The Institute for Comparative Studies in Local Governance at GRIPS has conducted a 19-day training program titled as the Thai Senior Executive Development Program (SEDP) from July 8- July 26, 2007 in answer to the request of the Office of the Civil Service Committee in Thailand. In this, the SEDP’s third consecutive year, GRIPS welcomed four Provincial Governors and seven Provincial Vice Governors of Thailand as participants.

During the program, the participants attended lectures given by SEDP Program Director Professor Yokomichi, as well as lectures given by faculty members including Vice President Shiraishi; Professors Ikawa, Horie, Okita, and Takada; Associate Professor Honda; and academics from other institutions. Along with the lectures at GRIPS, lectures given by incumbent government officials and policy makers 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, the National Governors Association, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for exchange of ideas.

The participants took a field trip to Nara, Kyoto, and Hiroshima as well as the Fukuoka Prefectural Office and the Kita Kyushu City Hall in order to be briefed on local government administration reform, tourism, and investment policies.

After the field trip, the participants completed their training program by presenting a group action plan.

Lecture

Welcome Reception

Nara

Kyoto

Hiroshima

Courtesy call to the Gov. of Fukuoka

Kita Kyushu City Visit to Nissan Motor Factory

Courtesy call to the Mayor of Kita Kyushu　　　　　

National Diet

Completion Ceremony