China

 

ADF opened its office in Beijing, China in March 2007. ADF’s resident country director is Mr. Thomas Bork, who has over ten years experience working in China with numerous educational and governmental organizations. In cooperation with universities and other prominent institutions in China, ADF is developing civil society, civic education, local governance and economic development programs in China as well as the organization of special study tours to promote better understanding and relationships between the U.S. and China.

 

 

ADF is promoting the growth and development of Chinese civil society organizations to more effectively organize themselves in support of social and economic development interests. ADF provides training and technical assistance to strengthen Chinese civil society organizational capacities in such areas as the following: strategic planning; organizational development; internal governance, membership and public constituencies development, program design, monitoring and evaluation; financial management; and resources development including proposal writing and fund raising.

 

Working in both formal and informal educational settings, ADF provides training, technical assistance, and other resources to increase understanding of democratic values and processes, including citizen rights and responsibilities. In addition to providing training and technical assistance to organizations to develop informal civic education programs, ADF is cooperating with Chinese educational institutions such as the China Educational Association for Secondary Education and the China Association for Promoting Democracy to develop improved curriculum and materials in civic education and the training of master teachers in this field for formal secondary school educational systems.

 

ADF provides assistance to improve linkages between local government and citizens to promote local governance, transparency and accountability and local economic development. ADF is cooperating with the Beijing Administrative College to strengthen local governance through a combination of specialized academic studies, training workshops, and on the job training. ADF offers training and technical assistance to local government organizations, civil society organizations and academic institutions in these areas. Also, ADF provides services to local governments and communities to facilitate the development of local economic development strategies and plans to bolster increased investment, trade and development.

 

In cooperation with prominent Chinese universities such and other institutions such as Beijing University’s Financial and Industrial Development Institute, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship With Foreign Countries and others, ADF is organizing special study tours between China and U.S. for American and Chinese scholars, policy makers, business and NGO leaders to meet with their counterparts, and increase understanding and relationships for increased cooperation.