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VfP Partner Highlight

About University of Connecticut, Global Training and Development Institute

The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a research intensive University, a prestigious designation shared by only the nation's top higher education institutions. U.S. News & World Report (2008 America's Best Colleges) ranks UConn the No. 1 public University in New England and among the Top 26 in the nation. UConn's Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI), originally established in 1961 as the Institute for Public Service International, has conducted a variety of programs in Connecticut and around the world for more than 9,000 participants from 130 countries.

We have recently developed a leadership development program, including 2-6 weeks of cross-border volunteer service on a sustainable development project, which fosters global competency, social entrepreneurship and authentic leadership development. The primary target group for this initiative is corporate executives participating in cross-border volunteering programs and social service sabbaticals. Graduate business students, emerging or retiring business leaders, entrepreneurs, and social philanthropists are also welcome. Global service projects can also be customized for corporate teams to complement their existing social responsibility efforts.

A certificate as Global Leaders in Social Entrepreneurship will be awarded by the university upon successful completion of the four month program, which also includes classroom based activities and online critical reflection and critical discourse, both before and after the global service project. Undergraduate and graduate credit may also be available upon request.

International Voluntary Service Activities

The four-month Executives Without Borders SM global service program, part of our institution's global citizenship initiative, includes a six- week global service experience. This experiential program incorporates intercultural workshops with social entrepreneurship on sustainability projects in developing countries. Participants work closely with local community leaders to better understand community needs and assist them to foster entrepreneurship and small enterprise development that enhances economic development while contributing to environmental sustainability.

A pilot project for (16) participants will be sponsored in Argentina in the Spring 09. Before leaving the U.S., participants will work together in teams on a distance learning orientation program that will help them understand the conceptual framework of social entrepreneurship and global sustainability, and prepare for specific cultural customs, language learning acquisition, and sustainable development challenges in Argentina. Participants will be awarded a certificate as Global Leaders in Social Entrepreneurship.

Volunteer for Prosperity Opportunities
Number of Opportunities	16
Geographic Regions	Latin America
Health & Prosperity Sectors	Natural Resources Management
Types of Opportunities	Management
Average Duration of Projects	2-6 weeks
Volunteer Profile Summary
Corporate executives (individuals and teams) Emerging or retiring business leaders Graduate business students Entrepreneurs Social philanthropists