International Studies Program Update
Volume 2, Number 3 (November 2002)

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Indonesian Masters Program in Applied Economics
Throughout 2002, the Andrew Young School has continued its active involvement in fiscal decentralization reform and regional capacity building in Indonesia. Most significantly, the Andrew Young School's Indonesian Masters Program in Applied Economics graduated the Class of 2002 and welcomed 20 Indonesian university lecturers and civil servants as the Class of 2003. In addition, Professor James Alm spent two weeks at the Department of Economics and Development Studies at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. While there, he gave a series of lectures, on fiscal decentralization in Indonesia, on tax evasion in developing countries, and on the effects of globalization on tax policy.

Development of a System of Formula-Based Grants in Tanzania
Continuing its support of fiscal policy reforms across Africa, the International Studies Program was awarded a contract to undertake a study for the Local Government Reform Program (President's Office - Regional Administration and Local Government) in Tanzania to analyze the current system of intergovernmental fiscal transfers and to develop a formula-based mechanism for grants to local government autohorities in Tanzania. The study is funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DANIDA).

Fiscal Policy Summer Training Courses
The Andrew Young School's Fiscal Policy Summer Training Courses for 2002 were among the most exciting and well-attended since the inception of the summer training program in 1997. The training courses, which are led by a panel of distinguished Andrew Young School faculty and leading policy experts are designed for government officials and policy makers from developing and transition countries as well as their counterparts with international donor agencies.

Three courses will be offered as part of the Fiscal Policy Summer Training Program for 2003, notably: Tax Policy, Fiscal Analysis and Revenue Forecasting (June 30 - 11, 2003); Fiscal Decentralization and Local Governance (July 14 - August 1, 2003); and Public Budgeting and Fiscal Management (August 4-15, 2003).While the courses cover related topics, they are taught independently from each other; participants may choose to enroll in either one or more courses. Training will take place on the campus of Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. The application deadline for the program is June 15, 2003.

Intergovernmental Fiscal Reform in Russia
The International Studies Program continues its involvement in the Russian Federation through the World-Bank funded project Development of federal and regional legislation on interbudgetary relations and sub-federal finances. Through the project, the Andrew Young School's is currently assisting the Department of Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations at the Ministry of Finance by preparing numerous background studies on issues of regional-local fiscal relations.

AYSPS Continues to Serve as a Center for Visiting Scholars
The International Studies Program is hosting a number of international scholars and policy makers for short- or long-term exchanges through a variety of fellowship and exchange programs. In addition, the ISP has recently applied for the Andrew Young School to become a host institution for the global Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program.

ISP receives recognition from GSU International Affairs
In November, GSU's Office of International Affairs recognized the contributions made by the International Studies Program at the Andrew Young School towards the University's global vision. The International Excellence Awards Ceremony marked the university's first annual event to recognize individuals from within the GSU community who have made notable contributions to international education over the past year.

International Consultancies
In addition to the ISP's major technical assistance projects and training programs, Andrew Young School faculty served as policy advisors and consultants on a number of studies. During 2002, ISP Director Jorge Martinez-Vazquez traveled to China, El Salvador, Ukraine and Vietnam. AYSPS Dean Roy Bahl's international activities during the year included stops in India and Sudan. Professor Jamie Boex served as a consultant on projects in Bangladesh and Nepal.

Also, ISP Graduate Research Assistant Pablo Saavedra served as a Visiting Researcher for the Corporation of Andean Development (CAF) in Venezuela during Summer 2002. Dr. Wasseem Mina, a Visiting Professor and Senior Associate of the International Studies Program, was selected as a finalist by the Global Development Network for a Medal in the category of Financial Markets. As part of this selection, he will be participating in the Fourth Annual Global Development Conference in Cairo, January 2003.

New Working Papers
The International Studies Program Working Paper Series has added a dozen new working papers since the last ISP Update on a wide variety of internationally relevant policy issues.

More Information
For more information on the International Studies Program or its activities, please visit our website at http://isp-aysps.gsu.edu or contact Mr. Paul Benson at paulbenson@gsu.edu.

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