Mr. Reegård gave a comparative analysis of the Nordic and American models of economy and societal relations, illustrating how the Nordic welfare states combine high productivity, equitable distribution of wealth, comprenhensive social security systems and a well organised labour market.
The seminar was held in Haikou, Hainan, and jointly organised by the think tank China Institute for Reform and Development (CIRD) and the GTZ - the German international development organisation. Against the backdrop of the international financial crisis, the seminar addressed a broad range of topical questions related to social, political and economic reform of China. The seminar discussed, inter alia, how China best could boost domestic consumption, reduce the gap between rural and urban areas and implement an improved social security system. The seminar also discussed macro economic challenges, taxation, governance and political reforms. The seminar was attended by 450 senior academics and policy makers from China and 11 other countries.
The seminar forms part of the CIRD seminar series called International Forum of China Reform.
CIRD and the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR) will host a seminar December 6 to 7 in the same series, focusing on the equalization of basic public services between rural and urban areas.