Narrative
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Project narrative
On February 2, 2023 the Chinese Embassy in Costa Rica announced the China International Development Cooperation Agency's (CIDCA) approval of the “Seminar on the development and innovation of appropriate technology alternatives and renewable energy for the management of drinking water and sanitation systems in Costa Rica” which had been originally proposed/requested by Costa Rica's Institute of Aqueducts and Sewage (AyA) in 2021. Then, on February 9, 2023, the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship was notified that the expenses for the 20 Costa Rican AyA officials attending the seminar would be covered by CIDCA. The paid expenses included plane tickets, travel expenses, food, and housing— in total, an estimated cost of just over 90 million CRC. The seminar was organized by the Chinese Embassy's Economic and Commercial Office and by PowerChina. It was held in Changsha, the capital of Hunan in Central China, and lasted 11 days, from April 10th to April 24th, 2023. The purpose of the seminar was to expand professional knowledge on alternative/innovative approaches to water sanitation, in order to improve water management systems and related technology within Costa Rica. The seminar, as proposed, was initially set to take place from April 3-17, 2023, but was postponed to the week of April 10th in accordance to the Chinese Embassy's request. The logistics and specific topics within the seminar's itinerary were coordinated with over two months of anticipation. The trip's highlights included an educational visit to Shenzhen province, as well as lectures from professors of the University of Tsinghua.