Xiaotong, International Development

Coming from China, Xiaotong YANG has graduated in International Development. Xiaotong is Project Assistant at the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

What is your role and main responsibilities? 

After graduating from Sciences Po, I joined Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, as project assistant. For strategic level, I am supposed to ensure the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) standards are well applied in such big event and integrated with BOCOG strategic contingency plan for the game and event test. For operational level, I am in charge of all non-competition venues, namely Olympic villages, Medal Plazas etc, in risk mapping, evaluation, mitigation and emergency plan compilation. During the game-time, I work IOC liaison office, supporting emergencies response and dealing with foreign affairs, public opinion, game operations, etc, as well as prepare for over 50 executive-level meetings and promote multi-stakeholder engagement in issue tracking. 

>What is the most fascinating and/or surprising aspect at your role?

It was challenging in the beginning stage, since I was supposed to think and act like an insider when working with the government officials, and local communities during the risk mitigation and issue tracking. However, it is the fascinating part that I could use the project management skills which gained from Sciences Po, included manage multiple projects and complex tasks on a deadline, liaise with relevant parties and stakeholders, identify and track follow-up actions to plan the work flows, etc. 

How did your PSIA experience help you with the role?  What advice would you give to others? 

Sciences Po and PSIA has unfolded a real world for me and helped me know myself better, motivate myself with passion for sustainability and always keep intellectual curiosity for life. And I wish each student in PSIA take the courage to challenge himself/herself, keep open-minded, embrace the diversity, and work hard by taking each project and lecture as the key to the new world, and after two years will see how enriched and fulfilled you become.

• About the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
• About the Master in International Development