Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows from across a dozen U.S. universities are participating in a weeklong workshop, Leadership and Governance During Times of Crisis, sponsored by the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.  About 30 Humphrey Fellows from 24 countries are exploring a myriad of crisis management issues through the lens of leadership.

The workshop examines the dynamics leaders face in crisis situations through a series of vigorous and hands-on presentations, including a simulation. Bruce Dayton, research fellow at the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs and associate professor at School for International Training, specializes in crisis management and peacebuilding.  He is leading the workshop hosted by Maxwell’s Executive Education department.

The workshop taps faculty expertise across Maxwell’s social sciences, in addition to other schools and institutes at Syracuse University.  Among the themes explored are political leadership, mapping vulnerability, crisis communication, and public health.  Fellows will also hear first-hand accounts of leadership during crises.

“The capacity to lead during times of crisis has become one of the paramount challenges in public affairs and governance. But too often public management training focus on building skills and competencies for routine matters, failing to take into account the psychological and organizational breakdowns that nearly always occur in high-stress crisis situations where short-time, high threat, and high uncertainty create a perfect storm for decision makers,”  says Dayton. “The good news is that scholarship on effective decision making and organizational leadership during crises is increasingly coming to light.”

The workshop takes into consideration the diverse professional experiences of the participants.

“Humphrey Fellows attending this workshop come from all sectors of public service:  educators, public administrators, public health officials, rural development specialists, NGO leaders, human rights lawyers, and journalists,” states Margaret Lane, Syracuse Humphrey Program director and assistant director of Executive Education.  “Their perspective provides a real-world context to research undertaken by faculty across the Maxwell School.”

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program was initiated in 1978 to honor the late Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and his life-long commitment to international cooperation and public service. The program brings accomplished young and mid-career professionals from designated developing nations and emerging democracies to the United States for a year of professional development and related academic study and cultural exchange. The Fellowship is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education.  This year, fourteen universities host about 170 Fellows from 95 countries.

The Maxwell School has been a host campus of the Humphrey Fellowship Program for eight years.  Currently thirteen fellows are at the School, pursuing studies and professional development in the areas of public policy, public administration, governance, IT policy, NGO management, leadership, and collaboration. 

03/08/17