kunming log

Progress Report: 1

On Friday, June 8, 2007, this researcher met with a representative of the Gender Mainstreaming Exploration on Rural Development Policies in Western China (GME), whose main offices are physically located at Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.

With a goal of gender equality in rural development, GME’s proposed programs, ranging from village development to animal husbandry and the tracking of patterns of rural labor migration, has received funding approval from the Ford Foundation. Currently, CME is concentrating on authoring its budget and top-level policies, all of which this researcher has extensive experience.

Unfortunately, this researcher will not be able to participate in these sensitive negotiations due to her foreigner status, which is understandable. GME’s director offered her regrets that this researcher was not available two to three months earlier when GME was still in its initial planning stages.

As an alternative, GME’s director suggested that this researcher consider seeking permission to visit the Center for Rural Development Studies’ Yunnan Ethnic Minority Research and Well-Off Society Demonstration Base, specifically the Lisu Research Base.

Located in the Nujiang gorge, some 1,000 km from Kunming, the Lisu Research Base provides an “interactive base” for the study of, amongst other things, ecological environmental construction, socio-economic development, and the protection of “national tradition.”

In light the Lisu Research Base’s distance from Kunming, and inaccessibility via airport, this researcher has been advised to seek the counsel of Professors Liu Zhi and Zhao Bole for possible alternatives. Currently, both professors are trying to find an assignment within closer geographic proximity to Kunming, or whose location is more easily accessible, and suited for a shorter duration field stay.

As a second alternative, this researcher suggested visiting local factories and centers of economic development. As part of preliminary research, this researcher visited the 15th Annual Kunming Export/Import Fair. Her initial impression, based on the types of industries represented, was that Yunnan does not possess much heavy manufacturing and is instead engaged primarily in light industries, agricultural trade, and commodities extraction. Additionally, she is now aware of the Xishuangbanna Gn Jinghong Industrial Zone Development.

If acceptable, this researcher would enjoy exploring this topic further. In the meantime, this researcher has continued to speak to individuals, read articles, and gather data, awaiting information about whom she will visit next for possible assignment. Most recently, this researcher has discovered and reached out to a University of Colorado-trained economist teaching trade theory and policy at Yunnan University, whom she hopes to discuss the economic development of the region.

This document will be appropriately updated when further information becomes available.

posted by Aki @ 1:47 AM