News

More than 30 senior officials from China's Ministry of Land and Resources will be in Portland Sept. 10–16, 2006, as part of the China-U.S. Sustainable Land Use Training Program, sponsored in part by Portland State University.

This marks the sixth year of the program that equips participants with an understanding of important land use planning and governance issues, provides practical knowledge and experience related to sustainable development in the Portland region and creates a two-way exchange of ideas between experts to serve as a catalyst for project development and joint ventures. To date, 291 Chinese officials have come to Portland for first-hand observation and training.

“China and the U.S. are confronting similar challenges of urban land use planning and development,” said Marcus Ingle, PSU director for the training program. “This participatory training program allows professionals from both countries to carry on a two-way dialogue about innovative ideas and mutually beneficial land use practices.”

Curriculum for the training program includes comparative information on the legal framework for land use in China and the U.S., sustainable land use principles and practices, and farmland protection in the Willamette Valley. Participants will also learn collaborative governance and community engagement techniques. The program combines the knowledge of the College of Urban and Public Affairs faculty with the practical experience of government and business leaders. During the September visit, China delegation members will tour several area sites including the Columbia River Gorge, Fisher Farms in Gaston, Ore., and sites at the Columbia Slough.

The training program is run through the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government in the College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University, in collaboration with the International Sustainable Development Foundation of Portland. The China Ministry of Land and Resources will send another delegation to Portland October 15–21, 2006. In August 2006, a delegation from the Ministry of Construction visited Portland to learn about urban planning and governance. The China-U.S. China training program expects to train more than 500 high-ranking Chinese officials prior to its scheduled completion in 2010.

Media opportunities include accompanying participants to Fisher Farms on Wednesday, September 13 and the Columbia Slough on Thursday, September 14. Media interested should contact Marcus Ingle at 503-725-8202 or the International Sustainable Development Foundation at 503-279-9383.

For Immediate Release (#06-104)

 
Source:Marcus Ingle (503-725-8202)
Executive Leadership Institute