- ADB President Kuroda Meets with NGOs
More than 50 representatives of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) participated in the 38th Annual Meeting of ADB’s Board of Governors held in Istanbul in early May 2005. Among the activities organized around the Governors’ yearly session was a meeting between NGOs and ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda, who reaffirmed ADB’s commitment to working closely with the nonprofit sector. President Kuroda said “NGOs play an important role in ADB-assisted projects. We regularly draw on the strengths of NGOs as experts, as sources of project models, as advocates for the poor, and as a source of alternative viewpoints.” He fielded questions from the NGOs on various topics ranging from ADB efforts to fight corruption and promote accountability, to the institution’s stance on aid to Nepal, renewable energy, human rights, and engagement of Europe-based NGOs.
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New Policy Heralds Era of Greater Openness at ADB
ADB’s new Public Communications Policy (PCP), which enters into effect on 1 September 2005, provides the public with expanded access to ADB documents, and commits the institution to greater openness and dialogue with stakeholders. Under the policy, ADB will make all documents it produces available unless they meet specified exception criteria. Among other things, the PCP explicitly requires that ADB provide information about projects under preparation -- including information about social and environmental issues -- to people who are affected by those projects. In early May, for the first time, ADB disclosed a summary of discussions held by its Board of Directors on a proposed ADB policy, in this case the discussion of the PCP itself. ADB is now preparing for the PCP’s full implementation and is drafting a new framework for translation of operational and other information into languages of ADB member countries. For more information, contact Cindy Malvicini at cmalvicini@adb.org.
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The next couple of years are crucial to the ADB’s Reform Agenda, the ambitious effort to reorient the institution toward better development results, improve its operations, and ensure that it remains relevant and resposive to the rapid changes under way in Asia and the Pacific. ADB aims improve its effectiveness and thus help achieve country-level development outcomes in the medium term, and increase the impact of ADB operations in reducing poverty over the long term. There have been several achievements to date: the revised performance-based allocation policy, the establishment of the Results Management Unit, an independent assessment of the 2002 reorganization of ADB, the Human Resources Strategy, and a new Public Communications Policy. The implementation of 16 ongoing initiatives under the Reform Agenda is generally on track and will be largely completed between now and the end of 2007. For more information, contact Biswanath Bhattacharyay at bbhattacharyay@adb.org.
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ADB has launched a comprehensive review of the implementation of its Water Policy. To encourage broad stakeholder participation, ADB provides several opportunities for interested groups to contribute to the review. ADB invites NGOs to complete a stakeholder survey, provide comments on ADB's web site, participate in one of the seven in-country consultations planned throughout the region, or share research findings to inform the review. The in-country consultation schedule is posted on ADB's web site along with a client and stakeholder survey. The web site will be regularly updated as the review progresses. For more information, contact Kathryn E. Nelson at knelson@adb.org.
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ADB is revising its policies and procedures for the use of consultants by ADB itself and by its borrowers. Recognizing the increasing involvement of NGOs as consultants for technical assistance and loan projects, ADB is proposing that a new user-friendly simplified selection and engagement process be applied to smaller (particularly national) NGOs that do not appropriately fit the definition of “consultant. ” ADB is soliciting comments on the draft consulting guidelines, and on proposed guidelines for procurement. Feedback can be provided through ADB’s web site. Deadline for comments on both sets of guidelines is 13 June 2005.
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The Tonle Sap basin is under severe pressure, and consumptive use of its resources is intense. Never has the Tonle Sap been called upon to supply so much to so many, yet there are many threats to the lake’s ecosystem, including overexploitation of fisheries and wildlife resources, dry-season encroachment, and land clearance of the flooded forest. ADB’s Tonle Sap Basin Strategy has been formulated in support of the Country Strategy and Program for Cambodia, and forms the basis for
setting priorities and planning assistance in the Tonle Sap basin over the next 5–10 years. In the Tonle Sap basin, the development objectives are to foster, promote, and facilitate (i) pro-poor, sustainable economic growth; (ii) access to assets; and (iii) management of natural resources and the environment. For more information, contact Olivier Serrat at oserrat@adb.org.
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The proposed ADB-financed Literacy is for Everyone Project (LIFE) aims to help increase the average adult literacy rate from 52% to 70% in five provinces of Papua New Guinea by 2010, with a special focus on illiterate rural women. It aims to increase awareness on the importance of adult literacy among all stakeholders and establish a literacy policy framework and coordinating mechanism at the national, provincial, and district levels that clearly define the roles and responsibilities of major stakeholders. The project also aims to strengthen the capacity of government agencies, church-based organizations, and NGOs; establish a teacher training system; and produce basic reading materials in many regional languages. Project preparation work for LIFE has been funded by a $600,000 ADB technical assistance grant provided by the Japan Special Fund. For more information, contact Steven H. van der Tak at svandertak@adb.org.
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ADB has published Controlling Corruption in Asia and the Pacific, a compilation of papers presented at the 4th regional conference of the ADB-OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in December 2003. Controlling Corruption offers insight into the most recent national anti-corruption strategies of Asia and Pacific countries, and an overview of preventive and enforcement policies and practices developed in the region. For more information, contact Jak Jabes at jjabes@adb.org.
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ADB has created a tool kit to enhance NGO understanding of the institution's mission, goals, organizational structure, operational policies, programs and procedures. The tool kit, available on CD-ROM, was developed following a workshop organized in Cavite, Philippines in March 2004 by ADB for representatives of 16 NGOs from 14 countries in Asia. Copies of the CD-ROM, which also summarizes proceedings of the 4-day workshop, may be requested from the NGO Center at ngocoordinator@adb.org.
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As part of its efforts to support NGO capacity building, ADB is distributing copies of NGO-Private Sector Partnerships Against Poverty: Lessons Learned from Asia. This serves as a "how to" guide in designing and delivering a workshop on NGO-private sector partnerships; initiating and implementing such partnerships; and building momentum for greater collaboration between the nonprofit and profit making sectors in Asia and the Pacific. To request a free copy of the guide, contact the NGO Center at ngocoordinator@adb.org.
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The recently launched Network on NGO and Private Sector Cooperation for Sustainable Development provides a forum in which corporate and NGO groups from around Asia and the Pacific can share experiences and case studies, identify potential partners, and undertake multi-stakeholder initiatives that are socially and environmentally beneficial. The Network held its first meeting in Bangkok in early May 2005, and plans to hold follow-up meetings in September 2005 in Jakarta and Singapore. ADB's NGO Center serves on the Network's Advisory Committee and was instrumental in launching the initiative. For more information, contact Pareena Prayukvong at pareenap@kiasia.org.
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This regular feature spotlights one of the many civil society organizations that meet with ADB staff at the institution’s headquarters each month.
Established in 1962, German Agro Action is one of the largest private organizations working in the area of development cooperation and humanitarian aid in Germany. The Federal German President, Horst Köhler, serves as its patron. Donations from the population at large fund its work in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In addition, German Agro Action receives grants from the Government of Germany, the European Union, and the United Nations.
Since its establishment, German Agro Action has contributed approximately €1.25 billion in support of around 3,300 self-help projects, 900 projects for children and youth and 550 emergency programs in 70 countries.
Committed, competent and reliable local partner organizations carry out the projects it supports. Target groups are the poorest of the poor: landless, small farmers, women, children and youth; victims of war or environmental disasters; and other disadvantaged people.
Project work is focused on agriculture and the environment, survival and reconstruction aid, children and youth, drinking water supply, crafts and business, and strengthening self-help groups and partner organizations.
In Central Asia, German Agro Action works in Afghanistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In South and Southeast Asia, the NGO is presently active in Bangladesh, India, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, People’s Democratic Republic of Korea, Philippines, and Timor-Leste. For example, in India’s Sundarbans island group, Sri Ramakrishna Ashram, the local partner of German Agro Action, has worked with about 10,000 families in developing a model to fight poverty for the isolated, economically disadvantaged group of islands. The model encompasses economic measures and the establishment of village infrastructure, social services, and self-help structures.
In particular small farmers profit from the land-raising model, which protects crops against flooding and provides irrigation during the dry period, thus allowing the production of several crops to be produced each year. The basic needs of the poorest village inhabitants, particularly women and children, are satisfied by constructing wells and furnishing villagers with health care.
German Agro Action staff working in Germany and abroad help ensure professional, efficient support and execution of programs, especially in the areas of emergency aid and rehabilitation. The NGO has received the seal of approval for donations from the German Central Institute for Social Issues (Deutsche Zentralinstitut für soziale Fragen, DZI) every year since it was founded for its frugal, transparent use of funds.
Gerhard Uhrmacher, Desk Officer, South and Southeast Asia, and Dirk Guenther, Head, Regional Desk, South and Southeast Asia, met with the Head of ADB’s NGO Center on 9 May 2005 in Manila. For more information on German Agro Action, contact e-mail dwhh_bonn@compuserve.com, or visit the NGO’s web site at http://www.welthungerhilfe.de/WHHEN/.
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ADB offers many opportunities for contractors, consultants, investors, and job applicants. The business opportunities section of ADB’s web site (http://www.adb.org/Business/Opportunities/) contains information about proposed projects and contract awards, as well as guidelines on hiring consultants and on procurement. ADB frequently engages NGOs and staff of NGOs as consultants, particularly for technical assistance activities. In addition, it regularly organizes business opportunity seminars to explain procedures related to procurement, consulting, and contracts. These seminars are included in the calendar section of this ADB’s web site.
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A listing in this section does not imply ADB endorsement or availability of financing for participants.
- International Seminar on “Operationalizing Knowledge Management in NGOs,” 2-3 June 2005, Bali, Indonesia. Contact: Michael Schueber, Stratagility, e-mail: michael.schueber@stratagility.com; tel: (62.81) 855.35.94; fax: (62.361) 239.655.
- International Task Force for the Rural Poor 6th Conference, “Investing in the Rural Poor,” 2-3 July, London, UK. Contact: Jyoti Singh, INTAF, e-mail: jan_singh2002@yahoo.co.uk; web site: www.ivcs.org.uk/intaf/intaf2005.html*.
- NGO Management Programme, 15 August 2005 – 16 September 2005, Bangalore, India. Contact: B.R. Achutha Sharma, SEARCH, e-mail: f_stephen@vsnl.com; tel: (91.80) 2663.5361; web site: http://www.developmentschool.com*.
- XII International Rainwater Catchment Systems Conference, 15-18 November 2005, New Delhi, India. Contact: Namrata Pathak, Action for Food Production, e-mail: ircsamail@afpro.org; tel: (91.11) 2555.5412; fax: (91.11) 2550.0343.
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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 completion reports (TACRs), and technical assistance reports (TARs).
Examples of recently published documents in PDF include
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