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President Chino Announces Resignation
On 31 August 2004, ADB President Tadao Chino announced his resignation from the position effective 31 January 2005. Upon his departure, Mr. Chino would have held his position for six years. In announcing his decision to ADB's Board of Directors, Mr. Chino said, "Many Asian countries affected by the Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998 are now firmly back on a solid sustainable growth path; ADF IX has been successfully concluded, thanks to the strong support of all shareholders; and ADB's new Reform Agenda…is now firmly on track." Soon after Mr. Chino assumed the Presidency, ADB declared that poverty reduction should be its overarching goal and, in November 1999, the Board of Directors approved the Poverty Reduction Strategy. For more information, contact Robert Salamon at rsalamon@adb.org.
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ADB Appoints New Head of NGO Center
Bart W. Édes has been appointed Head of ADB's NGO Center. Mr. Édes has been managing NGO-related communications since joining ADB in 2001. Before that, he was responsible for external relations at the SIGMA Program, a European Union-funded technical assistance initiative supporting governance reform in Central and Eastern Europe. His previous experience also includes grassroots organizing for an international human rights NGO. Mr. Édes replaces Robert Dobias, who has been appointed Director of the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Social Sectors Division within ADB's Regional and Sustainable Development Department.
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Anticorruption and Governance Policies Undergo Implementation Review
ADB is reviewing the implementation of its Governance and Anticorruption Policies to improve the effectiveness of ADB-assisted activities in developing countries. The review considers how effectively governance and anticorruption policies have been operationalized across ADB's country programs and assessments, projects, and technical assistance. The results will inform a new Medium Term Action Plan for 2005-2009. External consultations on the policies will begin in October 2004. For more information, contact Asha Newsum at governance_review@adb.org (note the underline between "governance" and "review").
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Kolkata Gains from Improved Municipal Management
India's Financial Express reports that public spending is under control, revenue growth has soared, water supplies are abundant, and a computerized record of infrastructure assets is being constructed within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in West Bengal State. The changes have been supported by a $250 million ADB loan aimed at improving the welfare and well-being of city residents through an improved urban environment, equitable access to public services, and more effective municipal management. Under the project, a policy and institutional framework is being set up to sustain investments in sewerage and drainage, solid waste management, slum improvements, and canal rehabilitation. A stakeholder consultative process, woven into every aspect of the project, has ensured that design responds to community needs and addresses basic human needs. For more information, contact Alex Jorgensen at ajorgensen@adb.org.
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Technical Assistance to Boost NGO Role in Pacific Island Budgeting
ADB has approved a $500,000 technical assistance (TA) grant to promote NGO participation in poverty reduction efforts in the Fiji Islands and Vanuatu. The grant, from the Poverty Reduction Cooperation Fund, financed by the Government of the United Kingdom, will assess regional practices of involving civil society organizations in resource allocation processes at all levels, particularly on the concerns of women and youth groups, which often the most marginalized in society. Based on this assessment, the TA will outline activities that can improve civil society participation in resource allocation processes and encourage governments to become more responsive to civil society. For more information, contact Michaela Prokop at mprokop@adb.org.
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Philippines Urged to Act on Gender Disparities
According to a country gender assessment published by ADB, the Philippines needs to address pressing social issues to reduce poverty and grow its economy. The study, one of a series on the status and role of women in developing countries, will assist ADB staff in formulating country strategies and programs, and in designing and implementing projects. The assessment recommends mainstreaming gender issues into ADB's policies and development programs in the Philippines. It also argues that despite national improvements in gender equality and women's empowerment, the Government must act to address the high population growth rate, poor reproductive health, unwanted fertility, illiteracy, and discrimination against women. ADB plans to discuss the assessment with the Chair of the National Commission for the Role of Filipino Women, Myrna Yao, in late September 2004. For more details, contact Peter Fedon at pfedon@adb.org.
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Board Adopts Committee Recommendations on Chashma
ADB's Board of Directors has approved the Board Inspection Committee's recommendation on the inspection of the Chashma Right Bank Irrigation Project (Stage III) in Pakistan. ADB President Tadao Chino announced that he is immediately sending a mission to Pakistan to work with the Government in implementing the Inspection Committee's recommendation. He also ordered a review of the lessons learned from the inspection for incorporation into ADB's internal business processes.
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Conference Explores Civil Society in Southeast Asia
The Munich Institute of Social Science (Germany) organized a conference on "Civil Society in Southeast Asia – Roles and Concepts," 7-8 June 2004. The conference brought together NGO and academic representatives from several countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, and Thailand to deliberate on concepts of civil society in Southeast Asia with local and international researchers. Participants also examined civil society activities in politics, civic involvement in the economic sector, and the impact of religion on civil society. ADB provided funds to help defray the travel expenses of delegates from developing countries. For more information, contact Grant Curtis at gcurtis@adb.org.
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ADB Staff Contribute 2 Million Pesos to Grassroots NGOs
ADB's Staff Community Fund (SCF) has awarded 1.9 million pesos ($35,000) to seven nonprofit organizations in Metro Manila. Among these most recent recipients of SCF donations are Tahanan Sta. Luisa, a shelter for sexually abused young girls; Kaibigan Ermita Outreach Foundation, a temporary shelter and continuing education facility for street children; and Link Center for the Deaf, which provides special education training of public school teachers for deaf children. Established in 1997, SCF is a voluntary initiative of ADB staff members, who contribute resources to nonprofit programs to assist the needy in Metro Manila. For more information, contact Sue Hooper at shooper@adb.org.
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Study Examines Transformation of NGOs into Regulated Financial Institutions
ADB has published, Micro Success Story? Transformation of Nongovernment Organizations into Regulated Financial Institutions. Authored by Mr. Nimal Fernando, ADB Lead Rural Financial Specialist, Micro Success Story examines the ownership structure, expectations, and achievements of microfinance institutions that have been established by transforming NGOs in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Although few, these institutions have had a catalytic effect and major influence on the microfinance industry. To order, contact adbpub@adb.org.
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Report Rates Freedom of Speech at ADB
The Government Accountability Project (GAP) has assessed whistleblower protection policies at the multilateral development banks in a comprehensive report entitled, Challenging the Culture of Secrecy. The report concludes that ADB's "(whistleblower) program is a serious effort generating numerous investigations, providing broad free speech rights, and protecting whistleblower identities." Although rating ADB highest among the regional development banks, the report states that ADB can do more to strengthen the position of whistleblowers. In particular, it recommends that ADB protect whistleblowers who disclose information regarding fraud or corruption to outside parties, clarify burdens of proof in the whistleblower process, and provide a credible and independent review mechanism to handle allegations of wrongdoing. GAP is a Washington-based nonprofit, public interest law firm that defends whistleblowers.
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Resource Alliance Publishes International Workshop Report
The Resource Alliance has published the report of its 5th International Workshop on Resource Mobilization (IWRM), which took place in March 2004 in Johannesburg, South Africa. More than 270 persons from 48 countries attended the workshop. The opening day of the 3-day program focused on the environment in which the NGO sector operates, and internal and external influences on mobilizing resources. A series of workshops promoted information sharing on strategies to raise funds for capital campaigns, risk management, exit strategies, and NGO governance. Speaking at the closing plenary, Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General, CIVICUS, emphasized that, in the current global environment, NGOs must address legitimacy, accountability, and transparency, particularly to civil society as a whole. The next IWRM will take place in May 2005 in Bangkok. For more information, contact Louise O'Mahoney at louise@resource-alliance.org.
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Nominations Invited for Hilton Humanitarian Prize
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation invites nominations through 1 November 2004 for the Hilton Humanitarian Prize. The $1 million prize will be awarded to an established charitable organization or other NGO. The award recognizes accomplishment, as determined by a distinguished independent panel of international jurors. Previous winners have included Médicins sans Frontières, International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, International Rescue Committee, and Operation Smile. Nomination packets are available on the Foundation's web site. For more information, contact the Foundation at prize@hiltonfoundation.org.
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NGO Visitors: Movimondo
This regular feature spotlights one of the many civil society organizations that meet with ADB staff each month.
Created in Italy 34 years ago to support African liberation movements, Movimondo is today an NGO that works against poverty in 27 countries on four continents. It collaborates with people from disadvantaged areas to support their social, political, and cultural development efforts. The organization concentrates on seven areas: health care and the fight against social exclusion; humanitarian aid and post-emergency rehabilitation; land use and environment; job creation and enterprise development; food security; local governance and humanitarian rights; and training and information campaigns. The European Union provides about two-thirds of Movimondo's 19 million euro budget (2002), with the Government of Italy and the United Nations also making important contributions.
In Asia, Movimondo is carrying out projects in the Philippines and Sri Lanka. In the former, Movimondo focuses on humanitarian aid, particularly on the plight of internally displaced persons and victims of armed conflicts, as well as on post-emergency rehabilitation. The NGO's Philippine Program Office employs four Italian expatriates and a small number of local project staff who are deployed on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. In central Mindanao, Movimondo is implementing a project supporting the socioeconomic integration of internally displaced persons in Lanao del Sur. Another project is facilitating the return to a normal life for the war-affected families in Maguindanao.
In these and other projects, Movimondo is collaborating with various people's organizations, local government units, development agencies and other government offices to promote crop diversification; micro-enterprise development, including handicraft making and food processing; community-based market information systems; and participatory monitoring. To expand partnership in these endeavors, Movimondo is seeking to engage Filipinos working overseas.
Internationally, Movimondo is a part of the cross-border networks of Alertnet, Eurostep, Gruppo Sur, and Voice. It has participated in campaigns such as Drop the Debt, the International Campaign to Ban Land Mines, and No Dumping.
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Upcoming Events
A listing in this section does not imply ADB endorsement or availability of funding for participants.
- Gender Mainstreaming for Development (training), 22-23 September 2004, Islamabad, Pakistan. Contact: NGO Resource Centre, e-mail: dme@ngorc.org.pk; web site: http://www.ngorc.org.pk.
- Monitoring and Evaluation (training), 23-24 September 2004, Lahore, Pakistan. Contact: NGO Resource Centre, e-mail: dme@ngorc.org.pk; web site: http://www.ngorc.org.pk.
- Approaches to Community Development (5-week online training course), begins 18 October 2004. Contact: Kelly May, International Institute for Sustainable Development, e-mail: Kelly@VillageEarth.org; web site: http://www.colostate.edu/Orgs/IISD/Training/OnlineTraining.htm.
- Technology in Community-Based Development (5-week online training course), begins 18 October 2004. Contact: Kelly May, International Institute for Sustainable Development, e-mail: Kelly@VillageEarth.org; web site: http://www.colostate.edu/Orgs/IISD/Training/OnlineTraining.htm.
- 8th International Thematic Participatory Rural Appraisal Training Workshop, 25 October – 4 November 2004, Pune, Maharashtra, India. Contact: Anurag Sinha or Catherine Kannam, PRAXIS, e-mail: workshop20004@praxisindia.org; web site: http://www.praxisindia.org/intl_pra_apply.html.
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Latest Documents Available from ADB
ADB makes hundreds of documents publicly available each year on its web site and through a growing network of nearly 170 depository libraries around the world. The extensive online Publications Catalog allows users to browse through a list of over 4,000 titles. These include Country Economic Reviews, Environmental Impact Assessments, Project Completion Reports (PCRs), Program Performance Audit Report (PPAR), Reports and Recommendations of the President, Summary Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA), Technical Assistance Completion Reports (TACRs), and Technical Assistance Reports (TARs).
Recently published documents include: Acid Rain Control and Environmental Improvement Project: Tongling Coking Gas Subproject SEIA (People's Republic of China); Capital Market Development Program PPAR (India); Financial Governance Reforms: Sector Development Program PCR (Indonesia); Preparing the Upper Secondary and Professional Teacher Development Project TAR (Viet Nam); Rawalpindi Environmental Improvement Project SEIA (Pakistan); Hera Port Fisheries Facilities Rehabilitation Project PCR (Timor-Leste); A Survey of Nongovernment Organization Capacity Building Needs in Pacific DMCs TACR (Regional); and Capacity Building Support to Nongovernment Organizations for Financial Resource Mobilization and Management TACR (Regional).
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