KDI School of Public Policy and Management, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the Global Leader Program to share Korea''s development experience. The meeting, which took place between March 28 and April 14 at the Millennium Hilton Hotel in Seoul, was designed to enable participants from developing countries to enhance their contributions towards G-20 agendas put forth in Hangzhou, China this year. 

Lee Seung Jo, Associate Dean of the Capacity Building Center at KDI School, explained that the world is currently in a transition period from aiming for Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, specific measures to implement sustainable development were conveyed at the G20 summit. “Now, G20 states and developing economies must cooperate to carry out these measures,” Associate Dean Lee stated. 

The Global Leader Program invited public officials from member countries such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, India, Saudi Arabia and Argentina in addition to participants from non-member countries including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cameroon, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Honduras, Guatemala, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Uganda, and Vietnam. In total, 24 mid-public officials took part in the program.

Using a learning method called ‘Project-Based Learning (PBL)’ that develops problem solving skills, the program focused on three main concerns: finding growth engines through innovation; injecting momentum into the global economy through reform; and offering new socioeconomic projections for the future through development. These three issues, when addressed effectively, are expected to help participants create an innovative, dynamic, interactive, and comprehensive global economy. 

All participants discussed the current G20 issues with David Ross from the Lurner Group. They were given real case studies (projects, scenarios or stories), and offered a chance to discuss solutions together. The program was designed to encourage participants to share and learn from each other’s experiences in achieving global sustainable development. 

More specifically, the event was divided into three sessions. The first sessions, ‘Key topics discussed at the G20 summit’ kicked off with a presentation on ‘G20 and Global Leadership’ by Lee Hye Min, G20 Sherpa and Ambassador for International Economic Affairs along with a briefing session by Qiangwu Zhou, Executive Deputy Director General Asia Pacific Finance and Development Center. 

The participants were able to discuss various issues such as the regional financial safety net, climate change, and green growth to create harmony between our economy and environment. Anti-corruption and infrastructure to increase investment were also included in that discussion. Professor HUR Kyung-wook from KDI School gave a presentation on the issue of ‘Regional Financial Safety Net’. Meanwhile PARK Eun Young, Vice President LCIA Court discussed ‘Global Anti-corruption Policies’. 

Once the items on the G20 summit agenda were covered, the Global Leader Program offered Korea’s development experience. The second session was filled with Korean policies on scientific and technological innovation, policies for development aid, as well as policies on industry and trade. KDI School invited several experts in Korean policies on competition between public and private sectors, policies on human resource development and government reform. By sharing Korea’s developmental experience, the program compared the state of economic and social development across countries. 

The final session, ‘Case study of modularizing knowledge sharing projects’ prominent cases including the e-government system and intelligent traffic information system were shared among the participants. 

In his final remarks, Associate Dean Lee added, “I hope this program serves as a good opportunity for public officials from each country to learn Korea’s successful economic and social development experience and help them find measures that can be implemented in their own countries.”

By Arifeni Fitri Nur (2016 MPP, Indonesia)