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Institute's International Center Facilitates Archway Partnership Economic Tour of China

Business leaders from Georgia's Washington and Hart counties benefited from the Institute's long-standing ties to Chinese government and business leaders during a recent tour of China facilitated by the Institute's International Center in collaboration with UGA's Archway Partnership.

The 10-day tour was designed to expand international economic development opportunities and advance mutual cultural understanding by giving business leaders from Washington and Hart counties the chance to meet Chinese leaders and see their approaches to high-priority community needs such as public health, leadership development, education, civic infrastructure, sustainable development, and economic development.

The delegation visited Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanchang for meetings with private and public representatives from a number of organizations including the Shanghai Administration Institute and Beijing Administrative College. During the meetings, Archway Partnership faculty and Washington and Hart County economic development representatives took steps towards establishing ongoing business and cultural exchange relationships with their Chinese counterparts.

"We had the opportunity to learn much about China's market economy, and we expect to receive tourism visits from China coordinated through the Archway Partnership and the Vinson Institute's International Center," said Dwayne Dye, Hart County economic development director.

The delegation also included Rhee Garrett, Washington County business community representative; Laura Gillman, Washington County public health Archway professional; Kim Jackson, Washington County Archway professional; Matt Bishop, Archway Partnership coordinator of operations; Mel Garber, Archway Partnership director; Rusty Brooks, Vinson Institute International Center associate director; and Zhang Fei, International Center program director.

The Institute's International Center works worldwide to facilitate relationships that position Georgia to benefit from an increasingly global economy. Governments throughout the globe seek out the Vinson Institute's International Center for technical assistance and for comprehensive training programs in the areas of leadership development, human resource management, financial management, and more.

The Archway Partnership, one of eight Public Service and Outreach units at UGA, works with eight counties across Georgia to match community-identified needs with resources within UGA.