We would like to invite eligible organisations to apply for an VBLP Grant, which is sponsored by Australian Government Trust Fund through the management of the Vietnam Development Information Center - The Workd Bank in Vietnam. This initiative is to promote the usage of information and communication technologies in learning and knowledge sharing activities of Vietnam's organisations. Grant winning organisations will be rewarded an estimated amount of USD 20,000 to implement a capacity building project. There is no limitation on the area of the capacity building project. Organisations could take this opportunity to improve their training or delivery effectivess; to share and learn from other institutions in the community of practice, nationally and internationally.

Deadline for Expression of Interest's submission is 5pm, Friday 19th October 2007.

More information on the VBLP program and a template of Expression of Interest would be available at http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=aboutus&op=viewDetailNews&id=152&id=362&mid=330&cmid=367

Free Training Sessions Provided by VDIC

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

IMPORTANT NOTICES FOR PARTICIPANTS:

· Please read the course materials available online at http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=library&op=viewDetailNews&id=339&mid=322&cmid=361 before attending the class. It is useful to take them to the class for additional notes since we do not provide participants with printed course materials.

· Please bring your own laptop to the classes if possible since these training sessions require computer use and Internet access while number of computers for class participants are limited. Wifi is provided free of charge at VDIC.

“Searching the Internet: basic skills” class

Date: October 17, 2007 -- 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: October 18, 2007 -- 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.

World Food Day – 16 October 2007 “The rights to food”

The right to food is a universal right. It means that every person – woman, man and child – must have access at all times to food, or to means for the procurement of food, that is sufficient in quality, quantity and variety to meet their needs, is free from harmful substances and is acceptable to their culture. Only when individuals do not have the capacity to meet their food needs by their own means for reasons beyond their control, such as age, handicap, economic downturn, famine, disaster, or discrimination, will they be entitled to receive food directly from the state.

This definition is based on the assumption that hunger and malnutrition are caused not just by a lack of available food, but also by poverty, income disparities, and lack of access to health care, education, clean water, and sanitary living conditions. The principle that all human rights are interrelated and interdependent is also acknowledged. This means that the right to food cannot be implemented in isolation from other human rights, i.e. right to education, right to work, right to health, freedom of assembly and association. Ensuring that every girl, boy, woman and man enjoys adequate food on a permanent basis is not only a moral imperative and an investment with high economic returns: it is the realization of a fundamental human right.

Small exhibition at VDIC on this occasion provides brief information on this topic as well as display a number of publications on food and food security, with focus on Vietnam.

Library

For more information about VDIC library services and resources, please visit http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=library&op=viewDetailNews&id=354&mid=322

Selected Resources on Food from VDIC Library

AGR-BUS 14. Moustier, Paule. Markets and Agriculture Linkages for Cities in Asia. Food markets and agricultural development in Vietnam. Hanoi: MALICA, 2003-11.

AGR-BUS 16. 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

AGR-RUR-V6. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Rapid growth of selected Asian economies: Lessons and implications for agriculture and food security: Republic of Korea, Thailand and Viet Nam. FAO, 2006. Full text http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/ag089e/ag089e00.htm

AGR-SEC 10. 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

AGR-SEC 3. United Nations System Network on Rural Development and Food Security. Building partnerships for food security. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2002.

AGR-SEC 8. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Department of Planning. The state of food security in Vietnam 2004. Hanoi: MARD, 2005-09. Part of data available from http://www.mard.gov.vn/FSIU/

AGR-SUB 11. International Food Policy Research Institute. Fruits and vegetables in Vietnam: adding value from farmer to consumer. Washington, DC: IFPRI, 2002.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The state of food insecurity in the world 2006: Eradicating world hunger - taking stock ten years after the World Food Summit. Rome, Italy : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2006. Full text http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0750e/a0750e00.htm

Food and Agriculture Organization. The State of Food and Agriculture in Asia and the Pacific 2006. Bangkok: Food and Agriculture Organization, 2006. Full text http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/ag086e/ag086e00.htm

HEA-NUT 8. Aragrande, Maurizio. Studying food supply and distribution systems to cities in developing countries and countries in transition: methodological and operational guide. Rome, Italy: FAO, 2001.

HEA-NUT [CD-ROM]. Feeding minds, fighting hunger: a world free from hunger. S.l.: FAO and FMFH Partnership, 2002.

TRA-FAI-V4. Asian Development Bank (ADB). Supermarkets and the poor in Vietnam. Asian Development Bank. Making Markets Work Better for the Poor, 2006. Full text http://www.markets4poor.org/?name=publication&op=viewDetailNews&id=926

Highlights from the New Additions to VDIC Library

Full list of new additions to VDIC library in September 2007 can be found at http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=library&op=viewDetailNews&id=161&mid=322&cmid=325

BAN-CRE-V1. IFC; MPDF. Vietam: increasing access to credit through collateral (secured transactions) reform = Việt Nam: tăng cường cơ hội tiếp cận tín dụng thông qua cải cách về giao dịch bảo đảm. IFC, 2007. Full text http://www.fias.net/ifcext/fias.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/Vietnam_Increasing_Access_to+_Credit_ENGLISH
/$FILE/Book+FIAS-MPDF_ENG_Final.pdf

BAN-MIC [Internet]. UNESCAP. Microfinance for Poverty Reduction: Building Inclusive Financial Sectors in Asia and The Pacific. UNESCAP, 2007. Developmet Papers. 27. Full text http://www.unescap.org/pdd/publications/dp27/index.asp

ECO-ENT-V29. Phòng Thương mại và Công nghiệp Việt Nam (VCCI). Báo cáo Thường niên Doanh nghiệp Việt Nam 2006: Chủ đề năm: Hội nhập WTO. Phòng Thương mại và Công nghiệp Việt Nam (VCCI), 2007.

ECO-ENT-V30. Nguyen, Duy Khien; Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). Doing business in Vietnam: Essential information and guide to successful strategies. Transportation Publishing House, 2006.

ECO-POL-V49. Le, Huu Tang (ed.); Liu, Han Yue (ed.). Economic reform in Vietnam and in China: A comparative study. The Gioi Publishers, 2006.

GEN-ECO-V6. Mekong Private Sector Development Facility (MPDF); International Finance Corporation (IFC). Voices of Vietnamese women entrepreneurs. Mekong Private Sector Development Facility (MPDF); International Finance Corporation (IFC), 2007. Full text http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/mekongpsdf.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/Voice+of+Women+Entrepreneurs-Eng/$FILE/Voice+of+Women+Entrepreneurs+en.pdf

GEN-ECO-V6. Tập đoàn Tài chính Quốc tế. Chương trình Phát triển Kinh tế Tư nhân (IFC/MPDF). Tiếng nói của doanh nhân nữ Việt Nam. Tập đoàn Tài chính Quốc tế. Chương trình Phát triển Kinh tế Tư nhân (IFC/MPDF), 2007. Full text http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/mekongpsdf.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/Voice+of+Women+Entrepreneurs-vn/$FILE/Voice+of+Women+Entrepreneurs+vn.pdf

HEA-HIV 31. Gable, Lance; Gamharter, Katharina; Gostin, Lawrence O. Legal aspects of HIV/AIDS: A guide for policy and law reform. The World Bank, 2007.

INF-TRA-V [Internet]. Mu, Ren; van de Walle, Dominique. Rural roads and poor area development in Vietnam. World Bank, 2007. Impact Evaluation series. 18. Full text http://go.worldbank.org/Z483E2N7F0

INF-URB [Internet]. IGES Urban Environmental Management Project. Air Pollution Control in the Transportation Sector: Third Phase Research Report of the Urban Environmental Management Project. Institute for Global Environmental Strategies - IGES(Hayama), 2007. Full text http://enviroscope.iges.or.jp/modules/envirolib/upload/836/attach/836_air_pollution_control_transportation.pdf

PRI-V18. Tập đoàn Tài chính Quốc tế. Chương trình Phát triển Kinh tế Tư nhân (IFC-MPDF); Viện Nghiên cứu Quản lý Kinh tế Trung Ương (CIEM). Cải cách quy trình và thủ tục thành lập doanh nghiệp: Tài liệu tham khảo dành cho các địa phương. Tập đoàn Tài chính Quốc tế. Chương trình Phát triển Kinh tế Tư nhân (IFC-MPDF); Viện Nghiên cứu Quản lý Kinh tế Trung Ương (CIEM), 2007.

Useful Web Site

More useful web sites on development issues can be viewed at http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=usefullink&mid=314

Social Science Research Network http://www.ssrn.com

From the web site’s introduction: Social Science Research Network (SSRN) is devoted to the rapid worldwide dissemination of social science research and is composed of a number of specialized research networks in each of the social sciences.

Each of SSRN's networks encourages the early distribution of research results by publishing Submitted abstracts and by soliciting abstracts of top quality research papers around the world. We now have hundreds of journals, publishers, and institutions in Partners in Publishing that provide working papers for distribution through SSRN's eLibrary and abstracts for publication in SSRN's electronic journals.

The SSRN eLibrary consists of two parts: an Abstract Database containing abstracts on over 161,100 scholarly working papers and forthcoming papers and an Electronic Paper Collection currently containing over 128,200 downloadable full text documents in Adobe Acrobat pdf format. Many of them are free of charge, especially for users residing in developing countries. The eLibrary also includes the research papers of a number of Fee Based Partner Publications.

The Networks encourage readers to communicate directly with authors and other subscribers concerning their own and others' research. To facilitate this we publish detailed author contact information including email addresses for authors of each paper. We also provide electronic delivery of the papers when authors wish us to do so from the SSRN eLibrary. You may also Browse the SSRN eLibrary, view our current Top Papers or search the electronic library for papers by Title, Author, or Journal/Topic.

SSRN also offers a range of high-visibility Advertising Opportunities for companies seeking to market their products to professionals in the social science or law areas.

Fields covered:

· Accounting

· Economics

· Entrepreneurship

· Financial economics

· Information systems

· Legal scholarship

· Management

· Marketing

· Negotiations

· Political science

· Social and environmental impact

· Social insurance

Selected Publications for Sale at VDIC

More featured titles for sale are listed at

http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=bookstore&op=viewDetailNews&id=155&mid=328

Legal Aspects of HIV/AIDS: A Guide for Policy and Law Reform

by Lance Gable, Katharina Gamharter, Lawrence O. Gostin, James G. Hodge Jr., Rudolf V. Van Puymbroeck

English -- Published August 2007 by the World Bank -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7105-3

Price: $ 7.00

This is an invaluable resource for lawyers, policy makers, and other practitioners with an interest in countries' responses to HIV/AIDS. Legal Aspects of HIV/AIDS: A Guide for Policy and Law Reform covers 65 wide-ranging topics in a concise, accessible format, explaining how laws and regulations can either underpin or undermine public health programs and responsible personal behavior. For each topic, the Guide summarizes the key legal or policy issues, provides relevant "practice examples" (citing actual laws and regulations), and offers a selective list of references that may be consulted for more information.

Laws relating to many areas of our lives - from intimate physical conduct to international travel - can contribute to stigma, discrimination, and exclusion or, contrariwise, can help remedy these inequities. In order to create a supportive legal framework for responding to HIV/AIDS, it is important that governments effectively address gaps and other problematic aspects in their legislation and regulatory systems. This book, written by a team of leading legal experts, helps them do so.

A Decade of Action in Transport: An Evaluation of World Bank Assistance to the Transport Sector, 1995-2005

by Peter Nigel Freeman

English -- Published April 2007 by the World Bank -- ISBN: 978-0-8213-7003-2

Price: $ 6.00

The World Bank committed $30.6 billion in transport-related projects during the past decade, making it one of the largest sectors. The evaluation looks into the Bank's experience in the sector, and assesses the institution's interventions, the impact of rapid transport sector expansion, and its readiness to meet the challenges ahead.

How Universities Promote Economic Growth

by Shahid Yusuf, Kaoru Nabeshima

English -- Published December 2006 by the World Bank -- ISBN: 978-0-8213-6751-3

Price: $ 9.00

With the competitiveness of firms in an open and integrated world environment increasingly reliant on technological capability, universities are being asked to take on a growing role in stimulating economic growth. Beyond imparting education, they are now viewed as sources of industrially valuable technical skills, innovations, and entrepreneurship. Developed and developing countries alike have made it a priority to realize this potential of universities to spur growth, a strategy that calls for coordinated policy actions.

The distinguished contributors to How Universities Promote Economic Growth examine the wealth of international experience on efforts to multiply links between universities and businesses. They offer valuable and succinct guidance on some of the most effective policy measures deployed by national and regional governments, firms and universities to enhance the contribution that tertiary institutions can make to economic change.

"This ambitious book had its origins in a March 2006 symposium held in Paris, sponsored by the World Bank's Development Economics Department. Its main purpose is to examine the roles played by universities in the larger context of national innovation systems. More specifically it is concerned with policy issues, starting at the national level and moving down to subnational levels, regional as well as local; it also deals with issue so funiversity governance.

A major strength of the book is that is conveniently provides a useful readers' guide to what is, by now, a vast literature, covering much of Europe, North AMerica, and Asia, including the emerging giants of China and India, as well as Japan, now reemerging from its dismal economic performance of the past 15 years.

The book captures much of the diversity in the variety of approaches taken by different countries in attempting to exploit a key institution in the emerging knowledge economies of the 21st century. Thus it provides numerous entry points for anyone who is interested in the possible contributions of university to economic growth in the decades ahead."

- Nathan Rosenberg

Fairleigh S. Dickinson, Jr., Professor of Public Policy (Emeritus)

Department of Economics, Stanford University

Transforming Microfinance Institutions: Providing Full Financial Services to the Poor

by Joanna Ledgerwood, Victoria White

English -- Published August 2006 by World Bank, the Micro Finance Network -- ISBN: 978-0-8213-6615-8

Price: $ 14.00

In response to a clear need by low-income people to gain access to the full range of financial services including savings, a growing number of microfinance NGOs are seeking guidelines to transform from credit-focused microfinance organizations to regulated deposit-taking financial intermediaries. In response to this trend, this book presents a practical "how-to" manual for MFIs to develop the capacity to become licensed and regulated to mobilize deposits from the public.

Transforming Microfinance Institutions provides guidelines for regulators to license and regulate microfinance providers, and for transforming MFIs to meet the demands of two major new stakeholders -regulators and shareholders. As such, it focuses on developing the capacity of NGO MFIs to mobilize and intermediate voluntary savings. Drawing from worldwide experience, it outlines how to manage the transformation process and address major strategic and operational issues inherent in transformation including competitive positioning, business planning, accessing capital and shareholders, and how to "transform" the MFI's human resources, financial management, MIS, internal controls, and branch operations. Case studies then provide examples of developing a new regulatory tier for microfinance, and how a Ugandan NGO transformed to become a licensed financial intermediary.

This book will be invaluable to regulators and microfinance NGOs contemplating institutional transformation and will be of tremendous use to donors and technical support agencies supporting MFIs in their transformation.

Distance Learning Center Events in October 2007

For more information about our Distance Learning Center services, facilities and events, please visit http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=learningevents&op=viewDetailNews&id=311&&mid=330

E-discussion: Input from Young Leaders on Business Engagement for Governance—Business and the Rules of the Game (Free register)

The E-discussion will target young people (including high school, undergraduate and graduate students) offering them a space to voice their opinions on key issues related to climate change and anti-corruption efforts and, most importantly, which steps they are ready to take to address these issues in their daily lives. The main recommendations and suggestions coming out from the E-discussion will be reported out to business leaders present at the 12th International Business Forum, taking place in Washington, DC October 9-10, 2007. The Forum, organized jointly with InWent, Capacity Building International, will address businesses' contributions to creating a conducive environment for sustainable investment and development.

The E-discussion will be officially launched on Monday, Sept. 24 and will run until October 5, 2007 - ending just a few days before the beginning of the Forum. Each week, the participants will be invited to discuss a different topic (first week: climate change, second week: anti-corruption), by posting their messages on a World Bank on-line forum. The E-discussion is free of charge. Please visit our website for more information and learn how to register: http://info.worldbank.org/etools/BusinessMDGs/eDiscussion.htm.

For further information, please contact Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai, email: mnguyen@worldbank.org.

An Inter-Regional Knowledge Sharing Series on Avian and Human Influenza - Seminar 4: Vaccination of Poultry Policies, Issues and Good Practice (Open for registration)

Date and time: October 11 from 14:00-17:00

Venue: Viet Nam Development Information Center, tầng 1, 63 Ly‎ Thái Tổ, Hà Nội

The World Bank and its partners are pleased to offer a series of inter-regional knowledge and learning seminars through the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) on issues that are of high priority when dealing with Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) preparedness. The GDLN is a partnership of more than 130 Distance Learning Centers that use advanced information and communications technologies to facilitate knowledge exchange and have the skills and experience to connect organizations and communities working in development in a timely and cost-effective manner. The seminars will provide for an exchange of knowledge, the sharing of experiences and good practices and lessons that have been learned. All information and resources that are developed for use in these seminars will be made available to the Bank and its partners for application and use, as appropriate. It is intended that this series will better enable the Bank and its partners to strengthen their approach to knowledge and capacity building on AHI issues around the world.

In this seminar, led by specialists from FAO, OIE and the World Bank, participants will discuss use of vaccination in the context of an overall AHI control program. The seminar will seek to discuss: (a) the key scientific and logistical constraints, risks and concerns discussed during the recent Verona conference; (b) efficacy of alternative vaccine strains; (c) costs associated with a vaccination campaign; (d) measures of success; and (e) types of vaccines, amongst other issues. The seminar will provide an opportunity for countries, agencies and donors to engage in a substantive discussion of the main issues arising in this complex policy area. Representatives from selected countries have also been invited to contribute their experience and recommendations for improved vaccination campaigns relative to AHI preparedness and prevention.

Videoconference Consultation in conjontion with the 12th International Business Forum (Open for registration)

Topics to be discussed: “Business and the Rules of the Game: From Rule-Takers to Rule-Makers?”

Date and time: Tuesday 02 October 2007 from 17:00-19:00

Venue: Viet Nam Development Information Center, Ground floor, 63 Ly‎ Thai To, Hanoi.

On October 8-10, 2007, WBI and its partner InWEnt, Capacity Building International, are jointly organizing and hosting the 12th International Business Forum on “Business and the Millennium Development Goals” in Washington, D.C. This annual event will include keynote speeches and presentations by the World Bank President Robert Zoellick, MTV Brazil, Transparency International, Volkswagen, Citibank, CEMEX, Fluor, United Nations Environment Programme, and many others. The Forum will take a close look at the global issues faced by firms where they can find themselves as rule breakers, rule takers or rule makers, running ahead of legislation in order to manage their risks effectively. Additional information on the Forum can be viewed at http://businessandmdgs.net.

A critical component that is not captured in the current structure of the Forum is input from young people and future leaders. In order to make sure that these important voices are heard, three consultations will be conducted with students from around the world on the key themes of the Forum. These consultations will be conducted via videoconference and will connect multiple locations at once for a lively, cross-cultural discussion.

If any student or young professional who are studying or working in the field of business, economics and related are interested in topic and want to join in the discussion through Video conferencing, please register by email at Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai: mnguyen@worlbank.org.

Funding Opportunities

For more funding opportunities, please read previous VDIC newsletters at http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=newsletter&op=viewDetailNews&id=230&mid=350

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

Poverty and Economic Policy (PEP) Call for Proposals for 2008 competition

Up to 29 grants for a total value of $CAN 1,800,000 will be awarded.

PEP offers financial support and scientific and technical support to developing country researchers carrying out research on poverty issues.

Note that the deadlines for submitting proposals are :

· MPIA-PMMA Core Program: January 7 2008

· CBMS Network Research Grants: January 7 2008

· PEP-OPHI Human Development Capabilities Initiative: January 7 2008

· PEP-AUSAID Policy Impact Evaluation Research Initiative (PIERI): (expression of interest: November 30, 2007, proposals: March 30 2008)

Please do not hesitate to contact pep@ecn.ulaval.ca for any additional information you may require.

For more information, please visit http://www.pep-net.org

Applications Accepted for Asian Youth Fellowship

The Japan Foundation is currently accepting applications for Asian Youth Fellowship, which was started in 2006 at the Japanese-Language Institute, Kansai. AYF offers seven-month scholarships for studying the Japanese language and culture to students from the 10 ASEAN countries and Bangladesh who wish to study at graduate schools in Japan and have a strong desire to contribute to regional cooperation after obtaining a master's or Ph.D. degree. Applications are welcome from students who are interested in studying in the humanities, social sciences, engineering, and natural sciences.

DEADLINE: (Please contact the Embassy of Japan in your country) September - November 2007.

For more information on applying, please visit http://www.asiaseed.org/ayfj/

SCHOLARSHIP: UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education - Netherland

Innovative learning at the UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education equips professionals with the research, managerial and technical skills needed to deal with challenges in the fields of water, the environment and infrastructure in their countries.

For further information on the Acadmic Programs and Short Courses: http://www.unesco-ihe.org/education or http://www.unesco-ihe.org/education/about.

For candidates seeking financial assistance to cover all or part of their studies in one of the UNESCO-IHE programmes or courses, please see the list of fellowship opportunities below. Candidates from Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) countries are always encouraged to apply for an NFP fellowship, besides any other forms of sponsorship they may be pursuing. Note that the deadlines for submitting applications and necessary documentation may vary per fellowship or scholarship. For the latest information, please visit the relevant websites. Prospective participants are also advised to check with their Dutch diplomaticrepresentation (Netherlands Embassy or Consulate) whether there are any other scholarship opportunities besides those mentioned here.

Netherlands Fellowship Programme

The Netherlands Fellowship Programme is intended to deepen and broaden the knowledge and professional skills of mid-career professionals to enable them to make a better contribution to the development of their organizations and their countries. Prospective participants can obtain NFP application forms from the Dutch diplomatic representation in their home country, to whom the forms should be returned. To be eligible for this fellowship, candidates should be able to submit proof of admission to the academic programme for which they are applying. In addition, candidates should be working in a developing country in a development-related position, and be nominated by their employer, who pledges to continue payment of their salary and hold their job for them while they are studying in the Netherlands. The deadline for submission of NFP applications to the Dutch diplomatic representations varies between February 1 and March 29.

All applications must be received by the Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC) in The Hague by April 1 at the latest.

For more information on the Netherlands Fellowship Programme, a list of NFP countries, and the deadlines for submitting applications to each Dutch diplomatic representation, please see the NUFFIC website http://www.nuffic.nl/.

For more information, please visit http://www.unesco-ihe.org

MacArthur & HASTAC Announces $2 Million New Digital Media and Learning Competition

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced today a public competition that will award $2 million in funding to emerging leaders, communicators, and innovators shaping the field of digital media and learning. The competition is part of MacArthur's $50 million Digital Media and Learning initiative that aims to help determine how digital technologies are changing the way young people learn, play, socialize, and participate in civic life.

Awards will be given in two categories:

· Innovation Awards will support learning pioneers, entrepreneurs, and builders of new digital learning environments for formal and informal learning. These innovations might range from a teacher add-on for MySpace that allows for safe assigning of a class group discussion, to a platform co-developed by teachers and students to facilitate digital literacy and peer-mentoring between college students and high-school drop-outs earning their GED degrees, to a digital learning festival for the leaders of a worldwide youth environmental campaign.

· Knowledge Networking Awards will support communicators in connecting, mobilizing, circulating or translating new ideas around digital media and learning. For example, a team of teacher bloggers who already reach hundreds of thousands of readers may now seek to provide multimedia coverage and translation of MIT Professor Henry Jenkins' recent white paper on media literacy.

Applications due October 15, 2007.

More information is available at http://www.dmlcompetition.net/ or http://www.digitallearning.macfound.org/

Funding opportunity for curriculum initiative

Curriki is accepting applications for projects that will make a difference to students and teachers everywhere. We will help fund your curriculum initiative to be built using the Curriki platform and distributed globally via our website.

To qualify for funding, projects must meet the following requirements:

· Provide or develop comprehensive resources for substantial units of study—for example, a sequenced collection of all necessary components for a semester of microbiology, or a year of algebra.

· Develop or post open source curriculum in an area of need. Special emphasis will be given to math, science and reading for upper elementary through high school grades.

· Deliver all content resources as open source (including editable formats and publication under the open source Curriki License) so they may be used and developed further by a broad community.

· Use best practices in pedagogy and instructional design.

· Use the Curriki platform and tools to build out and post the resources, either as wiki-based templates or as sequenced collections of editable attachments.

· Be created by either an individual or group who continues to "own" the project, monitoring and working towards growing its usage. Part of the grant funding will be specifically allocated toward this goal.

· Bring with it a community of users who will employ and actively engage with the materials on an ongoing basis.

· Have a track record of efficacy based on real use.

Projects will be funded on a rolling basis. Grant money must be used for curriculum development and production and training, community use and community involvement. Grants will be given in increments of $500 and will not exceed $5,000. Funds can be allocated toward development, production, training, and community outreach activities.

For more information please visit http://www.curriki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Main/MasterUnits

Global Health Leadership Awards

The Global Health Research Initiative (GHRI), a partnership formed by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Health Canada and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), promotes the conduct and use of health research in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is offering these unique awards to support the development of emerging leaders from LMICs currently engaged in research partnerships as:

· applied health researchers or

· health-system managers or policymakers (research users).

Mid-career candidates are invited to propose and undertake a program of professional and career development specifically designed to strengthen the candidate's technical expertise, leadership abilities, partnership skills and other qualities -- to help the candidates advance in their work as leaders in the execution of research, or in the application of research for better health policy and health-system management.

Registration due: October 22, 2007.

Full application due: January 14, 2008.

For more information please visit http://www.idrc.ca/ev_en.php?ID=114548_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC

Lee Kong Chian NUS-Stanford Distinguished Fellowship on Southeast Asia

The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Stanford University (Stanford) invite applications from mid-career and senior Southeast Asianist scholars in the social sciences or humanities who would like to spend up to six months between 1 April 2008 and 30 September 2008 at NUS and Stanford writing and doing research on or related to contemporary Southeast Asia.

Candidates may be of any nationality and reside in any country. Applicants should submit (a) a project statement (not to exceed three pages) that justifies and describes the writing and research

envisaged during the fellowship; (b) a schedule of preferred locations and dates including time in residence at each of the two campuses; (c) a sample of previous English-language publication; (d)

a curriculum vitae; and (e) full contact information for three references who are able, if asked, to evaluate the proposal and the candidate.

The exact length of the fellowship and the allocation of time spent at each campus will take into account the preferences of the successful applicant. The fellowship carries a stipend of US$ 7,500

per month plus reimbursement for air travel to and from NUS and Stanford.

Complete applications are due by 15 November 2007.

For more information please visit http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/nusstanfordsea/ or http://aparc.stanford.edu/fellowships/nus_stanford

Princeton Society of Fellows in the Liberal Arts: Postdoctoral Fellowships - Princeton University

The Princeton Society of Fellows in the Liberal Arts seeks to promote innovative interdisciplinary approaches to scholarship and teaching. Fellowships are awarded to candidates who have demonstrated outstanding scholarly achievement, excellence in teaching, and whose work shows evidence of unusual promise. Postdoctoral (Cotsen) Fellows are appointed each year for three-year terms to pursue research and teach half-time in their academic host department, in the Program in Humanistic Studies, or in other university programs.

The candidate is expected to have completed all requirements for the Ph.D. by June 15, 2008. The dates for completion of the Ph.D. degree--between Jan.1, 2005 and Oct. 8, 2007 (for ABDs: June 15, 2008)--are strictly observed, with no exceptions.

Deadline: October 8, 2007.

For more information please visit http://www.princeton.edu/~sf/guidelines.shtml

Josephine de Kßrmßn Fellowships - Karman Fellowship Trust

The purpose of this fellowship program is to recognize and assist students whose scholastic achievements reflect Professor von Kßrmßn's high standards. Special consideration will be given to applicants in the humanities.

Students in any discipline entering the senior undergraduate year or a candidate for a Ph.D. who will defend their dissertation by June, 2008 are eligible to apply.

Deadline: January 31, 2008

For more information please visit http://www.dekarman.org/

Incoming Fellowships to the UK from Asia - Royal Society

The Royal Society's Incoming Fellowships Programme aims to foster science and technology links between the UK and various countries throughout the world, enabling young and outstanding postdoctoral scientists to conduct cutting-edge research with their UK counterparts.

The Royal Society will provide funding to cover the visiting scientist's cost of living in the United Kingdom. This includes food, accommodation, and local travel. The award does not cover international travel to and from the United Kingdom. China, South East Asia, South Korea, Japan, and India Fellowship awards are £18,200 (for visitors based outside London) and £20,000 (for visitors based within London). KC Wong Fellowship awards are £12,830, or £13,550 in London.

Eligible citizenship: Brunei; Burma (Myanmar); Cambodia; China; India; Indonesia; Japan; Laos; Philippines; Singapore; South Korea; Thailand; Vietnam

Deadline: Varies

For more information please visit http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/funding.asp?id=2349

2007 Photoshare Photo Contest

Do you have photos of programs in action and the people you serve? Pictures illustrating the realities of urban and rural life in developing countries? Snapshots from your personal travels, volunteer service, or work experience? You may have an award-winning photo and a chance to win cash and/or a Canon digital camera! Any individual or organization, with the exception of contest judges, are welcome to participate (including both amateur and professional photographers).

Contest Categories

· Family Planning and Reproductive Health

· HIV/AIDS

· Environment

· Agricultural & Economic Development

· Democracy & Governance

· Humanitarian Assistance

· Global Health (open subject)

· Human Interest (open subject)

Awards & Prizes

· 1st Place* $1,000 USD; Canon Digital Camera

· 2nd Place* $750 USD; Canon Digital Camera

· 3rd Place* $500 USD; Canon Digital Camera

· Best of Category (8) Certificate

· Honorable Mention (8) Certificate

· Outstanding Photoshare Contributor Canon Digital Camera

· Photoshare Image of the Year Canon Digital Camera

All entries and accompanying entry forms must be received by November 16th, 2007 (delivery or E-Mail) to qualify for consideration. Entries arriving late with a postmarked date of November 16th will be accepted until 5:30pm on November 21st, 2007.

For more information, please visit http://www.photoshare.org/contest/2007/2007photosharecontest.php

Call for Proposals — Accessing Patented Knowledge for Innovation

On the path to development many emerging nations focused on importing scientific and technical knowledge from other countries. Following that, they tried to copy and master it. Working and re-working existing knowledge rather than creating new knowledge through research is a predominant activity in innovation. As many technologies and much knowledge are proprietary in nature and form the subject matter of patents owned by foreign entities, a key national policy instrument is the intellectual property rights regime. How it reflects and balances relevant international commitments with the goal of advancing the economic and social rights of its citizens is crucial in promoting their best interests.

This is a Call for Proposals on how developing countries can access technologies and information contained in existing patents to enhance innovative research at the national level. Proposals can be made under any one of the following three headings:

1. The Research Exemption

2. Compulsory Licences

3. Patent Pools

This call for proposals is limited to developing country institutions. The lead researcher and key members of the team should be citizens or residents of a developing country. Six grants of approximately $75,000 Canadian will be made after the close of the competition on November 30, 2007.

For more information please visit http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-112535-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html

Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences: Seeing Science photography competition

In 2008 the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts & Sciences (KNAW) will celebrate its 200th anniversary. To mark this special occasion the KNAW will organise a number of scientific and festive events on the theme ‘the magic of science’, including a photography competition. The intention is to share the magic of science (meaning all sciences including the social sciences and the humanities) with the world. Magic should be widely interpreted… from one-off scientific breakthroughs, photos of people, action pictures -to everyday events, as long as it triggers the imagination and answers to the theme. The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences aims to stimulate public interest in science. The picture that captures the magic of science best wins. Entries from both amateur and professional photographers are welcome. A specially selected jury will choose the winning picture.

Contact details: photo@bureau.knaw.nl

Closing Date: 1 November 2007

For more information please visit http://www.knaw.nl/photo/

Fellowships - Echoing Green Foundation

Echoing Green awards two year fellowships to emerging social innovators. Fellowships are awarded to individuals with innovative ideas for creating new models for tackling seemingly unsolvable social challenges. These fellowships offer them the opportunity to develop and test their ideas. Fellows do not develop their ideas in an academic setting, but rather work in the community. They launch, manage, and grow organizations that implement and continually expand their ideas for creating lasting social change.

The fellowship includes a two-year, $60,000 stipend ($30,000 per year), health care benefits, online connectivity, access to foundation's network of social entrepreneurs, training, and technical assistance. Individuals who apply as partners (no more than two people) can apply for two fellowships combined for a total stipend of $90,000 over two years.

Deadline: December 1, 2007

Contact email: info@echoinggreen.org

For more information please visit http://www.echoinggreen.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=41

UQ Postdoctoral Fellowships - University of Queensland

The University of Queensland invites applications for a limited number of Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in 2008, to be awarded to persons wishing to conduct full-time research at the university in any of its disciplines.

An applicant must not have had more than five years' full-time professional research experience or equivalent part-time experience since the award of a Ph.D., as at June 30, 2007.

Deadline: May 18, 2008

For more information please visit http://www.uq.edu.au/research/orps/index.html?id=4812

Bill and Rita Clements Research Fellowships for the Study of Southwestern America - Southern Methodist University (SMU)

The William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies in the Department of History at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas welcomes applications for four research fellowships. Individuals in any field in the humanities or social sciences doing research on Southwestern America are invited to apply. The fellowships are designed to provide time for senior or junior scholars to bring book-length manuscripts to completion.

Fellowships carry a stipend of $37,000, health benefits, a $2,000 allowance for research and travel expenses, and a subvention for the publication of their book. Single-semester fellowships will receive a $18,500 stipend, plus benefits, a $1,000 research allowance, and a publication subvention.

Contact email: swcenter@smu.edu

Deadline: January 15, 2008

For more information please visit http://www.smu.edu/swcenter/announce.htm

The Japan Foundation grant and fellowships programs for FY 2008

The Japan Foundation supports international and cultural exchange through diverse grant programs, fellowships, and other activities. Areas eligible for grants and fellowships includes: arts and cultural exchange, Japanese language education, Japanese studies and intellectual exchange, etc.

The Program Guidelines, which contains a list and descriptions of programs offered for fiscal 2008 (April 2008 to March 2009), is now available on the website.

For detailed information on each program and for application forms, please contact the Japan Foundation office in Japan or in your country. If there is none in your country, contact the nearest Japanese diplomatic mission.

For more information please visit http://www.jpf.go.jp/e/about/program/

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