PURPOSE
In the past two decades, globalization and decentralization movement has created tremendous opportunities as well as new challenges to counties around the world. People are struggling to find better ways to build up capacity for sustainable economic development. Policy makers design institutional frameworks to promote economic development, yet the implementation rarely lives up to expectations. Local government officials attempt to improve the economic development environment, but are often constrained by inadequate resources. Small business owners seek to survive the fierce competition in the market, but find themselves thwarted by lack of access to information, financial and technical assistance.
With these issues in mind, the Institute for Planning and Development Practitioners for the year 2003 will be devoted to the theme of Innovations in Capacity Building for Local Economic Development. The two-week course will be held July 21 through August 1st, 2003 at the USC campus in Los Angeles. As with our earlier Institutes, the purpose is to provide a forum for planning and development practitioners to share experience and learn about new ideas under the guidance of prominent experts in the field. The aim is to enhance the knowledge and skills of participants and enable them to return home equipped with renewed enthusiasm and fresh ideas for planning and managing local development.
PARTICIPANTS
The Institute is designed primarily for senior officials and elected representatives from central and local governments, program officers and project managers from development agencies and consulting firms around the world, technical assistance personnel from NGOs, and community leaders engaged in local development initiatives. Participants should have a university degree, at least five years of professional experience and be sponsored by their employer or other appropriate organizations.
INPUTS AND OUTPUTS
The Institute has two main components: a series of inputs provided by recognized experts, and a series of outputs produced by participants. Inputs include lectures to introduce key themes, and case studies from around the world illustrating innovative approaches to managing and financing local development. In addition, participants will visit local organizations in the Los Angeles area and spend two days meeting with government officials and community leaders in Tijuana, Mexico. Outputs include participant presentations, group consultations, and short memoranda summarizing new ideas and initiatives which each participant plans to pursue on returning home.
HOST INSTITUTION
The Practitioners Institute is organized by the School of Policy, Planning and Development (SPPD) at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles under the direction of Dean Dan Mazmanian. The Directors of the Institute are Dr. Hugh Evans, and Dr. Koichi Mera. Both SPPD and USC are strongly committed to strengthening links between the School and the University and the international community. USC has one of the largest bodies of international students in the United States, and SPPD faculty includes people with extensive international experience in less developed countries. USC is located in the heart of the city of Los Angeles. Perhaps more than any other city in the United States, the metropolitan area of Los Angeles exhibits greater similarities to the growth patterns observed in major cities in the developing world, and faces serious challenges in adapting to changing global trends and accommodating large numbers of immigrants from countries around the world. Yet, there are to be found here many innovative approaches to local development that are of interest to visitors from abroad.
PROVISIONAL PROGRAM FOR 2003 INSTITUTE*
1. The Global Environment for Local Economic Development by Professor Tridib Banerjee, USC
Global trends in trade and production, shifts in the location of manufacturing and services, opportunities for less developed countries
2. Creating Conditions for Business Activity: National Considerations by Professor Koichi Mera, USC
Basic conditions for the conduct of business, a legal framework, dependable justice, banking institutions, currency convertibility, labor laws, political stability, transparency on government
3. Determining Local Comparative Advantages by Alec Hansen (TBC)
International and inter-regional competition in manufacturing and services, assessing local strengths and opportunities, identifying clusters, enhancing competitiveness, mobilizing local actors
4. Attracting Foreign Investment by Professor Koichi Mera, USC
What international companies look for, what central and local govern-ment can offer, tariff exemptions and bonded zones, access to capital, other supporting instruments
5. Local Government Initiatives for Economic Development by Professor Randall Crane, UCLA
Responsibilities of central and local government, typical policies programs and instruments, what works and what doesn’t work, challenges for local government, new directions
6. Creating Partnerships between Business and Government by Professor Hugh Evans, USC
The role and responsibilities of government, the private sector and other stakeholders in promoting local economic development, participation and empowerment, models for public-private partnerships
7. Support for Small Businesses by Richard Huntington (TBC)
Characteristics of small and medium enterprises, constraints and opportunities, access to information and markets, credit, technical assistance, organization, links to larger enterprises
8. Local Government Services for Business Development by Professor Hugh Evans, USC
Their role and functions in supporting local business, models and precedents, requirements for successful operation, responsibilities of local government and the private sector
9. Site Visit to Tijuana, Mexico
Visits to export-oriented manufacturing plants for reviewing the impact of NAFTA and visits to community development projects in Tijuana
10. Site Visit to Successful Cases of Development in the Los Angeles Area
11. Incentives Provided by Local Governments in California
12. U. S. Import Demands for Products from Developing Countries
* The program is confirmed in March 2003. However, the program may be changed or cancelled by the judgment of the organizer.
FEE AND EXPENSES
Fees for the two-week Institute are $4,500 per participant, which includes the cost of the trip to Tijuana, Mexico. Meals and accommodation in the Los Angeles area cost in the range of $100 - $150 per day. Participants have the choice of double occupancy or single occupancy in Radisson Hotel or Vagabond Inn Midtown Los Angeles near USC (in walking distance).
The applicants are requested to make a reservation directly to one of the hotels.
The contact information is as following:
Radisson Hotel Midtown Los Angeles: single occupancy rate for USC affiliated person is $120+14% tax per room, and double occupancy is $130+14% Tax per room.
Vagabond Inn: single occupancy rate for USC is $69+14% tax and double occupancy is $75+14% tax.
All accommodation should be paid by participants. Due to limited special rate rooms available, we strongly recommend you to reserve rooms as soon as possible.
* Special Discount Available until May 30, 2003
The course fees for a participant who sends in their application and payment in full before May 30, 2003 are only $ 4,000. To claim this discount, we must receive your application and payment on or before the close of business on Friday, May 30, 2003. Thereafter, fees revert to the regular price of $ 4,500.
* Payment Method
Check or Money Order
Please make payable to:
Practitioners Institute 2003, University of Southern California
Mail to
Lili Wang, Practitioners Institute 2003
Von KleinSmid Center 376
School of Policy, Planning and Development
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0626, USA
Wire transaction
All wire transfers sent to the following
ABR RT#: 121000358
Bank Name: Bank of America, Attn: Los Angeles Main Branch
Account Number to credit: 14593-18994
Name: USC Wire Account
Reference: (Student's Name)
Practitioners Institute, Jean Nguyen (213)740-7102, SPPD
REQUIREMENTS
To join the two-day field trip to Tijuana, Mexico, participants should obtain a multiple entry US visa. Participants are also invited to make a presentation on policies, programs, or projects with which they are involved. For this purpose, participants should bring with them suitable reports and documents.
Click here for Application
