Peer to Peer

“City Development and Emergency Management: Practices from Chengdu” with Humphrey Fellow Dr. Gang Sheng An ancient Chinese proverb says that “Peacefulness and Harmony are most precious, and people and their needs are most prioritized.” According to our Peer to Peer speaker, it represents the heart of China’s philosophy about who they are and what they do. In response to a massive earthquake in 2008, Chengdu, a city of 16 million western China, fulfilled this ancient yet modern philosophy in its public service as well as emergency management. Within hours of the devastating earthquake, Sheng, as Executive Officer for the Vice Mayor in Chengdu Municipal Government, accompanied the Vice Mayor to the crisis area to assist in the rescue efforts. They remained there for three weeks, working in difficult conditions. Sheng will discuss the emergency management in Chengdu, addressing the following questions: • How did Chengdu face the most severe emergency situation ever? • How did Chengdu emergency management respond when the 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck? • How was the people-oriented philosophy put into practice in the process of post-quake reconstruction? • Why have Chengdu residents still maintained the highest happiness index? Dr. Gang Sheng is a current Humphrey Fellow, emphasizing studies in policy analysis and public administration. His participation in Chengdu’s reconstruction after the earthquake of 2008 stems from his interest in sustainable development and city planning, as it relates to China’s emerging markets and limited resources per capita. Sheng is the Executive Officer for the Vice Mayor in Chengdu Municipal Government where he assists in the oversight of the city’s Science and Technology Bureau, Economic Commission and Bureau of Safety Inspection and Production. When: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Where: 204 Maxwell Hall Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Peer to peer is a series for Executive Masters in Public Administration students to share issues, problems or successes with their fellow students. Each student guest speaker will speak for about 20-30 minutes and then we will have a 20-30 minute discussion time. This event is open to all students. Lunch will be provided at the start of the event. Please RSVP to Kristina Donzella, kedonzel@maxwell.syr.edu by Monday, February 20th.