GTDI offers regular and custom-designed programs on a variety of topics both in the United States and abroad. These programs bring individuals from other countries to the U.S. for a unique cultural and educational experience.  They also send American citizens to other countries for volunteer service and hands-on learning experiences through socio-economic development projects.

GTDI believes the world needs a new generation of leaders driven by a sense of global citizenry and equipped with the social entrepreneurial skills to create innovative sustainable solutions, for a world where countries' economies, social issues, military conflicts and environmental crises are increasingly interconnected.

                       
Presently, GTDI programs include:

• Study Tours and Training Programs
• Global Leaders in Social Entrepreneurship - Executives Without Borders^SM
• Research

Study Tours and Training Programs

GTDI conducts programs in the U.S. for participants from other countries. Program curricula leverage the broad array of resources at the University of Connecticut as well as other nationally recognized academic institutions and public, private and non-profit organizations located in the Boston, Hartford, and New York City corridor.

Program participants include government, business, non-profit and community leaders, as well as university students. Individual sessions typically range from one to four weeks in length and cover a wide spectrum of themes related to:

• Civil Society and Governance
• Environmental Conservation
• Sustainable Economic (Small and Medium Enterprise) Development
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Health and Social Services
• Leadership and Organizational Development
• Cross-cultural Understanding

Each program is tailored to the unique needs and interests of the participants and the issues facing their countries. The daily schedule combines academic presentations with group discussions, readings, case studies, roundtables, computer lab applications, visits to federal, state and local government agencies and community groups, and a variety of cultural events. The learning environment is specifically designed to ensure that participants:

• Enhance their knowledge and technical skills
• Experience cross-cultural sharing with their U.S. counterparts
• Develop a personalized action plan to drive change and innovation upon their return home, and
• Build a network of personal and professional contacts for continued information sharing and learning after the program ends.

Global Leaders in Social Entrepreneurship

GTDI offers a certificate from the University of Connecticut in Global Leaders in Social Entrepreneurship. This transformational learning experience is academically structured for U.S. citizens to combine sustainable development concepts and theories with hands-on international volunteer service. The program fosters global awareness and citizenry and transforms participants’ personal and professional outlook on world issues.

Program components incorporate intercultural workshops with social entrepreneurship on sustainability projects. Participants work closely with local community leaders to better understand community needs and to assist them to cultivate entrepreneurship and small enterprise development that strengthens the local economy while contributing to environmental sustainability.

Web-based distance learning is used to provide an orientation prior to participants’ departure from the U.S. The orientation includes concepts and theories of social entrepreneurship, sustainable development and change leadership. Similarly, online forums are used to guide the critical reflection and lessons learned portion of the program when participants return to the U.S.

The Executives Without Borders^SM version of the certificate program is designed to assure that executives on sabbaticals and international cross-border volunteering assignments can leverage their time and company’s investment into an extraordinary personal and professional development opportunity. The program expands today’s business executives’ global awareness, skills as authentic, purposeful leaders, and understanding of societal issues and unmet needs in emerging marketplaces.  Brochure (pdf)

Research

GTDI faculty and staff leverage the vast and diverse resources of the University of Connecticut to produce original research that contributes to the achievement of the Institute’s mission of fostering sustainable development, global citizenry, and cross-cultural understanding.

Please contact us if you are interested in partnering on a research project.