media, presentation structure and delivery, styles of communication, and the processing of audience feedback. Students give a prepared presentation to the class and instructors provide immediate feedback and coaching.