Recently I was introduced to a veteran educator as the president of "the International ASCD." She looked quizzically at my colleague and asked if she meant to say "the National ASCD." In fact, ASCD has 68 affiliates throughout the world and members in 140 countries. This exchange started me thinking about how much the majority of our members who reside in the United States know about ASCD's work on internationalization.
My interest in this topic was also spurred by a fellow Executive Council member, Michael Dzwiniel, who is a chemistry teacher in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. As an "outside of U.S." member, he suggests that "perhaps we should remove all references to international and assume that anything we do will be open to all—regardless of where they may live."
Michael is right on target with the mission of ASCD. According to our mission statement, ASCD is an "international community" dedicated to "forging covenants in teaching and learning for the success of all learners." This mission makes no distinction between countries or the nationality of learners. ASCD, however, must be mindful of the distinctive needs of members in different nations.
ASCD has a long history dedicated to this mission. The formal addition of the preface "International" to ASCD occurred in June 1992 when the Executive Council declared that ASCD is an international organization. That same year, the Executive Council drafted a compelling rationale for internationalization of which we, as members of ASCD, should be aware. The Executive Council cited these reasons:
- The universality of education issues and the opportunity to profit from the research of educators throughout the world;
- Fulfillment of ASCD's mission to extend opportunities to learners throughout the world;
- Meeting diverse member needs in both the U.S.A. and other countries;
- Alignment with one of the major change forces in the world—increasing global interdependence;
- The need to prepare all students to work in the world workplace;
- Dealing with the public in comparing U.S. education with education in other countries;
- Enhancing the knowledge base of ASCD by collaborating with other countries.
On a philosophical level, I would like to add the following thought: What better way to grow morally, spiritually, and in appreciation of diverse peoples than through our ASCD internationalization efforts and our contacts with others in different countries?
Going Global
Currently, ASCD's internationalization efforts are focused on membership and affiliates in mainly English-speaking countries. The number of ASCD members residing outside the United States has risen sharply over the past decade, from 1,300 in 1985 to the current total of 9,000. The first "outside U.S." affiliate was added in 1982, and presently there are 16 affiliates outside the United States.
To meet the growing needs of members internationally, ASCD has made its publications, professional development opportunities, and other member services more internationally oriented. For example, the flagship journal, Educational Leadership, explores themes that transcend national borders and features authors from around the world. Professional Development Institutes are offered in locations outside the United States. ASCD has begun to translate books into languages other than English.
Many U.S. affiliates have embarked on partnership activities with non-U.S. affiliates. One such partnership that readily comes to mind is a wonderful collaboration on professional development between Illinois ASCD and Curaçao ASCD. Plans are under way at California ASCD to link with Singapore ASCD and Israel ASCD, creating endless possibilities to exchange best practices in teaching and learning.
Clearly, there are challenges when anything new and different is undertaken. Allocation of scarce resources is always a concern. Language barriers exist. Although I speak Korean, I have no idea at this moment how to translate emotional intelligence into Korean! Whatever the challenges are, ASCD's efforts in this arena are grounded in its values; the foremost goal is to offer opportunities for members to participate in a global community. ASCD, as the premier education association, has a responsibility in this regard.
All of us can agree that we live in a different world today than even a generation ago. Television, computers, and the Internet have forged a global community, and we are interconnected throughout the world. As stated in the Report of the ASCD Commission on Internationalization, "Countries today are inextricably linked economically, politically, socially, ecologically, and educationally." This new reality of global interdependence bids us to heed the words of R. Kaku of Canon, Inc., who espoused the principle of kyosei—that is, "of living together in harmony and interdependence with the other peoples of the world"—and commit ourselves wholeheartedly to this purpose.
ASCD's vision toward realizing kyosei is contained in its Strategic Plan, Goal 3: "ASCD will engage in collaborative relationships that improve teaching and learning worldwide." As we approach the 21st century, what is your global vision for education?