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Developing Leaders and Infrastructure in Emerging Democracies
More people live under democratic rule than at any time in human history, yet many of the world’s democracies are young or fragile. They struggle with such things as addressing youth at risk, controlling the spread of tuberculosis and sexually-transmitted diseases, making government accountable, ensuring the rule of law, fostering economic development, engaging citizens in non-government organizations (NGOs) and managing water safety and waste disposal to name a few.
Since 1992, World Services, with its international expertise and a proven track record, has been working with Eurasian countries to address these and many other complex issues that may appear insurmountable. With its professional staff and skilled support network, the company addresses infrastructure, professional development and leadership needs by implementing strategic planning, human resource development and change management. World Services provides in-country consultation and assistance in proposal development.
International Consulting Services
World Services of La Crosse, Inc. (World Services) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 2001. The international work of the organization began in 1992 and was originally a co-operative partnership of two large U.S. health care organizations located in La Crosse, Wisconsin – Gundersen Lutheran and Franciscan Skemp–Mayo, an affiliate of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. In 2001 the international work of those two organizations was restructured and evolved into World Services. Since that time, the health care organizations have had representation on the World Services Board of Directors, and both health care systems have continued support and involvement with international work.
Throughout the 1990’s health care remained a major focus of this international consulting work. Since then, World Services has expanded on this original focus of health care consultation and technical assistance to include consultancy services as well as a robust program of citizen exchange programs. Delegates have come from Africa, Azerbaijan, Republic of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Serbia Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Program themes for the delegates have included Agricultural-Business, Accountable Governance and Civil Society (Municipal and Regional Government), Education, Environment, Food Safety, Health, Human Services (Child Protection, Domestic Violence, etc), Librarians, Non-Government Organizations (NGO) Development, Rule of Law and Tourism.
The goal of World Services is to develop programs, people and leaders to bring new methods, visions, strategic plans, and ethical development to emerging democracies. Specifically, World Services provides expertise in three areas: Program Development, Professional and Leadership Development, and Organizational Development. Often projects start on a small scale with an individual institution or facility and are developed into sustainable models for replication at regional or national levels.
Specifically, World Services provides international consulting expertise in three areas: Program, Professional, and Organizational Development. Often projects are a blend of activities from two or more of these areas, start on a samll scale with an individual institution or facility and are developed into sustainable models for replication at regional or national levels.
Program Development
World Services is committed to improving the quality of life of residents in countries around the world, often facilitating collaboration needed between professional organizations and government agencies to achieve desired changes and program growth. Among the successful projects:
- Created a model health reform project for Russia that set new standards for the country
- Developed a model Women’s Center and a Reproduction Health Program establishing approved operating policies for the Moscow Oblast
- Established a Domestic Violence Prevention Plan that mobilized municipal leaders, criminal justice professionals, medical and social services resources
- Designed and implemented a medical staff structure and leadership development training program for Kipshidze University Central Hospital in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia
- Fostered economic growth and collaboration between businesses and local governments by connecting wine making experts from the country of Moldova to the fledgling North Carolina wine industry
- Arranged international exchanges, allowing mayors and other government leaders from the United States and former Soviet Union countries to confer on issues resulting in improved municipal services including food and water safety and waste disposal
- Supported local community economic development by promoting local resources to increase revenue from tourism
Professional and Leadership Development
People make the difference – the knowledge and skills of people drive outcomes, so World Services emphasizes opportunities for professional development in many projects. For example, in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, World Services has:
- Developed a Family Medicine Program at the Kharkiv Post Graduate Medical Academy
- Supported the start of a professional nursing education program at the Kharkiv Medical Academy
- Provided consultation in developing the Kharkiv Nursing Association that now has over 5,000 members and offers educational meetings on a regular basis
- Opened a Learning Resource Center where physicians and nurses work collaboratively and continue their on-going education in evidence-based medicine
- Established a network of cities that can work together to promote economic development based on tourism and new revenue for their communities
The value of these services can best be described by those who have been a part of the World Services program:
“This was the biggest experience of my life; the professional growth I experienced and learning the methods of training people. This experience changed my professional vision.”
– Chuguev, Ukraine Rayon physician: Nikolay Proskurnin, M.D., Village of Korobochkino.
Organizational Development
Education for health care professionals equips them with essential clinical skills and knowledge; however, there are areas that need to be expanded. Personal and leadership development and/or assisting in understanding infrastructure, system design, policy and procedure development, effective change management, and project management skills are critical to the efficient operation of an organization. World Services, through its many resources, can meet this need.
An example of this approach was recently implemented at Kipshidze Central University Hospital in the Republic of George. In 2009, World Services sent a team of professionals experienced in hospital administration, physician leadership development, human resources and credentialing to Kipshidze where they:
- Established the foundation for a credentialing system for physicians including organizational structure with staff by-laws and management committees
- Enhanced the current administrative structure to support credentialing and quality improvement
- Assisted in the adoption of policies and procedures reflecting best practice in the United States and United Kingdom
- Provided training for medical department heads to provide leadership in implementing the credentialing system
Program design for each of these areas has included in–country technical assistance and consultation, and/or professional exchanges to locations throughout the United States. World Services has received funding support from the U.S. Agency for International Development, the American International Health Alliance, the Foundation for Russian American Economic Cooperation, International Research Exchange (IREX), the U.S. Department of Commerce, World Learning, the Open World Program and other sources.
For those organizations seeking contracts that require women-owned businesses, World Services has a separate woman-owned business called World Services Management and Consulting which meets federal guidelines for a woman-owned, small business.
Contact Information: info@wslax.us