Michigan represented at 2017 4-H Global Network Summit
Print
EmailMichigan 4-H educators at the 2017 4-H Global Network Summit brought home new resources, educational opportunities, connections, positive evaluations and friendships.
The second Global 4-H Network Summit took place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, July 11-14, 2017, with Michigan State University Extension staff Brain Wibby, Makena Schultz and Janis Brinn representing Michigan 4-H as participants and presenters.
The Summit brought together 4-H youth leaders and delegations from over 70 countries representing seven million youth. This was a unique opportunity for Canada to play a leading role in showcasing 4-H to a national and global audience. This coincided with Canada’s 150th birthday celebration, providing an ideal setting for coast-to-coast engagement of 4-H clubs, rural and urban communities and the Canadian agricultural sector. Global 4-H networking took place with 23 countries represented, over 500 participants and Michigan staff making many new connections and friendships from across the globe.
Wibby and Schultz were partner presenters with Ohio 4-H Youth Development program manager Sally McClaskey and The World Food Prize National Education Programs director Libby Crimmings of Iowa. Together, they facilitated the breakout professional stream session, “The World Food Prize Youth Institute: Engaging the Next Generation of Global Hunger Fighters.”
Brinn was partnered with breakout youth stream session, “4-H International Exchanges: Showcasing Years of Global and Cultural Success in Michigan and Manitoba,” with Leanne Sprung, Rural Leadership Specialist Manitoba Agriculture, Province of Manitoba.
Brinn was also honored to be partnered with Jim Lindstrom, Board of Directors, Global 4-H Network Program, Director for the University of Idaho 4-H Youth Development, facilitating the “Demonstration station: Basic chemistry – Getting slimed to Teach Younger Youth About Polymers”. Furthermore, Brinn facilitated at the States’ 4-H International Exchange Program expo booth, making even more global connections.
MSU Extension educator Jan Brinn presenting. Photo by Lindsay Ralph.
All three MSU Extension representatives came back to Michigan with new resources, educational opportunities, connections, positive evaluations and friendships across the globe. One of the new resources brought back to Michigan is 4-H LEARNS.
During the Global 4-H Network Summit, 4-H Canada launched 4-H LEARNS (Learn, Educate, Access Resources, Network and Support), which is a global resource-sharing tool open to all 4-H leaders and professionals around the world. Through this online platform, 4-H volunteers, can network with global peers, easily find and select favorite resources and download hundreds of resources such as webinars, training materials and club-related project resources.
Tanzania has been selected to host the 2020 Global 4-H Network Summit. MSU Extension looks forward to possibly representing Michigan again in three years to celebrate in a country whose motto "freedom and unity" truly resonates with the message that 4-H brings.
Connections were made at the Global 4-H Network Summit 2017. 4-H is around the world!
