Monday, September 18 was a day full of meetings and activities. My brain felt like it was on information overload. This post will complete my summary of Day 1 meetings.
Dr. Damiran Tsedev is the dean of the School of Public Affairs and Mangement at the National Academy of Governance. Last April, he visited Lexington, Kentucky and met with Dr. Kim and others at the UK Martin School International Public Policy and Management Institute. Dr. Kim is the director of the Martin School's IPPMI and administers the US State Department parntership. Learn more about the IPPMI here: http://www.martin.uky.edu/IPPMI/index.html
Dr. Tsedev is one of the most forthright people that I've ever encountered. He doesn't speak in techno-bable, and I like that! In summary, he identified the challenges to civic engagement and local development to two causes: distance and lack of infrastructure. Mongolia is a vast country. Traveling anywhere outside of Ulaanbaatar is challenging. The dilemma for policy makers and political leaders in Mongolia is the fact that the population is small comparatively speaking to other nations. It's the most sparsely populated independent country on the planet. Everyone knows everyone it seems.
So, when policies are made that impact various segments of the population - whether its the mining sector, the nomadic tribes, local government or the capital district - leaders must FACE people they know and answer for their decision. This leads to inaction many times.
In the 1990's, Mongolia made the choice for democracy and free markets. A lot of excitement and enthusiasm was generated and all of the citizens were engaged and informed in the decisions being made. Then, the reality of "self-made" responsibility set in. Greed and selfish motives took over, and it was every man for himself, so to speak. Now, people are disillusioned and frustrated. People are trying to place "blame" wherever they can.
Dr. Tsedev listed all of the choices that could be made. There is no going back. Socialism didn't work. I asked which solution will Mongolia choose? He said "all of them." The country must experiement and adapt. Pragmatism will prevail though it may take time to discover exactly what that means.
We discussed Mongolia's "third neighbor" strategy. Mongolia's two big neighbors are Russia and China. These countries have, at various times, dominated decision-making in Mongolia. With the advent of democracy and capitalism, the leadership of the nation have embarked on finding other neighbors. The 3rd neighbor cannot be a nation or political system that has failed. Thus, the United States, Great Britain, Australia, South Korea and others have become Mongolia's virtual "3rd neighbor." Mongolia is seeking balance in its relationships and establishing international partnerships that are mutually beneficial. This may be the most pragmatic approach of all. Dr. Tsedev is incredibly talented and smart. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with him. Oh yes, he asked me my intentions and what I was seeking. I gave as honest an answer as I could. I want to be friends, listen and learn as much as I can about Mongolia and provide any insights from our experiences at KLC that might prove helpful.
Dr. Damiran Tsedev is the dean of the School of Public Affairs and Mangement at the National Academy of Governance. Last April, he visited Lexington, Kentucky and met with Dr. Kim and others at the UK Martin School International Public Policy and Management Institute. Dr. Kim is the director of the Martin School's IPPMI and administers the US State Department parntership. Learn more about the IPPMI here: http://www.martin.uky.edu/IPPMI/index.html
Dr. Tsedev is one of the most forthright people that I've ever encountered. He doesn't speak in techno-bable, and I like that! In summary, he identified the challenges to civic engagement and local development to two causes: distance and lack of infrastructure. Mongolia is a vast country. Traveling anywhere outside of Ulaanbaatar is challenging. The dilemma for policy makers and political leaders in Mongolia is the fact that the population is small comparatively speaking to other nations. It's the most sparsely populated independent country on the planet. Everyone knows everyone it seems.
So, when policies are made that impact various segments of the population - whether its the mining sector, the nomadic tribes, local government or the capital district - leaders must FACE people they know and answer for their decision. This leads to inaction many times.
In the 1990's, Mongolia made the choice for democracy and free markets. A lot of excitement and enthusiasm was generated and all of the citizens were engaged and informed in the decisions being made. Then, the reality of "self-made" responsibility set in. Greed and selfish motives took over, and it was every man for himself, so to speak. Now, people are disillusioned and frustrated. People are trying to place "blame" wherever they can.
Dr. Tsedev listed all of the choices that could be made. There is no going back. Socialism didn't work. I asked which solution will Mongolia choose? He said "all of them." The country must experiement and adapt. Pragmatism will prevail though it may take time to discover exactly what that means.
We discussed Mongolia's "third neighbor" strategy. Mongolia's two big neighbors are Russia and China. These countries have, at various times, dominated decision-making in Mongolia. With the advent of democracy and capitalism, the leadership of the nation have embarked on finding other neighbors. The 3rd neighbor cannot be a nation or political system that has failed. Thus, the United States, Great Britain, Australia, South Korea and others have become Mongolia's virtual "3rd neighbor." Mongolia is seeking balance in its relationships and establishing international partnerships that are mutually beneficial. This may be the most pragmatic approach of all. Dr. Tsedev is incredibly talented and smart. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with him. Oh yes, he asked me my intentions and what I was seeking. I gave as honest an answer as I could. I want to be friends, listen and learn as much as I can about Mongolia and provide any insights from our experiences at KLC that might prove helpful.
Dr. Tsedev Damiran
My last meeting of the day was with Dr. Perenlei Dorjsuren, Dean of the National Academy of Governance. I enjoyed learning the history of the National Academy. The academy offers a Masters of Public Administration and a Masters of Business Administration. It also offers a post-graduate certificate program in public management. Its graduates work primarily in the public administration sector. These programs were offered in separate agencies during the Communist era. They have been merged in the National Academy and now serve the Great State Hural (Parliament).
The academy's programs were expanded to subscriber training for the government sector and the elderly in the 1990's. In the early 21st century, the academy adapted its mission again to include post-graduate training and distance learning.
I noted that the academy has been very adept at morphing its mission to serve the educational needs of the public sector over the years and asked what it next? Dr. Dorjsuren responded that the changes that are coming with the election of a new president and ruling party, the academy will have to adjust once again. Nothing is certain, but he anticipates that the academy will no longer be an extension of government, specifically the Parliament. It may very well become an independent academy. It's main role will be educating students pursuing a Masters in Public Administration. That has always been its primary mission. The MBA and other programs may be moved and distributed to other organizations and agencies.
One thing is certain. I have learned that dramatic change is coming to Mongolia over the next four years. I heard the same theme over and over during my discussions. It will be interesting to see the impact and long-term effects of these changes in the years to come.
Dr. Perenlei Dorjsuren
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