Course Description
The course was jointly developed by the World Bank, China State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) and the International Association for Impact Assessment ( IAIA) in collaboration with other local and international institutes. The DL course is a response to the requests from China for strategic environmental assessment training in China. It was designed to assist China in implementing its EIA Law effective on Sept 1, 2003. Part of the course materials, however, are generic and can be used in other countries.

Course Objectives
The objectives of the course are to raise decision makers' awareness about SEA and its importance, to enhance the knowledge and skills of practitioners for SEA preparation, to introduce latest international and domestic SEA experiences and good practices, and, through the course, to foster partnerships with and strengthen the capacity of relevant government agencies and training institutes in SEA training.

Target Audience
The audience of the course will be government officials responsible for making and implementing policies, plans and programs at the local, regional and national level and professionals involved in SEA process. Trainers and representatives of academic, research, and other civil society groups are welcome as well.

Course Delivery
The course can be delivered in a flexible and combined way of face-to-face lecture, interactive video conferencing, video watching, and in-class group discussion and exercises. It could be tailored to meet the special need of a particular group of audience. The producers of the course encourage other organizations to use the course materials and deliver the course jointly or on their own.