VDIC NEWSLETTER
April 2008

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

 

VDIC News. 1

Free Training Sessions Provided by VDIC.. 1

Exhibitions at VDIC.. 1

Library. 3

Selected Resources at VDIC and on the Internet on Health and Environment. 3

Highlights from the New Additions to VDIC Library.. 3

Useful Web Sites on Statistics. 4

Selected Publications for Sale at VDIC.. 4

Distance Learning Center Events in April 2008. 8

Funding Opportunities. 8

 

 

 

VDIC News  

 

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:              April 28, 2008 -- 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:              April 29, 2008 -- 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 Health Day 2008: protecting health from climate change

 

Health hazards from climate change are diverse and global in nature. The hazards range from higher risks of extreme weather events to changes in the dynamics of infectious diseases. Many of the leading killer diseases are sensitive to climatic conditions; their incidence and spread are likely to be affected by changing weather patterns.

 

The health impacts of climate change are already evident in different ways: more people are dying from excessive heat than before, changes are occurring in the incidence of vector-borne diseases, and the pattern of natural disasters is altering.

 

These impacts will be disproportionately greater in vulnerable populations, which include the very young, elderly, medically infirm, poor and isolated populations. Vulnerability is also high in:

 

- areas with a high endemicity of climate-sensitive diseases, severe water scarcity, and low food production;

- small-island developing states and mountainous regions; and

- megacities and coastal areas in developing countries.

 

The health impacts of climate change will be difficult to reverse in a few years or decades. Yet, many of these possible impacts can be avoided or controlled. There are established steps in health and related sectors to reduce the exposure to and the effect of changing climate. For example, controlling disease vectors, reducing pollution from transport, and efficient land use and water management are well-known and tested measures that can help.

 

Moreover, many of the steps needed to prevent climate change have positive health benefits. For example, increased use of bicycles and public transport instead of personal cars in industrialized countries will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will also improve air quality and lead to better respiratory health and fewer premature deaths. The increase in physical activity from cycling and walking may lead to less obesity and fewer obesity-related illness. The sooner these steps are taken, the greater their impact will be on public health.

 

Small exhibition at VDIC on this occasion provides brief information on this topic.

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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 at VDIC and on the Internet on Health and Environment

 

ENV-AIR 4. McGranahan, Gordon; Murray, Frank. Air Pollution and Health in Rapidly Developing Countries. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2003.

 

ENV-MAN 5. Daniel M. Kammen and David M. Hassenzahl. Should we risk it?: exploring environmental, health, and technological problem solving. Princeton University Press, 1999.

 

HEA 3. McMichael, A. J. (Anthony J.). World Meteorological Organization. United Nations Environment Programme. Climate change and human health. Climate change and human health / editors, A.J. McMichael ... [et al.]. Geneva : World Health Organization, 1996.

 

HEA 4. Listorti, James A., Doumani, Fadi M., World Bank. Environmental health: bridging the gaps. World Bank, 2001. Full text http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDS_IBank_Servlet?pcont=details&eid=000094946_01060904005836.

 

WHO Department of Public Health and Environment http://www.who.int/phe/en/index.html

 

WHO Site on Climate Change and Human Health http://www.who.int/globalchange/climate/en/index.html

 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change http://www.ipcc.ch/

 

Highlights from the New Additions to VDIC Library

 

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

 

BAN-CAP [Internet]. Schadler, Susan. Managing Large Capital Inflows: Taking Stock of International Experiences. Asian Development Bank (ADB), 2008. ADB Institute Discussion Paper. 97. Full text http://www.adbi.org/discussion-paper/2008/03/11/2504.managing.large.capital.inflows/ 

 

ECO-ADM-V5. Rowley, Chris & Warner, Malcolm (eds.). Management in South-East Asia: Business culture, enterprises and human resources. Routledge, 2007.

 

ENV-BIO-V27. Le, Xuan Tuan; Phan, Nguyen Hong; Phan, Thi Anh Dao. Xuan Thuy National Park: Biodiversity; Socio-economics; Policy brief; and Management. Mangrove Ecosystem Research Center, 2007.

 

ENV-DIS-V2. CARE International Vietnam. Community based disaster risk management: Good practice examples. CARE International Vietnam, 2007. Full text http://www.ccfsc.org.vn/ndm-p/images/download/CBDRM%20Good%20Practice%20Examples-E.pdf 

 

IND-ENE 27. The World Bank. Financing energy efficiency: Lessons from Brazil, China, India, and beyond. The World Bank, 2008.

 

INF-URB 5. Yusuf, Shahid; Saich, Tony. China urbanizes: consequences, strategies, and policies. The World Bank, 2008.

 

INF-URB-V1. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Hanoi People's Committee. The Comprehensive Urban Development Programme in Hanoi Capital City of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (HAIDEP): Final report. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Hanoi People's Committee, 2007. (BOOK and CD).

 

SOC-CHI-V48. UNICEF. Monitoring the situation of children and women = Giám sát thực trạng trẻ em và phụ nữ: Multiple indicator cluster survey 2006 = Điều tra đánh giá các mục tiêu trẻ em và phụ nữ. Statistical Publishing House, 2006.

 

 

Useful Web Sites on Statistics

 

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

 

United Nations Statistics Division http://unstats.un.org

 

Access to the Millennium Indicators Database, and the Social Indicators data sets.

 

Data Center of UNESCAP http://www.unescap.org/stat/data/index.asp

 

UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) provides this database with time series data for 31 of the regional members and associate members of ESCAP for selected indicators covering a wide range of issues in relation to the Secretariat’s work: demography, migration, education, health, poverty, gender, employment, economy, government finance, employment, transport, and environment.

 

World Bank Data http://www.worldbank.org/data

 

The data presented here are the most widely-used, official-source development data from the World Bank and other international agencies. This site provides links to some key statistical data of the World Bank such as selected World Development Indicators and Global Development Finance.

 

Demographic and Health Surveys http://www.measuredhs.com/

 

The DHS (Demographic and Health Surveys) program provides assistance with the Demographic and Health Survey, the Service Provision Assessment (SPA) Survey, the HIV/AIDS Indicator Survey (AIS), and qualitative research. Users can download free data and publications (final reports, comparative and analytical reports, as well as papers, other research documents) on this web site.

 

COMTRADE (Trade statistics by UN) http://comtrade.un.org/

 

United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database provide trade data from 1962 (freely available).

 

Social Security Worldwide Database http://www.issa.int/engl/ssw.htm

 

Social Security Worldwide (SSW) Database, provided by International Social Security Association, covers six different databases on social protection, all of which can be accessed and searched using simple, easy-to-use search screens. These six databases are: Scheme description; Complementary and private pensions; Reforms; Legislation; Bibliography; and Thesaurus. The databases are updated monthly. Access to SSW is without any restriction and free of charge, users only have to register.

 

General Statistics Office – Vietnam http://www.gso.gov.vn

 

This site provides access to many statistical data of Vietnam with frequent updates, plus information about statistical publications by the Office and the Statistical Publishing House.

 

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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

 

Finance for All?: Policies and Pitfalls in Expanding Access

by World Bank 

English -- Published November 2007 -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7291-3

Price: $ 9.00

 

Access to financial services varies sharply around the world. In many developing countries less than half the population has an account with a financial institution, and in most of Africa less than one in five households do. Lack of access to finance is often the critical mechanism for generating persistent income inequality, as well as slower growth.

 

Finance for All?: Policies and Pitfalls in Expanding Access documents the extent of financial exclusion around the world; addresses the importance of access to financial services for growth, equity and poverty reduction; and discusses policy interventions and institutional reforms that can improve access for underserved groups. The report is a broad ranging review of the work already completed or in progress, drawing on research utilizing data at the country, firm and household level.

 

Given that financial systems in many developing countries serve only a small part of the population, expanding access remains an important challenge across the world, leaving much for governments to do. However, not all government actions are equally effective and some policies can be counterproductive. The report sets out principles for effective government policy on broadening access, drawing on the available evidence and illustrating with examples.

 

"Finance for All? is a much needed report on the state of access to finance around the world. It provides sensible measures of access and offers sound policy advice, including the caution that access to finance is much more than a simply access to credit. It is a must-read for policy makers, activists, academics, and anyone interested in development."

RAGHURAM G. RAJAN,

Eric J. Gleacher Distinguished Service Professor of Finance, University of Chicago, and

former Economic Counselor and Director of Research, International Monetary Fund

 

"The revolution in financial access has been driven by bankers, activists, donors, and governments. Research has lagged behind, but the next steps will require hard-headed analysis about what has worked and where to focus innovation. Finance for All? gathers lessons from a growing body of new research and presents it sharply. The arguments and evidence will inform and provoke readers, and will surely frame coming debates."

JONATHAN MORDUGH,

Professor of Public Policy and Economics, New York University,

Director, The Financial Access Initiative, and

Co-author of The Economics of Microfinance

 

"Finance for All? represents a vigorous and broad review of the existing academic research and current practice on the important subject of access to financial services. The report is a carefully crafted analysis that sets forth the current status of empirical research, describes a variety of best practices, and identifies a crucial issues that must be addressed if poor and low income people and micro and small enterprises are to have access to a broad range of financial services on a sustainable basis. This compelling report will surely provide a useful tool for policy makers and other decision makers in designing financial systems that work for the poor."

RICHARD WEINGARTEN,

Executive Secretary, United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and

Chairman, United Nations Advisors Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors

 

From Monobank to Commercial Banking: Financial Sector Reforms in Vietnam

by Jens Kousted , John Rand , Finn Tarp 

English -- Published April 2006 by Nordic Institute of Asian Studies -- ISBN-13: 978-8791114861

Price: $ 21.00

 

* A comprehensive, detailed and up-to-date descriptive analysis of financial sector reforms in Vietnam since 1988

* Critical analyses of key problems and obstacles facing the efforts to transform the Vietnamese economy

 

This study analyses the difficulties and problems encountered in transforming the Vietnamese financial sector from one subordinate to government objectives and goals to an autonomous sector guided by market forces and competitive pressures. Here, the history of financial sector liberalization is traced and close attention paid to the activities and autonomy of the State Bank of Vietnam, the institution responsible for the supervision and regulation of the financial sector in Vietnam. Overall, the authors argue that ensuring a timely, fair and transparent supervision and regulation of the financial sector is of central importance to financial sector development and stability. Liberalizing financial markets is not solely a question of limiting and/or restricting government influence but may in fact involve the opposite, the influence and power of supervisory and regulatory institutions in many cases needing to be strengthened.

 

With contributions by Luu Duc Khai , Nguyen Dinh Tai , Nguyen Van Huong , Ta Minh Thao

 

The Power of Survey Design: A User's Guide for Managing Surveys, Interpreting Results, and Influencing Respondents

by Giuseppe Iarossi 

English -- Published January 2006 by the World Bank -- ISBN: 0-8213-6392-1 

Price: $ 10.00

 

"A master of his craft, Giuseppe Iarossi has drawn on his extensive experience in the field to produce a wonderfully useful volume on how to do and work with surveys of industrial firms."

- Kenneth L. Sokoloff, Department of Economics, U.C.L.A

 

A practical how-to guide on all the steps involved with survey implementation, this volume covers survey management, questionnaire design, sampling, respondent?s psychology and survey participation, and data management. A comprehensive and practical reference for those who both use and produce survey data.

 

The International Migration of Women

Edited by Maurice Schiff , Andrew R. Morrison , Mirja Sjoblom 

English -- Published November 2007 by Palgrave Macmillan , World Bank -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7227-2

Price: $ 10.00

 

The current share of women in the world's international migrant population is close to one half. Despite the great number of female migrants and their importance for the development agenda in countries of origin, there has until recently been a striking lack of gender analysis in the economic literature on international migration and development. This volume makes a valuable contribution in this context by providing eight new studies focusing on the nexus between gender, international migration, and economic development.

 

"As women's roles change and they begin to assume a larger economic role within the family, they increasingly look abroad for sources of livelihood and more competitive wages for their labor. This book is an important first step toward understanding these new trends in migration and how they reflect on the evolving role of women in the global economy."

H. E. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf,

President of Liberia

 

"The World Bank Research Program on International Migration and Development has played a leading role in influencing policy makers and development scholars to take a fresh look at the growing and important role of international migration in global development. The International Migration of Women... demonstrates in a number of innovative studies that gender can no longer be thought of as a control variable, but as an important independent factor differentiating both the responsiveness of migration to global processes and the impact of migration within families and on the economies of sending and receiving countries."

Mark Rosenzweig

Frank Altschul Professor of International Economics,

Department of Economics, Yale University

 

International Trade in Health Services and the GATS: Current Issues and Debates

Edited by Chantal Blouin , Nick Drager , Richard Smith 

English -- Published September 2005 by World Bank , World Health Organization -- ISBN: 0-8213-6211-9    

Price: $ 10.00

 

Health ministries around the world face a new challenge: to assess the risks and respond to the opportunities of the increasing openness in health services under the World Trade Organization's (WTO) General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). International Trade in Health Services and the GATS addresses this challenge head-on by providing analytical tools to policymakers in health and trade ministries alike who are involved in the liberalization agenda and, specifically, in the GATS negotiations.

This book informs and assists policymakers in formulating trade policy and negotiating internationally. There is ongoing and animated international debate about the impact of GATS on public services in general and health in particular. In response, the book offers different perspectives from more than 15 leading experts. Some of the authors stress opportunities linked to trade in health services, others focus more on the risks.

 

The book offers:

 

- Detailed legal analysis of the impact of the agreement on health policy

- An overview of trade commitments in health-related services

- New empirical evidence from nine country studies

- A simple 10-step explanation on how to deal with GATS negotiations.

 

International Trade in Health Services and the GATS is a must-have resource for policymakers and other practitioners working in the trade and health sectors.

 

International migration, economic development and policy

Edited by Maurice Schiff, Caglar Ozden

English -- Published June 2007 by Palgrave Macmillan, World Bank ISBN: 0-8213-6935-0

Price: $ 10.00

 

International migration has become a central element of international relations and global integration due to its rapidly increasing economic, social, and cultural impact in both source and destination countries. This book provides new evidence on the impact of migration and remittances on several development indicators, including innovative thinking about the nexus between migration and birth rates. In addition, the book identifies the effect of host country policies on migration flows, examines the determinants of return and repeat migration, and explores the degree of success of return migrants upon return to their country of origin.

 

"This volume represents another outstanding contribution of the International Migration and Development Research Program, an effort I strongly supported from its inception and which established the World Bank's intellectual leadership in an increasingly important area. Analysts and policy makers will find that the studies presented here constitute an excellent basis for improving migration policies and enhancing their development and poverty alleviation impact."

- James D. Wolfensohn

Chairman, Wolfensohn Capital Partners

Former President of the World Bank

 

"International migration, long considered an exotic subject, has finally become a significant phenomenon on the world stage. This is an important volume by two of the most influential researchers on the subject. It addresses with considerable insight the key issues that the phenomenon raises. Policy makers and research scholars alike will profit from reading it."

 

- Jagdish Bhagwati

University Professor, Economics and Law, Columbia University

Author of In Defense of Globalization

 

"Migration has become a global phenomenon of utmost importance for the further development and well-being of mankind. This volume collects a fine blend of articles providing rigorous empirical and policy analysis from all over the globe. The new global migration database and contributions on development, host country policy, and return migration will capture the attention of a hungry generation of scholars in migration, labor, and development."

 

- Klaus F. Zimmermann

Director of the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn

Professor at Bonn University

 

Balancing the Development Agenda: The Transformation of the World Bank Under James Wolfensohn, 1995-2005 

English -- Published May 2005 -- ISBN: 0-8213-6173-2

Price: $5.00

 

Balancing the Development Agenda examines the evolution of the World Bank and its operations during the presidency of James Wolfensohn. It examines the modernization of this global economic institution which is now focused on home-grown development planning where borrowing countries are in the ?driver?s seat? of their own development. It takes a closer look at the major development challenges addressed by the Bank during the past decade such as debt relief, corruption, and HIV/AIDS and provides a timeline of events that have shaped the Bank into the institution it is today.

 

Readers with an interest in the World Bank and in international development will find this a fascinating account of the Bank’s transformation under the guidance of James Wolfensohn.

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Distance Learning Center Events in April 2008

 

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

 

Israel's Water Treatment Technologies for Agriculture Sector

April 3, 2008, from 13:30 to 16:30

 

The Seminar is organized by the Embassy of Israel in Vietnam to introduce water treatment technologies of Israel for agriculture sector. The videoconference-based Seminar will cover topics such as (i) drip irrigation for dry and infertile areas, (ii) rural waste water treatment for agricultural use, and (iii) waste water treatment for intensive aquaculture farming (pond fishing and shrimp farming). The Ambassador of Israel will address the Seminar, which will be attended by more than 70 participants from relevant ministries, provinces and companies in Vietnam.

 

Kid Initiative Teachers Training Course (open for registration)

Module 4: Instructional Design for Project-based and Theme-based Learning -  April 5, 2008, from 12:30 - 16:00

 

This course was developed by Tokyo Development Learning Center to accompany Kid Initiative, a multicultural education program for children using videoconference. The instructor plays a vital role in conducting a successful Kids session, providing guidance to children from planning to delivery. As such, the course has been created with advice from international experts and is designed to enhance instructional skills with a focus on the effective use of videoconference. The course consists of four 3-hour modules and includes a videoconference lecture, discussion, case studies and assignments.

 

Leadership Skill Development course (open for registration)

April 8 - 18, 2008 from 08:30 - 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00 every course day

 

This is one of the courses offered  in the Visionary Leaders Training Program, which is co-organized by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Australian National University (ANU) and the Global Development Learning Network Asia Pacific. The 5-module course aims to increase understanding and develop fundamental skills on leadership for Vietnamese managers. Through a blend of 5 video-conference lectures by ANU professor, 5 local face-to-face sessions, 1 seminar with a renowned leader, participants will discuss the context for leadership in the next decade, the difference between management and leadership, organizational vision, mission and social cause, emotional intelligence, and leadership styles. For more information on the course content, fee, and registration, please contact Nuong Dieu Nguyen, nnguyen2@worldbank.org; tel.: 934 6600, ext. 706 or visit http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=learningevents&op=viewDetailNews&id=163&language=english&mid=&cmid=

 

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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.

 

Scholarships for ICT4D Masters in Manchester

 

The one-year MSc ICTs for Development degree focuses on effective application of ICTs within poor communities. It aims to create "ICT4D champions" who combine technical competencies in information systems and project management with an understanding of development context and practice: http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/06237/index.asp. 

 

Applicants who have applied, received and accepted a formal offer by 30 June 2008 will be considered for two scholarship opportunities. One of these is a full scholarship of £21,000 available on a competitive basis for applicants from developing countries to any of IDPM's Masters degrees. One is a partial fee-waiver scholarship worth £5,500, available exclusively for developing country applicants to the MSc ICT4D programme.

 

Details on other funding sources and on part-time employment opportunities while studying in Manchester can be found at: http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/idpm/postgraduate/taught/funding/ 

 

amfAR MSM Initiative Community Awards -- Requests for Proposals

 

amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is pleased to announce the availability of funding to support efforts to address HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM). The MSM Initiative is soliciting proposals from Latin America and the Asia Pacific region.

 

Applications must be received no later than 15 April 2008 for Latin America or 6 May 2008 for Asia and the Pacific.

 

Applicants are advised to review the entire Request for Proposals (RFP) for more information about the MSM initiative and the MSM Community Awards, and application and eligibility requirements.

 

If you have questions or need assistance in completing your application, please feel free to contact amfAR at msm.awards@amfar.org 

 

The current RFPs are posted at http://www.amfar.org/msm/awards 

 

IDRC Doctoral Research Awards

 

IDRC Doctoral Research Awards are intended to promote the growth of Canadian capacity in research on sustainable and equitable development from an  international perspective

 

Since 1982, IDRC has assisted Canadian graduate students to undertake their thesis research in the field of international development. IDRC Doctoral Research Awards are intended to promote the growth of Canadian capacity in research on sustainable and equitable development from an international perspective. Normally, such research is conducted in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East or Asia. Please note that IDRC Board-approved policy is to not support research in Eastern Europe or the former Soviet Union. Furthermore, IDRC does not accept applicants who are citizens of countries in these regions.

 

Applications will be accepted for research at the doctoral level in areas corresponding to IDRC's research priorities. IDRC's research activities focus on four program areas:

 

* Social and Economic Policy

* Environment and Natural Resource Management

* Information and Communication Technologies(ICTs) for Development

* Innovation, Policy and Science

 

Applicants must meet the following conditions for eligibility:

 

* Hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status in Canada, orhold a citizenship of a developing country;

* Be enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian university;

* Research proposal is for a doctoral thesis and has been approved by the thesis supervisor;

* Proposed field research will take place in a developing country;

* Provide evidence of affiliation with an institution or organization in the region in which the research will take place;

* Have completed course work and passed comprehensive examinations by the time of award tenure.

 

Deadlines: There are two competitions each year:

 

*1st deadline: April 1, 2008 (awards will be announced in August 2008).

 

*2nd deadline: November 1, 2008 (awards will be announced in March 2009).

 

For more information on past award recipients and IDRC, please click on the link below web site http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-23374-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html 

 

ECOPOLIS Graduate Research and Design Awards

 

As part of its strategy to create knowledge and unleash potential innovations, UPE is launching the IDRC ECOPOLIS Graduate Research and Design Awards with the goal of promoting research and design projects that help lighten the environmental problems borne by the urban poor and enhance their financial, human, resource, and social and political assets. Awards will be granted to cover expenses related to Master- or Doctoral-level research and design projects in developing countries where the candidate has formed a partnership with local academic institutions, such as universities, and non-academic organizations.

 

Two types of awards are being offered: Research Awards and Design Awards. Research Awards will support field expenses for studying a theme included in UPE’s priorities. Research Awards will not include a design aspect.

 

In contrast, Design Awards must include a research aspect, but the research will be oriented to informing a design project. A design project is one that partly or completely conceives, lays-out, or prepares something physical that would be developed, constructed, implemented, or demonstrated. A design can encompass one or many, if not all, the stages leading to the realization and the use of an object.

 

With the intention to promote the integration of social and gender analysis into research, the selection committee of this IDRC ECOPOLIS Research and Design Awards will give special attention to research projects that integrate gender/equity analysis as a crosscutting theme.

 

Applications will be accepted in English and in French ONLY.

 

Applications must be received by May 15th, 2008.

 

Associated websites http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-101266-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html  

 

Call for Nominations - Young Conservationist Award

 

The International Ranger Federation (IRF) and IUCN's World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) call for nominations for the prestigious YOUNG CONSERVATIONIST AWARD

 

The award aims to recognize and raise awareness of the outstanding contributions made to the management of protected areas, and leadership shown, by young conservationists. It also seeks to encourage young professionals and help them develop networks by inviting winners to join WCPA.

 

Nominations/ applications are invited for/from: young people working in conservation and actively managing protected areas. This includes all people working in protected areas, such as (but not limited to) rangers, interpreters, people working with local communities, policy makers, scientists, and, includes people working for government agencies, the private sector, non-government organizations, local communities, etc.

 

Nominations/ applications must be submitted for/by young field practitioners (under the age of 35) for any outstanding contribution (single incident or sustained/ongoing commitment) towards protected area management (from a local to aglobal scale)

 

Deadline for submissions: 28 April, 2008

 

For more information on the International Ranger Federation: www.int-ranger.net World Commission on Protected Areas: www.iucn.org/wcpa   

 

International Fellowships Available at the World Forest Institute

 

The World Forest Institute Fellowship Program brings forestry and natural resources professionals from around the world to work at the World Forest Institute for 6 to 12 months. Fellows conduct an independent research project developed in conjunction with his/her sponsor. Projects are typically either policy or marketing studies, and may be environmental, social or economic in focus. Activities involve information gathering through interviews, meeting with forestry organizations, and taking organized field trips. Fellows typically summarize their projects in a report and poster published by the WFI.  A large component of the program involves traveling and visiting with professionals in the Pacific Northwest forest sector. Fellows visit forestlands, research sites, manufacturing facilities, and NGOs. Additionally, Fellows gain valuable cultural experience and English language skills. Project proposals are now being accepted, and a matching grant is available to cover up to half of the Fellowship fee.

 

For more information visit http://wfi.worldforestry.org or contact Angie DiSalvo adisalvo@worldforestry.org 

 

Royal Irish Academy Mobility Grant - Royal Irish Academy

 

The Royal Irish Academy offers grants for short visits to any country to support primary research in any subject area in 2008. Visits are generally between one week and six weeks in length, the key objectives being to initiate one-to-one collaborations, explore opportunities to build lasting networks and gain access to ideas, research facilities, complementary equipment, etc. Funds are available to facilitate initial project planning and development; to support the direct costs of research; or visits by or to partner scholars.

 

Eligibility: Applicants must have obtained postdoctoral level or equivalent status. Applications from researchers in their first seven years postdoctoral are particularly encouraged.

 

Deadline: October 5, 2008

 

For more information please visit http://www.ria.ie/international/funding/royaljoint.html 

 

Postdoctoral Fellowships in the Humanities and Arts, Sciences and Professions - University of Michigan; Michigan Society of Fellows

 

The Michigan Society of Fellows, under the auspices of the Rackham Graduate School, was established in 1970 with endowment grants from the Ford Foundation and the Horace H. and Mary Rackham Funds. The most distinctive aspect of the society is a multidisciplinary emphasis which gives the fellows an opportunity to interact across disciplines and to expand their horizons and knowledge.

 

Eligibility: The society invites applications from qualified candidates who are at the beginning of their academic careers, having received the Ph.D. or comparable professional or artistic degree between June 1, 2005, and September 1, 2008.

 

Deadline: October 1, 2008

 

http://www.rackham.umich.edu/Faculty/society.html

 

Grant for Japan-Related Research Projects - Sumitomo Foundation

 

The Grant for Japan-Related Research Projects aims at enhancing mutual understanding between Asian countries and Japan through promoting research projects in the field of the social sciences or humanities that are related to Japan.

 

The researcher must be of Southeast or East Asian (but not Japanese) nationality, living outside Japan.

 

Deadline: October 31, 2008

 

http://www.sumitomo.or.jp/e/sub/japanrela.htm  

 

The International Year of the Potato 2008 (IYP) - World Photography Contest

 

The IYP World Photography Contest, Focus on a global food, supports two key objectives of the International Year of the Potato: to increase awareness of the importance of potato as a food in developing nations, and to promote research and development of potato-based systems as a means of contributing to achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

 

The contest is an invitation to reflect on the potato's key role in agriculture, the economy and world food security, to offer new insights into potato biodiversity, cultivation, processing, trade, marketing and consumption, and to contribute to a free and international exchange of information on this globally important food crop.

 

The contest is divided into two categories: Professional photographers (people who make their living from photography) and Amateur photographers. All entrants must be over 18 years of age.

 

Photographs must be submitted as digital files in JPEG format. Each entrant may submit either a single JPEG image or a "photo story" of from 4 to 8 related JPEG images. Images must be 300 dpi resolution, and 20 cm x 30 cm. They may be taken with a digital camera, or may be scans in JPEG format of negatives, transparencies or prints.

 

Entries close on 1 September 2008.

 

For further information, visit http://www.potato2008.org/en/index.html 

 

World Challenge 08

 

Now in its fourth year, World Challenge 08 is a global competition aimed at finding projects or small businesses from around the world that have shown enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level. We would love to hear from our audience about social entrepreneurs who are making a difference without costing the earth. It could be you or someone you know.

 

World Challenge 08 is brought to you by BBC World and Newsweek, in association with Shell, and is about championing and rewarding projects and business which really make a difference. The winner will receive a grant of USD $20 000 to put back into their project/business, and two runners up will each receive USD $10 000. One representative from each of the three finalists will be flown to The Hague, The Netherlands to attend the award ceremony in December 2008.

 

Nominations end 31 May 2008.

 

For more information please visit http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/  

 

2009 Harold White Fellowships

 

Fellowships are open to established Australian and international researchers or writers in any discipline in which the Library has strong collections. Successful applicants are generally senior scholars or writers with a strong publication track record, including publication of full length monographs.

 

Fellowships are not provided to assist with the completion of degree studies and applications from currently enrolled students will not be considered.  Fellowships are awarded once only to each individual; subsequent applications from previous recipients will not be considered.

 

The principal benefit of Fellowships is to give scholars and writers the means and the uninterrupted time to work with the Library’s collection.

 

Fellows are provided with:

 

- a return economy airfare to Canberra from their homes

- a grant-in-aid towards living expenses while in Canberra

- a furnished office at the Library, including a personal computer with Internet access

- access to the Library outside opening hours of reading rooms

- access to book stacks

- free photocopying and interlibrary loans

 

All fellows are required to:

 

- take up their Fellowships during the calendar year for which the Fellowship is awarded

- stay in Canberra for a continuous block of at last three months and spend at least 75% of their time during their Fellowship at the Library

- give a public presentation, such as a lecture, and communicate the results of their research to staff

- where appropriate, give the Library the first opportunity to publish the results of their research

 

Applications close on 30 April 2008.

 

For more information please visit http://www.nla.gov.au/grants/haroldwhite/information.html 

 

Scholarship information web site: getscholarship.net

 

Get Scholarship is a site dedicated to students or anybody who need scholarships and grants in order to continue their studies. Browse our archives to find out more information about undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and postdoctoral financial aid.

 

http://www.getscholarship.net

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