Face-to-face component: This component is designed to foster interaction with international experts and among the participants, encourage cross-fertilization of ideas and approaches, and facilitate the creation of a network of peers facing similar development challenges. To further promote relevant knowledge sharing, the program plans to organize parallel sessions, through videoconference, with practitioners and business schools around the globe.

The face-to-face component is structured around; 1) plenary sessions, that will help frame the issues to be discussed; 2) case study presentations, utilizing the Harvard Business School methodology, where guest lectures will introduce the case studies and moderate discussion, highlighting the key relevant issues; 3) and structured thematic group discussions, during which participants will work in smaller groups to unpack how the issues debated relate to their organizations’ experiences and what learning they might be able to apply in practice. During this component, participants will also begin working with instructors to develop the materials to be utilized for reporting back to management within their companies; a process that will continue during the distance learning part of the program.

The face-to-face component of the program will be held in Washington, DC, USA from June 9 to 13, 2008.

Distance learning component: Following the face-to-face training component, the program will continue for an additional two week period via a WBI interactive on-line platform. Participants will have the opportunity to work in teams, making full use of the interactive tools, on group projects defined during the face-to-face component. The projects will offer opportunities for meaningful collaboration among peers and for individual reflection on the core issues introduced in the previous sessions. At the end of the two-week distance learning component, participants will share their final projects with the class, posting them on the on-line platform. An objective is to further help participants to integrate the learning and knowledge acquired in their own work environments. This component therefore provides guidance to participants in determining how best to present their newly acquired skills and learning within their organization, such as through report back sessions in the workplace.

The distance learning component of the program will be from June 16 to 30, 2008.