Professional Opportunities with an International Perspective

Are you interested and/or involved in international development work? Are you teaching or doing research/Extension work with an international perspective with implications for transfer in other regions and countries of the world? Would you like to know more about developments in research, teaching, and practical experiences in agricultural education and Extension education in the United States and other developed and developing countries? Would you like to share your research, teaching, Extension, and practical developmental experiences with professional colleagues in the U.S. and abroad?

If you said yes to any one or all of these questions, the Association for International and Extension Education (AIAEE) and the Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education (JIAEE) are potentially satisfying avenues for professional, job- related, and personal growth needs through involvement, learning, networking, and publishing.

AIAEE is 12 years old, has over 200 members and organizes an annual conference in March-April with about 50 refereed paper and poster presentations. Because the association was initiated by faculty at land-grant universities, a large share, 65%, of the membership is U.S.-based. But, in a given year, as many as 25 other countries on the average are represented, which gives the association its international character. Furthermore, the substantial number of U.S. and foreign graduate students at U.S. universities adds a refreshing mix of cultures and viewpoints. Another strength of the association is the unique interaction between the disciplines and professions of agricultural education, and Extension education with an international perspective.

The association publishes a professional journal. The purpose of JIAEE, a refereed publication, is to enhance the research and knowledge base of agricultural and Extension education from an international perspective in both developed and developing countries. The journal is published twice a year, spring (April) and fall (October). Two volumes - four issues - have been published. Articles so far have focused on philosophical themes, theory, research and application. Opinion- and-thought-provoking commentaries, and specific techniques, materials, technologies and book reviews are planned for future volumes.

The journal's first two volumes indicate the broad scope of published articles and the interests of authors and readers.

Articles have dealt with research and practical experiences in practically all geographic regions of the world have been reported, from Africa/Mideast (Iran, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia and Zimbabwe) to Asia (China and India) to Europe (Greece and Russia) and Central/South America (Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela and the countries of the Amazon forest).

A number of interesting themes and issues have been presented, including collaborative work among agencies, efforts and potential of non-governmental organizations, value of indigenous knowledge systems, sustainable development, considerations of curriculum, attitudes, and barriers in global education and international agriculture, empowering women for development, human capacity building through people empowerment in centrally controlled economies.

Authors of published articles include university/college faculty and graduate students, and personnel of agencies, foundations and NGOs.

If you are interested in becoming a member, subscribing to the journal or just learning more, contact one of us and we will be glad to send you information.