GRIPS has conducted a 19-day “Thai Senior Executive Development Program (SEDP)” from July 7褒uly 25, 2007 in response to the request by the Office of the Civil Service Committee(OCSC) in Thailand. In this fourth year of the program, GRIPS welcomed one Provincial Governor and three Provincial Vice Governors of Thailand as participants.

During the program, coordinated by SEDP Program Director Professor Yokomichi, the participants attended lectures given by faculty members including Vice President Shiraishi; Professors Ikawa, Horie and Okita; Associate Professor Honda; and academics from other institutions, as well as lectures given by incumbent government officials and policy makers, which allowed the participants to deepen their knowledge on Japan’s experience in the areas of local governance, local autonomy, administration reform, and regional development. The participants also visited the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the National Governors Association (NGA), and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for exchange of ideas.

The participants took a field trip to Nara, Kyoto, and Toyako (the place where G8 Summit 2008 was held) in Hokkaido. They also visited the Local Government Offices of Hokkaido and Aomori, as well as Sapporo City, Hakodate City, Goshogawara City, Shiraoi Town and Itayanagi Town to be briefed on local government administration reform, tourism and agricultural policies. Questions were raised actively by the participants throughout the program, showing the depth of their interest as well as their enthusiasm to learn from Japan’s system and experience.

After the field trip, to conclude the program each of the participants presented an Action Plan on what they will promote upon their return to their respective prefectures, reflecting what they have learnt and the inspirations gained through this training program.

Lectures

Welcome Reception

Nara

Kyoto

Hokkaido Prefectural Office (Courtesy Call to Vice Governor)

Sapporo City Office (Courtesy Call to Vice Mayor)

Dual Mode Vehicle Test ride

Hakodate City Office (Courtesy Call to Vice Mayor)

Aomori Prefectural Office (Courtesy Call to Vice Governor)

Safety Learning Center (Fire Extinguishing Simulation)

The National Diet

Completion Ceremony