A group of Ugandan public officials arrived in Korea on March 24 to
study Korea's city and provincial government administration systems. A
total of 15 Ugandan officials will take part in a three-week training
program, the "Capacity Building Program on Local Administration
(Uganda)," offered by the
Local Government Officials Development Institute (LOGODI), an affiliate of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security.
According to the LOGODI, on the request of the Ugandan government, the
participants are scheduled to visit a number of organizations and take
part in lectures to learn about Korean provincial and city government's
autonomous administration and financial systems, the development of the
Saemaul Undong,
or New Community Movement, a rural development program, and the
strategies that brought about development in the farming industry.
The
Ugandan public officials are scheduled to learn about Korea's
provincial and city government administration systems over their
three-week stay. (photo courtesy of KOICA)
This year's program includes two special discussion sessions, each
concerning local autonomy and local financial management, two topics of
interest to the visiting officials. The sessions will be attended by
experts, professors and government officials, and all participants are
expected to exchange information and have in-depth discussions.
The Ugandan officials have shown a keen interest in the Local Food
Cooperative Union in Wando County in Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla
Province), a program which has contributed to the growth of the rural
economy. The agricultural cooperative was created by the joint
investment of nearly 1,000 farmers and investors. All agricultural
commodities produced by the farmers go through a real-name and
certification system at the farmer's market, a way to promote
transparent and fair trades. A range of people can profit from the
system. Consumers are able to get safe and secure food while growers can
benefit from the value of their commodities being priced fairly and
enjoy a simplified distribution system. The Ugandan group will visit the
cooperative in Wando to get a glimpse of the whole market process,
including trades that occur online.
Over the course of their stay, they are also set to make a stop at
Gamcheon Village in Busan.
The area, often dubbed the "Santorini of Korea," is known for its
regional efforts at urban restoration. In addition, the group will visit
Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang Province), to learn about
the development of the
Saemaul Undong.
David Naluwairo, head of the delegation, said that he had a lot of
questions about Korea's development. "Korea and Uganda have a similar
background of wars and poverty. However, despite the fact that Uganda
had more natural resources, Korea's rate of development is far ahead of
Uganda's. That made me wonder why, and so I came here to share Korea's
experience and secrets behind economic development," continued
Naluwairo. "These types of programs would also help strengthen the
partnership between the two countries," he added.
More information about the training program can be obtained at the
website of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
(www.koica.go.kr)
Ugandan officials take part in a welcoming ceremony on March 24.
Ugandan officials are currently in Korea to learn about Korea's provincial and city government administration systems.
(All photos courtesy of KOICA)
By Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writer
slee27@korea.kr
[Source : korea.net]