Discovering London: creativity, change and social innovation in a world city

8-12 December 2008

Delegation of Chinese officials from Beijing Municipal Government in London

A visit of 28 senior officials from Beijing Municipal Government has been organised by the Young Foundation in collaboration with the Cheung Kong Design Research Center, Beijing and Hong Kong and Oxford University. The officials will be in the UK for one month attending a residential programme in Social Innovation which is taking place at, and has been designed by, Oxford University. The visit aims to raise awareness and interest on the subject of social innovation and to create a platform for innovative solutions addressing local problems.

Context
The Young Foundation hosted a week long visit to London, which provided a context to the training and has great potential for future learning exchanges between the China and the UK. December 2008 marks the thirtieth anniversary of China's official Opening Up and Reform Process and the beginning of a period of self evaluation, future planning, relationship strengthening and learning for China and the outside world - this trip, therefore, was timely.

Focus
The London visit  fostered a greater understanding of issues facing our capital city, and some of the innovative programmes and institutions which are being used to address them. The visit provided an opportunity for engagement with leading public and social sector individuals and organisations.

Areas covered included urban design and future cities design, regeneration, arts, environment, health, education, social innovation methods and tools including web 2.0. Organisations which hosted or participated in workshops and meetings included: thinkpublic, the Design Council, the Shoreditch Trust, Bromley By Bow Centre, Tate Modern, Greenwich Council and Newham Council.