VDIC NEWSLETTER
June 2008

CONTENTS

Free Training Sessions Provided by VDIC.. 1

Exhibitions at VDIC.. 1

Library. 1

Selected Resources at VDIC and on the Internet on Low Carbon Economy.. 1

Highlights from the New Additions to VDIC Library.. 2

Useful Web Sites. 3

Selected New Publications for Sale at VDIC.. 4

Distance Learning Center Events in June 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: June 24, 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: June 25, 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 Environment Day 2008: Kick the habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy. Recognising that climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era, UNEP is asking countries, companies and communities to focus on greenhouse gas emissions and how to reduce them. The World Environment Day will highlight resources and initiatives that promote low carbon economies and life-styles, such as improved energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, forest conservation and eco-friendly consumption.

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

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 Low Carbon Economy

Web site on World Environment Day 2008 http://www.unep.org/wed/2008/english/

ENV-POL 6. Lecocq, Franck; World Bank. ENVCF. State and trends of carbon market 2004. World Bank, 2004. Full text. http://go.worldbank.org/9K7050TPE0

IND-ENE [Internet]. Energy efficiency guide for industry in Asia= Huong dan su dung nang luong hieu qua trong cac nganh cong nghiep o chau A. Paris: United Nations Environment Programme, 2006. Full text. http://www.energyefficiencyasia.org

IND-ENE 1. Fort, Bertrand; Johnson, Francis; Asia-Europe foundation; UNEP. Technology partnerships for renewables: key to energy security. Singapore: Publishing Interface, 2005.

IND-ENE 10. TrueWind Solutions, LLC. Wind energy resource atlas of Southeast Asia.

IND-ENE 11. GEF. Assessment of the World Bank Group/GEF strategy for the market development of concentrating solar thermal power. Washington, D.C.: the World Bank, 2006. Full text http://go.worldbank.org/067YO9ZP50

IND-ENE 11. Wedderburn. Samuel, GEF. The World Bank GEF energy efficiency projects, post-implementation impact assessment: synthesis report. Washington, D.C.: the World Bank, 2006. Full text http://go.worldbank.org/HIWLUXT820

IND-ENE 2. Wilkins, Gill. Technology transfer for renewable energy. London: Earthscan, 2002.

IND-ENE 24. Berrah, Noureddine, Feng, Fei, Priddle, Roland, Wang, Leiping, The World Bank. Sustainable Energy in China: the closing window of opportunity. Washington, D.C.: the World Bank, 2007.

IND-ENE 3. United Nations, Economic and social commission for Asia and the Pacific. Energy efficiency: promotion of energy efficiency in industry and financing of investments. New York: United Nations, 2001.

IND-ENE-V1. Bogach, V. Susan, Cabraal, R. Anil, Exel, Jon, Pham Nguyet Anh. Vietnam: renewable energy action plan. Hanoi: World Bank, 2001.

IND-ENE-V4. Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy. Renewable energy in Asia: The Vietnam report: an overview of the energy systems, renewable energy options, initiatives, actors and opportunities in Vietnam, August 2005. Australia: BCSE, 2005. Full text http://www.bcse.org.au/docs/International/BCSE%20Vietnam%20%20Final%20V2.pdf

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

AGR-RUR-V9. Doppler, Werner; Praneetvatakul, Suwanna;; Mungkung, Nuchanata; Sattarasart, Acheree; Kitchaicharoen, Jirawan; Thongthap, Chakkrit; Lentes, Peter; Do, Anh Tai; Gruninger, Mathias; Weber, Karl E. Resources and livelihood in mountainous areas of South East Asia: Farming and rural systems in a changing environment. Margraf Publishers, 2006.

BAN-MON 22. de Mello, Luiz (ed.). Monetary Policies and Inflation Targeting in Emerging Economies. OECD, 2008.

(REF) ECO3. The World Bank. Global monitoring report 2008: MDGs and the environment. Agenda for inclusive and sustainable development. The World Bank, 2008. Full text http://go.worldbank.org/J20HF0QLL0

ECO-ADM-H25. Rowley, Chris (ed); Abdul-Rahman, Saaidah (ed). The changing face of management in South East Asia. Routledge, 2008. Working in Asia.

ECO-GLO 27. Stiglitz, Joseph E. Making globalization work. W.W. Norton & Co, 2007.

ECO-INT-A26. Goh, Evelyn. Developing the Mekong: Regionalism and regional security in China-Southeast Asian relations. International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2007. Adelphi paper. 387.

EDU-HIG 15. Epstein, Debbie; Boden, Rebecca; Deem, Rosemary; Rizvi, Fazal; Wright, Susan (eds.). World yearbook of education 2008: Geographies of knowledge, geometries of power: Framing the future of higher education. Routledge, 2007.

(REF) ENV-BIO-V28. Bộ Khoa học và Công nghệ; Viện Khoa học và Công nghệ Việt Nam. Sách đỏ Việt Nam. Nhà xuất bản Khoa học và Công nghệ, 2007.

(REF) ENV-BIO-V28. Ministry of Science and Technology; Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology. Vietnam Red Data Book. Natural Science and Technology Publishers, 2007.

ENV-LAN-V1. The World Bank. Land in Transition: Reform and poverty in rural Vietnam. The World Bank, 2008.

ENV-MAN 19. Brown, Lester Russell. Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to save civilization. W. W. Norton, 2008.

GOV-CIV 20. Florini, Ann (ed.). The right to know: Transparency for an open world. Columbia University Press, 2007.

PUB-TAX 14. Brautigam, Deborah; Fjeldstad, Odd-Helge; Moore, Mick. Taxation and state-building in developing countries: Capacity and consent. Cambridge University Press, 2008.

SOC-MIG-V2. Nguyễn, Thị Thiềng; Lê, Thị Hương; Phạm, Thúy Hương; Vũ, Hoàng Ngân; Trần, Thị Thanh Thủy; Gubry, Patrick. Di chuyển để sống tốt hơn: Di dân nội thị tại thành phố Hồ Chí Minh và Hà Nội. Nhà xuất bản Đại học Kinh tế Quốc dân, 2008.

TOU 7. Sharpley, Richard. Tourism and development in the developing world. Routledge, 2008. Routledge perspectives on development.

Useful Web Sites

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

World Bank Databases (accessible on VDIC computers only)

5 computers at VDIC have special free access to these three databases. You can save results to CD-ROM, or USB flash drive.

World Development Indicators (WDI) Online

Provides demographic, labour, poverty, education, health, environment, financial, and trade statistics, with over 800 indicators for more than 200 countries from 1960 to present, where data are available.

Global Development Finance Online

Global Development Finance (GDF) Online

Provides debt and financial flows indicators for over 100 countries that report debt to the World Bank Debtor Reporting System, from 1970 to 2012, where data are available.

World Bank e-Library

Full text of 3000 World Bank publications and reports in convenient small file sizes, available as soon as they appear in print.

Global Economic Monitor (GEM)

GEM features up-to-date analysis on global economic conditions, including a daily brief and event-driven focus reports, direct access to high-frequency datasets (commodity price indicators, and quarterly and annual macroeconomic indicators), Online publications of forecasts for commodity prices and main macroeconomic indicators for over 130 countries.

For more information please visit http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=library&op=viewDetailNews&id=160&mid=322&cmid=324

Selected New 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

World Development Indicators 2008 (Book)

by World Bank

English -- Published April 2008 -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7386-6

Price: $ 20.00

Looking for accurate, up-to-date data on development issues? World Development Indicators is the World Bank's premier annual compilation of data about development. This indispensable statistical reference allows you to consult over 900 indicators for some 150 economies and 14 country groups in more than 80 tables. It provides a current overview of the most recent data available as well as important regional data and income group analysis in six thematic sections: World View, People, Environment, Economy, States and Markets, and Global Links. The CD-ROM editions contain 46 years of time series data, covering 1960 to 2006, and offer mapping, charting, and data export formats.

Strategic Environmental Assessment for Policies: An Instrument for Good Governance

Edited by Kulsum Ahmed, Ernesto Sanchez-Triana

English -- Published May 2008 -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-6762-9

Price: $ 6.00

Environmentally and socially sustainable policies are essential for good governance. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the key tool for integrating environmental considerations into policies, programs and plans. This book focuses on SEA applied to policies. Through lessons learned from previous use of SEA on policies, it draws lessons on the strengths and weaknesses of current SEA methodology. It then goes on to analyze how policies are formulated and implemented and proposes a new conceptual framework for conducting SEA of policies that potentially could be more useful in influencing decision makers to integrate environmental sustainability considerations into policy formulation and implementation.

Broadcasting, Voice, and Accountability: A Public Interest Approach to Policy, Law, and Regulation

by Steve Buckley, Kreszentia Duer, Toby Mendel, Monroe Price, Marc Raboy

English -- Published April 2008 by Michigan University Press, World Bank -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7295-1

Price: $ 10.00

This book provides guidelines, tools, and real world examples to help assess and reform the enabling environment for media development that serves public interest goals. It builds on a growing awareness of the role of media and voice in the promotion of transparent and accountable governance, in the empowerment of people to better exercise their rights and hold leaders to account; and in support of equitable development including improved livelihoods, health, and access to education. The book provides development practitioners with an overview of the key policy and regulatory issues involved in supporting freedom of information and expression and enabling independent public service media. Country examples illustrate how these norms have been institutionalized in various contexts.

"Broadcasting, Voice and Accountability brings media and broadcasting policy squarely into the development debate. It is the Bank's first publication presenting good practices from around the world in media and broadcasting policy and regulation, and complements existing work in governance, public sector reform, and access to information. The book presents a framework to inform analysis of existing policies and support the development of a vigorous media sector, with a particular emphasis on broadcasting. I believe this volume is a useful tool for policymakers, reform managers, development practitioners, and students alike."

- Robert B Zoellick, President, The World Bank

". . . This is an excellent book. I read every page, and many of them twice, which is testimony to the fact that the manuscript was relevant, interesting and a jolly good read."

- Professor Ruth Teer-Tomaselli, UNESCO Chair in Communication for Southern Africa, Culture, Communication and Media Studies, University KwaZulu-Natal

Forests Sourcebook: Practical Guidance for Sustaining Forests in Development Cooperation

by World Bank

English -- Published April 2008 -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7163-3

Price: $ 9.00

The Forests Source Book provides practical operations-oriented guidance for forest sector engagement toward the goals of poverty reduction, conservation and economic development. Intended to guide World Bank lending activities and projects, the Forests Source Book offers information useful to a broad audience of practitioners, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The Source Book was developed in partnership with members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, including the Food and Agriculture Organization.

The Source Book provides background on key issues, lessons learned, and recommendations for practitioners on a number of topics including private sector engagement, forest governance, sustainable plantation and commercial harvesting, and forest information management systems.

Giving insight into the complex interplay between different realms of development work that effect or are affected by forests, the Forests Sourcebook is a valuable tool for any stakeholder involved in development or business projects that could have impact on forests.

Global Monitoring Report 2008: MDGs and the Environment: Agenda for Inclusive and Sustainable Development

by World Bank

English -- Published April 2008 -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7384-2

Price: $ 8.00

Global Monitoring Report 2008, the fifth in an annual series, is essential reading for those who wish to follow the global development agenda and debate in 2008. The year marks the midpoint toward the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is also an important year to work toward a consensus on how the world is going to respond to the challenge of climate change, building on the foundation laid at the Bali climate change conference in December 2007. The report spans this agenda. It provides a comprehensive assessment of progress toward the MDGs and related policies and actions. It addresses the challenge of climate change and environmental sustainability and assesses its implications for development.

The report's assessment of MDGs at midpoint presents a mixed picture, one of both significant progress and formidable challenges. The first MDG, reducing extreme poverty by half, is likely to be met at the global level, thanks to a remarkable surge in global economic growth over the past decade. But, on current trends, the human development MDGs are unlikely to be met. Prospects are gravest for the goals of reducing child and maternal mortality, but shortfalls are also likely in the primary school completion. nutrition, and sanitation MDGs. The potential effects of climate change compound the challenge of achieving the development goals and sustaining progress.

The report's messages are clear: urgent action is needed to help the world get back on track to achieve the MDGs; and urgent action is also needed to combat climate change that threatens the well-being of all countries, but particularly of poor countries and poor people. The goals of development and environmental sustainability are closely related, and the paths to those goals have important synergies.

Land in Transition: Reform and Poverty in Rural Vietnam

by Martin Ravallion, Dominique Van De Walle

English -- Published April 2008 -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7274-6

Price: $ 9.00

This book is a case study of Vietnam's efforts to fight poverty using market-oriented land reforms. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country undertook major institutional reforms, and an impressive reduction in poverty followed. But what role did the reforms play? Did the efficiency gains from reform come at a cost to equity? Were there both winners and losers? Was rising rural landlessness in the wake of reforms a sign of success or failure?

Land in Transition investigates the impacts on living standards of the two stages of land law reform: in 1988, when land was allocated to households administratively and output markets were liberalized; and in 1993, when official land titles were introduced and land transactions were permitted for the first time since communist rule began. To fully assess the poverty impacts of these changes, the authors' analysis of household surveys is guided by both economic theory and knowledge of the historical and social contexts. The book delineates lessons from Vietnam's experience and their implications for current policy debates in China and elsewhere.

"Ravallion and van de Walle have produced a beautifully clear, careful, and readable analysis of VietnamA?s agrarian reforms. They show that the 1988 decollectivization largely avoided "elite capture" and created near-equal family farms. These produced more, and were more efficient, than the previous collectives. In the interests of equity, the reform did not aim at maximum economic performance; but as the authors show, the sacrifice was not large. The authors explore whether China can now learn from Vietnam about similar prospects for market-friendly reforms."

- Michael Lipton

Founder and Research Professor, Poverty Research Unit

University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom

"This is a very interesting and very well researched book. The authors are leading experts in this field, and this shows. They have gone beyond simple analyses to address a set of key issues, such as whether rising landlessness is a sign of success or failure. They have also gone out of their way to come up with carefully drafted conclusions, linking these closely to the policy debate on equity and efficiency in Vietnam. I expect this report to become a very important and very influential publication, not just in Vietnam but also globally."

- Johan Swinnen

Professor of Development Economics

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium

The Little Book on External Debt 2008

by World Bank

English -- Published April 2008 -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7401-6

Price: $ 5.00

The Little Data Book on External Debt provides a quick reference for users interested in external debt stocks and flows, major economic aggregates, key debt ratios, and the currency composition of long-term debt for all countries reporting through the Debtor Reporting system. A pocket edition of the Global Development Finance 2008, Volume II: Summary and Country Tables, it contains statistical tables for 135 countries as well as summary tables for regional and income groups.

Risk-Based Supervision of Pension Funds: Emerging Practices and Challenges

Edited by Greg Brunner , Roberto Rocha , Richard Hinz

English -- Published April 2008 -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7493-1

Price: $ 9.00

Risk-Based Supervision of Pension Funds provides a review of the design and experience of risk-based pension fund supervision in countries that have been leaders in the development of these methods. The utilization of risk-based methods originates primarily in the supervision of banks. In recent years it has increasingly been extended to other types of financial intermediaries, including pension funds and insurers. The trend toward risk-based supervision of pensions reflects an increasing focus on risk management in both banking and insurance based on three key elements: capital requirements, supervisory review, and market discipline. Although similar in concept to the techniques developed in banking, its application to pension funds has required modifications, particularly for defined contribution funds that transfer investment risk to fund members. The countries examined - Australia, Denmark, Mexico, and the Netherlands - provide a range of experience that illustrates both the diversity of pension systems and the approaches to risk-based supervision, and also presents a commonality of focus on sound risk management and effective supervisory outcomes.

"Supervising private pension systems is a first-order policy issue. This inspiring and insightful book raises private pensions to the level of banks and insurance companies in the field of risk-based supervision. Risk-Based Supervision of Pension Funds should be required reading for financial regulators and supervisors throughout the developed and developing world."

- Mihaly Erdos

Former Chair of the Occupational Pensions Committee, Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors

Deputy Director General, Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority

"Risk-Based Supervision of Pension Funds provides a valuable contribution to the issues of how to successfully apply risk-based supervision to the pensions sector. It examines the implementation of risk-based methods in a number of countries that have pioneered differing risk-based models, and it provides detailed analysis of the impact those models have on the conduct of supervision and the behavior of pension entities."

- Ross Jones

President, International Organisation of Pension Supervisors

Deputy Chairman, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority

Institutional Pathways to Equity : Addressing Inequality Traps

Edited by Michael Walton, Anthony J. Bebbington, Anis A. Dani, Arjan de Haan

English -- Published March 2008 -- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7013-1

Price: $ 8.00

Questions of equity and inequality have moved to the center of debates on development and poverty reduction. This reflects growing awareness that even countries with high rates of growth can experience stagnating or increasing inequality, and that inequality can itself limit the poverty reducing effects of growth. Indeed, recent work indicates that, in addition to its intrinsic value, equity should be valued for its positive impacts on growth and the poverty-reducing effects of such growth.

These concerns are coupled with questions of governance. This is because institutional arrangements affect not only overall rates of growth but also the distributional effects of growth, and are themselves more or less equitable in their structure and functioning. How given institutional arrangements emerge over time, with their implications for growth and equity, remains less understood.

Institutional Pathways to Equity: Addressing Inequality Traps tackles the relationship between equity and development, the place of institutions in determining these relationships, and the conditions under which particular institutional arrangements can either block or promote transitions toward more equitable forms of development. The chapters, originally commissioned as background documents for the preparation of the World Development Report 2006, are prepared by leading scholars from the fields of economics, political science, sociology, geography, and development studies.

The book speaks directly to current discussions on inequality, poverty, and growth and will contribute to the construction of a historically informed political economy of development. The book specifically highlights the importance of inequality, institutional change through social mobilization, and institutional change through state policies. The authors show that, under certain conditions, state institutions can and have taken a leading role in promoting policies to redress inequitable social relations and so weaken the social foundations of inequality traps.

This book is part of a new series, New Frontiers in Social Policy, which examines issues and approaches to extend the boundaries of social policy beyond conventional social services toward policies and institutions that improve equality of opportunity and social justice in developing countries. Other titles in the series include Assets, Livelihoods, and Social Policy, and Inclusive States: Social Policy and Structural Inequalities.

Distance Learning Center Events in June 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

Blended Learning Course on International Financial Reporting Standards (by invitation only)

June 3 - October 16, 12:00 - 17:00 every videoconference day

The course is organized by the World Bank in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). The course aims to train the trainers of international financial reporting standards and will provide international certification of those trainers to disseminate this knowledge through the provision of training programs within their own countries. The course consists of 7 videoconference workshops through the Global Development Learning Network connecting 6 Asian countries, self-study using an interactive electronic learning package, remote tutor support, online forum, webinars or clinics to address participants' queries and concerns.

Distance Learning Seminar Series on Economic Management

Seminar 1: Today's Inflation: Global Context and Local Solutions (by invitation only)

June 5, 08:00 - 11:00 a.m.

This Seminar is the first of a series that will responds to a great need in Asian countries to learn about economic management. The focus of the first seminar is on inflation management as inflation is becoming a major concern in those countries these days. The key topcis of the seminar are: (i) the global and regional context of the current inflation and related developments; (ii) causes, impacts and policies to address inflation, and (iii) a case study, featuring successful as well as unsuccessful experiences of countries in other parts of the world. The seminar will be attended by betweeen 10 - 100 participants in each of the 12 Asian interested countries, mostly from ministries of finance and central banks.

E-learning Course on Energy Efficiency (open for registration)

June 9 - 12, 08:00 - 17:00 every course day

This e-training course is developed by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and will cover how energy is used in installations and operations and general energy efficiency measures for industrial applications like pumps, motors, boilers, furnaces, and large buildings. The course will also introduce the energy auditing process for such applications and installations. The course consists of videoconference lectures, online discussions, online presentations of case studies, group discussions, site visit, question & answer session, local case studies, etc. For further information and registration details, please visit: http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=learningevents&op=viewDetailNews&id=439&language=english&mid=330&cmid=359

Seminar on ERP for SMEs

June 13, 08:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Organized by VCCI in HCMC in partnership with a number of relevant organizations and companies, this Seminar will discuss the questions of benefits, options and implementation challenges of enterprise resource planning for small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam. The seminar, to be delivered via a videoconference, will have participation of about 80 SMEs in HCMC and 40 SMEs in Hanoi.

Training on Competition, Trade & Business Environment Development

June 2 & 6, full day

Funded by the Vietnam Blended Learning Program, this training course is a mix videoconference workshops and web-based discussion forums. Through the faciltation of trainers from India, 60 participants from Government agencies, business sector and journalism in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will learn knowledge on competition, market structure, restrictive business and unfair trade practices and the relevant situations in the world and Vietnam. Participants will also develop skills to analyse market structure, assess the current market practice, set up market scenarios and analyse opportunities and risks for a certain business strategy. Learning activities have a focus on Vietnam's market and business circumstances with a view to enabling the participants to use the knowledge and skills learned in addressing their own problems and issues.

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.

World Bank 2009 Young Professionals Program

The Young Professionals Program is a starting point for an exciting career in the World Bank. The Program is designed to attract outstanding young and motivated individuals from around the world, who have demonstrated a commitment to development, supported by academic success, professional achievement and potential for leadership. The Program recruits through a highly selective and competitive process and then facilitates their rapid integration into the World Bank's business and culture.

Please apply online. The application period is from May 1 to July 15, 2008.

Learn about the Young Professionals Program at http://go.worldbank.org/FVOVD83WI0

Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarship - Rotary Foundation

The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies.

Any applicant for Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships whose native language is not that of the proposed country of study must submit evidence of the ability to read, write, and speak the language of that country.

Deadline: Varies

For more information please visit http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/index.html

Graduate Scholarships for Non-Japanese Women to Study in Japan (NJG Program) - College Women's Association of Japan (CWAJ)

The Graduate Scholarships for non-Japanese Women to Study in Japan program supports graduate study in Japan for non-Japanese women who are enrolled in degree programs at Japanese universities.

Applicants must be non-Japanese, non-permanent resident women who will be enrolled in a degree program with a graduate school of a Japanese university from April 2008 to March 2009.

Deadline: October 26, 2008

For more information please visit http://www.cwaj.org/Scholarship/njg.htm

Scholarship Awards - Degussa Stiftung

In 2008 the Degussa Foundation offers scholarships exclusively for master's degrees and for doctoral dissertations for study programs in chemistry (general chemistry, anorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, biological chemistry, technical chemistry, macromolecular chemistry), material sciences and process engineering.

Deadline: August 31, 2008

For more information please visit http://www.degussa-stiftung.de/stiftung/en/financial_assistance/scholarship_awards/

William and Elizabeth Fisher Scholarships - Australian Federation of University Women (AFUW)

The International Scholarship will be offered to a female international student enrolled in 2008 at a Victorian university, undertaking a postgraduate research degree.

Deadline: March 31, 2009

For more information please visit http://home.vicnet.net.au/~afuwvic/PhD%20or%20Masters%20by%20Research%20guidelines.htm

Asian Youth Fellowship (AYF) - Japan Foundation

The Japan Foundation Asia Center offers scholarships to Asian students who wish to study at graduate schools in Japan and have a strong wish to contribute to regional cooperation after obtaining a master's or Ph.D. degree under the Asian Youth Fellowship program.

Deadline: Varies

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

Study and Research Fellowships - American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS)

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is pleased to announce the third annual competition for grants to individuals in the archaeology and early history of East and Southeast Asia. This program is undertaken in cooperation with the Henry Luce Foundation. Comparative projects and those that build scholarly networks are especially encouraged. Proposals may cover prehistoric or historical periods, but must focus on work that involves excavations or excavated materials, or both.

Deadline: November 14, 2008.

For more information please visit http://www.acls.org/grants/Default.aspx?id=520

VIETNAM PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST Topic: “Poverty and Environment Linkages”

Vietnam Environmental Economics Association, in cooperation with the Vietnam Association of Photographic Artists is organizing a nationwide photographic contest on “Poverty and Environment Linkages”, funded by the Poverty and Environment Project – Ministry of the Natural Resources and Environment and the United Nations Development Programme.

PURPOSES:

• Raising public awareness and interests on poverty and environment linkages and underlying current poverty and environment issues in Vietnam.

• Encouraging the participation of the wider public in solving poverty and environment related issues.

• Improving and storing photographic data on poverty and environment in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for the purpose of raising public awareness.

CONTENTS:

• Reflecting real images on poverty and environment linkages.

• Praising activities that provide both poverty reduction and environmental protection in Vietnam.

• Denouncing and rejecting actions that harm the environment. Warning about and recommending solutions for poverty and environment linkages.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY INTO PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST:

• Submitted pictures can be in black and white or colour. There are no limits on numbers of photographs. Photograph size must be 30x40 cm or 30x45 cm. A 10x15 cm sized picture must be submitted along with the larger-sized picture, as well as including the name of photographer, contact details, name of the photograph, year and event taken and location of the photograph. Pictures are not to be laminated and not to be pasted on cardboard.

• Only photographs taken during or after 2005 will be accepted.

• Photographs that have previously won a competition, or have been shown in a national or international photography competition will not be accepted.

• Members of the Judgement Board and the Organization Committee are not allowed to be in the contest.

• The Organization Committee is not responsible for any losses or damage during the delivery.

• The Organization Committee will withdraw and cancel prizes and results if a photograph violates copyright or contest regulations.

• The Organization Committee has the right to use all photographs submitted to the contest for publication for the purposes listed above. All photographs used will be attributed to the photographer.

Deadline: August 15th, 2008.

For more information please visit http://vapa.org.vn/vie/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2370

Vietnam green label design contest launched

The Environment Protection Department and the Vietnam Fine Arts Association on May 7 launched a contest of designing the Green Label for Vietnamese environment-friendly products.

The logo will be stuck on all products that satisfy the environment-friendly standards.

Vietnamese and foreign citizens, domestic and foreign organisations can join the contest. The prizes include 25 million VND (1,562 USD) for the first prize and four encouragement prizes worth 3 million VND (187 USD) each.

Contestants can send their works to the Environment Protection Department at 67 Nguyen Du street, Hanoi, no later than June 25, 2008.

Visit http://english.vietnamnet.vn/tech/2008/05/782022/ or http://www.nea.gov.vn/nhanmt/index.htm (in Vietnamese only)

Call for proposals: Grassroots Democracy Ordinance (GDO) Small Grants

The “Civil Society and Good Local Governance Program” of the German Development Service (DED) in Vietnam would like to invite you to submit project proposals. GDO Small Grants are available for activities supporting or monitoring the implementation of the Grassroots Democracy Ordinance (GDO) at village and commune level.

Proposals will be accepted until 18 June 2008.

Contact s.pomapoma@ded-vietnam.org for more information.

Scholarship Fund - Asia Pacific Regional Technology Centre (APRTC)

APRTC is well aware that the majority of the agricultural educators and other professionals who most need access to continuing educational opportunities are least able to pay for them. In response to this situation, and with the initial generous support of the international crop protection industry, we have established our agLe@rn scholarship fund to support deserving candidates from government agencies, academia and non-governmental organizations.

In order to be eligible for a scholarship, you must

l be an agricultural professional working in a developing country,

l be involved in the promotion of sustainable agriculture,

l be working with farmers or students of agriculture,

l be in need of financial support to take advantage of an agLe@rn course,

l receive a recommendation from your supervisor supporting your participation in the course.

Deadline: Continuous.

For more information please visit http://www.sdlearn.net/APRTC/scholarship_fund/scholarship_fund.htm

The Sparky Award 2008 - The Value of Information Sharing

The Internet gives new meaning to the notion that, by sharing ideas, we build a better understanding of the world around us. If you use YouTube or Wikipedia, exchange gaming tips on the Internet, or have a blog, you probably well understand the value of sharing information, ideas, and knowledge.

Sharing can also be a vital tool in helping to address complex problems that challenge society - like disease, hunger, global warming, and economic disparity. The sharing of ideas gives us ways to discover, collaborate, and create in unprecedented ways.

The SPARKY Awards is a contest to promote the open exchange of information, it challenges you to illustrate in a short video presentation what you see as the value of sharing information. Use your imagination to suggest what good comes from bringing down barriers to the free exchange of information.

Videos must:

l Be submitted by November 30, 2008.

l Examine the theme described above.

l Be no more than 2 minutes in length.

l Have been completed between January 1 and November 30, 2008.

l Be narrated or subtitled in English.

l Be posted on the Internet and available for public use under a Creative Commons license. Acceptable licenses include: Attribution, Attribution-NonCommercial, Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike, Attribution- ShareAlike, Public Domain.

You must be the original author of everything in your video or have permission to use copyright protected material. Videos using non-licensed, copyrighted musical, visual, or literary properties without legal permission are ineligible. In addition, you must have consent from any people appearing in your video.

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

Translation Grants - American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS)

Deadline: November 14, 2008

For more information please visit http://www.acls.org/grants/Default.aspx?id=520

AACR-NCI International Investigator Opportunity Grants - American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

In recognition of the need to globalize cancer research and equalize the exchange of scientific knowledge, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and the Office of International Affairs of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), jointly offer the AACR-NCI International Investigator Opportunity Grants program. The goal of this program is to enhance the quality of cancer research in countries where opportunities for specialized scientific training and career development for physicians and scientists are limited.

Deadline: Varies

For more information please visit http://www.aacr.org/home/scientists/research-funding--training-grants/travel-grants/aacr-nci-international-investigator-opportunity-grants.aspx

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