GRIPS has conducted a 14-day training program titled as the Thai Public Administration and Leadership Training Program (PMLTP) from August 25 till September 7, 2008 in answer to the request of the Office of the Civil Service Committee in Thailand. GRIPS welcomed 21 promising government officials that were selected by the Thai government as participants who are in manager or assistant manager positions, and with a few years of experience after employment.

During the program, the participants attended lectures given by PMLTP Program Director Professor Horie, as well as lectures given by faculty members including Professors Ikawa, Hara, Komatsu, Honda; Visiting Professor Tanaka and academics from other institutions Professors Kazuaki Tanaka and Toshiyuki Masujima. Along with the lectures at GRIPS, lectures given by incumbent government officials and policy makers allowed the participants to deepen their knowledge on the role of government, administration reform (organization reform, privatization, deregulation, policy evaluation, etc), industrial policy, energy policy, antipollution measures, and global environmental issues.

Leadership Workshops were held three times with young executives from the public and private sectors as well as with the students of GRIPS to exchange ideas and build network.

In Tokyo, the participants visited the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, as well as private enterprise (Pasco Corporation) and had a lecture by President Sugimoto. They also went on a field trip to the Kansai region (Nara Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture and Kyoto City) and got briefings on local government administration reform, finance and the tourist industry. In addition, they visited Dainippon Screen MFG Co. Ltd., one of the leading-edge companies in Kyoto.

Lastly, the participants completed their training program with each group presenting their concept papers on the role of government and leadership in the public sector.

Lectures

Welcome Reception

Visit to the Ministry of the Environment

Leadership Workshops

Visit to the National Diet

Nara Prefecture

Kyoto Prefecture

Kyoto City

Visit to Dainippon Screen MFG Co. Ltd (Kyoto)

Visit to Pasco Corporation

Completion Ceremony