2011.12-Working Paper

An International Platform for South-South Exchange, Dialogue, Learning and Research to End Global Poverty: The Case of the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC)

　　Salehuddin Ahmed, Pang Xiaopeng and Zhang Xiaoying

Abstract

　　Jointly launched in 2005 by the Chinese government, UNDP and other international organizations, IPRCC has grown to become one of the flagship organizations in China for South-South Cooperation (SSC). In addition to organizing international exchanges and providing training and consultancy services to professionals involved in poverty reduction worldwide, the center also engages in theoretical and applied research for knowledge building, policy analysis and advocacy as well as cooperates with international organizations to design and implement poverty reduction programs according to the specific needs of developing countries. Over the past six years, IPRCC has achieved a number of successes. To continue this effort to reduce global poverty, however, it will also need to confront and overcome several challenges.
　　The objective of this case study is to comprehend more fully the dynamics of South-South Cooperation, to explore IPRCC’s contribution to the enhancement of SSC, and to address some of the key challenges relevant for developing good practices. As such, the authors reviewed a range of IPRCC publications, evaluations and reports as well as interviewed policy makers and conducted focus group discussions with clients of IPRCC training in Bangladesh. The research protocol and outline of the case study were peer reviewed by two research professionals from the World Bank and Rockefeller Foundation.

The main findings of the case study are:
　　1. Ownership and mutual accountability in knowledge sharing and cooperation with IPRCC are ensured by three mechanisms: prioritizing the demands of what partners want to share, seeking mutual benefit for receiving countries and China, and formulating agreements between receiving countries and IPRCC.
　　2. Mutual learning under IPRCC programs effectively enhances national capacities to reduce poverty in receiving countries. The problems and solutions discussed during SSC activities are consistent with receiving countries’ history, culture and experiences.
　　3. IPRCC programs strive to identify development successes both in China and in the participating developing countries. This process ensures benefits continue to be accrued after program implementation. Here, IPRCC is a champion in promoting SSC.
　　4. Programs function according to the interaction between IPRCC and the governments of developing countries, identifying the needs of the latter, matching the relevant poverty reduction experiences of China and conducting research, training sessions, exchanges and joint programs between China and developing countries. Throughout the duration of these programs, the demands and goals of developing countries are kept at the forefront of IPRCC’s activities.
　　Based on the findings of this case study, we recommend IPRCC to: (a) enhance capacity and institution building, becoming more independent, international and more integrated into China’s foreign aid systems; (b) promote close collaboration with both national and international partners, and take the role of an international network for promoting SSC; and (c) share more knowledge and experiences on poverty and development.
Key words: IPRCC, South-South Cooperation, Poverty Reduction, China, Challenges,Lessons

Background

　　Back in 2003, a group of Chinese government leaders discussed the concept of setting up an international training center to share China’s successes in poverty reduction and economic development with the world, particularly with developing countries. It was observed by some of these leaders that there would be great demand
from both developing and developed countries to come and learn from China. It was also perceived that there would be donors who would be willing to finance such activities, and that in the long run, it would also be possible to generate funds offering such training programs. The group subsequently proposed this idea to international multilateral organizations. The first oral proposal was made to the UNDP China. Upon their acceptance, a bilateral task team was organized to craft a formal proposal.
　　A year ahead of the important 2004 Shanghai Conference on Scaling Up Poverty Alleviation, a preparatory phase of learning was started. Impressed with China’s success in alleviating poverty, World Bank President James D.
Wolfensohn supported the idea of holding a South-South Learning Conference. More than 100 case studies (out of 800 nominated cases) were presented on the experience of poverty alleviation in different countries. The Chinese partners, with the assistance of the World Bank, wrote eight of the case studies. In addition, a team of experts and officials from China, World Bank and other countries visited different developing countries. As a result of this process, a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience was exchanged.
　　On May 26-27, 2004, in Shanghai, the Global Conference on Scaling Up Poverty Alleviation drew 1700 attendees from 120 countries, including heads of state, ministers, experts, scholars, representatives of NGOs, etc. As an outcome of the commitments made by world leaders at the conference, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development (LGOP), Ministry of Commerce of China and the UNDP on May 27, 2004 for the establishment of the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC). Subsequently, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and UK’s Department for International Development (DfID) joined as partners. On September 24, 2005, at the UN 60th Anniversary Summit, Chinese President Hu Jintao
declared, “IPRCC was established in Beijing with a mission to make contributions to Global Poverty Reduction.” A number of international aid agencies came forward pledging support in the form of resources and technical assistance. A Board of Trustees (BoT) was set up with representatives from Chinese government ministries, international organizations and a Chinese NGO. A Board of Advisers consisting of very high-level world experts was also formed.
　　Although the initial idea was to set up an international training center, subsequently over the years, the organization has evolved into a comprehensive center implementing activities in training, research, information sharing, cooperation and exchange. Moreover, it has transformed into an international platform for knowledge exchange and dissemination among South-South, South-North and North-South partnerships.
Objectives
　　The mission of IPRCC is to promote South-South Cooperation (SSC) through the following objectives:
　　1. Facilitating international exchange on poverty reduction through the sharing of knowledge, information and experiences.
　　2. Providing training and consultancy services to professionals involved in poverty reduction worldwide.
　　3. Organizing theoretical and applied research for knowledge building, policy analysis and advocacy.
　　4. Cooperating with international organizations to design and implement poverty reduction programs for specific needs in developing countries.
Activities and Achievements
　　Since its inception, IPRCC has engaged in a variety of activities and achieved a number of successes. The following paragraphs give a brief account of IPRCC’s activities and achievements.

Training: Sharing experiences in poverty reduction to promote common progress.
　　From the very beginning, IPRCC has conducted many training programs for representatives from the governments and NGOs of developing nations, mainly concentrating on building the capacities of participants through mutual exchange and discussion of poverty alleviation policies, strategies and implementation. Both immediately after the training and years later, participants evaluated the sessions positively, and were of the view that their ministries, as well as they themselves, greatly benefited from the training. Moreover, they indicated that the most important part of each training had been the field visits which reinforced what they had learned in the classroom
and allowed them to observe policy implementation and its challenges at the local level. To date, IPRCC has provided training for more than 1,000 participants from developing countries.
　　IPRCC is also expanding its international training and capacity building on poverty reduction and development through the promotion of advanced degree education. As such, the center has partnered with the Ministry of Education and renowned Chinese universities, such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, China Agricultural
University and Beijing Normal University, to provide scholarships to students from developing countries so that they may pursue Masters and PhD degrees in China.
Research: Creating a new world for
　　poverty reduction applied research. At IPRCC, the Research Division concentrates on the study, exploration and enrichment of poverty reduction research and application. This professional research team independently carries
out studies on poverty reduction and development as well as cooperates with other national and international universities and research institutions. With regard to South-South Cooperation, the team conducts comparative research on the poverty reduction models of China, Africa and South Asia. It continuously works to build its capabilities and capacities and improve the research methodologies it employs. Some of these activities include synthesizing experiences in poverty reduction, developing knowledge of poverty reduction, analyzing poverty reduction strategies, comparing poverty reduction models, compiling poverty reduction materials, etc. The Research Division also explores the strategies, models, impacts and best practices of the international community in terms of development and poverty reduction, clarifying the achievements in policy analysis and in international theoretical studies on poverty reduction. In addition, it provides technical support for policymakers both at home and abroad
as well as for theoretical researchers and practitioners in the field of poverty reduction.
Exchange: Building a bridge for international communication and exchange on poverty reduction.
　　Since 2007, IPRCC has organized the Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, and for the last five years, the China-ASEAN Forum on Social Development and Poverty Reduction, both of which have now become regular annual events. In 2009, it inaugurated the “Celebrity Forum,” where world-renowned experts and scholars were invited to give seminars for professionals in the field. It also organized various regional events such as the China-Africa Poverty Alleviation Forum and conducted interactive
exchanges with international poverty reduction institutions, expanding and enhancing its partnership network. These forums have brought together top world leaders to discuss and strategize global policies for poverty alleviation,
particularly in light of the dynamic changes that are occurring around the world. Many delegations from developing and developed countries have visited the center, including those from Bangladesh, South Africa, Tanzania, Australia, UN,UNDP, DfID, World Bank, ODI, among others.
Cooperation: Working together for poverty reduction.
　　IPRCC has signed agreements with governmental agencies in Mali, Benin, Tanzania, Colombia and other countries for staff exchange, research, capacity building, pilot project demonstration and other forms of cooperation. Similarly, it has developed relationships with many international institutions, NGOs and enterprises in order to advance collaboration on poverty reduction in developing nations such as Venezuela, Peru, Vietnam and Cambodia.

　　With the sharing of China’s poverty reduction experiences as a core objective, IPRCC has actively promoted bilateral cooperation with countries in Africa, Asia and South America. In 2010, as an outcome of its field research in
Tanzania, IPRCC was requested by the local government to send experts experienced in poverty alleviation and rural development to implement demonstration projects and establish a poverty reduction cooperation center. IPRCC is
engaging in a collaborative research project with the Tanzanian NGO, PRIDE, to assess local socio-economic conditions and the feasibility of a China-Tanzania microfinance development center.

Information: Building a broad information exchange and sharing network.

　　In an effort to internationalize and present itself as an information center for poverty reduction, IPRCC has intensified its information capacity building and standardized its information exchange mechanisms to better share
experiences and communicate information with the international community. Specifically, it now offers numerous publications, a well-designed website, and a state-of-the-art video conferencing facility, disseminating important information on conferences, training programs, etc.

Analysis of Initiatives

　　“Benefit the bottom 50%, not the upper 50% of the population.”- IPRCC’s motto
　　The mission of IPRCC is to contribute to the reduction of poverty around the world through the promotion of policy research, mutual exchange and South-South Cooperation, eventually transforming into a platform and international hub of such activity. Many of the center’s partners also recognize the enormous potential in participating in the activities of IPRCC; they can learn from China’s experiences and lessons in poverty reduction, adapting and implementing them in order to assist poor and disadvantaged populations back in their own countries.
Furthermore, they can gain more knowledge about China and its economic, social and cultural background, foreign aid policy and dynamics of development.
　　Over the past six years, IPRCC has grown to become one of the top flagship organizations in China for South-South Cooperation. IPRCC’s relationship with recipient countries, their governments and other organizations has
intensified as a result of its SSC activities. With increased exchange and interaction, the center’s network has broadened substantially, allowing IPRCC to accumulate extremely useful first-hand knowledge of other countries. As such, a number of Chinese senior-level delegations have visited the center to learn about other developing countries’ experiences. This process will be beneficial for ensuring the overall effectiveness of China’s foreign aid and investments.
　　All programs of IPRCC are aimed at promoting the principles of aid effectiveness. The Chinese leadership has given full support to the endeavors of IPRCC (e.g., the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development [LGOP], National Development and Reform Commission and Ministries of Commerce, Finance,
Foreign Affairs, etc.). In China, poverty alleviation and guiding the people on a path to development and prosperity comprise national priorities. With the country’s tremendous success in poverty reduction over the last couple of decades, the Chinese leadership now feels that they should share their experiences with developing countries
and assist them in reducing poverty. With this mission paramount, IPRCC was established and its programs geared toward South-South Cooperation. Program implementation has been harmonized and coordinated with other stakeholders through needs assessment, consultation and exchange of information. The experience of IPRCC in implementing its training, research, exchange and cooperation activities has strengthened the synergies between program implementation and the aid effectiveness principles formulated by international forums such as the Accra Agenda for Action in 2008 and Paris Declaration in 2003.
　　In order to achieve sustainable outcomes, IPRCC’s efforts focus on improving recipients’capacity for poverty alleviation. Replicating successful models in different countries, however, will not be an easy task, as each country has unique conditions and challenges. Likewise, longterm projects, to a large extent, will depend on the global environment and conditions, making it difficult to predict what will happen. Nonetheless, the experiences and lessons we accumulate throughout this process can assist us in adapting SSC to specific contexts, guaranteeing that SSC activities will benefit both sides and play a positive role in the improvement of the lives of people in
developing nations.
　　In summary, China’s comparative advantages in pursuing South-South Cooperation are the following:
　　- China herself is a developing country and has experienced lifting a massive population out of poverty;
　　- The country has significant practical experience in developing policies, systems and mobilizing people;
　　- It has succeeded in producing functional government initiatives.

Challenges Faced

　　IPRCC has faced several challenges both in its initial establishment phases and in later initiatives to reduce global poverty. Some of these challenges include:
　　1. Obtaining support from the Chinese government and international organizations during the formative stages of IPRCC development. Over a period of hard work and advocacy, however, the leadership was slowly persuaded to lend its support. Now, as a result of its numerous achievements, IPRCC enjoys the full support of the Chinese government as well as that of international organizations.
　　2. Capacity building of IPRCC. Recruiting committed and competent researchers, trainers, communicators, leaders and managers comprises a constant challenge and can influence profoundly the organization’s various operations and initiatives. At the same time, IPRCC must also develop its in-house capacities to train professionals in research and technical fields.

　　3. Acquiring funds for institution building and activities. It is much easier to locate funds for activities than it is to generate them for institution building. Human resource development requires investment in people. A growing organization like IPRCC will continue to face this challenge in the future as well.
　　4. Building connections with international organizations and networks. There are many international organizations, such as networks, universities and research institutes, which are involved in international poverty reduction and capacity-building work. Connecting with these institutions and cultivating relationships remains a
challenge.
　　5. Identifying and implementing relevant activities. Each country has its own challenges and needs, and fully understanding these disparate contexts and dynamics can prove difficult. As such, local governments should be consulted. This, however, requires enormous energy, knowledge and resources.
　　6. Structural issues. At the moment, IPRCC is regarded as an autonomous organization affiliated with the government. It also retains a Board of Trustees, which includes representatives from various government ministries, international organizations and a Chinese NGO (Chinese Association for International Understanding). One important advantage of this organizational structure is that IPRCC can receive allocations from the central government budget. For example, the Chinese government contributed the 22-storey building for LGOP/IPRCC workspace andoperations. IPRCC can also recruit professional staff from the government. A disadvantage of this
arrangement is that IPRCC is affiliated with the LGOP, which comes under the auspices of the State Council. The LGOP, however, is not a crossministerial agency so coordination among different governmental departments is difficult.
　　7. Hiring of international experts. IPRCC does not have the authority to hire international experts and
thus, must request permission from the government. As an international organization, IPRCC must augment the number of international scholars, experts and professionals on its staff.
　　8. Because of its institutional affiliation with the government, IPRCC has limited capacity to represent China in international forums.Over the years, IPRCC has made good progress in developing and enhancing its own capacities in research and training. Slowly, international advisers and staff are being recruited. More
autonomy in decision making, internal capacitybuilding and decentralized implementation are forthcoming. Though this process has been slow and steady, there are positive signs.

Research Questions

　　The IPRCC Case Study comprises an effort to explore and comprehend more fully South-South Cooperation (SSC), IPRCC’s contribution to the enhancement of SSC and the challenges it currently faces. In addition, this case study will address some of the key challenges relevant for developing good practices in the context of aid effectiveness. Research questions explored in the case study include:
　　1. Does the receiving country lead and coordinate IPRCC activities? Is there mutual accountability in the partnership?
　　2. Has the mutual learning at IPRCC been effective in generating national capacities to reduce poverty? Why? Why not?
　　3. What incentives exist in sharing knowledge and in cooperation between IPRCC and the receiving country? How do champions influence capacity development?
　　4. What mechanisms does IPRCC use to boost mutual learning and knowledge exchanging?
Methodology
　　To answer these research questions, the case
study used the following methodologies and tools:
　　1. Desk Research. IPRCC publications, evaluations and reports were reviewed to understand the center’s objectives, policies and
activities.
　　2. Interviews with Policymakers. Some senior officials of international organizations and leaders of government and IPRCC were interviewed to ascertain their perspectives.

　　3. Interviews with Clients of IPRCC Training. The researchers went to Bangladesh and met with some of the senior ministry officials that had attended IPRCC courses from 2007 to 2010. A focus group discussion was also organized.
　　4. Peer Reviews. The research protocol was peer reviewed by two experts from the World Bank and Rockefeller Foundation. They provided feedback, which was subsequently incorporated into the final protocol. Upon completion, the Case Study will be sent to at least one expert for peer review.
Findings
　　The IPRCC programs are implemented with financial and human resources from China, developing countries and other development partners, e.g., UNDP, the World Bank, etc. They are an example of triangular cooperation. The
findings of the case study can be described according to different key challenges, namely:
1. Ownership and mutual accountability
　　The ownership and mutual accountability in knowledge sharing and cooperation with IPRCC is ensured by three main mechanisms: prioritizing the demands of what partners want to share, seeking mutual benefit for receiving countries and China, and formulating agreements between receiving countries and IPRCC.
　　According to our interview with the former Director General of IPRCC, Dr. Wu Zhong, the idea of establishing a training center under the LGOP emerged from demands - both domestic and international - to learn about China’s poverty alleviation programs. In 2002, the LGOP was promoted to the vice-ministry level and Dr. Wu was appointed head of the International Cooperation and Social Mobilization Department. At that time, almost every week, Dr. Wu met with a different foreign delegation sent to the LGOP by he Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CPC Foreign elations Committee and China Association of riendship for briefings on China’s povertyalleviation programs. The delegations arrived from all corners of the globe, but primarily from developing countries. It quickly became evident
that there was great interest among those countries to come and learn from China’s experiences.

　　In the process, China also started to learn from other developing countries’ poverty reduction strategies and programs, e.g., microfinance in Bangladesh, BRI bank in Indonesia, Indian Community Driven Development (CDD), etc. Since 2008, IPRCC annually has held a workshop on International Development Theories and Practices for Senior Officials of Provincial Poverty Reduction Agencies in China. Experts on poverty reduction, officials from international institutions and other developing countries, such as Argentina and Ethiopia, are invited to give lectures on different topics related to poverty reduction. The purpose of the workshop is to widen participants’ views and inspire them to learn from the international community.
　　The governments of receiving countries and IPRCC jointly agree on who should participate in the center’s training. The Chinese government also gives its views and agrees on the training and other programs to be implemented. In the case of program and research design, the receiving country governments are consulted and programs are developed on the basis of national needs and plans. For exchange programs, both sides agree
on the basic principles of exchange and only take up programs that are beneficial to all parties, ensuring mutual ownership and accountability.

2. Pressing development challenges in poverty reduction

　　IPRCC’s mutual learning programs effectively enhance national capacities to cope with development challenges in receiving countries. Since China and other developing countries are facing similar development challenges, such as poverty reduction, education, health issues, capacity building etc., IPRCC programs are implemented specifically to address those problems and issues of development in developing countries.
　　During our focus group discussion in Bangladesh, one participant who had attended a 2007 training program in Chongqing, expressed feeling‘nostalgic,’ remembering almost all the events and experiences that he had there. In the habit of keeping old records, he had a file of all the materials that had been exchanged during that particular program. He commented that, at times, he goes back to the file and uses the documents in his present ministry work.

　　The participants also have also tried to influence the policymaking and implementation of poverty reduction strategies and programs in their own countries, informing local policymakers about relevant lessons from China. For example, some mentioned their visits to the sites of the 2008 earthquake in Wenchuan and Beichuan, Sichuan
Province. It had been heartbreaking to see the destruction and witness the tremendous suffering of the people there. At the same time, everyone was also overwhelmed to see how completely new cities were built within a period of 18 months for rehabilitating the survivors of the earthquake. They were able to learn about the cooperative rescue and rehabilitation effort coordinated by other provincial governments and citizen groups. More specifically, a public exhibition center at the sites provided the visiting delegation with access to all the records and visual documentation of the earthquake and reconstruction. As a country prone to natural disasters, Bangladesh has experienced similar situations and problems. Therefore, such exposures are helpful for understanding the dynamics of development and disaster management.
　　Since representatives from different countries attended IPRCC’s training programs, there was also some cross-communication among participants. This was achieved through country presentations and informal discussions. Some of the participants developed acquaintances and friendships with both Chinese and international
partners that they still maintain today. The peopleto- people relationship facilitated by the IPRCC mechanism will prove immensely valuable, helping to sustain knowledge sharing and promote internationalism, peace and friendship.

　　In summary, the principal factor for success in mutual learning in this SSC is: the problems and solutions discussed in the SSC are similar to the receiving countries’ history and experiences. Thus, there exists a demand and incentive for receiving countries to adopt and adapt what they have learned into their own policies. There are two
factors for success in mutual learning in IPRCC programs: one, receiving countries are very interested in knowing more deeply about poverty reduction in China (i.e., what really happened during the past 30 years and what experiences and lessons the nation can impart); two, as a developing country itself, China wants to learn more from other countries.

　　To enhance IPRCC’s effectiveness during exchanges, one weakness needs to be addressed, the selection of participants. Based on our group discussion in Dhaka, our Bangladeshi colleagues felt that there were some problems in the selection of trainees for IPRCC workshops. Some participants did not come from relevant ministries
or departments and others were on the verge of retirement. Some participants were simply nominated by the government, without looking at the relevance of the participants’ experience and background. As a result, these nominees did not have much knowledge about why they were selected. Similarly, what they learned in the workshop could not be used in their own work when they returned home.

3. Champions and incentives in southsouth knowledge exchanging


　　IPRCC programs strive to identify development champions both in China and in the developing countries concerned. Such champions can ensure benefits continue to be accrued after program implementation.
　　The experiences and lessons from China’s economic growth and poverty reduction have been attracting much interest from both developing countries and the international development community. IPRCC provides participants from developing countries opportunities to know more about China. Afterwards, participants can become champions in further exchange and cooperation.
　　Cooperation with Tanzania is a good example of creating champions within a receiving country. In December 2008, Tanzanian Prime Minister Mizengo P. Pinda met with the IPRCC delegation attending the “China-Africa Development and Poverty Reduction: Experience Sharing and International Cooperation Seminar” in Dar es Salaam. After the seminar, the Prime Minister wrote to the Director-General of IPRCC twice in the hope of strengthening the cooperation between China and Africa in the field of poverty reduction. Later, with support from the World Bank, the Tanzanian Agricultural and Rural Development Policy Consulting Program was developed. Chinese senior experts were sent to provide consultation services to the Tanzanian government on agricultural development policy. In collaboration with the World Bank, IPRCC is also currently supporting the establishment of a microfinance
center for NGOs in Tanzania, carrying out local training and exchange programs, and preparing to launch a new center for poverty reduction study and cooperation.
4. Regional and global mechanisms for boosting mutual learning and knowledge exchanging.
　　IPRCC implements its programs through training, research, exchange and cooperation mechanisms.
With respect to training, the center focuses on experience sharing between China and developing countries. A professional team conducts research on poverty reduction and development while annual world poverty reduction
forums and the China-ASEAN Forum on Social Development promote exchange. As for cooperation, IPRCC has partnered with the World Bank and selected Tanzania as a pilot country in
which to foster a realistic and meaningful southsouth cooperation.
　　IPRCC’s approach is based on its interactions with the governments of developing countries, identifying the latter’s needs, matching the relevant poverty reduction experiences and organizing training, research, exchanges and joint programs. Throughout all of these activities, the demands and goals of developing countries maintain a fundamentally important position.
　　In 2009, to facilitate the sharing of experiences and to promote learning on growth and poverty reduction, IPRCC and the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) formed the China- DAC Study Group. The group’s work focuses on two themes: one, China’s experience of growth and poverty reduction, including the contribution of
international assistance and its relevance for other developing countries, particularly in Africa; two, China’s economic cooperation with Africa and its impact on poverty reduction.
　　The lessons learned from the people and governments of developing countries are translated into training and exchange programs. Likewise, research plays a crucial role in highlighting China’s achievements in poverty reduction and communicating these experiences during international dialogues on poverty reduction and training. Consequently, joint programs for strategic policy development and poverty reduction have emerged between China and developing countries.

Conclusion and Recommendations
　　Over the last couple of decades, China has achieved tremendous success in reducing poverty and lifting about half a billion people above the poverty line. Therefore there is a lot to learn from the experiences of China, especially by the developing countries of Asia, Africa and South America. China also needs to learn from the experiences of developed and developing countries and institutions. To facilitate this process of learning and exchange, IPRCC was established, and in the last six years, the center has achieved the objectives it set in the areas of research, exchange, training and cooperation. The research division consists of a strong team of experts that publish very useful studies and develop collaborations with national and international research institutions and universities; the exchange division has built a good reputation by organizing international events and forums in poverty alleviation and development; the training division organizes approximately 10 courses a year in collaboration with government agencies and many developing countries’ government officials have gone through meaningful training and seminars; and the cooperation division has strengthened the relationship between China and Tanzania, establishing a SSC Center in Dar es Salaam in early 2011.
　　According to the findings of this case study—and particularly, considering the views of past participants in IPRCC training programs, government leaders and representatives from IPRCC and international organizations—the following recommendations can be put forward:
　　1. Research and training should be made more adaptable to the interests, needs and contexts of other countries.
　　2. IPRCC needs to become more independent in its policy and implementation decision-making. Revisiting the organizational governance structure may be necessary.
　　3. Future IPRCC SSC policies and activities should be more integrated into China’s foreign aid systems, thereby gaining more support from the Chinese government.
　　4. Efforts should be intensified to internationalize IPRCC. Therefore, it is important and worthwhile to recruit more
international scholars, experts and interns to work with IPRCC. The center should attract talents from home and abroad and serve as platform and facilitator for South-South learning.
　　5. Staff exchange is recommended between IPRCC, ministries and international organizations. Having an international networking expert would be useful. Visiting scholars and a fellows program could also be useful.
　　6. Capacity building of young professionals is required. Higher-level training, both inhouse and international, would be worthwhile for this purpose. IPRCC is still a young organization with limited inhouse capacities for conducting research and producing training materials that meet the needs of diverse groups of development practitioners.
　　7. Joint collaboration and partnership should be promoted between IPRCC, international universities, institutions, UN, WBI, ADBI and other networks.
　　8. South-South Cooperation should be led by developing countries. IPRCC may take the role of an international network for promoting South-South Cooperation. A separate secretariat could be established in IPRCC.
　　9. South-South Cooperation is not mutually exclusive of North-South Cooperation. It is a complement and supplement. IPRCC may take the role of promoting more South-South, North-South and South-North initiatives.
　　10. Since the medium of instruction in the IPRCC training programs is English, more lectures should be given in English as parts of the deliberations are lost in the process of interpretation. The interpreters had their limitations; not all of them were highly-trained.
　　11. Most of the training classes are lectures. Avoiding long lectures and more participatory discussions would be more effective.
　　12. More care should be taken in selecting the participants from developing countries. Sometimes the background and quality of the participants are not commensurate with the level of the training.
　　13. Some specialized and topic specific training programs could be taken up so that participants get more in depth knowledge and understanding on specific topics. For the purpose of selecting specialized topics, more consultation should be made with the governments of the developing countries to learn about their needs. Longer-term exposures could be considered.
　　14. More field visits should be organized. Field visits provide practical exposure to local conditions and program
implementation.
　　15. IPRCC should take the initiative to develop case studies on China’s specific experiences in poverty reduction as wellas on those of different countries. These case studies could be utilized in IPRCC training programs. This could also form a part of joint research and development actions.
　　Delivering on the South-South Cooperation agenda will depend on the development of effective institutions, including those of the state, para-state, private sector and civil society. The uneven development performances across countries are largely determined by the quality of institutions, which ultimately shape incentives for learning, experimentation and entrepreneurship. Therefore we need dynamic institutions like IPRCC that can become attractive to professionals, governments and civil society organizations all over the world. In the long run, IPRCC has the potential to become such an international organization.
　　This study concludes with the following vision shared by one of the case interviewees:

　　The future vision of IPRCC should be that it becomes a truly independent international platform for research, training, sharing of knowledge, exchange and cooperation among developing and developed countries. An international periodic forum needs to be developed similar to the Davos Economic Forum, which should be named, “Global Social Development Forum (GSDF),” which should be based, led and driven in and by the developing
countries. The world needs more emphasis on social development to improve its economic and social harmony.

Annexes
References

　　1. Annual Reports of 2009 and 2010 of IPRCC.
　　2. China-DAC Study Group, Economic Transformation and Poverty Reduction: How it happened in China, helping it happen in Africa. China Financial and Economic Publishing House, 2011.
　　3. Philippa Brant: South-South Cooperation: A Concept Paper, IPRCC Working Paper Serious, No. 3. 2011.
　　4. Quigley, Tesluk, Locke, and Bartol, A Multilevel Investigation of the Motivational Mechanisms Underlying Knowledge Sharing and Performance, Organization Science Vol. 18, No. 1, January- February 2007, pp. 71-88.
　　5. Terry McKinley and Laura P. Luo, Mid-Term Evaluation of the Project for Establishment of the IPRCC, Sept. 30, 2008.
　　6. WU Zhong, Phil Karp, Yan Wang, Development Outreach: China’s International Poverty Reduction Center as a Platform for South-South Learning, Vol. 12 No. 2, October 2010. pp. 32-34.

List of interviewees and participants in workshop
　　1. Interview of the following past participants of IPRCC training programs. They are all from Bangladesh government ministries/offices.
　　• Mr. Arefin M. Shamsul, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Establishment.
　　• Mr. Rashid M. Harunur, Director Prime Minister’s Office.
　　• Mr. Shahabuddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Communication.
　　• Mr. M. Shamshul Kibria Chowdhury, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Establishment.
　　• Mr. M. Khairul Hasan, Senior Assistant Chief, Bangladesh government, now working in UNICEF.
　　2. Interview of UNDP and WB colleagues:
　　• Mr. Steven Sabey, Policy Advisor, United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
　　• Ms. Zoe Yan Zhang, Program Manager, Social & Economic Development and SSC Team, UNDP.
　　• Dr. Wang Yan, Senior Economist, World Bank.
　　3. Interview of LGOP leader:
　　• Mr. Cao Hongmin, Division Chief, Department of International Cooperation and Social Mobilization, LGOP.
　　4. Interview of Mr. Wu Zhong, Mayor, Qianjiang District of Chongqing Municipal Government, Ex-Director General of IPRCC.
　　5. Interview of IPRCC colleagues:
　　• Mr. Lu Liqun, Head of General Affairs Division.
　　• Dr. Wang Xiaolin, Head of Research Division.
　　• Ms. Li Xin, Head of Exchange Division.