The first training of 2012 took place in China from 14 to 17 April and focused on regional policy legislation, including issues of multilevel governance. Training was conceived as a preparatory event for a two-week study visit to Europe (July 2012).
The programme was designed for 30 delegates of NDRC that were supported by the project coordinator member and one local interpreter. The training session in China consisted of four days, including lectures, field visits and an interactive workshop. Four European regional policy experts were proposed to deliver lectures (maximum 30 min plus consecutive interpretation) and to coordinate working groups based on their practical experiences on regional development.
The training commenced with two days of lectures and interactive workshop about different aspects of regional policy legislation. These sessions were meant to deliver the basic knowledge on EU regional multi-level governance structure. In order to achieve a true exchange of knowledge on regional policy, NDRC delegates were asked to deliver an overview of China’s regional development policy, including the classification of regions and the main financial instruments. These presentations leaded to a true interactive debate between Chinese and European experts.
These two days of lecturing and workshops sessions were followed by a one day excursion to the Binhai New Area[1] as an example of multi-level governance, reform and innovation in regional policies. The case study reflected Chinese best practices on regional policy law and multi-level governance and was designed in a way to provide real value for the Chinese delegates.
Back in Beijing, Chinese delegates were divided in small working groups dealing with specific issues of multi-level governance and legislation on regional policy. Coordinated by one European expert, each working group debated about challenges and presented the results of their discussion to the plenum. European lecturers and Chinese participants were requested to disseminate their insights to a wider community of experts in both regions in order to achieve a multiplier effect. They also elaborated key issues for the agenda of the first study visit to Europe in July 2012.
[1] This case was presented at the VI. EU-China High-Level Seminar on Regional Policy held in Brussels in October 2011. See presentation by Mr. Sun Hujun, Deputy Director of Cooperation and Exchange Office, Tianjin Municipal Government.
The report of the activity can be accessed here: China 1_2012_Technical_Report