The 7^th China International Civil Servants Capacity Building Programme Held in Chongqing

      On July 17, theOpening Ceremony of the 7^th China International Civil Servants Capacity Building Programme was held in Chongqing. Sponsored by UNA-China and the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) and hosted by Sichuan International Studies University, this programme aims to train high-quality international civil servants reserve talents and make Chinese contribution to the development of the UN and other international organizations.

     In the context of globalization, the UN plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, promoting sustainable development and improving global governance. China, as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, the largest developing country, the world’s second largest economy, has become increasingly more influential in the UN and other international organizations. According to the 2016 statistics, China has about 1600 international civil servants in the UN and its specialized agencies and other intergovernmental international organizations, which shows a serious deficiency in both quantity and representation. This is not commensurate with China’s international status. 

     With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MOHRSS, UNA-China and the Department of International Cooperation of MOHRSS have held the China International Civil Servants Capacity Building Programme six times, successively in Renmin University of China, Fudan University, Beijing Language and Culture University,Shanghai International Studies University, Zhejiang University and China Women’s University, and achieved good results.

      Mr. Lu Shumin, President of UNA-China, expressed in his opening remark that China is currently in urgent need of top-notch innovative talents, talents in international organizations, non-common language talents, outstanding foreign youthtalents and talents in country and region studies. President Lu stressed that international civil servants reserve talents must be all-round developed. They should know both China and the world well, understand China’s national conditions, multilateral diplomacy and participation in the UN affairs, while keeping a watchful eye on global situation and issues, expanding international perspective and being acquainted with international rules.

      The opening ceremony was chaired by Vice-President Ms. Zhang Dan of UNA-China.Remarks at the ceremony were given by Mr. Li Keyong, President of Sichuan International Studies University, Mr. Ma Hezu, Deputy-Director of the Department of International Cooperation of MOHRSS, and Mr. Xie Bohua, Ambassador of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Mr. Ma Yongchao, Deputy-Director of the Department of Personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the ceremony.

    The programme will last for ten days with more than 10lectures including “China, UN and Multilateral Diplomacy”, “UN Membership Fee Issue”, “China’s Foreign Aid Projects”, “Development System at the UN”, and leaderless group discussion in Chinese and English.Arecord-high number of 226 trainees attend the programme this year.