Township officials and faculty of Yunnan University in China participated in a one week course on “Social Capital for Sustainable Development” conducted by IIRR in September 2003, at Center for Governance and Development Studies, Yunnan University, Kunming City-China. The course aimed to (a) enhance the conceptual understanding of the faculty members and township officials on community assets, particularly on social capital; (b) enrich the research methods of faculty members in studying social capital; and (c) formulate an action plan for township officials to build capital assets.

There are five capital assets vital for local communities and economies: natural, human, physical, financial and social capital, and these are pillars of asset building approach for sustainable development. Over the last decade, the concept of social capital has gained currency in the design and formulation of development programs since it has been proven a resource with multiple functions. It is hailed as the “missing link” in development, as a complement and catalyst of the other, better known capitals. Among the five assets, social capital is the most elusive and least understood. This is why Yunnan University organized the training.

IIRR hopes to conduct more training courses on asset development and social capital.