(Originally published on 11/13/2014)

Mr. Alain Noudehou, United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative in China, gave a seminar talk at Tsinghua University on 13 November 2014. The theme of the seminar is on addressing inequality and promoting sustainable development in China. 

Speaking to over 30 postgraduate students from around the globe, Mr. Noudehou discussed the inequality situation in China and across the world, where data shows that inequality has reached worrying levels in many areas. He pointed out that it is imperative that government addresses this challenge as increasing evidence suggests that inequality hurt economic growth. In view of the urgency to address inequality, Mr. Noudehou presented a policy framework proposed by UNDP for tackling inequality, which focuses on moderating income inequality; closing gaps in health, nutrition, and education; and addressing social exclusion.

After his talk, Mr. Noudehou had an interactive discussion with the audience and answered their wide array of questions. Together with the students, he delved further into the topic of inequality, discussing governments’ role in addressing inequality and the factors that help to promote inclusive growth, among others. Students also showed great interest in knowing how UNDP and other UN agencies support government in tackling inequality, in particular how to incentivize government to adopt the aforementioned framework and to facilitate knowledge exchange to ensure its effective adoption. In answering questions from students, Mr. Noudehou also spent time sharing his thoughts on addressing development challenges in China and other countries. 

Toward the end of the seminar, Mr. Noudehou, a Tsinghua graduate, recalled the time when he was pursuing a bachelor degree in architecture at the university 28 years ago. He reflected on how his interest in utilization of scarce resources and policies that ensure everyone has access to resources prompted him to pursue a postgraduate degree in public policy, which eventually led to his UN career. He commended the diverse mix of students in Tsinghua programmes – where some came directly from undergraduate programmes, but also many with work experiences at governments or private sector. He encouraged students to take advantage of this good opportunity to exchange different perspectives and knowledge that can be applied in their future work.