Workshop on Poverty Policy and Practice for African Countries Launched by IPRCC

　The Workshop on Policy and Practice for African Countries was hosted on 5 July in Beijing. Wang Guoliang, Deputy Director of China State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development (LGOP) presented at the opening ceremony. Zhang Lei, member of the leading team in LGOP and Managing Director of IPRCC anchored the opening ceremony.
　　This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between China and Africa, the Chinese government issued the Document of Chinese Policies toward Africa in January this year to consolidate and development the relationship with Africa. The Document stipulated that in the new century, arising from the common interests of the two, China should establish a new strategic partnership with Africa that features equality in political sense, collaboration and mutual benefits and exchanges in cultural sense. Between 24-29 April, during his visits to Morocco, Nigeria and Kennya, Chinese President Hu Jintao raised five principles to strengthen the strategic partnership with Africa that is politically mutual trust should be increased, mutual benefits should be expanded, cultural exchanges should be emphasized, collaboration in security should be enhance and cooperation with international affairs should be maintained. Just 10 days ago, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao just came back from his visits to seven African countries: Ghana, Congo, Angola, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. In his visits, he reiterated Chinese government desire to further the friendship, mutual trust, collaboration and common development with Africa. These commitments and proposals have fostered a favorable climate for the incoming Summit of China-Africa Forum of Cooperation and the third Meeting at Ministerial Level in November this year.
　　In response to the range of celebrating activities prepared by the Chinese government to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of relationship between China and Africa, IPRCC, and international organization with the mission to exchange experience, enhance the process of poverty reduction, organize theoretic research, optimize policies, strengthen international exchange and promote international collaboration. It will mainly function to conduct international trainings, exchanges and research on poverty and to provide developing countries with intellectual support. At the second ministerial meeting for China-Africa Cooperation Forum held in Addis Ababa, Capital of Ethiopia, Chinese Government was committed to training 10 thousand talents for African developing countries. At his address to the Development Fundraising in the 60th Anniversary of United Nations, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced to the international community that the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC) was officially established in Beijing to make Chinese contribution to the worldwide poverty reduction . To honor government commitment and to carry on the speech made by Chinese President, IPRCC organized the first International Workshop on Chinese Experiences in December last year, which was participated by 53 trainees from 27 countries with 26 trainees from 16 African countries, the majority of the participants. Today IRPCC hosted the Workshop for African countries, with an aim to give a better understanding to African peoples of Chinese social and economic development, Chinese agricultural issues, Chinese poverty reduction policies and practical experience. The workshop is expected to promote Chinese experience in African countries and further to help realize the MDGs raised by the United Nations.
　　The workshop will span for 15 days, covering the topics of Chinese economic and social development, Review and Prospect of Chinese agricultural issues, Retrospect and Prospect of Chinese poverty reduction, Relation between Chinese compulsory education and poverty reduction, NGO roles in poverty reduction, International poverty reduction projects presented by specialists from DFID and Poverty reduction case studies in China. The resource persons for lectures were composed of Zhang Lei, Member of the leadership in LGOP and Managing Director of IPRCC, Li Xiaoyun, Professor of Chinese University of Agriculture, Berd Hoffman, Senior Economist of World Bank China office, Adrian Davis, Resident Representative of DFID in China and Wang Xingzui, Director General of China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation. The workshop will take various forms like lecturing, experience introduction, case study, field trip and participatory discussions.
　　The workshop shall be participated by 19 poverty reduction officers from 12 African countries including Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Liberia, Mauritius, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.