-
Haruhiko Kuroda Elected New ADB President
Haruhiko Kuroda has been unanimously elected ADB President by the Board of Governors. Mr. Kuroda, 60, took over as President on 1 February 2005, succeeding President Chino, who announced his resignation in August 2004. Mr. Kuroda has most recently served as Special Advisor to the Cabinet of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and as a professor at the graduate school of economics at Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo. In a career spanning nearly 4 decades, Mr. Kuroda has represented Japan's Ministry of Finance at a number of international monetary conferences as Vice Minister of Finance for International Affairs.
Top
Bindu Lohani Appointed Director General of RSDD
Bindu Lohani, ADB Secretary, has been appointed Director General of the Regional and Sustainable Development Department (RSDD), effective 6 January 2005. He replaces retiring Jan van Heeswijk. RSDD is responsible for maintaining quality and technical excellence across ADB; developing and monitoring policies and guidelines for all thematic and sector areas; acting as the institution's center for compliance oversight; and supporting regional cooperation work and linkages with regional institutions. Mr. Lohani's professional experience covers the public sector and academe, and his expertise includes sustainable development programs and projects, and senior management in multilateral organizations. Mr. Lohani was ADB's first NGO coordinator (in the mid-1980s), and the NGO Center, established in 2001, is situated within the department that he now heads.
Top
-
Annual Meeting Accreditation Deadline Approaches
NGOs and other civil society organizations (CSOs) are invited to participate in the 38th Annual Meeting of ADB's Board of Governors, to be held in Istanbul, Turkey from 4 to 6 May 2005. The Annual Meeting presents an opportunity for CSO representatives to interact with senior ADB officials and country delegations. In the days leading up to the Governors' meeting, several sessions will be held on topics of particular interest to CSOs. To participate in the Annual Meeting, CSO representatives must first be accredited and then register for the program. CSOs that have been accredited for previous Annual Meetings generally retain their accreditation. Those interested in participating in the event must express their interest to ADB's NGO Center (ngocoordinator@adb.org) by 25 February 2005. Participants are expected to cover travel and accommodation expenses related to their Annual Meeting participation.
Top
-
Program Promotes Access to Healthcare for Cambodia's Poor
A government program that contracts NGOs to run and upgrade public health services in Cambodia has increased use of medical facilities by the poor while lowering the cost of health services. Widespread success of the program, launched in 1998, has convinced government officials to expand contracting from 5 to 10 of the country's 76 health operational districts. The program is part of the Health Sector Support Project financed through a $20 million concessional loan from ADB and with $10.4 million provided by DFID. The project is also helping construct and renovate health centers and hospitals, and support disease control campaigns against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases. The Health Sector Support Project was one of only eight case studies included in the 2004 World Development Report, under the theme was "Making Services Work for the Poor." For more information, contact Erik Bloom at ebloom@adb.org.
Top
-
Former Human Rights Campaigner Promotes ADB Accountability
Augustinus Rumansara chairs the three-person Compliance Review Panel (CRP), established with the adoption of ADB's Accountability Mechanism in 2003. The CRP determines whether ADB has complied with its operational policies and procedures in designing, processing, or implementing projects. The independent CRP considered its first cases last year, reporting its findings directly to ADB's Board of Directors. A native of Papua (Indonesia), Mr. Rumansara, ran advocacy activities for the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development, concentrating on human rights and on building national and international networks of NGOs. His long career also includes four years working with WWF International on biodiversity issues. Before joining ADB, he was the Vice President for Integrated Social Strategies of BP (former British Petroleum) in Indonesia, focusing on corporate social responsibilities. Mr. Rumansara talks about his work in a recent interview published in ADB Review. The ADB Compliance Review Panel has its own web site at http://www.compliance.adb.org, and can be reached at crp@adb.org.
Top
-
ADB Publishes New Gender Strategy for Lao PDR
ADB prepares country gender assessments and strategies as part of the country strategy and program process. The most recent release in this series is Lao PDR: Gender, Poverty and the MDGs. The strategy notes that the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is undergoing rapid change that will further intensity as road networks improve and inter-regional commerce expands. These changes, it is observed, are already having profound effects on economic activities and social norms. The strategy makes recommendations for ADB's future country strategy and program (CSP) for Lao PDR. In particular, it recommends the adoption of gender-inclusive approaches in each of the ADB-supported sectors: human resource development, agriculture and natural resource management, private sector development, infrastructure development, governance, and regional cooperation. For more information, contact Shireen Lateef at slateef@adb.org.
Top
-
Regional Report Explores Gender and Governance in Local Government
Reducing poverty requires considerable efforts to improve the participation of women and the poor in local governance and resource mobilization, and to increase the effectiveness of public sector delivery to them. With support of ADB regional technical assistance, women elected to local bodies in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan linked the resources of government and NGOs with their poorest constituents through a framework that applied three pillars of the ADB's Poverty Reduction Strategy at the grassroots level. The Project framework combined an interface among women representatives, government officials, and poor constituents with social mobilization and capacity building. The framework was designed to improve the effectiveness of women representatives and empower them to represent their poor constituents and deliver the services and opportunities they so desperately need. Resources included employment opportunities, training programs, and social sector programs. For more information, contact Monawar Sultana at msultana@adb.org.
Top
-
Publication Highlights Good Practice by Grantmakers
In February 2004, development agency staff involved in small grants programs met for two days in Bangkok with CSO representatives to discuss how development agencies might partner or otherwise collaborate to strengthen program impact and leverage grant fund resources. The workshop was organized by ADB, the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme/Global Environment Facility/Small Grants Programme. Small Grants Program Workshop: Grantmaking Good Practices and Innovative Approaches to Small-Scale Grantmaking documents the sharing of experience, provides case studies, and outlines good practices and lessons learned by grantmakers. To obtain a free copy of the workshop report, write to Small Grants Program, Social Development Department, the World Bank, 1818 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA, or fax: (1.202) 522.1669.
Top
-
E-Newsline Offers Development News and Analysis on the Region
The ADB Institute has introduced an electronic knowledge product of potential interest to CSOs: E-Newsline. This daily electronic bulletin provides a roundup of 10 key economic and development news items from developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Recent issues may be found at: http://www.adbi.org/e-newsline/index.html. To receive E-Newsline on a regular basis, simply click on "Subscribe" at the top, right-hand side of the web page. Subscription is free, and readers can choose to receive the newsletter in an HTML version or as text only. For more information, contact the Editor at e-newsline@adbi.org.
Top
-
Nominations Invited for Development Gateway Award
The Development Gateway welcomes nominations for the second Development Gateway Award. The $100,000 award will recognize outstanding achievement in using information technology to improve people's lives in developing countries. Criteria include the impact and scalability of the project or effort, the nominee's success in improving people's well-being and livelihoods, and their contribution to economic and/or social development. Nominations may be made for a project or person working in development. The deadline is 28 February 2005. For more information, see the web site or write to award@developmentgateway.org.
Top
-
Award Celebrates Efforts to Improve Health of the Disadvantaged
The Global Health Council (GHC) will present the "Best Practices in Global Health Award" in Washington, DC on 2 June 2005. The award recognizes the efforts of people dedicated to improving the health of disadvantaged and disenfranchised populations - particularly children, and to recognize programs that have made a difference while effectively demonstrating the link between health, poverty and development. A person, program or initiative selected for this award must be able to demonstrate measurable results in the field, as well as the ability and expertise to share, inspire, and extend best practices for improving health. The deadline is 28 February 2005. For more information, contact Terry Fisher, Awards Coordinator, GHC at tfisher@globalhealth.org.
Top
-
NGO Visitors: Counterpart International
This regular feature spotlights one of the many civil society organizations that meet with ADB staff at the Bank's headquarters each month.
For nearly four decades, Counterpart International has worked to enable people in developing countries to take responsibility for their own well-being. It uses "Smart Partnerships" to help people and communities to help themselves. Measured by performance -- as well as trust, values, ethics, and a concern for the holistic environment -- Smart Partnerships have been applied successfully on small islands trying to preserve their beaches, reefs, and cultures against the encroaching modern world. They have also been used in post-industrial cities clustered around closed and rusting factories.
Counterpart International identifies communities, NGOs, companies, and governments across Asia and the Pacific, and in other regions, which can build lasting ties and work together for positive change. Counterpart International assists people to make rational choices, and to direct change the way they want it, rather than the way outsiders think best. The organization carries out programs in six areas: (i) humanitarian assistance; (ii) civil society partnership; (iii) environment and conservation; (iv) enterprise development; (v) global health and nutrition; and (vi) food security and agriculture.
The organization is involved in schools, in hospitals, in businesses, in markets, and in developing tourist industries that benefit local residents, and in rebuilding communities atomized by political and economic change. Counterpart International helps them tap into networks of information and experience that can assist their development. The organization stresses communication as a key development tool connecting communities, providing access -- through the Internet -- to the rest of the world, including global markets and global knowledge.
In the Philippines, Counterpart International operates an innovative investment facility known as EnviroVentures. This facility, which is also supported by the United States Overseas Private Investment Corporation, invests in small-and-medium sized businesses (SMEs) that promote sustainable development and environmental well-being in the country. Philippine SMEs may receive capital investment of up to $250,000 per project. Target areas include (i) recycling; (ii) resource conservation; (iii) energy improvements; (iv) material reuse; (v) utilization of sustainable resource materials; (vi) pollution reduction facilities in manufacturing processes; (vii) environmental cleanup; and (viii) environmentally cleaner products.
Through these and other ventures in Asian and Pacific countries, Counterpart International seeks to give people a voice in their own future, offering options and access to tools for sustained social, economic, and environmental development.
Top
-
Consulting and Other Opportunities at ADB
ADB offers many opportunities for contractors, consultants, investors, and job applicants. The Opportunities section of ADB's web site (http://www.adb.org/Opportunities/default.asp) contains information about proposed projects and contract awards, as well as guidelines on the hiring of consultants and on procurement. ADB frequently engages NGOs, and staff of NGOs, as consultants, particularly for technical assistance activities.
ADB regularly organizes business opportunity seminars to explain procedures related to procurement, consulting, and contracts. The next business opportunity seminar will be held 22-23 February 2005 in Tokyo, Japan. Details, including the seminar invitation, program, and application, can be found in the Calendar section of ADB's web site: http://www.adb.org/News/calendar.asp.
Top
-
Upcoming Events
A listing in this section does not imply ADB endorsement or availability of funding for participants.
- Launch of the Network for NGO-Private Sector Partnerships Against Poverty, 16 February 2005, Bangkok, Thailand. Contact: Pareena Prayukvong, KIAsia, e-mail: pareenap@kiasia.org.
- International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Asia-Pacific Conference, 6-8 March 2005, Sydney, Australia. Contact: IAP2, e-mail: info@iap2.org; tel: (1.303) 458.0002; fax: (1.303) 451.5945; web site: http://www.iap2.org.
- Impact Assessment Training Course, 5-7 April 2005, Biskek, Kyrgyz Republic. Contact: INTRAC, e-mail: icap@intrac.kg; tel: (996) 312.611402; fax: (996) 312.611277; web site: http://www.comminit.com/training2005/2005-events/events-3233.html.
- International Training Program on "Poverty Reduction and Civil Society Participation," 4-13 May 2005, Antwerp, Belgium. Scholarships available for a limited number of participants from developing countries. Contact VLIR Secretariat for Development Co-operation, e-mail: scholarships@vlir.be; tel: (32.2) 289.0558; fax: (32.2) 514.7277; web site: http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC16704.
- Sixth International Workshop on Resource Mobilization, 6-8 May 2005, Bangkok, Thailand. Contact Louise O'Mahoney, Resource Alliance, e-mail: iwrm@resource-alliance.org; tel: (44.207) 587.0287; fax: (44.207) 582.4335; http://www.resource-alliance.org/subsection.php?sectionid=5&subsectionid=88.
Top
-
Latest Documents Available from ADB
ADB makes hundreds of documents publicly available each year on its web site and through a growing network of 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, Reports and Recommendations of the President, Summary Initial Environmental Examinations, Technical Assistance Reports (TARs), and Technical Assistance Completion Reports (TACRs),
Recently published documents include: Gender Responsive Public Policy and Administration TAR (Indonesia); Optimizing Water Use in Kathmandu Valley TACR (Nepal); Preparing the HIV/AIDS Prevention Among Youth Project TAR (Viet Nam); Improving Governance in the Nonprofit Sector of Pakistan TAR (Pakistan); Health Sector Development Program Completion Report (Papua New Guinea); Evaluation Studies in the Bank's Developing Member Countries TACR (Regional); and Preparing the Social Infrastructure for Internally Displaced Persons and Vulnerable Population Project TACR (Azerbaijan).
Top
-
Give us your Comments
Partnership Newsletter welcomes feedback from readers, and may
publish letters received.
To subscribe, e-mail ngocoordinator@adb.org
and place “Subscribe Partnership” in the subject line.
To unsubscribe, email partnership-request@intraweb.asiandevbank.org
and place "unsubscribe password" (without the quotes) in the body
of the message.
Questions about the contents of Partnership Newsletter, or about
ADB cooperation with NGOs, may be directed to Mr. Bart Édes at
ngocoordinator@adb.org.
© Copyright 2004. Partnership Newsletter is published six
times a year by ADB's Office of External Relations, in conjunction
with the NGO Center. Previous issues are available at http://www.adb.org/Documents/Periodicals/NGO_Newsletters.
Hypertext links provided in Partnership Newsletter do not imply
ADB endorsement of the views expressed on non-ADB web sites. Such
links are provided solely as an information service. Published contributions
do not necessarily represent the view s of ADB Management, staff,
or members. ADB reserves the right to edit submissions. Partnership
Newsletter may be redistributed with credit given to ADB.
Topics 