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International Center Coordinates Georgia Leadership Delegation to China, South Korea

A Georgia delegation composed of local government, business, and higher education leaders traveled to four cities in China and South Korea July 7–19 on a trip coordinated by the Vinson Institute's International Center. The leadership delegation sought to strengthen existing relationships with international partners and create new opportunities for collaboration with other organizations. It also worked to reinforce the growing economic relationships between Georgia and China and South Korea and make connections that could facilitate greater investments in the future.

The Georgia group included University System of Georgia Vice Chancellor Steve Wrigley, UGA Vice President for Public Service and Outreach Jennifer Frum, Vinson Institute Director Laura Meadows, President Billy Trapnell and First Vice President John Reid from the Georgia Municipal Association, and Mike Worley from Georgia Power. Their travels took them to Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an in China and Seoul, South Korea.

During the trip, the leadership delegation met with executive officials from Chinese and Korean local governments as well as other government officials and business leaders. In China, the group visited with representatives from the Beijing Administrative College, the Shanghai Administration Institute, the Shanghai Organization Department, and the Shaanxi Party School. The delegation's activities in South Korea included meetings with representatives from Kia Motors, the Seoul Municipal Government (SMG), the Governors Association of Korea (GAOK), the University of Seoul, the Human Resource Development Institute, and the Seoul Business Agency.

The Institute's International Center has a long history of connecting Georgia's leaders with public and private sector officials throughout the world. Since 1999, it has worked extensively in cities and provinces around the China to create cultural exchange opportunities between Georgia and Chinese organizations and individuals. It has also coordinated professional development and training programs for more than 1,400 Chinese government officials, many taught by practitioners from Georgia's state and local governments.

In 2011, the Vinson Institute signed memoranda of understanding with SMG and GAOK to provide short- and long-term training programs for South Korean officials. Since that time, a number of Korean officials have traveled to Georgia and throughout the United States to promote closer ties between government and business leaders.