Representative of the Regional Administration in ArushaManageing Director and staff of Swedesurvey, Mr Sture PetterssonDistinguished participants in the Seminar,Ladies and Gentlemen
Good Morning and on behalf of Sida a warm welcome to this Follow-up Seminar for participants in "Strategic Planning and Management of Land Administration and Geographical Information Organisations".
When Mr Sture Pettersson the MD of Swedesurvey asked me a couple of months ago if I could come here today and participate in the opening of this Follow-up Seminar, I accepted with pleasure and without hesitation. So I am very pleased to be here in Arusha this morning meeting the participants, the organizer and the resource persons.
There are in fact several reasons why I find it particularly interesting to be here today:
¤ I am a great fan of this Swedish International Training Programme. Over the years I have been in close contact with this particular International Training Programme of Sida. I have promoted the training programmes and assisted in making arrangements so more participants could come from the country, where I was previously based. But I have never until today have had the opportunity to actually see a programme and meet participants. ¤ During the early 80ies I worked in the Swedish Commission for Technical Cooperation, where the concept of International Training Programmes was developed. The ITP was later (1995) taken over by Sida.¤ The fact that the training course is held in Tanzania, where I have the privilege of being a Swedish Ambassador since 8 months back¤ When a good friend like Sture Pettersson makes a request I cannot refuse, ¤ It gave me a good excuse to come to Arusha for a day
The motives behind the development of this International Training Programme were to set up high quality training in important areas where Sweden possesses considerable competence and resources. It is considered an important tool for competence development in areas relevant for Swedish Development Cooperation. I am pleased to note that Sweden traditionally has considerable competence in the areas covered by the Training Programme you are participating in.
Let me conclude by wishing all participants and organisers a very successful seminar.
I now have the honnour to declare this follow-up seminar officially opened.
Thank you