VDIC NEWSLETTER
October 2006

Vietnam Development Information Center

Ground floor, 63 Ly Thai To, Hanoi

Tel: (84-4) 934 6845

Fax: (84-4) 934 6847

Email: info@vdic.org.vn

Web site: www.vdic.org.vn

 

Opening hours:

Monday through Friday

8am12pm

1pm5:30pm

CONTENTS

VDIC News

Library

Selected new publications for sale at VDIC

Distance Learning Center events in October 2006

News from other organizations

 

VDIC News

Vietnam Blended Learning Program – Call for Expressions of Interest

 

Is your organization implementing capacity building projects in one of the development areas in Vietnam? And are you looking for assistance to improve the quality of your capacity building activities?

 

If so, you are eligible to apply for the VBLP’s grant, which will be in the forms of consultancy, technical assistance in learning methods and contents development.

 

Due date: 5pm, Thusday 19 October 2006

 

http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=aboutus&op=viewDetailNews&id=152&id=362&mid=330&cmid=367

 

Vacancy Announcement - Vietnam Development Information Center Team Assistant

 

The World Bank Vietnam Office (Vietnam Development Information Center – VDIC) requires a Short Term Temporary (STT) Team Assistant with adequate qualifications and experiences in administrative or secretarial positions to assist VDIC team. The assistant will be assigned to work with VDIC Manager and provide back up and support to other team members. The assistant will report directly to the VDIC Manager and be based in the World Bank’s Hanoi Office.

 

All qualified Vietnamese Nationals are invited to apply for this post.  Application consisting of a cover letter and a completed personal history form, along with copies of relevant degrees and certificates should be submitted to the VDIC Manager, 1st floor, 63 Ly Thai To, Hanoi, in a sealed envelope,  by 5pm, Friday, October 13, 2006.  The WB personal history form can be download from the World Bank Vietnam Website and detailed Terms of Reference for the assignment can be on the VDIC web site.

 

http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=newsletter&op=viewDetailNews&id=230&mid=350

 

Workshop on the activities of the Friends of Vietnam Heritage by Mr. John Reilly

 

Location:          VDIC conference room, Ground Floor, 63 Ly Thai To, Hanoi

Date and time: 9am, Thursday 9th November 2006

 

Friends of Vietnam Heritage (FVH) is a non-formal group of mainly Hanoi residents from many countries including Vietnam. Its purpose is to enjoy as well as enhance the understanding of Vietnam’s culture and history – past and present. In close collaboration with Vietnamese scholars, local experts and museums, FVH organises a wide range of activities such as excursions, lectures, study groups.

 

During the promotion week of Friends of Vietnam Heritage beginning early November 2006 at VDIC, apart from an exhibition with spotlight information about FVH, there will be a workshop conducted in English by Mr. John Reilly, Chairman of FVH, with presentation and discussion on the activities of FVH. If you are interested in knowing more about Vietnam, immersing in Vietnam’s lore and legends, exploring historic and cultural sites,  this workshop is an accesspoint for you to start.

 

Please sign up to attend this workshop by sending an email to nvu2@worldbank.org with your name, organisation and mail subject as “Registration for Friends of Vietnam Heritage workshop”. Acceptance of registration will be done on first come first serve basis.

 

Free training sessions provided by VDIC

 

Location:        VDIC, Ground Floor, 63 Ly Thai To, Hanoi

IMPORTANT NOTICES FOR PARTICIPANTS: Please print out the course materials from the VDIC web site at http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=library&op=viewDetailNews&id=339&mid=322&cmid=361 and take them to the class since we do not provide participants with course materials.

 “Searching the Internet” class

Date:              Tuesday, October 17, 2006 -- Time: 10:00am to 12:00am

Aims:              After the workshop, participants should: (i) have a better understanding of information-finding possibilities on the Internet (ii) have a broad overview of different search tools (iii) be able to phrase search queries effectively.

 

“Referencing skills” class

Date:              Tuesday, October 24, 2006 -- Time: 10:00am to 12:00am

Aims:              After the workshop, participants should know how to: (i) manage their references (ii) cite the references appropriately (iii) create a reference list or bibliography.

Everyone is welcome - please visit the VDIC to sign up at the front desk, or send an email to nvu2@worldbank.org with your name, organisation, and telephone number and specify the class(es) you want to participate. Acceptance of registration will be done on first come first serve basis.

Exhibitions at VDIC

Please see Library section for lists of selected resources on the exhibition themes below.

2 October - International Day for Natural Disasters Reduction “Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at School”

More than 200 million people are affected every year by natural catastrophes and children under 18 are among the most vulnerable. This year a global campaign for disaster reduction education was launched entitled “Disaster Risk Reduction Begins at School”, has two main objectives: to promote disaster reduction education in school curricula, and to improve school safety by encouraging the application of construction standards that can withstand any kind of natural hazard.

“Education and awareness raising provide the foundations for a culture of prevention. If people in places threatened by natural disasters were conscious of the risks, and knew how to protect themselves, there would be fewer deaths, fewer wounded and less destruction when such disasters strike.” The display provides useful information as well as relevant materials on this issues.

16 October – World Food Day "Investing in agriculture for food security"

Most of the world's farmers are small-scale farmers. As a group, they are the biggest investors in agriculture. They also tend to have inadequate or precarious access to food themselves. If they can make a profit with their farming, they can feed their families throughout the year and reinvest in their farms by purchasing fertilizer, better quality seed and basic equipment.

A new model for cooperation between the public and private sectors in rural development is evolving. The model includes new ways to (1) bring together producers and agribusiness, (2) establish and enforce grades and standards, (3) improve the investment climate for agriculture, and (4) provide essential public goods such as rural infrastructure. Investment in infrastructure in rural areas, especially in water, roads, power and communications, has a crucial role in kindling agricultural growth. If countries get these conditions right, dramatic benefits to agriculture and poor rural households can be expected.

On this occasion, FAO office in Hanoi gives out some free materials resulting from its activities and research in Vietnam and worldwide.

17 October - World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty

"Wherever men and women are condemned to live in extreme poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty. " (F. Joseph Wresinski). Since its creation, October 17th has been a day for those living in extreme poverty to speak out and for all citizens to consider how they can contribute to the eradication of extreme poverty.

The theme of the United Nations for the International day for poverty eradication 2006 is "Working Together out of Poverty". Exhibition at VDIC on this occasion provides useful information and materials relating to this topic.

Upcoming exhibitions/campaigns at VDIC – call for cooperation

VDIC is preparing for the November 2006 exhibition on “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women”. If you have any resources on this topic (books, posters, URLs, seminars/workshop information etc.) or any ideas relating to this theme, please share with us.

We also call for cooperation in organising exhibitions/promotional/communication campaigns relating to development issues at VDIC. If your organisation would like to promote your resources and activities at our center, please contact us for more information.

Vietnam Development Information Center
Ground floor, 63 Ly Thai To, Hanoi
Tel: (84-4) 934 6845
Fax: (84-4) 934 6847
Email:
info@vdic.org.vn

We are looking forward to your cooperation and support.

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Library

 

Selected resources on Natural Disaster Prevention and Reduction from VDIC library

#305.5 VOI. Narayan, Deepa. World Bank. PRMPO. Voices of the poor: crying out for change. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank, 2000-01-01. Full text http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/
WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000094946_01032805491162
 

#307.1416 BIG. Bigio, Anthony G. World Bank. MNSIF. Urban environment and infrastructure: toward livable cities. Washington D.C.: The World Bank, 2004-01-01. Full text http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/
WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000090341_20040521132043
 

#332.6722 AGR. World Bank. Agriculture and Rural Development Dept. Agriculture investment sourcebook: agriculture and rural development. Washington, D.C.: World Bank, ARD, 2005. Full text http://www.worldbank.org/agsourcebook 

#353.95 ABA. Abarquez, Imelda. Community-based disaster risk management: field practitioners' handbook. Pathumthani, Thailand: Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, 2004.

#353.95 ABA. Abarquez, Imelda. Community-based disaster risk management: field practitioners' handbook [CDROM]. Pathumthani, Thailand: Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, 2004.

#353.95 LE. Le, Huu Ti. Community-based disaster risk management: integration to socio-economic development process. Pathumthani, Thailand: Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, 2004.

#363.34 BEN. Benson, Charlotte. Understanding the Economic and Financial Impacts of Natural Disasters. Washington, DC: The World Bank, 2004. Full text http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/
WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000012009_20040420135752
 

#363.34 CPI. Central Province Initiative. Central province initiative partnership to mittigate natural disasters in Central Vietnam [CDROM]. CPI - Partnership, 2000.

#363.34 DIL. Dilley, Maxx. Natural disaster hotspots: a global risk analysis. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank, 2005.

#363.34 HAZ. Parker, Ronald Steven. World Bank. IEGDG. Independent Evaluation Group, IEG. Hazards of nature, risks to development: an IEG evaluation of World Bank assistance for natural disasters. Washington D.C.: The World Bank, 2006-06-15. Full text http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/
WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000160016_20060629133433
 

#363.34 NAT. Natural disaster risk hotspots case studies / edited by Margaret Arnold ... [et al.]. Washington, DC: World Bank, 2005. Full text http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/
WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000090341_20060828134909
 

#363.34 RED. United Nations Development Programme. Reducing disaster risk: a challenge for development. New York, USA: UNDP, 2004.

#363.34 WB. Kreimer, Alcira . World Bank. TUDDR. Managing disaster risk in emerging economies. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank, 2000-06-30. Full text  http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/
WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000094946_00080705302023

#363.34 WOR. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. World disasters report 2005: focus on information in disasters. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2005. Full text http://www.ifrc.org/publicat/wdr2005/index.asp 

#363.34 WOR. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. World disasters report: focus on recovery 2001. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2001.    

#363.3492 PRE. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Preparedness for climate change. The Netherlands, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2003.

#363.7287 MAI. Kryspin-Watson, Jolanta. World Bank. ECSSD. Mainstreaming hazard risk management into rural projects. Washington D.C.: The World Bank, 2006-04-01. Full text http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/
WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000160016_20060615170316
 

#551.65 ADP. Asian Disiater Preparedness Center. ENSO climate forecast applications in Vietnam. Bangkok: ADPC, 2000.

#658.477 SCH. Schneid, Thomas D. Disaster management and preparedness / Thomas D. Schneid, Larry Collins. Boca Raton, Fla.: Lewis Publishers, c2001.

Wisner B. Let our children teach us – a review of the role of education and knowledge in disaster risk reduction. ISBR 2006. Full text http://www.unisdr.org/eng/task%20force/working%20groups/
knowledge-education/docs/Let-our-Children-Teach-Us.pdf
 

Protecting persons affected by natural disasters: IASC Operational Guidelines on Human Rights and Natural Disasters. Full text http://www.brookings.edu/fp/projects/idp/2006_IASC_NaturalDisasterGuidelines.pdf

Selected resources on Agriculture and related policies in Vietnam from VDIC library

#338.1 FAO. Food and Agriculture Organization. Selected indicators of food and agriculture development in Asia-Pacific region 1994-2004. Rome: FAO, 2005. Full text http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/docrep/008/ae937e/ae937e00.htm 

#338.1 STO. Stockbridge, Michael. Agricultural Trade Policy in Developing Countries during Take-off. London: Oxfam GB, 2006. Full text http://www.oxfam.org/en/files/stockbridge_trade_report/download  

#338.1 TIM. Timmer, C. Peter. Agriculture and pro-poor growth: an Asian perspective. S.l.: Center for Global Development, 2005. Full text http://www.cgdev.org/content/publications/detail/2986 

#338.1 VAN. Vanzetti, David. Open Wide: Vietnam's Agricultural Trade Policy. Sydney: S.n., 2006. Full text http://www.aomevents.com/AARES2006/papers/vanzetti%20-%20vietnam.pdf 

#338.1597 PHA. Pham, Thi Khanh. Huy dong von trong nuoc phat trien nong nghiep: vung dong bang song Hong [Mobilizing domestic capital for agricultural development in Red river delta region]. Hanoi, Vietnam: Nha xuat ban chinh tri quoc gia, 2004.

#338.18597 BAR. Barker, Randolph. Macro policies and investment priorities for irrigated agriculture in Vietnam. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Comprehensive Assessment Secretariat, 2004. Full text http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/Assessment/files_new/publications/CA%20Research%20Reports/CARR6.pdf 

#338.18597 BUI. Bao ho hop ly nong nghiep Viet Nam trong qua trinh hoi nhap kinh te quoc te [Rational protection for Vietnam agriculture in the international economic integration process]. Hanoi, Vietnam: Nha xuat ban thong ke, 2004.

#338.18597 NGU. Nguyen, Hoa. Agricultural policies in Vietnam: producer support estimates, 1986-2002. Washington, D.C.: IFPRI, 2004. Full text http://www.ifpri.org/divs/mtid/dp/mtidp79.htm 

#338.19597 HAU. Haughton, Jonathan. The effects of rice policy on food self-sufficiency and on income distribution in Vietnam. S.l.: Ford Foundation / General Statistics Office Project, Vietnam, 2004-07. Full text http://mail.beaconhill.org/~j_haughton/FordPapers.html 

#338.19597 RAP. Rapsomanikis, George. The impact of domestic and international commodity price volatility on agricultural income instability: Ghana, Vietnam and Peru. Helsinki: UNU-WIDER, 2006. Full text http://www.wider.unu.edu/publications/dps/dps2006/dp2006-04.pdf 

#338.9597 WB. World Bank. ARD. Accelerating Vietnam's rural development: growth, equity and deversification. Hanoi, Vietnam: World Bank, 2006.

#630 FAR. Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Farmer needs study. Hanoi: Statistical Publishing House, 2003.

#630.715 HOA. Hoang Xuan Thanh. Cac dich vu khuyen nong cho nguoi ngheo: tong quan tai lieu. Hanoi: VUFO-NGO Resource Centre Viet Nam, 2003-11.

Selected resources on Eradication of Poverty from VDIC library

#332.67309597 TRA. Tran, Trong Hung. Impacts of foreign direct investment on poverty reduction in Vietnam. Tokyo: GRIPS, 2004. Full text http://www.grips.ac.jp/vietnam/VDFTokyo/Doc/18TTHungPaper.pdf  

#333.7137 SUN. Sunderlin, William D. Poverty alleviation and forests in Vietnam. Indonesia: Subur Printing, 2005. Full text http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/publications/pdf_files/books/BSunderlin0501E0.pdf 

#338.9597 ACT. Actors in poverty reduction in Vietnam. Chiba, Japan: Institute of Developing Economies; Japan External Trade Organization, 2006. Full text http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Books/Asedp/073.html

#338.9597 IMP. Impact of socio-economic changes on the livehoods of people living in poverty in Vietnam. Tokyo: Institute of Developing Economics - JETRO, 2005. Full text http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Books/Asedp/071.html 

#338.9597 INC. UNESCAP. Income generation and poverty reduction: Experiences of some selected Asian countries. New York: UNESCAP, 2005. Full text http://www.unescap.org/pdd/publications/dp26/dp26_full.pdf 

#338.9597 RED. Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Finland. Reducing poverty in Quang Tri. Helsinki, Finland: Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Finland, 2005. Full text http://global.finland.fi/julkaisut/pdf/QuangTri_en.pdf 

#338.9597 SHA. Ministry of Planning and Investment. Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation. Chia Se - A different approach to poverty alleviation: Chia Se Vietnam/Sweden Poverty alleviation programme. Hanoi: MPI and SIDA, 2005.

#339.4609597 WEE. Weeks, John. The macroeconomics of poverty reduction: the case study of Viet Nam: Seeking equity within growth. Hanoi: UNDP, 2004. Full text http://www.undp.org.vn/undp/docs/2004/macroecon/equitygrowth.pdf 

#362.509597 IMP. Institute of Sociology. Impacts of existing residence registration policy on urban poverty alleviation: two case studies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. Hanoi, Vietnam: Institute of sociology, 2005.

#362.7 OMA. O'Malley, Kate. Children and young people participating in PRSP processes : lessons from Save the Children's experiences. London: Save the Children, 2004. Full text http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/scuk_cache/scuk/cache/cmsattach/1470_PRSPs.pdf 

#363.09597 LAR. Larsen, Theo Ib. The impact of infrastructure development on rural poverty reduction in Vietnam. Hanoi: World Bank, 2004.

#363.7 POV. World Bank. DECRG. The poverty environment nexus: Sustainable approaches to poverty reduction in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam. Washington, DC: World Bank, 2006. Full text http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTEAPREGTOPENVIRONMENT/Resources/PEN_full_report.pdf 

#363.8 LIS. ActionAid Vietnam. Institute of Economics. Listening to people living in poverty : ActionAid, Vietnam. Hanoi: Agriculture Publishing House, 2004. 

 

Highlights from the new additions to VDIC library in September 2006

 

Full list of new additions to VDIC library in September 2006 can be found at http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=library&op=viewDetailNews&id=161&mid=322&cmid=325

 

#305.4 UND. Kabeer, Naila. United Nations Development Programme. Globalisation, gender and work in the context of economic transition: the case of Vietnam. Hanoi, Vietnam: UNDP, 2006-05. Full text http://www.undp.org.vn/undpLive/digitalAssets/4877_Policy_paper_2006-2.pdf 

 

#323.46 AYY. Ayyagari, Meghana. The World Bank. What determines protection of property rights? an analysis of direct and indirect effects. Washington D.C: The World Bank, 2006. Full text
http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/IW3P/IB/
2006/06/07/000016406_20060607102405/Rendered/PDF/wps3940.pdf
   

 

#330.959 ISH. Ishida, Masami. Effectiveness and challenges of three economic corridors of the Greater Mekong sub-region. Tokyo: Institute of Developing Economics, 2005. Full text www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Dp/pdf/035_ishida.pdf 

 

#332.109172 LED. Ledgerwood, Joanna. World Bank. EXTOP. Transforming microfinance institutions : providing full financial services to the poor. Washington D.C.: The World Bank, 2006-08-01.

 

#333.793 BRO. Brown, C. Ashley. The World Bank. Handbook for evaluating infrastructure regulatory systems. Washington, D.C.: World Bank, 2006.

 

#333.91 MON. National water resources strategy towards the year 2020. Hanoi: Cultural Information Publishing House, 2006.

 

#REF 338.09597 CON. Tong cuc thong ke. Cong nghiep Viet Nam 20 nam: doi moi va phat trien = Vietnamese industry in 20 years of renovation and development. Hanoi, Vietnam: Nha xuat ban Thong ke, 2006.

 

#339.52 WAG. Wagstaff, Adam. The World Bank. Decomposing changes in income inequality into vertical and horizontal redistribution and reranking, with applications to China and Vietnam. Washington D.C: The World Bank, 2006. Full text http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/IW3P/IB/
2005/04/13/000012009_20050413124029/Rendered/PDF/wps3559.pdf
 

 

#351.0285 VU. Vu, Minh Khuong. USAID. VNCI. E-government and business competitiveness: a policy review. Hanoi: USAID, 2006. Full text http://www.vnci.org/Xportal/Upload/docs/E-Government_VNCINo.7_21June06.pdf 

 

#363.72 MAR. MARD. MOC. National rural clean water supply and sanitation strategy up to year 2020. Vietnam: Ministry of Construction and MARD, 2000-08.

 

#REF 382.3 TRA. United Nations Development Programme. Asia-Pacific Human Development Report 2006: Trade on human terms - Transforming trade for human development in Asia and the Pacific. New Delhi: Macmilan, 2006. Full text http://www.undprcc.lk/rdhr2006/rdhr2006new.asp 

 

#657 GRE. Van Greuning, Hennie. International financial reporting standards: a practical guide. Washington, D.C The World Bank, 2006.

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Selected new publications for sale at VDIC

World Development Report 2007: Development and the Next Generation

by World Bank -- English -- Published September 2006

VDIC Price: $8

 

The theme of the World Development Report (WDR) 2007 is youth—young people between the ages of 12 to 24. As this population group seeks identity and independence, they make decisions that affect not only their own well-being, but that of others, and they do this in a rapidly changing demographic and socio-economic environment.

 

The report will focus on crucial capabilities and transitions in a young person's life: learning for life and work, staying healthy, working, forming families, and exercising citizenship. For each, there are opportunities and risks; for all, policies and institutions matter.

 

Local Governance in Developing Countries
Anwar Shah -- English -- Published 2006 by World Bank

VDIC Price: $10

 

This book provides a new institutional economics perspective on alternative models of local governance, offering a comprehensive view of local government organization and finance in the developing world. The experiences of ten developing/transition economies are reviewed to draw lessons of general interest in strengthening responsive, responsible, and accountable local governance. The book is written in simple user friendly language to facilitate a wider readership by policy makers and practitioners in addition to students and scholars of public finance, economics and politics.

 

"Local governance in a globalized environment will be the most challenging issue for politics in this century. Inspired by citizen-centered governance, Anwar Shah and his colleagues offer fascinating, and first-ever, comparative scientific analyses of the successes, failures, and challenges of local governments on four continents."

- Thomas Fleiner, Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law

University of Switzerland, and Director, Institute of Federalism, Fribourg

 

Post-industrial East Asian Cities: Innovation for Growth

Shahid Yusuf and Kaoru Nabeshima -- English -- Published 2006 by World Bank & Stanford University Press

VDIC Price: $9

 

Throughout East Asia, the growth process and its sources are changing in a number of important respects, especially for middle- and high-income economies. Growth is increasingly coming from the strength of innovative activities in these economies rather than from factor accumulation as in the past. Such innovative activities - are concentrated in high-tech clusters in globally linked cities.

 

Drawing on a wide range of literature and on interviews of firms, this book explores these issues with a focus on six East Asian cities: Bangkok, Beijing, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo. It suggests how policies and institutions can induce and furnish an urban environment that supports innovative activities. A valuable resource for researchers, urban planners, urban geographers, and policy makers interested in East Asia, Post-Industrial East Asian Cities presents the latest findings on creative industries in East Asia and their effect on urban economic growth.

 

East Asian Finance: The Road to Robust Markets

Swati R. Ghosh -- English -- Published 2006 by World Bank

VDIC Price: $10

 

Well-functioning financial markets are critical for supporting East Asia's ambitious growth and development agenda. Over the coming years, East Asia's financial sector will need to be highly diversified to meet the needs of increasingly complex and sophisticated economies. It will need to provide financial services efficiently, and it will need to be robust to withstand potential shocks in a fast-changing, globalizing world economy.

 

East Asian Finance provides a comprehensive overview of the financial markets in the East Asia region. It undertakes a systematic analysis of each of the financial segments in terms of access, efficiency, and stability, and discusses the remaining challenges and policy priorities. It argues that the East Asian economies need to focus on further developing the securities markets. In particular, given the depth of the financial sector overall, economies in East Asia lag behind in the relative importance of the bond market. The text discusses the critical policy agenda to further develop these markets, both at the regional and domestic levels.

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Distance Learning Center events in October 2006

October 11 - 13 : Blended learning course on Microfinance - Module III: Gauging Institutional Viability

 

This is the 3rd Module of Microfinance course, which is co-sponsored and organized by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), World Bank Insitute, Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC), the Vietnam Development Information Center (VDIC), and GDLN Asia Pacific. 

 

Module III on Gauging Institutional Viability consists of 2 videoconferences (the 2nd videoconference is on November 9) and local tutoring sessions. The content is customized to the practice in Vietnam, language of instruction at the tutoring classes is Vietnamese, learning materials and discussions during videoconference sessions are translated into Vietnamese language. For further information, please visit VDIC website at:

 

http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=learningevents&op=viewDetailNews&id=345&language=english&mid=330&cmid=359

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News from other organizations

For further information on the news provided below, please contact the organization directly.

ISG Annual Plenary Meeting 2006 “Vietnam's agro-enterprises beyond WTO membership” – Call for participants

To: Agro-enterprises in Vietnam; and all ISG stakeholders

MARD is organizing the ISG Annual Plenary Meeting 2006 Vietnam's agro-enterprises beyond WTO membership ” on 25 October 2006. Its tentative program can be obtained from the Internet. The meeting is co-chaired by Dr. Cao Duc Phat, MARD Minister, H.E Mr. Michael W. Marine, Ambassador of the United States, and Mr. Luong Van Tu, Vice Minister of Trade.

All Vietnamese Government's relevant agencies, donor community including governmental, non-governmental, international organisations, researchers and foreign investors involved in the agriculture and rural development activities in Vietnam are welcome to join the meeting.

The ultimate goal of the policy dialogue is to creat a sound legal corridor that can assure the equal opportunities for Vietnam's agro-enterprises of every economic sector to be more competitive after Vietnam becomes a WTO member.

Please send the filled registration forms to ISG Secretariat best before 5 October 2006 . Official invitation will only be sent to the registered participants. Participants will cover their own costs, including acommodations and travels during the meeting.

http://www.isgmard.org.vn/What%20is%20ISG/Plenary2006-Anoounce.asp

2007 Development Marketplace Global Competition

The Development Marketplace (DM) team in collaboration with the World Bank’s Health, Nutrition and Population unit, announces the Call for Proposals for the 2007 Global Development Marketplace (DM2007). This year, the World Bank seeks to recognize and support initiatives that improve health, nutrition and population outcomes for poor people in developing countries.

Proposals are welcome from a range of development innovators: civil society groups, social entrepreneurs, private foundations, government agencies, academia, the private sector, as well as staff from the World Bank Group and other donor organizations. A total of US$4 million in awards is available, with a maximum award size of US$200,000.

Proposals should address at least one of the following sub-themes: (i) Innovative mechanisms to reach vulnerable groups; (ii) Public-private partnerships to improve delivery of health goods and services; (iii) Innovative inter-sectoral linkages, such as improving water supply, sanitation services, indoor air pollution, roads, etc., for illness/disease/injury prevention; (iv) Cost-effective approaches/methods/technologies to improve local capacity to gather, analyze and apply health, nutrition and population data.

Deadline: November 17, 2006.

www.developmentmarketplace.org 

The Japan Foundation Program Guidelines for fiscal year 2007-2008

To contribute to a better international environment and to facilitate the development of harmonious relationships between Japan and other countries, the Japan Foundation supports various projects in three major categories: arts and cultural exchange, Japanese-language education overseas, and Japanese studies overseas and intellectual exchange.

Deadline: December 1st, 2006, with several exceptions.

http://www.jpf.go.jp/e/about/program/

Request for Applications (RFA) "Changing sexual norms among young men in Viet Nam: a media and peer outreach approach"

Pact Viet Nam is pleased to announce a Request for Applications (RFA) for a program entitled ?Changing sexual norms among young men in Viet Nam: a media and peer outreach approach.? Up to 3 million USD will be provided over a three-year period in order to enhance and expand a national media campaign and accompanying community outreach interventions, with the objective of changing male sexual norms and reducing use of sex workers among Vietnamese men. Up to $800,000 will be available in year 1.

Applications are due Tuesday, October 31, 2006.  All inquiries or requests of RFA must be made by email to Asia Nguyen, Program Officer, Pact Viet Nam, at asianguyen@pactvietnam.org. An in-country information session open to all interested parties will be held on Monday, October 2, 2006 at Pact Viet Nam, 342 Nghi Tam Road, Tay Ho District, Hanoi, Viet Nam at 2 p.m.  A similar session will be held on Tuesday, October 3 in Ho Chi Minh City contingent on demand.

www.pactworld.org/vietnamrfa (accessible from Tuesday, September 26, 2006)

Call for nominations: Equator Prize

Awarded biennially, the Equator Prize recognizes five community-based projects that demonstrate extraordinary achievement in reducing poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the equatorial belt. The prize is coordinated by the United Nations Development Programme and has been funded, in part, by the United Nations Foundation. Prizewinners receive international recognition for their work, as well as $30,000 each.

Deadline: October 31, 2006

http://www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/

Grants available from the Sumitomo Foundation

The Sumitomo Foundation welcomes applications for the following grants to contribute to the betterment of human society: Grant for Japan-related Research Projects by East or Southeast Asian researchers (except for Japanese nationality). Deadline: October 31, 2006. The following additional grants have a deadline of November 30, 2006. Grant for Projects for the Protection, Preservation & Restoration of Cultural Properties outside Japan, to be applied in English or Japanese, Grant for Projects for the Protection, Preservation & Restoration of Cultural Properties in Japan, to be applied in Japanese only, Grant for Environmental Research Projects, to be applied in Japanese only, and Grant for Basic Science Research Projects, to be applied in Japanese only. The grants are provided to researchers of Asian nationality who live outside Japan. The priority is given to East and Southeast Asian nationals. Grant amount for each project is between 0.3 to 1.3 million Yen.

http://www.sumitomo.or.jp/e/index.htm

Call for Proposals: 2006 GSDI Small Grants Program

The announcement for the 2006 GSDI Small Grants Program is being prepared and will be circulated shortly. The GSDI Small Grants Program supports national or sub-national activities that foster partnerships, improve data compatibility and access, and increase political support for spatial data infrastructure development. The grants are limited to US$ 2,500 and up to an equivalent amount in SDI/GIS consulting and development services. Kindly check the GSDI website during September 2006 for more deadlines.

http://www.gsdi.org/ 

Micro-Grant Competition: Integrating Economic Self-Reliance into Agricultural Education

International development charity Teach A Man To Fish will launch a funding competition offering support for innovative educational work in developing countries. From community education centres making money from honey, to schoolyard chicken-runs laying aside profits to pay for books, the competition aims to encourage agricultural education initiatives that boost organisations’ finances at the same time as teaching business skills to students. Awards will go to the best proposals where teaching business sense and entrepreneurship is used to generate funds to support the costs of wider educational work. Entry is open to all non-profit organisations and educational institutions working in agricultural education in developing countries.

The deadline for round one applications is November 15th 2006.

http://www.teachamantofish.org.uk/competition/

Call for proposal from developing country researchers carrying out research on poverty issues

The Poverty and Economic Policy (PEP) announces Call for Proposals for next general meeting, to be held in Peru in May or June 2007.

PEP offers financial support worth up to $CAN 50,000 per team (including a $20,000 core grant and funding for participation in meetings, study visits, conferences, etc.) and intensive scientific and technical support to developing country researchers carrying out research in a developing country studying poverty issues. Roughly 15-20 proposals are selected each year.

The deadline for submitting proposals is November 30, 2006.

Please contact pep@ecn.ulaval.ca for any additional information.

http://www.pep-net.org

East Asian Development Network (EADN) Call for Proposals for Individual Research Grants

EADN provides financial support aimed at improving research capacity/quality and policy relevance through Individual Research Grants. These are awarded to individuals and research teams on a competitive basis. The grant is opened to research proposals covering topics in all of the Social Sciences. Preference will be given to topics which are development-oriented and policy-relevant.

Applications can be by individual researchers or by research teams from one of the East Asian developing economies. The amount of the research grant varies depending on the scope of the research subject, complexity of the research methodology including data acquisitions and field work to collect primary data, length of time required to complete the research (not more than 12 months) and the number of researchers involved. In general, the grant will range from US$ 7,500 to a maximum of US$ 20,000.

Deadline: October 31, 2006.

http://www.eadn.org/propose2006.htm

Earthwatch - Request for research proposals

Earthwatch - research program welcomes proposals from advanced scholars and professionals of any nationality. The organization is a diverse community of scientists, educators, students, businesspeople and explorers who work together to get the fullest benefit from scientific expeditions. In addition to 150 staff in the United States, England, Australia and Japan, Earthwatch supports more than 130 scientists each year and builds networks of hundreds of students and teachers. Earthwatch supports doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, or researchers with equivalent scholarship or commensurate life experience. It supports field research that explores environmental impacts, biodiversity, human ecology and conservation management. Proposal deadlines are as follows: If your project's field season starts in April-June 2008, proposal is due 15 October 2006; July-September 2008, proposal is due 15 January 2007; October-December 2008, proposal is due 15 April 2007. Contact: research@earthwatch.org.

http://www.earthwatch.org/site/pp.asp?c=dsJSK6PFJnH&b=392425

UNEP Sasakawa Prize

The UNEP Sasakawa Prize is awarded every year to individuals with an established track record of achievement and the potential to make outstanding contributions to the protection and management of the environment consistent with UNEP’s policies and objectives.

The publicity and prestige associated with winning the UNEP Sasakawa Prize is just one of its advantages. Recognizing that good ideas deserve a helping hand, the $200,000 UNEP Sasakawa Prize offers the financial support laureates need to build on their achievements.

The UNEP Sasakawa Prize acts as an incentive for environmental efforts that are sustainable and replicable in the long-term. It recognizes innovation, groundbreaking research and ideas, and extraordinary grassroots initiatives from around the world. Each candidate’s scope of activities will be associated with the environmental theme selected for the year as indicated on the nomination form. In 2006, the theme for which candidates will be eligible is ‘deserts and desertification’.

Deadline: 15 March 2007

http://www.unep.org/sasakawa/ 

UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction 2007

The 2007 nomination process for the UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction is now open to individuals and institutions form all sectors of society involved in issues related to disaster risk reduction. As 2007 marks the 20th anniversary of the Award, the UN/ISDR secretariat will focus its efforts in commemorating this important event. Exceptionally this year, the UN Sasakawa Award selection process begins 29 June 2006 and will remain for open for a full calendar year to encourage a greater number of applicants from all walks of life.

Deadline: 29 June 2007

http://www.unisdr.org/eng/sasakawa/2007/Sasakwa-Award-2007-English.pdf

Melina Mercouri International Prize for the Safeguarding and Management of Cultural Landscapes

The purpose of the Melina Mercouri International Prize (UNESCO-Greece) is to reward outstanding examples of action to safeguard and enhance the world's major cultural landscapes. It bears the name of Melina Mercouri, a precursor of integrated conservation and sustainable development, a memorable actress and Minister of Culture of Greece. It meets a need, clearly identified by the World Heritage Committee, which, at its sixteenth session, held in Santa Fe in December 1992, recognized that the protection of cultural landscapes, a richer concept than the conventional one of 'monuments' or 'sites', is one of the main priorities of the present time. The prize, which consists of a certificate and of the sum of US$20,000 U (for 2007), may be awarded either to an individual or to a group of persons, working in a personal capacity or as staff member(s) of a private or public institution chosen by the Director-General of UNESCO on the recommendation of an international jury. The landscapes proposed in connection with the nomination must fit the definition of at least one of the three categories of cultural landscapes decided on by the World Heritage Committee at its sixteenth session.

Nominations for the prize have to be at UNESCO by 1 November 2006.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/melinamercouriprize

The Australian Development Scholarships (ADS)

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Ministry of Education and Training MOET) invite eligible candidates to submit applications for ADS INTAKE 2008. Through its development cooperation program, the Australian Government, in partnership with the Government of Vietnam is assisting Vietnam to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. The Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) scheme forms an important part of this development program, providing up to 150 full postgraduate scholarships each year.

The ADS Program in Vietnam has two categories, the Priority Public Institutions category and the Open category. Australian Development Scholarship Program are awarded to applicants who can demonstrate the contribution their proposed study will make within key focus areas of Australia's development cooperation program in Vietnam. The key focus areas are: Governance, Rural Development, and Regional, Transboundary and Emerging Priorities.

Applications close Friday 20 October 2006

http://www.ads.edu.vn/ 

The new Netherlands Fellowship Programs (NFP)

Target group: Vietnamese mid-career professionals (at least 4 years of working experience).

NFP – Academic Program (NFP-AP): Master’s Degree, Ph.D studies, Refresher-courses (Duration: 1 year or more)

These fellowships are for professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge by doing a regular study at an international educational institute. Individuals should be nominated by their employers, who pledge to continue payment of the person’s salary and to hold a job for them upon completion of the study. Fellowships are not offered for the persons who are employed by large industrial, commercial and/or multinational firms.

NFP – Training Program (NFP-TP): Short courses, Tailor-made courses, Refresher courses (Duration: up to one year)

Institutes for International Education offer international short courses in several fields of study relevant to developing countries. The criteria for this fellowship program are the same as for the NFP-AP program.

www.nuffic.nl/nfp

Fall 2007 ADB Scholarship

The Asian Development Bank - Government of Japan Scholarship Program graduate degree fellowship provides support for graduate (post-baccalaureate) studies in approved fields of study at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa (UHM), and for participation in educational activities at the East-West Center (EWC). The basic requirements for this scholarship are two years work experience at the time of application and a full 4-year bachelor’s degree at the time of application, or, the equivalent of a full 4-year bachelor’s degree; (an equivalent of a full 4-year bachelor’s degree could be a 3-year bachelor’s degree plus a 1-year master’s degree, or a 2-year bachelor’s degree plus a 2-year master’s degree, subject to review).

Deadline: 1 November 2006

http://www.eastwestcenter.org/semedu-program.asp?program_ID=3&Topic=Student&Area=Education 

East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship 

The East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship provides Master's and Doctoral funding for graduate students from Asia, the Pacific, and the U.S. to participate in educational and research programs at the East-West Center while pursuing graduate study at the University of Hawai‘i. Through East-West Center affiliation, awardees become part of a growing network of students and alumni forging the shape and substance of the world's most vibrant region. Center fellowships are provided for degree study at the University of Hawai‘i and participation in the Center's international and intercultural programs. The Center and the University of Hawai‘i, located in a unique island setting with a distinctive multicultural heritage, offer premier resources for studies on Asia, the Pacific, and the U.S. Degree fellows have opportunities to participate in graduate certificate programs offered in leadership studies, international intercultural studies, population studies and natural resource management that enhance their degree studies. Other opportunities include invited participation in the Center's research projects in several areas of international study including politics, governance and security; economics; environmental change; population and health; education ; and Pacific islands development.

Deadline: 1 November 2006

http://www.eastwestcenter.org/semedu-program.asp?program_ID=1&Topic=Student&Area=Education 

Scholarships for graduate education in clinical psychology

The Vietnam Children Mental Health Research Training Program will be accepting applications for graduate and postdoctoral positions in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee) later this year. Tuition and stipend will be provided to trainees for the duration of the training program (5 years for graduate, 1-2 years for postdocs).  Our goal is to develop research infrastructure and to provide training for children's mental health research in Vietnam by training individuals who will return to Khoa Su Phạm, Ðại học Quốc gia, Hà nội. to establish the first PhD clinical psychology program in Vietnam. We are seeking individuals who have a commitment to research training and an interest in children's mental health issues.

http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/VN-ICOHRTA

Scholarship in library and information studies: STIMULATE 7 (Scientific and Technological Information Management in Universities and Libraries: an Active Training Environment)

This initiative is aimed primarily at persons with a university degree (Bachelor or Master), who work in universities, information and documentation centres, and libraries, including of course university libraries, and who have a few years of practical experience.

The main aim and goal of this International Training Program is to offer a stimulating learning environment to the participants. These are young scientists and professionals who have a function as information intermediary in the area of science and technology, so as to sharpen their skills in collecting, storing, retrieving, presenting and managing information.

After being actively involved in this International Training Program, every participant will have improved the ability

-- to appreciate and explain the importance of access to information for their organisation
-- to present information to users and potential users, using appropriate information technology
-- to train interested persons in the use and management of information, using appropriate presentation techniques
-- to contribute to the planning of the (further) development of an information service
-- to communicate through the Internet with users of information, information providers, colleagues,…
-- to apply quantitative methods in decision making related to information systems and services
-- to retrieve information from the Internet
-- to store information for later retrieval and access by potential users, using information technology

Deadline: the end of January 2007

http://www.vliruos.be/UK/02programme/03training/0200int_training.htm 

http://www.vub.ac.be/BIBLIO/itp/

Vietnam Intelligence 2006 Competition

This year’s competition, with the slogan “Technology Integration – Friend Connection”, aims to discover and encourage young talents to create and develop IT products for daily life. The organisers will present a first prize worth VND70 million and an Elead laptop, two second prizes worth VND40 million and an Elead laptop, and two third prizes worth VND25 million and an Elead desktop.

Deadline: November 10, 2006.

www.ttvn.com.vn 

Call for papers: 6th International Graduate Student Conference East-West Center, Honolulu Hawaii

The East West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii will host the 6th International Graduate Student Conference from February 15th - 17th 2007. The theme of this year's conference is "Continuity and Change in the Asia Pacific: People, Places, Systems". This is an annual event catering particularly to scholars of the Asia - Pacific region and has attracted a large body of talented graduate students across the world every year. Though focused on development issues, the conference spans a wide diversity of disciplines including Politics, Governance, and Security; Economics; Environmental Change, Vulnerability, and Governance; Population and Health; and Education. Graduate students are encouraged to apply.

Further questions may be directed to studentconference@eastwestcenter.org

Deadline: 23rd October 2006.

http://www.eastwestcenter.org/studentconference

Call for papers: International Symposium on "Community Activities for the Conservation of Water Environment"

The Water Environment Partnership in Asia (WEPA) will hold an international symposium on "Community Activities for the Conservation of Water Environment" on 8 December 2006 in Bangkok, as a side event of "The 4th International Symposium on Southeast Asian Water Environment".

To commemorate the holding of this symposium, the WEPA Secretariat is requesting papers. Selected papers will be published in the symposium proceedings, and will also be made available on the publicly-accessible WEPA database, as examples of community activity.

For further information please email to contact@wepa-db.net

Deadline: 31 October 2006

http://www.iges.or.jp/en/fw/0612callforpapers.html

"Tourism Snapshot of an Industry!" - a free online course provided by George Washington University

This online course has been designed to provide the participant with a broad understanding of travel and tourism industry. Various related fields and industries that are part of or complement the tourism industry which are discussed include: * Sustainable Destination Management * Events and Meeting Management * Sports Management * Hospitality and Food Service Management * Tourism Research * Transportation * Tourism Policy, Planning and Development.

By the end of this course, participants should gain the knowledge to: 1. Discuss the significance of the phenomenon of travel and tourism in contemporary society. 2. Relate how external constraints, determinants, and conditions have influenced the evolution and present characteristics of travel. 3. Understand the key concepts of tourism and the related fields listed above. 4. Identify and understand the role and importance of professional associations involved with tourism and related areas. 5. Gain a general understanding of the career opportunities available within tourism and related areas.

This course is free to anyone who chooses to participant. It is a self-managed on-line course made up of eight units with a self-assessment quiz at the end. It is provided by the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management and the International Institute of Tourism Studies at The George Washington University.

http://gwutou.hostcentric.com/tourism/index.php

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