 Romanian
Leadership Exchange
Collaboration is the cornerstone of a decade-long leadership exchange
between Michigan State University (MSU) of East Lansing with Babes-Bolyai
University (BBU) of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Initiated in 1995, when Romania was a newly emerging democracy,
the university-to-university partnership focused on promoting sustainable
linkages that would support democratic institutions and encourage
civic engagement.
Over its ten-year run, those who have visited have interned for
Michigan’s state and local government officials, completed
a graduate-level certificate program coordinated and taught by faculty
of both universities, and while some participants have accepted
higher positions within Babes-Bolyai University, others have successfully
run for public office.
Former IPPSR visiting scholars from Romania include: a member of
the Cluj-Napoca city council, the Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, member of
the National Parliament, the National Secretary of State in charge
of administrative reform and the President of the ruling party of
Romania.
Next steps anticipated for the Romanian Exchange will rely on the
two universities to facilitate more goal-directed work projects
established between students, faculty, city management, and business
leaders. It was agreed that there will be continued focus on community
and economic development, as well as leadership development that
requires civic engagement.
Future work will include continued research and academic instruction,
both which will be guided by community needs. Further funding support
is being explored by both the Institute for Public Policy and Social
Research (IPPSR) at MSU and Babes-Bolyai University.
For more information, contact project director and IPPSR affiliated
faculty member, Roger
E. Hamlin, Ph.D. or IPPSR's AnnMarie
Schneider, Director of Program Development.
Project Resources
-Images from Commemorative Event,
May 2005
-News Article - August 31,
1999 MSU Bulletin
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