Embrace the Flat World Reality

Greetings!
IEEE Region 3 is looking for your ideas and your help ... and your action!

Background

During the past year a best selling book has been Thomas L. Friedman's "The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century" [Farrar, Straus, & Giroux - 496 pages]. In it he describes how the flattening of the earth happened at the dawn of the twenty-first century -- thanks mainly to the internet, what it means to countries, companies, communities, and individuals, and how governments and societies can -- and must -- adapt.

IEEE

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is the world's leading professional association for the advancement of technology. IEEE is a global, transnational organization of some 365,000 engineers with 10 geographic regions and over 311 sections in over 150 countries. We also have over 1300 student branches in universities in 80 countries.

As a transnational organization, the IEEE is uniquely positioned to recognize the flat world reality, to face the electronic technology that has helped bring it about, and to facilitate transnational activity which can embrace the new reality and help achieve a more peaceful and prosperous world for our children.

Apart from IEEE, an important fact is noted: In 1955 there were 35,000 international students in the USA. In 2005, however, there were some 565,000 international students and scholars from 190 nations studying in the USA! The top five countries were India (80,466), China (62,523), South Korea (53,358), Japan (42,215), Canada (28,140), and Taiwan (25,914). Every 10 years some 1,000,000 international students are graduated here. These are the future political, economic, social, and religious leaders of their countries.

Region 3

IEEE Region 3 includes mainly the southeastern part of the United States plus Jamaica. Here in Region 3 we have recognized the flattening of the world. In fact, one sees related activity everywhere. Some things are good, some things are not so good. Regardless, the flattening of the world is a reality, and we must consider how we here in the southeastern USA can best adapt and act in order to achieve optimum strategic results for our members, our region, our Institute, and indeed our world. Here are a few things we already see taking place in our region ...

• Over 82,000 international students were studying in colleges and universities here in IEEE Region 3 in 2004-2005.   In Atlanta alone over 8100 foreign students from over 140 countries are enrolled in the 25 metro area colleges and universities. (By the way, there were only 2500 foreign students back in 1978). It is estimated that the 12,000 international students in the state of Georgia alone contributed over $250,000,000 to the state economy in 2005!
  Georgia Tech in Atlanta is developing joint degree programs and campuses overseas, including China, Singapore, France, Ireland, and India.
  Kennesaw State University near Atlanta now has an active China Research Center.
  The University of Georgia is planning majors in Chinese language and literature.
  Our cable TV line ups often include channels in Spanish and other languages.  The BBC is frequently a cable TV choice.  Satellite programming is available from France, Germany, Japan, China, and Arab countries.
  Surprisingly, medical and dental tourism are becoming popular.
  We frequently hear complaints of off-shoring of jobs.  Help desks often connect us to India, Malaysia, or the Philippines.  Our hospital EKGs or xrays may be evaluated overnight in Australia. 
  Many US companies are opening branches in other countries ... but at the same time we see Nissan, Mercedes, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, and various Asian and European electronics companies opening facilities in the southeast.

  Here are some other observations ...

  Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta is the busiest airport in the world.  Constantly, new world destinations are being added. Non-stop flights are already scheduled to Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Israel, most European countries, and Russia.

  The huge Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) is actively involved with countries around the world in research, detection, identification, control, and prevention of infectious diseases. Located adjacent to Emory University in Atlanta, CDC hosts numerous scientists from all countries -- a major international focal point in our region.

  The Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV) hosts hundreds of foreign officials and visitors throughout the year, and volunteers have many opportunities to be involved.

  Friendship Force International (FFI), a people-to-people exchange program, is headquartered in Atlanta. Hundreds of international exchanges have taken place since its founding in 1977.

  Atlanta Ministry with International Students (AMIS) was founded in Atlanta in 1978 and fosters an "Amigo" program to encourage friendship with international students -- the future leaders of many countries of the world.

  Christmas International House (CIH) is also headquartered in Atlanta, focusing on hosting foreign students during the Christmas holidays when most US students vacate campus dorms.

  The Cable News Network (CNN) is headquartered in Atlanta, but its news programming is carried by satellite around the world. Tours at CNN are always of interest for foreign visitors.

  Opportunities for You
  
  Here are some possible activities that you and/or your IEEE entity can do to foster better interchange between the internationals in our midst and our American IEEE members.

  Invite foreign EEs to your section, chapter, or student branch meetings. Introduce them to your associates. Show them what IEEE means to you and what IEEE can mean to them. Perhaps you may be instrumental in starting an IEEE section in their homeland when they return home after graduation.
  Contact one of the above organizations such as GCIV, FFI, AMIS, or CIH. They will be delighted to work with you.
  Invite foreign EEs to your home. Many foreign students spend their entire college career in the USA without ever visiting in an American home or getting to know an American family personally. Imagine how different the world would be if some of the hostile world leaders had been exposed to friendly Americans here or abroad during their youth! These foreign students in our midst are future world leaders -- and the world is getting flatter all the time. Isn't it wiser to help our country (and IEEE) make friends than to alienate them?

• Organize an exchange with another IEEE entity.  As an example, FFI organized an exchange between ham operators in Georgia and hams in Moscow a few years ago.

  I'm sure you may have more ideas for enhancing transnational relations in IEEE Region 3.  I invite you to share them.  We hope that Region 3 may prove to be a model for other IEEE regions in furthering transnational relations within the IEEE -- and helping to build a better world for our kids. 

  I invite you to get involved!  Send your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to Bob Duggan.  I look forward to hearing from you!  My address is

  Robert S. (Bob) Duggan, Jr.
  1112 Mason Woods Drive
  Atlanta, GA 30329-3804, USA
  Telephone: 1-404-636-2110
  e-Mail: r.duggan@ieee.org