Training for Chinese Managers Goes on the Road
Experiencing local government in action was just one way officials from the city of Tianjin, China, enhanced their knowledge and skills in current public administration practices during a three-week training and development program coordinated by the Institute’s International Center.
The 22-member delegation representing a range of Tianjin city government departments arrived in Georgia on October 24, 2010, for the first part of a program covering local, state, and federal government. The group’s agenda was a mix of lectures, site visits, and cultural experiences.
“The opportunity for the participants to witness government up close and interact with officials here is a key component of the training program,” said Rusty Brooks, International Center director. For example, while hearing presentations on such topics as public budgeting, environmental protection, governmental organization, and emergency management, the group also spent time at a local government water treatment plant and finance department, chamber of commerce, regional commission, renewable energy lab, and various cultural and historic locations. The delegation then traveled to Washington, D.C., and New York City for similar experiences before returning home.
Since 2006, 70 Tianjin government officials have completed the Institute’s China Public Manager Training Program through a partnership with the Tianjin Organizational Department. Tianjin is the largest port city in northeast China, with a population of more than 12 million people.
Delegations from the provinces of Jiangxi and Sichuan are also scheduled to come for training before the end of the year. Over the last decade, more the 1,200 participants from seven Chinese provinces have received training in public management through the Institute so that they might help build more efficient and responsive governments.
