The first quarter of 2012 quarterly

Highlights

China-Africa Poverty Reduction and Development Seminar Held in Shenzhen



　　January 9, 2012 --- China-Africa Poverty Reduction and Development Seminar, jointly hosted by IPRCC and UNDP, organized by the China Center for Special Economic Zone Research of Shenzhen University, and sponsored by the Shenzhen Counterpart Support Office was officially opened in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. More than 50 government officials, experts, scholars, representatives from international organizations and entrepreneurs from China and six African countries (including five ministerial level delegates) gathered together and had a discussion over the issue of “China’s SEZs and Poverty Reduction”. Mr. Zheng Wenkai, Deputy Director(Minister) of LGOP, Mr. Hailemeskel Tefera, State Minister of the Ministry of Urban Development & Construction of Ethiopia, Mr. Zhang Bigong, President of Shenzhen University, Mr. Christophe Bahuet, UNDP China Country Director, and Ms. Liu Jin, Vice Director of Science, Industry, Trade and Information Commission of Shenzhen City, addressed the opening ceremony.

　　Mr. Zheng Wenkai said in his speech that in China’s thirty years’ economic growth and poverty reduction process, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been undertaking the important mission of institutional reform, technical advancement, and S&T innovation. SEZs have not only rapidly developed into new growth poles which produced large numbers of new talents, but also played an irreplaceable role in extending its new experience in driving the development process of the rest of China. He pointed out that China is willing to share its experience gained in the process of poverty reduction and development with the other developing countries, African countries in particular, and would like very much to continue its learning from other countries as well. China will actively promote international cooperation and exchanges in the field of poverty reduction to jointly make China and African countries stronger and more prosperous.

　　In his speech, Mr. Christophe Bahuet, UNDP China Country Director pointed out that, as pioneers of the implementation of China’s policies of opening up and economic transformation, SEZs’ development cannot be separated with the big environment and the support of national macroeconomic policies. They have accumulated experience and lessons in aspects such as macroeconomic policies, industrial strategies, employment creation, and the relevant mechanisms to cope with challenges, which can provide reference to other developing countries.

　　In the seminar, the African participants indicated that they came to China to attend the seminar with the purpose of sharing and learning experience. For Africans, special economic zone is still an emerging topic which they are quite interested in.

　　This seminar is the continuation of the China-Africa Poverty Reduction and Development Conference held in Ethiopia in 2010. After the opening, a series of activities took place the participants discussed how African countries could draw lessons from China’s experience in boosting the development of SEZs and achieving sustainable poverty reduction to promote their own development and poverty reduction endeavors.



Headline

 Deputy Director General of IPRCC Met with General Manager of China-Africa Agricultural Investment Co., Ltd.



　　January 5, 2012 --- In the morning, the deputy heads of IPRCC Mr. Huang Chengwei and Ms. He Xiaojun, met with a visiting delegation headed by Mr. Zhao Yuqin, General Manager of China- Africa Agricultural Investment Co., Ltd. (CAAI). The two sides had an open and friendly discussion regarding strengthening the cooperation of African agriculture and poverty reduction. Mr.Huang Chengwei pointed out that China-Africa exchange and cooperation in poverty reduction has been one of the major missions of IPRCC. In the past two years, Community Poverty Reduction Learning Center jointly set up by IPRCC and CAAI in Tanzania has made smooth progress which laid a solid foundation for further cooperation. Since opportunity time has come for the China-Africa poverty reduction exchange and cooperation, the two sides ought to make good use of their own advantages for a win-win situation. Huang briefly introduced the six key tasks on China-Africa cooperation to be fulfilled by IPRCC in 2012. He also expressed his willingness to develop further cooperation in various forms. Mr. Zhao Yuqin agreed with Huang and spoke highly of the cooperation. He said China-Africa Agricultural Investment Company is a central SOE specialized in China-Africa agricultural cooperation. The cooperation with IPRCC in Africa also reflected CAAI’s commitment to  corporate social responsibilities. CAAI hopes to further strengthen the cooperation with IPRCC and jointly conduct poverty reduction projects in other countries.

　　Mr. Guan Shanyuan, Deputy General Manager of China-Africa Agricultural Investment Company, and the staff of Cooperation Division at IPRCC attended the meeting as well.

IPRCC Deputy Director General Wei Chongjin met with the World Bank Delegation Headed by Mr. Philip Karp



　　February 16, 2012 --- IPRCC Deputy Director General Mr. Wei Chongjin met with the visiting delegation headed by Mr. Philip Karp, Advisor of Vice President Office for the East Asia Region，World Bank Group and GDLN (Global Development Learning Network) Coordinator. Both sides exchanged views on further strengthening cooperation.

　　Mr. Philip Karp expected IPRCC to take an active part in some activities and meetings in the GDLN areas and even at the global level to share China’s successful experience in poverty reduction with the international community through the GDLN platform.

　　Mr.Wei Chongjin extended welcome to Mr. Philip Karp and fully supported his suggestions. Wei expressed that IPRCC has always attached great importance to the partnership with the World Bank and it will actively take part in the development of GDLN to share with the international community China’s experience in poverty reduction. In addition, through the GDLN platform, IPRCC can also draw upon the experience of other countries, get the first- hand information of the South-South cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and even the globe, and constantly enhance its own capacity building and development.

　　Relevant personnel from IPRCC’s Training and Information Divisions attended the meeting.



Head of IPRCC Met with the Delegation of Nigeria Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development



　　January 13, 2012 --- The Deputy DG of IPRCC Ms. He Xiaojun met with a visiting delegation headed by Dr. Akinwumi A. Sdesina, Nigeria Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Ms. He introduced to the delegation the background of the establishment of IPRCC, its structure and functions, as well as the activities and achievements in the past few years. She also briefly introduced the Outline for Development-oriented Poverty Reduction for China’s Rural Areas (2011-2020) and China’s relevant policies. The two sides exchanged ideas on the leading role the government plays for poverty reduction with the participation of all members of society. They also discussed how to promote poverty reduction through the formulation of agricultural and rural development policies concerning land, subsidies and price. The delegation was informed on how to participate in the seminars and activities organized by IPRCC, and expressed their willingness to continue exchanges and cooperation with IPRCC.

　　The staff of Cooperation Division at IPRCC attended the meeting.

“Social Inclusion” Workshop Held in Beijing



　　February 3, 2012 --- IPRCC and the World Bank’s Social Development Sector jointly organized the “Social Inclusion” workshop, which was chaired by IPRCC Deputy Director General Ms. He Xiaojun. Ms. Maitreyi B. Das, Chief specialist for social development at the Social Development Sector and Mr. Markus Kostner, Director of Social Development Sector at World Bank East Asia and Pacific Region were present at the meeting.

　　Ms. Maitreyi B. Das introduced the social inclusion research programme conducted by the Social Development Sector. They also presented the social inclusion research findings in India and Brazil. Dr. Huang Chengwei, IPRCC Deputy Director General, briefly introduced the Outline of Development-oriented Poverty Reduction for China’s Rural Areas (2011-2020), and clarified seven typical groups worth special attention in China’s social inclusion studies. In addition, Chinese experts from Beijing Normal University (BNU), China Research Center on Aging (CRCA) and Women’s Studies Institute of China (WSIC) introduced the income distribution, social relief, and the social inclusion of the elderly, children and women in China.

　　After the meeting, Ms. He Xiaojun, IPRCC Research Division Director Wang Xiaolin and other staff discussed on future joint research initiatives with World Bank experts.

“Economic Transformation and Poverty Reduction: How it happen in China, helping it happen in Africa” Workshop Held at LSE Public Forum



　　February 8, 2012 --- IPRCC, OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC), UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and London School of Economics (LSE) co-hosted a workshop on “Economic Transformation and Poverty Reduction: How it happen in China, helping it happen in Africa”. Approximately 50 people attended this event, including representatives and experts from relevant development agencies, as well as the students of LSE. IPRCC Deputy Director General He Xiaojun delivered a speech introducing the focusing area of IPRCC. On behalf of China-DAC Study Group, Professor Li Xiaoyun, IPRCC Senior Advisor and Dean of School of Humanities and Development Studies, China Agricultural University reported on China’s experience in development transformation and its significance for African development. As an experienced researcher, he answered questions concerning the implications of China’s experience for Africa and the patterns and features of China’s foreign aid. Research Division Director Wang Xiaolin commented on the channels and patterns related to development aid from a comparative perspective, and proposed to promote the development initiatives driven by growth and more diversified and inclusive aid following up the meeting held in Busan.

　　This workshop is part of the promotion and discussion activities oriented to the first stage China-DAC Study Group research findings after the 4th High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan in 2011. Based upon four thematic studies, namely, partnership development, agricultural development, infrastructure and corporative development during 2009 to 2011, the Study Group summarized and shared China’s experience in poverty reduction and development, extended IPRCC’s international presence and gained full recognition of all parties.



 IPRCC Deputy Head Met with DFID China Head



　　February 14, 2012 --- IPRCC Deputy Director General Mr. Huang Chengwei met with Head of DFID(UK Department for International Development) China, Mr. Chris Chalmers at the center.

　　Mr. Huang Chengwei briefed on the four major poverty reduction events in China in 2011, the policies and measures put forward in the Outline for Development-oriented Poverty Reduction for China’s Rural Areas (2011-2020) as well as IPRCC’s work plan for2012. Mr. Chris Chalmers made a brief introduction to the shift and key areas for DFID-China cooperation most recently, and expressed his willingness to further strengthen the cooperation between the two sides in summarizing and sharing the experience in poverty reduction. Also, both sides exchanged their views on issues such as IPRCC’s positioning and the new Board meeting.

　　DFID Environment Adviser Ms. Wu Lin and the relevant personnel from IPRCC’s General Affairs Division and Exchange Division were present at the meeting.



Symposium on “China and East Asia Regional Economic Cooperation” Held

　　February 15, 2012 --- The symposium on “China and East Asian Regional Economic Cooperation”was held by the Research Division of IPRCC. Dr. Liu Qianqian, an expert on internationalrelations from the Research Division, delivered a presentation based on her doctoraldissertation at Cambridge University – “China and East Asia Regional Economic Cooperation:A Case Study of ‘10+3’ and the East Asia Summit”.

　　Liu first analyzed how the mainstream schools of thought on international relations, including the Realists, Liberalists and Constructivists, perceive the rise of China, and put forward a new approach to look at the issue based on the analysis; then, she emphatically elaborated on a few aspects, such as China’s regional strategy under the “10+3” cooperation framework, China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, East Asia Summit, and big power relations in East Asian cooperation, particularly the U.S. factors. After the symposium, the staff of IPRCC had a discussion over the diversified Asian regional cooperation mechanism and China’s diplomatic landscape.

　　IPRCC Deputy Head He Xiaojun, Director of the Research Division Wang Xiaolin, Chief Research Coordinator Cheng Enjiang, Director of the Cooperation Division Li Shaojun and several other IPRCC staff members attended the lecture.

World Bank “China Clean Cookstoves Initiative” Work Group Delegates Visited IPRCC

　　February 16, 2012 --- IPRCC Deputy Director General Huang Chengwei met with the visiting delegates of the World Bank “China Clean Cookstoves Initiative” work group on the morning.

　　Ms. Zhang Yabei, Head of the Work Group and an energy economist of the World Bank Infrastructure Unit for the Pacific Region, introduced the background, goals, strategies, overall structure and work plan of the program. She noted that the U.N. has declared 2012 as the “International Year of Sustainable Energy for All”, Therefore, the key of this programme is to help expand the use of clean efficient cookstoves in China, particularly improve the energy efficiency and advance the development of the poverty-stricken population through capacity building, policy propositions and the provision of supporting government action plans.

　　Huang pointed out that it is highly innovative of the program to have combined green sustainable development with poverty reduction. China now has certain policy and technical conditions to implement the initiative, yet it may also encounter many challenges. He then put forward several suggestions regarding how to drive the implementation of the program.

　　Relevant personnel from IPRCC’s Cooperation Division were present at the meeting.



 Expert Consultation Meeting on “Trade Facilitation and Poverty Reduction” Held in Bangkok

　　March 5 to 6, 2012 --- U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(UNESCAP), IPRCC and China International Electronic Commerce Center (CIECC) co-organized the expert consultation meeting on “Trade Facilitation and Poverty Reduction” in Bangkok, Thailand. This meeting invited More than 10 experts from China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, the Asian Development Bank and OECD. Ms. He Xiaojun, IPRCC Deputy Director General, and Mr. Ravi Ratnayake, Trade and Investment Division Director of UNESCAP were also present. It was one of the “Trade Facilitation and Poverty Reduction” events jointly cooperated by UNESCAP, IPRCC and CIECC. This programme plans to implement various research and exchange activities during 2012-2013.

　　In the one-and-a-half day meeting, experts discussed the trade facilitation policies and strategies which could impact on poverty reduction. They also assessed the research proposals of “Trade Facilitation and Poverty Reduction” compiled through the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade (ARTNeT).

　　On the morning of March 6, Ms. He and Dr. Ravi Ratnayake discussed to consider “Trade Facilitation and Poverty Reduction” as a topic for this year’s “China-ASEAN Forum on Social Development and Poverty Reduction”, further they exchanged ideas regarding the cooperation in details.



 UNDP Official Khalid Malik Visited IPRCC

　　March 8, 2012 --- Mr. Huang Chengwei, IPRCC Deputy Director General met with Mr. Khalid Malik, Director of the United Nations Development Programs (UNDP) Human Development Report Office.

　　In the meeting, Mr. Malik introduced the major content of the future two human development reports, which will take particular concern on the equity and sustainability of human development in 2012 and the core agenda in the post MDG era in 2013. He pointed that poverty and poverty measurement weigh heavily in the human development report, he expects China and IPRCC to contribute more to the report.

　　In response, Mr. Huang briefly introduced the achievements IPRCC has made in recent years, China’s poverty reduction policies and the challenges lying ahead. Huang also expressed his willingness to offer more support to the compilation of the human development reports.

　　Mr. Christophe Bahuet, UNDP China Country Director , and the relevant personnel from IPRCC’s Exchange Division attended the meeting as well.

Tripartite Review Meeting on IPRCC’s UNDP Project Held



　　March 14, 2012 --- The Tripartite Review  Meeting on IPRCC’s UNDP Project was held at IPRCC. IPRCC deputy heads Huang Chengwei and He Xiaojun, Deputy Director of the Exchange Division Li Xin, UNDP China Country Director Christophe Bahuet, Assistant Country Director Hou Xin’an, CICETE Director General Yao Shenhong and Section Chief Bai Chengyu attended the meeting which was chaired by Yao Shenhong.

　　IPRCC Deputy Director General Huang Chengwei introduced the UNDP program execution in the previous year and the work plan for 2012. Mr. Christophe Bahuet and Director General Yao Shenhong spoke highly of the programs, expressed their confidence for this year, and expected the programs’ smooth progress in 2012, with the delivery rate reaching 100%. The three parties had in-depth discussions on how to improve the international image and service capacity of IPRCC and prepare for the three major forums this year. They all indicated that efforts would be made to strengthen the capacity building of IPRCC and to lay emphasis on improving the staff capability in international exchange and cooperation through on-job training etc. The three parties furthered their communication and deepened mutual understanding through the meeting, laying a solid foundation for the successful execution of the UNDP programs in this year.

News Features

IPRCC Group Conducted Poverty Reduction Field Research in Guangxi



　　February 22 to 28, 2012 --- Upon invitation from the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government of Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, IPRCC dispatched a Group to HeChi for carrying out a field research on “The Studies on Hechi’s Poverty Alleviation and Development Strategy in the New Era”. It aims to analyze the periodical and structural features of Hechi’s socio-economic development, its poverty conditions and the related causes. Also, the study is designed to examine the poverty alleviation policies and its impact on poverty alleviation, and put forward practical and sustainable poverty reduction and development strategies for building Hechi into a prosperous city.

　　The research group held in-depth discussions with the local staff and officials from the relevant departments. They also visited the relocation-based poverty reduction settlements, business venture park for farmers in town, bamboo and rattan product manufacturing base, non-ferrous metal processing and smelting factories, as well as mining companies. Meanwhile, the group went to rural villages and had conversations with poverty-stricken farmers to understand the causes of local poverty and explores on how to balance resource exploitation and poverty reduction and social development in ecologically fragile regions.

　　The group was headed by Research Division Director Dr. Wang Xiaolin. Staff from other Divisions of IPRCC also took part in this activity This field research is also a good try in line with IPRCC’s initiatives to put in place China’sNew Poverty Alleviation Outline and serve the interest of both China’s foreign policies and foreign aid policies. This event helped IPRCC’s staff to understand the grassroots poverty reduction experience and strengthen capacity building.

IPRCC Delegation Visited Ministry of Planning and Development of the Republic of Mozambique



　　March 5, 2012 --- A group of seven delegates from IPRCC paid a visit to the Ministry of Planning and Development of Mozambique. The delegates held talks with Mr. Adriano Ubisse, National Director for Investment and Cooperation Department. This visit was a primary step taken by IPRCC to implement the Memorandum of Understanding on “China-Mozambique-Kingho Poverty Reduction Cooperation Center” and further promote China-Mozambique cooperation on poverty reduction.

　　In the meeting, Cooperation Division Director Li Shaojun introduced IPRCC’s key work, background and purpose of this visit. Mr. Adriano Ubisse extended his welcome to the delegation, and briefly introduced the structure and functions of his agency. In line with the principle of pragmatism and goodwill, both sides exchanged views on how to practice and constantly improve the MOU. The meeting proposed the topics to be discussed in the next round meeting, and established the mechanism for strengthening ties and communication, laying the foundation for the successful implementation of the MOU.

IPRCC Study Group Visited the Chinese Embassy in Mozambique



　　March 9, 2012 --- A seven-person IPRCC study group to Mozambique paid a visit to the Chinese Embassy, and reported to Ambassador Huang Songfu on their five-day study trip in the country.

　　Group Leader and IPRCC Division head Li Shaojun delivered a detailed presentation to the ambassador, introducing the background and outcome of the visit, as well as the expected activities and functions of the China-Mozambique Kingho Poverty Reduction Cooperation Center after its establishment. The member experts of the group also shared their opinions on this field trip from the perspective of their own specialized areas.

　　Ambassador Huang Songfu listened carefully to the report and spoke highly of the role played by IPRCC in promoting poverty reduction cooperation between China and other developing countries. He also offered some instructions for China-Mozambique cooperation on poverty reduction and development from the perspective of China’s strategic diplomatic guidelines and improvement of China’s soft national power.



IPRCC Division Deputy Head Attended the 13th Meeting of the ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee



　　March 21 to 24, 2012 --- On behalf of LGOP, Deputy Director of the Exchange Division of IPRCC Li Xin attended the 13th Meeting of the ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee (ACJCC) held in Jakarta, Indonesia. More than 30 people from the governments of ten ASEAN countries,the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) and Chinese Embassy in Indonesia participated in the meeting.

　　The meeting had a comprehensive overview on the progress of cooperation between ASEAN and China in 2011 on executing the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN- China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity (2011-2015), looked to the future direction of bilateral cooperation, and discussed how to improve the effectiveness of China-ASEAN cooperation, innovate the cooperation mechanism and accelerate the cooperation process. Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Tong Xiaoling, Chief of the Department of Asian Affairs of MOFCOM, and Deputy Head of the Exchange Division of IPRCC Li Xin made their speeches during the meeting.

Deputy Head of MOFCOM’s Department of Aid to Foreign Countries Visited IPRCC



　　March 29, 2012 --- A delegation headed by Mr. Liu Junfeng, Deputy Director General of MOFCOM’s Department of Aid to Foreign Countries, paid a visit to IPRCC. The delegates included the related personnel from the General Affairs Division, the First Division of African Affairs and the Human Resource Development Division of the Department, as well as the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under MOFCOM.

　　Centering on the question of how non-governmental organizations can better participate in foreign aid activities, IPRCC Deputy Head Huang Chengwei and representatives from the Research Division, Training Division, Exchange Division, Cooperation Division and Information and Communication Division gave a comprehensive introduction to the basic situation of IPRCC, its activities in the past year and its focus for 2012. To supplement, they briefed the visitors on how IPRCC had promoted the work of the China-DAC Study Group and on a series of international poverty reduction training, exchange, cooperation, information-sharing and publicity activities carried out by the Center. The two sides also had a discussion on how to increase the role of IPRCC as an international poverty reduction exchange and cooperation platform so that it can be a better participator in China’s foreign aid efforts.



Press Release

The Yearbook of China’s Poverty Alleviation and Development (2011) Work Review and 2012 Work Arrangement Meeting Held in Beijing



　　March 1, 2012 --- The Yearbook of China’s Poverty Alleviation and Development (2011) (hereinafter referred to as The Yearbook (2011)) work review and 2012 work arrangement meeting was held in Beijing. Mr. Zheng Wenkai, Deputy Director of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development (LGOP), Mr. Hong Tianyun, Director General of the Department of Policy and Regulation of LGOP and Mr. Huang Chengwei, IPRCC Deputy Director General attended this event. About 100 representatives from various ministries, subsidiary bodies of LGOP, poverty alleviation offices of provinces, cooperation offices from  relevant provinces and cities, and  related enterprises were invited as well. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Wei Chongjin, Deputy Director General of IPRCC.

　　Mr. Hong reviewed the compilation of The Yearbook (2011) on behalf of the Editorial Department, and expressed his gratitude to the editors’ hard work and the strong support of various compiling units.

　　Mr. Zheng raised three requirements for the compilation of the Yearbook in 2012: first, stabilize the working mechanism. Book compilation is a long-term and arduous task in the cause of national poverty reduction involving multiple agencies. In view of this, a stable compiling team needs to be built and stable publishing institutions be identified so that better services will be provided to the relatively stable readers. Second, continuously improve the quality. As useful materials recording history, the yearbook should have rich content and accurate data. Third, speed up the work process and publish The Yearbook (2012) by late September under the precondition of assured good quality.

　　The meeting also discussed the outline of The Yearbook (2012) and the Guideline for the Compilation of The Yearbook of China’s Poverty Alleviation and Development (Draft for Discussion).



IPRCC Held the 8th Seminar Series on “The frontiers in Development Studies”



　　March 8, 2012 --- In the morning, IPRCC held the 8th Seminar Series on “The Frontieers in Development Studies”. Carl J. Dahlman, Associate Professor of International Relations at Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, was invited to deliver a keynote speech titled The World under Pressure: How China and India Are Influencing the Global Economy and Environment. Ms. He Xiaojun, Deputy Director General of IPRCC, chaired the seminar attented by over 60 representatives from LGOP and its direct affiliates, embassies of foreign countries to China, and international organizations and universities. After the keynote speech, Professor Dahlman had in-depth discussions with the audience.

　　Professor Carl J. Dahlman have 25 years of work experience in the World Bank, served as Senior Advisor to the World Bank Institute, Residential Representative of the World Bank and Director of the Financial department in Mexico, and Head of Development, Industry and Energy Department in the World Bank’s Private Sector. His latest book The World under Pressure: How China and India Are Influencing the Global Economy and Environment, was published by Stanford University Press in 2012.



Institution Building

IPRCC Held the Seminar on the Study of the National Poverty Alleviation Meeting Guideline and the New Poverty Alleviation Outline



　　February 2, 2012 --- In order to further enhance the effects of the study on the national poverty alleviation meeting guideline, IPRCC held the Seminar on the Study of the National Poverty Alleviation Meeting Guideline and the New Poverty Alleviation Outline. Deputy Director of LGOP Zheng Wenkai and Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of LGOP Xia Gengsheng attended the seminar. The meeting was chaired by Huang Chengwei, Deputy Head of IPRCC, with the attendance of He Xiaojun, Deputy Head of IPRCC, Wang Shu, Assistant Director General of IPRCC, and all the rest of staff of IPRCC.

　　Five study groups shared their group learning process and outcomes. Six representatives presented what they had learned and understood from different perspectives. The presentations covered more than ten aspects, including an in-depth study of the concept of poverty, thoughts and suggestions for linking poverty alleviation system in the new era with existing poverty reduction system, the challenges and roadmap of development-oriented poverty reduction in clustering contiguous poverty-stricken areas, the close relations between poverty reduction in the next decade and achieving the goal of turning China into a well-off society in 2020 in an all-round way, the understanding of some prominent characteristics of the new poverty alleviation outline, and the suggestions for the future development of IPRCC based on the new poverty alleviation outline. The leader of each group made comments on their representative’s presentations.

　　After listening to the presentations, Zheng said that IPRCC responded to the call of the CPC Committee of LGOP and conducted intensive studies on the Meeting Guideline and the New Outline which achieved considerable effects. Each group thought from a different perspective and in an innovative way, and demonstrated their accurate understanding of the guideline and outline, which would lay a sound foundation for further implementation of the important guidelines of the Central Committee. He noted that as China has attracted wide attention from the international community, IPRCC shall give better play to its role as an international exchange platform in the future, actively publicize China’s achievements in poverty reduction, and guide the international community to take a more objective view on the difficulties and problems faced by China in development-oriented poverty reduction. Moreover, it shall actively expand its functions under the strong leadership of the CPC Committee of LGOP to better serve the overall situation of China’s diplomacy and poverty alleviation.

　　Meanwhile, Huang summarized the study efforts in the previous phase, and noted that the presentations reflected good preparation, in-depth thinking,inclusive summary and diversified achievements of each group,. As the study moves into the second phase, each group shall raise their ideological understanding, fully implement the Guideline and Outline, and select the right point of start combined with their respective duties. Specifically, first, sum up the experience in time, expand the achievements of study, and constantly enhance the communication between groups; second, combine the study with the work in 2012; third, promote the study through the work, while advance the work through the study so as to constantly improve the work capability; fourth, follow the management of the CPC Committee of LGOP and Party Leadership Group and seek innovative learning approach in order to facilitate the study. In the future, the IPRCC staff members must pay close attention to integrating the study into their work, take advantage of IPRCC’s various learning opportunities and make good use of the Center’s work achievements so as to continuously promote the efforts of IPRCC to build itself into a learning organization.



IPRCC Hosted the 2012 Spring Festival Tea Party



　　February 3, 2012 --- IPRCC hosted a Spring Festival tea party for all its staff members who gathered together to exchange and share the achievements made in the previous year, and express their expectations for the coming year. Those who celebrated the Lantern Festival with IPRCC staff were relevant leaders with LGOP’s Departments of Personnel and Administration, Planning and Finance, Policy and Regulation, International Cooperation and Social Mobilization, Development Guidance as well as the Party Committee.

　　Mr. Huang Chengwei, Deputy Director General of IPRCC pointed out in his speech that, over the past year, IPRCC staff had overcome different kinds of difficulties, forged ahead with concerted efforts, and reaped remarkable fruits from a wide range of tasks, which obtained the full confirmation from LGOP leaders. In the coming year, under the strong leadership of the LGOP, everyone shall carry forward the Center’s fine traditions, actively yet prudently proceed with various tasks, and endeavor to satisfy the leadership at various levels who pay great attention to the development of IPRCC through delivering more excellent performance. Lu Liqun, Zhao Jia, Deng Yetao, Tong Lang, Zhang Xiaoying and other members of the Center delivered respective remarks, sharing their experience as well as ideas and suggestions for the year 2012.

　　At the tea party, IPRCC staff gave some self-directed performances. Besides, lucky drawing and interesting interactive games were organized. The wonderful performances and festive atmosphere emphasized the Center’s working atmosphere of joy and harmony.

IPRCC Held a Discussion Meeting for Women Staff Members

　　February 28, 2012 --- To increase the role of women staff for its development and team cohesion, IPRCC hosted a Spring Festival tea party for its entire women staff. At the party, women staff raised many useful suggestions, such as strengthening the communication among workers, organizing all kinds of recreational and sports activities, actively participating in the public benefit programs, giving internal lectures in various forms, and proceeding with the reading campaign.

IPRCC Staged a Staff Singing Gala

　　March 9, 2012 --- To celebrate the International Women’s Day, facilitate the exchanges between male and female workers and enhance team vitality and cohesion, and based on the opinions solicited from the whole staff, IPRCC organized a singing gala - an activity designed to guide its staff to strike a proper balance between work and leisure, properly arrange life and work and maintain a healthy and positive attitude toward life and work.

　　IPRCC Deputy Director General Huang Chengwei and Labor Union Chairman Wang Shu took part in the event, spending their time with nearly 40 staff members. Huang sang several songs, such as  “Red Flag Flutter”, “Just Want to Follow You for Life”, “What I need In My Life”. Other staff took turns to the stage. In songs melodious or passionate, everyone experienced the warmth and harmony of the group.

The English Training Program for LGOP Officials Kicked Off



　　March 14, 2012 --- The opening ceremony of the English training program for LGOP Officials was held at IPRCC in the afternoon.

　　Sponsored by LGOP’s Department of Personnel and Administration, Party Committee and Labor Union, and organized by IPRCC and the Foreign Capital Project Management Center (FCPMC), the training program was aimed at improving the English listening, speaking, reading and writing skills of the ranks of officials in the LGOP system so that they can conduct communication on foreign affairs and international exchanges more easily. The current program has 20-plus participants who take classes every Wednesday afternoon. The courses will last till the end of this year. In light of actual work requirements, the training covers general talks, meeting exchanges, economy, politics, poverty reduction tailored glossary, and comparison between Chinese and Western culture.

　　Mr. Xia Gengsheng, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee of LGOP and Mr. Tan Weiping, Deputy Director General of the Department of Personnel and Administration attended the opening ceremony and put forward their requirements, suggestions and expectations for the participants. The group of teachers elaborated on the objectives, schedule, teaching methods and considerations of the training program. Ms. He Xiaojun, Deputy Director General of IPRCC, was also present at the opening ceremony.

IPRCC Hosted the 3rd Lecture on Staff Capacity Building



　　March 21, 2012 --- IPRCC hosted the 3rd Lecture on Staff Capacity Building. Tan Jian, Counselor of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was invited to give a thematic lecture on “The Situation and Development Trend of Multilateral Diplomacy”, and Mr. Bai Chengyu, Division Director of the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges under the Ministry of Commerce, lectured on “UNDP Project Management”. The lecture was chaired by IPRCC Deputy Director General Huang Chengwei and attended by more than 40 members, including Deputy Director General Liu Shuwen of the International Cooperation and Social Mobilization Department of LGOP, IPRCC Deputy Director General Wei Chongjin as well as people from IPRCC and the Foreign Capital Project Management Center (FCPMC).

　　Counselor Tan Jian reviewed the basic information regarding international development and cooperation and China’s participation in the process, analyzed the current international situation, and proposed suggestions on IPRCC’s future international exchange and cooperation activities.

　　Director Bai Chengyu introduced UNDP project management from such aspects as the forms of aid, sources of fund and development aid framework of UNDP,the organizational system, legal documents and execution procedures of UNDP projects.

　　As the 3rd session of IPRCC’s “Staff Capacity Building Lecture Series”, it is also one of the campaigns of achieving excellence, studying and implementing the guideline of the National Poverty Alleviation Meeting and the New Poverty Alleviation Outline, with view to advancing the building of a learning organization and laying a good foundation for institutional and career development.