About the ICD

Since its inception as the Governor's International Trade Council in 1982, the Council has facilitated substantial growth in international trade in Delaware. The primary contribution was (and is) the growth of small and medium sized businesses. In 2000, the mission of the newly named International Council of Delaware became to expand the international capacity of Delaware through international education, arts and culture exchanges and international tourism, in recognition of the direct role of building these capacities in Delaware's international economic development.

The Council is governed by a Chair (Senator Emeritus Andrew Knox) and an Advisory Board drawn from Delaware business, higher education, and government. Two part-time staffers serve as Co-Directors, and are responsible for the programmatic and administrative duties of the Council.

I was named Chair of the Council at its formation in 1982, and brought personal experience from industry to the position, with 27 years as an executive with the DuPont Company. This experience included setting broad research and development objectives at DuPont, where certain areas were targeted but difficult to forecast in terms of precise, immediate sales and job impact. However, our approach was to set rational targets, and to pursue those which offered the greatest merit over time.

Similarly, our international capacity-building efforts in the Council have produced a cost-effective and communicative network that over time has produced important results. ICD initiatives in China have opened the door to increased trade opportunities with Delaware businesses. ICD interactions with Germany helped to bring the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft research centers to Delaware, where they not only employ a growing number of Delawareans, and compete for millions in federal research dollars, but are forming a bridge between basic academic research and the innovations that create intellectual property and business opportunities for their Delaware partners.

Today, the International Council of Delaware also focuses on the fact that we live in a knowledge-based, global economy, where understanding of international economics, geography and world languages constitute an essential component of K-20 education and beyond. If we hope that future leaders and businesspeople in Delaware will have the knowledge and sophistication to compete in a global society, it is then our duty to assure that they have developed the tools they will need.

To this end, the Council has worked closely with the education, arts and tourism communities to leverage funds toward this objective. On average, one dollar of ICD seed funds leverages an additional three dollars in external funding, a very respectable return on State investment.

The return can be dramatically higher, as well. For example, a 2001 planning grant of $ 4,000 to Delaware Technical & Community College resulted in a $300,000 grant from the US Agency for International Development to develop a curriculum for wastewater treatment technicians. These funds will be expended largely in Delaware to develop a customized curriculum package for the country of Bulgaria. Delaware knowledge and expertise has value and is exportable.

Administratively, the Council is a model of lean management. The Chair, Co-Chair and Advisory Board serve on a voluntary basis. This low-overhead approach maximizes use of taxpayer funds to achieve the ICD mission.

In fact, ICD was praised at a recent national meeting as a model for other states to emulate, in its approach that brings together the business, education and government communities. The meeting, the States Institute on International Education in the Schools, involved high-level delegations from 22 invited states. The Delaware delegation, of which ICD was party, impressed organizers to the extent that Delaware was invited to bid for $20,000 in international education funding. A proposal was submitted earlier this month, and is now pending.

Every quarter, the International Council of Delaware conducts an informational meeting held at the Carvel State Building in Wilmington. Drawing a diverse and lively audience from the business, education and government communities, the meetings are focused on key themes of interest, involving expert speakers, but also providing critical networking time for the international community. An update on international trade opportunities by the Office of International Trade, Management and Budget is presented each time. Recent themes have included how to pursue federal and foundation funding for international initiatives, Delaware's Asian linkages and programs, and how to make business and education contacts through Delaware's Sister Cities programs.

ICD is the cohesive force in a collaborative and productive network that works for Delaware, and we are proud to stand with the Office of International Trade, Management and Budget, as we pursue Delaware's goals.