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CONTENTS Free Training
Sessions Provided by VDIC Selected Resources on
language and development at VDIC Highlights from the
New Additions to VDIC Library Selected New Publications for Sale at VDIC Distance Learning Center Events in February 2009 Information on Development Projects in Vietnam New Disclosure World
Bank Operational Project Documents for Vietnam |
VDIC
News
Free Training Sessions
Provided by VDIC
Location:
VDIC, Ground Floor, 63 Ly Thai
To, 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:
February 19, 2009 -- Time: 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” plus
EndNote instructions Date:
February 19, 2009 -- Time: 02:00pm
to 04:00pm 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 and (iv) learn how to use EndNote software to automatically
manage your referencing works. Student Workshop on "Guidelines for Successful
University Scholarship Applications" (registration closed) Date: February
10, 2009 -- Time: 02:00pm to 04:00pm Students are invited to
participate in a Workshop on "Guidelines For Successful University
Scholarship Applications". The workshop is designed for students who
plan to enroll in a University, especially at graduate level or apply for
scholarships and funding towards this. It focuses on improving skills in the
application process, in researching and communication with the University and
in the preparation of quality applications for acceptance. The workshop highlights the needed hard and
soft skills, types of funding, the steps in application and the mistakes to
avoid. It briefly covers the preparation of Resumes (CVs), interview skills,
and communication etiquette in the context of University applications. The
workshop format includes a formal presentation and interactive
discussion. The opportunity will exist
after the workshop for further follow-up with the workshop facilitator. The
Workshop will be conducted in English, by Mr Boris Fabres, who is Senior
Advisor and Consultant to the Centre For Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD), a Vietnamese
Non Governmental Organization based in Hanoi. Workshop participants (and
other interested persons) may wish to read the draft workshop-related
material online at http://www.vdic.org.vn/data/File/Library/Guide-Applying-For-Scholarships-and-Graduate-School.pdf.
It is useful to take this material to the workshop for additional notes since
we do not provide participants with printed workshop materials. Exhibitions at VDIC
Please see Library section for lists of selected
resources on the exhibition themes below. International Mother Language Day
(21 February 2009) International Mother Language Day
was proclaimed by UNESCO's General Conference in November 1999. The
International Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote
linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Languages are the most powerful
instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible
heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve
not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but
also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions
throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding,
tolerance and dialogue. Small exhibitions at VDIC on these
occasions provide 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 on language
and development at VDIC
CUL 3. United Nations Viet Nam.
Culture and development in Viet Nam.
Hanoi: UN, 2003. CUL 5. Maffi, Luisa. On biocultural diversity: linking
language, knowledge, and the environment. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian
Institution Press, 2001. CUL 6. Rao, Vijayendra; Walton,
Michael. Culture and public action.
Stanford, California: Stanford Social Sciences, 2004. CUL 10. UNESCO; Government of Vietnam.
Digalogue among civilizations: The
Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Dialogue among Cultures and Civilizations
for Peace and Sustainable Development, Hanoi, Vietnam 20 and 21 December 2004.
UNESCO, 2006 CUL-POL-V1. Guan, Lee Hock; Suryadinata, Leo
(Editors). Language,
nation and development in Southeast Asia: Vietnamese language and media
policy in the service of deterritorialized nation-building. Institute
of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), 2007 EDU-CUR-V [Internet]. UNESCO.
First Language First: Community-based
Literacy Programmes for Minority Language Contexts in Asia. Bangkok:
UNESCO, 2005. http://www2.unescobkk.org/elib/publications/first_language/first_language.pdf EDU-SOC 1. Shaw, Jonathan ed., Lubelska,
Diana ed., Noullet, Michelle ed. Partnership
and interaction: proceedings of the fourth International Conference on
Language and Development, Hanoi, Vietnam, October 13-15, 1999. Bangkok, Thailand:
Asian Institute of Technology, 2000. HEA-HIV-E [Internet]. UNESCO guidelines on language and content
in HIV- and AIDS-related materials. Paris: UNESCO, 2006. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001447/144725e.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-LIV 8. Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). Livestock development strategy to 2020. Agricultural Publishing
House, 2008. (REF) BAN-INV-V1. Bộ Kế hoạch
và Đầu tư; Tổng cục Thống kê. Đầu tư
nước ngoài tại Việt Nam 7 năm đầu thế kỷ XXI = Foreign direct investment in Vietnam
7 years at the beginning of century 21st. Nhà xuất bản Thống kê, 2008. ECO-GLO 5. Stiglitz, Joseph E. Vận hành toàn cầu hóa. Nhà xuất bản
Trẻ, 2008. ECO-KNO 13. The World Bank. Using knowledge to improve development
effectiveness: an evaluation of world bank economic and sector work and
technical assistance, 2000 - 2006. The World Bank, 2008. ECO-POL 37. Porter, Michael E. Lợi thế cạnh tranh quốc gia. Nhà xuất bản Trẻ, 2008. ECO-POL-V64. Tran, Thi Thien (ed.). The economic circumstances for
development of the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries: International
Workshop co-organized by Daegu University, South Korea and Thainguyen University
of Economics and Business Administration, Vietnam, January 30-February 01,
2007. Statistical Publishing House, 2007. GOV-CIV [Internet]. Ramkumar,
Vivek. Our money, our responsibility:
A citizens' guide to monitoring government expenditure. International
Budget Project , 2008. http://www.ansa-africa.net/uploads/documents/publications/IBP_Expenditure_Monitoring_Guide_2008.pdf HEA-DEV-V31. Ministry of
Health. Planning and Financial Department. National health account implementation in Vietnam period from 2000 -
2006. Statistical Publishing House, 2008. IND-ENE 27. Taylor, Robert;
Govindarajalu, Chandrasekar; Levin, Jeremy. Huy động tài chính cho sử dụng năng lượng hiệu quả: Những bài học từ
Braxin, Trung Quốc, Ấn Độ và các nước khác. Ngân hàng thế giới, 2008. PUB-FIN 34. Cummins, David;
Mahul, Olivier. Catastrophe risk
financing in developing countries: principles for public intervention.
The World Bank, 2009. |
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 Banking
the Poor: Measuring Banking Access in 54 Economies by World Bank
English -- Published October 2008 by World Bank
-- ISBN-13: 978-0-8213-7754-3 Price: $ 13.00 How many people are using banking services in poor
countries? What financial services are used? And how could access to banking
services be expanded to include more people? Banking the Poor explores these
questions, through responses to questions in surveys undertaken in 54
countries, mostly in Africa. The biggest contribution of this study is new
data. Banking the Poor collects information from two sources: central banks
and leading commercial banks in each surveyed country. It explores
associations between countries’ banking policies and practices and their
levels of financial access, measured in terms of the numbers of bank account
per thousand adults. Banking the Poor finds that the surest way to
increased access is job growth that leads to more income. But it also finds
that more complexity and costs such as monthly fees are linked to lower
access. Access is not enhanced by loading up accounts with features that
enhance convenience such as overdraft provision. Instead these features
appeal to people who are already banked. Even mobile banking in its current
form is primarily aimed at existing clients. On the other hand, availability
of a basic “no-frills” bank account with minimal charges is linked to more
access. Innovative
Financing for Development Edited by Suhas Ketkar , Dilip K. Ratha English -- Published September 2008 by World Bank
ISBN: 0-8213-7685-3 Price: $ 13 Developing countries need additional,
cross-border capital channeled into their private sectors to generate
employment and growth, reduce poverty, and meet the other Millennium Development
Goals. Innovative financing mechanisms are necessary to make this happen.
Innovative Financing for Development is the first book on this subject that
uses a market-based approach. It compiles pioneering methods of raising
development finance including securitization of future flow receivables,
diaspora bonds, and GDP-indexed bonds. It also highlights the role of shadow
sovereign ratings in facilitating access to international capital markets. It
argues that poor countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa, can
potentially raise tens of billions of dollars annually through these
instruments. The chapters in the book focus on the structures
of the various innovative financing mechanisms, their track records and
potential for tapping international capital markets, the constraints limiting
their use, and policy measures that governments and international
institutions can implement to alleviate these constraints. "This
publication assembles several essays focusing on the new market-based ways of
raising development finance, which is a crucial complement to public funding
for creating jobs, alleviating poverty, and achieving other Millennium
Development Goals by 2015. This book will help better our understanding of
development finance. Policy makers and business leaders in the developing
world, as well as students, will benefit from it immensely." - Muhammad Yunus 2006 Nobel Peace Prize
Laureate World
Development Report 2009: Reshaping Economic Geography by World Bank
English -- Published November 2008 -- ISBN:
0-8213-7607-1 Price: $ 12 Rising densities of human settlements, migration
and transport to reduce distances to market, and specialization and trade
facilitated by fewer international divisions are central to economic
development. The transformations along these three dimensions—density,
distance, and division—are most noticeable in North America, Western Europe,
and Japan, but countries in Asia and Eastern Europe are changing in ways
similar in scope and speed. World Development Report 2009: Reshaping Economic
Geography concludes that these spatial transformations are essential, and
should be encouraged. The conclusion is not without controversy.
Slum-dwellers now number a billion, but the rush to cities continues.
Globalization is believed to benefit many, but not the billion people living
in lagging areas of developing nations. High poverty and mortality persist
among the world's "bottom billion", while others grow wealthier and
live longer lives. Concern for these three billion often comes with the
prescription that growth must be made spatially balanced. The WDR has a
different message: economic growth is seldom balanced, and efforts to spread
it out prematurely will jeopardize progress. The Report: - documents how production becomes more
concentrated spatially as economies grow. - proposes economic integration as the principle
for promoting successful spatial transformations. - revisits the debates on urbanization,
territorial development, and regional integration and shows how today's
developers can reshape economic geography. Global
Economic Prospects 2009: Commodities at the Crossroads by World Bank
English -- Published December 2008 by World Bank
ISBN: 0-8213-7799-X Price: $ 15 The eruption of the worldwide financial crisis
has radically recast prospects for the world economy. Global Economic
Prospects 2009 analyzes the implications of the crisis for low- and
middle-income countries, including an in-depth look at long-term prospects
for global commodity markets and the policies of both commodity producing and
consuming nations. Developing countries face sharply higher
borrowing costs and reduced access to capital, cutting into their capacity to
finance investment spending. The looming recession presents new risks, coming
as it does on the heels of the recent food and fuel crisis. Commodity markets, meanwhile, are at a
crossroads. Following decades of low prices and weak investment in supply
capacity, commodity prices first spiked and have now plummeted in response to
the financial crisis. In the longer run, commodities are not expected
to be in short supply. Prices should be higher than they were in the 1990s
but much lower than in the recent past. These higher prices should provide
producers with sufficient incentive to discover new supplies, improve output
from existing resources, and promote greater conservation and substitution
with more abundant alternatives. At the same time, slower population growth
will ease the pace at which commodity demand grows. Policies to limit carbon
emissions and boost agricultural investment, along with the dissemination of
efficient techniques, should also contribute to this long-term outcome. This year’s Global Economic Prospects also looks
at government responses to the recent price boom. "While
developing countries entered this tumultuous period with much improved
fundamentals, this crisis is expected to test severely both them and the
international financial system. In the longer run, even after developing
country growth recovers, commodity supply should keep pace with demand, but
policy will need to foster conservation efforts and technological progress.
In particular, if poor countries are to maintain domestic food
self-sufficiency, governments will need to strengthen investment in rural
infrastructure, agricultural research, and technological outreach." - Justin Yifu Lin Senior Vice President and
Chief Economist, The World Bank Development
Economics through the Decades: A Critical Look at Thirty Years of the World
Development Report by Shahid Yusuf
English -- Published December 2008 by World Bank
ISBN: 0-8213-7255-6 Since 1978, the World Bank's annual World
Development Report (WDR) has provided in-depth analysis and policy
recommendations on a specific and important aspect of international
development from agriculture, the role of the state, economic growth, and
labor to infrastructure, health, the environment, and poverty. In the
process, it has become a highly influential publication that is consulted by
international organizations, national governments, scholars, and civil
society networks to inform their decision-making processes. In this essay, Shahid Yusuf examines the last 30
years of development economics, viewed through the WDRs. The essay begins
with a brief background on the circumstances of newly independent developing
countries and summarizes some of the main strands of the emerging field of
development economics. It then provides a sweeping examination of the
coverage of the WDRs, reflecting on the key development themes synthesized by
these reports and assessing how the research they present has contributed to
policy making and development thought. The book then looks ahead and points
to some of the big challenges that the World Bank may explore through future
WDRs. The essay is followed by five commentaries, each written by a
distinguished economist or development practitioner, which further explore
this terrain from different perspectives. Together, the contents of this volume provide an
extraordinary and remarkably compact tour of development economics through,
around, and beyond the WDR. It will be invaluable to anyone interested in the
evolution of development economics over the past three decades as well as for
students, scholars, and policy makers in the field of development. "Shahid
Yusuf's essay on the World Development Reports is a masterful overview of
what has at the same time been 30 years of development economics at the World
Bank." - Kemal Dervis Head, United Nations
Development Programme "The
reader benefits from Dr. Yusuf's insights into how development economics has
changed and how political priority in development has changed over more than
30 years." - Takatoshi Ito Graduate School of Economics,
University of Tokyo, and Former Deputy Vice Minister
for International Finance, Ministry of Finance of Japan "This
volume not only offers an invaluable retrospective of the World Bank's best
thinking on development but also has the analytical caliber and policy
insights to become an indispensable source for those dealing with the present
and future growth and equity challenges faced by the developing countries." - Ernesto Zedillo Former President of Mexico
and Director, Yale Center for the
Study of Globalization |
Distance
Learning Center Events in February 2009
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
EAP Disaster Risk Management seminar (open
for registration) February
11 from 14:00 - 17:00 p.m This is
the second session of the 6-session videoconference series organized by World
Bank East Asia and Pacific Region Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Team to
strengthen Disaster Risk Management in the region. The series highlight three
areas, which are: Post-disaster recovery planning and lessons learned; Risk
financing and the World Bank's new financial products; and Local approaches
to disaster risk management. This session on "Local government
approaches to disaster risk management" will connect 6 countries via
videoconferencing, including: Turkey, Philipines, China, Indonesia, Japan and
Vietnam. For
more inforamtion, please contact Ms Dang Thi Thu Huong, email hdang2@worldbank.org, telephone:
04-3934 6600, ext. 706. |
Information on
Development Projects in Vietnam
New Disclosure World Bank Operational Project Documents for Vietnam
The
Disclosure Unit of the World Bank is responsible for the implementation and
dissemination of documents relating to the World Bank’s disclosure
policy http://www1.worldbank.org/operations/disclosure/. On
a regular basis, the Unit releases operational documents to the
public through a network of Public Information Centers (PICs) worldwide. For
assistance on disclosed documents, please contact one of the PICs at a location
near you. For
previous listings, please visit http://go.worldbank.org/QU93EOHWG1.
Alternatively, you are welcome to visit VDIC or World Bank’s mini Public
Information Corners (mini-PICs) at your city/province libraries to view hard
copies of World Bank project documents in Vietnam. List of mini-PICs in Vietnam
can be found at http://www.vdic.org.vn/?name=library&op=viewDetailNews&id=162&&mid=322&cmid=327.
List
of World Bank’s projects in Vietnam and detail project information can be
accessed at www.worldbank.org/vn
>> select “Projects &
Programs”. Vietnam - Haiphong Urban Transport Project -
Project Information Document The
proposed project, which is estimated to cost US$240.4 million (including land
acquisition), would support construction of critical sections of road
infrastructure to facilitate future city development, bus system improvements
(bus priority measures and reform) and capacity building in transport and
planning/implementing institutions. IDA financing in the amount of US$150
million has been tentatively agreed with MPI. The project consists of three
main components outlined below along with their total estimated cost: A. Strategic
Urban Road Component (estimated cost of US$222 million; with IDA financing
US$134.5 million). This component comprises A1 –
Construction of a new Nam Hai-Quan Tru East-West Link (including Niem 2
bridge construction). This link would
facilitate urban development in the city’s south east and serve freight
traffic from Dinh Vu port in the medium term.
A2 -
Truong Chinh Road Improvement (including Niem 1 Bridge structure
strengthening). A3 –
Quan Tru-Le Loi Urban & Freight Link (including Dong Hoa Bridge). This
section is expected to primarily serve a freight purpose connecting National
Road 10 to the port via the proposed Nam Hai – Quan Tru East-West Link, A4 -
Construction of Resettlement Sites A5 -
Detailed Design and Construction Supervision (10% of civil works) A6 -
Land Acquisition and Resettlement Compensation B. Public
Transportation and Traffic Safety Component: (estimated cost of US$13.5
million; with IDA-financing of US$9.3 million): A pilot bus service
improvement component supports upgrading public transportation services. The
corridor will serve as a demonstration project for potential replication. The
component includes: B1 -
Kien An Corridor improvement B2 -
Terminal/Station Improvement B3 -
Traffic Safety Improvement B4 -
Detailed Design and Construction Improvement (10% of civil works) B5 - Capacity
Building for Public Transport Management B6 -
Land Acquisition and Resettlement Compensation C. Capacity-building
Component: (financed by IDA at an estimated cost of US$5 million): This
component comprises institutional and human resource capacity programs in
urban management and transportation,
including: C1 -
Formulation of a Comprehensive Urban and Transportation Development Master
Plan for Hai Phong City; C2 –
Project Management Support; and C3 – Capacity
Building and Training for relevant agencies on city urban development and
urban transportation planning and management. For more
information please visit http://go.worldbank.org/FWXX3Z3SE0
Vietnam - Renewable Energy Development Project - Project Information
Document Since the late 1990s, the Bank
has had a wide-ranging engagement in Vietnam’s power sector, making a
significant contribution through policy dialogue, analytical and advisory
activities, and investment lending. It
has covered sector reform and restructuring, development of an efficient
supply side, private sector participation and rural electrification. Within the renewables sector, the
Bank has supported the development of Vietnam’s Renewable Energy Action Plan
(REAP, adopted in 2001) followed by key elements of the policy and regulatory
environment for renewable energy, including development of the ACT and
Standardized PPA, financed by the System Efficiency Improvement, Equitization
and Renewables Project (SEIER, Cr. 3680-VN, approved 2003). The Bank's experience in
renewable energy in Vietnam and its ability to bring extensive international
experience to bear has informed the policy dialogue, permitted substantive
technical assistance and supported the development of a substantial
investment pipeline. The combination
of continued technical assistance and lending support is needed now to ensure
high quality investments are made in renewable energy. IDA is uniquely positioned to provide this
package of support. The project will have three
components: (1) the investment project implementation component, (2) the
regulatory development component, and (3) the pipeline development component.
Each component is outlined below: Component 1: Investment Project
Implementation Component Subcomponent 1: Credit to Support
Renewable Energy Investments (total financing $235.55 million, of which IDA
$149.2 million). This sub-component will provide a re-financing facility to
participating commercial banks for loans to eligible renewables-based
projects up to 30MW developed by private sponsors Subcomponent 2: Technical Assistance for Investment Project
Implementation (total financing $2.43 million, of which $2 million from IDA).
This sub-component will provide technical assistance for application review
and project management by MOIT and for building the capacity of participating
banks and project sponsors to prepare, appraise,
finance, and implement renewables-based projects according to international
best practices. Component 2: Regulatory
Development Component (Total financing $1.02 million equivalent of which $0.8
million from IDA and AU$0.35 million co-financed by TF). This component will
provide technical assistance for developing the regulatory infrastructure and
building the requisite capacities of MOIT, the Electricity Regulatory
Authority of Vietnam and other relevant government agencies for renewable
energy development particularly for grid-connected electricity generation
projects below 30 MW. Component 3: Pipeline Development
Component (Total financing $3.32 million equivalent of which AU$3.15 million
financed by TF). This component will support activities to facilitate the
large-scale development of renewable energy projects up to 30 MW contributing
directly to building a pipeline of renewable energy projects. These components are intended to
sustainably address each of the barriers to the large-scale development of
grid-connected renewables. For more
information please visit http://go.worldbank.org/5XSDQRJ7P0
Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City Environmental Sanitation (Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe
Basin) Project - Project Information Document The Government of Vietnam
requested the Bank’s assistance in addressing some of the sector issues and
refining the sectoral strategy and future investment decisions. The government also looked to the Bank to
play a role in helping to coordinate various donor initiatives in the sector
and a significant step had been taken with the establishment of the Ho Chi
Minh City Overseas Development Assistance Partnership within the City’s
Department of Planning and Investment.
In addition, the Bank has been
extensively working in other cities in wastewater management through other
investment projects such as Three Cities Sanitation Project and the Project
builds upon the lessons and experiences from the previous projects. The project comprises a
hydraulically integrated system with sewers and drains feeding to the tunnel
that runs under the canal and ultimately, after pumping, via the tunnel to an
outfall under the Saigon River. The
project consists of three components: wastewater; drainage; and technical
assistance. The wastewater component
includes 8.4 km of wastewater interceptors, around 59 combined storm overflow
structures, two canal flushing mechanisms, a wastewater pumping station, and
a control and data acquisition system.
The drainage component of this project includes: replacement and
extension of 65 km of combined primary and secondary sewers; dredging,
transportation and disposal of more than 1 million m3 of sludge; and
extension of around 270 km of tertiary sewers to connect mainly low-income
households in the basin. The technical
assistance component provides project design and construction supervision
support as well as capacity building for the implementing agency. For more
information please visit http://go.worldbank.org/X31J4J31V0
|
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. Please
let us know if you have directly benefited from an opportunity disseminated
by VDIC. The 2009 Development
Marketplace grant competition: climate change adaptation The 2009 Development Marketplace grant competition aims to
stimulate innovative ideas for climate change adaptation. The World Bank and
its partners will bring the 100 most promising innovators to Washington DC in
November 2009 to compete for 20-30 grants and participate in a series of
knowledge sharing sessions. The call for proposals will open for submissions
in early February 2009. Stay tuned and check the Development Marketplace
website for more information including eligibility requirements, selection
criteria and maximum grant size. For more information please visit www.developmentmarketplace.org The World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program
Application 2009-2010 The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program provides support to
young researchers working in academic and research institutions from
developing countries, and preparing a doctoral thesis in a subject related to
development. Research grants cover residence costs in a university or
research center in a member country of the World Bank other than the home
country or country of residence of the candidate. Fellowships are awarded for
a period of five to ten months and must be completed between July 2009 and
June 2010. The maximum amount of the grant is US$25,000. Application forms and information about the application
procedure are available on the World Bank Scholarships Program website www.worldbank.org/scholarships. Completed application packages must be received in Washington, DC,
by February 28th, 2009. Correspondence and information requests may be sent to: The World Bank Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program MSN J2-204 1818 H St. NW Washington DC 20433 USA fax: (202) 522-4036 email: rsm_fellowships@worldbank.org The World Bank in Vietnam -
Civil Society Fund 2009 - Call for Proposals The Civil Society Fund (formerly known as Small Grants Program)
of the World Bank was created in 1983 as a way of supporting small,
nonprofit, civil society organizations (CSOs). The Social Development Civil
Society Fund (Civil Society Fund or CSF) seeds and supports activities that
build capacity to enhance development outcomes. Activities strengthen
mechanisms for inclusion, accountability, and people’s participation.
Activities also strengthen partnerships with public sector, other civil
society organizations, and the private sector. We are pleased to announce the start of the Civil Society Fund
2009 for Vietnam with the total amount equivalent to 692
million Vietnam Dong made available for in-country grants to national
CSOs. Activities eligible for grant receipt this year should focus on
capacity building, empowering and strengthening the voice of vulnerable
groups including disadvantage children, youth and women, people with
disabilities, urban migrants and ethnic minorities. The activities should aim
at supporting these vulnerable groups and promoting social inclusion. Activities may include, but are not limited to workshops or
seminars to enhance engagement skills and/or knowledge to promote the
participation of the vulnerable groups to the development process; appropriate
communication campaigns to improve public service delivery and policymaking
process; or innovative networking efforts to build capacity. Grants from Civil Society Fund must be used for specific
activities to be completed within one year of the date the grant is awarded.
Priority is given to organizations not supported by the Small Grants Program
in previous years and organizations are not eligible for more than three
grants from the Small Grants Program or Civil Society Fund within a five-year
period. Please note that the CSF will not provide support for
operational projects; research programs; formal academic training programs;
ongoing institutional support; scholarships, fellowships, study programs;
equipment purchase, service provision, construction of facilities or for
individuals applying on their own behalf, including for travel or studies.
Due to limited funding availability, only organizations with a development
rather than charity purpose will be eligible. The maximum size of each grant
will be 85 million Vietnam Dong. Grant proposals
will be assessed on a competitive basis, to select the most innovative
activities. If your CSO meets the above-mentioned requirements and would
like to apply for a grant, please pick up an application form and guidance at
the World Bank Office Reception, 8th floor, 63 Ly Thai To Street, Hanoi or
download from our website http://www.worldbank.org/vn. For more information please contact Ms. Bồ Thị Hồng Mai
(tel: 04 3936 7300, fax: 04 3934 6597; email: mbo@worldbank.org)
or visit the website. Organizations outside Hanoi may also contact our office
to get this form by mail or email. The deadline for submission of your
application is March 20, 2009 (for those outside Hanoi, the deadline is based
on the date of the post-office stamp). Decisions on grants will be made by
end-April, 2009 and the selected proposals will be notified shortly
afterwards. Global Environment Facility
(GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) for
Vietnam Launched in 1992, the SGP supports activities of
non-governmental and community-based organizations (NGOs/CBOs) in developing
countries towards climate change activities, conservation of biodiversity,
protection of international waters, reduction of the impact of persistent
organic pollutants and and prevention of land degradation while generating
sustainable livelihoods. It is funded
by the GEF as a corporate programme, and is implemented by the UNDP on behalf
of the GEF partnership, and is executed by the United Nations Office for
Project Services (UNOPS). Please see http://sgp.undp.org/.
Grants of $50,000 maximum per project can be provided directly
to the CBOs/NGOs to develop community-level projects that are designed to
help address the above-mentioned global environmental issues. The programme
is also tasked to strengthen positive working relationships between civil
society, government and donor agencies and build partnerships and networks
with CBOs and NGOs at country and global levels. SGP also gather and
communicate lessons learned to inform policy-making and improve the
development practice of government and donor institutions. For more information please visit http://www.undp.org.vn/undpLive/Content/What-We-Do/Focus-Areas/Energy-and-Environment/Small-Grant-Projects?&languageId=4 The Lien i3 Challenge Award
for Socially Innnovative Projects The Lien Centre for Social Innovation is offering S $1 million
for innovative ideas that can be implemented to create positive social
impact. The Lien i3 Challenge aims to catalyse social projects that are
innovative, implementable and impactful in Singapore and Asia. It has set aside up to $1 million prize fund to spur ideas and
make possible new social models. This latest initiative furthers the LCSI's
mission to enhance and grow the non-profit sector primarily through social
innovation. Social innovations are new and practical ideas that result in
improving capacity of the non-profit sector, or that result in the creation
of social value. The challenge is open to all individuals, groups or
organisations. The intended beneficiaries should be in Asia. Evaluation will be based on 3 key factors: - Innovative. The idea should be creative and original in at
least some aspects of its application. - Impact. The idea when implemented will create positive and
significant impact on the social sector and the community. - Implementation. The idea should be practical and
implementable. The award money is to implement the idea. Rules and Regulations: 1. The primary applicant
(person signing on the application form), must be at least 21 years of age
when the application is submitted. However, personnel working on the project
may include students and others under the age of 21 as long as they are
working under the supervision of the primary applicant. 2. Any electronic or fax
entry submissions, shall be treated as legally equivalent to the original for
any and all purposes. 3. Participants represent and warrant that any and/or all
information submitted as part of this Challenge, does not infringe on any
intellectual property right (such as patent, design, copyright or trademark)
or any other rights of any third party. 4. Successfully shortlisted participants will be notified via
email, so a valid email account is required for your submission. 5. Participants will be allowed to retain all proprietary rights
to their business ideas and plans. 6. Participants acknowledge and agree as a condition of entry to
allow use of each participant's name, any photographs, images, text, content
and other information that it provides for purposes of publicity and
education. 7. Participants will
endeavour to make themselves available to respond to the judges' queries and
to present their proposals at the relevant stages of this Challenge : We invite a two-page write up on your new social idea to be
submitted before 31 March 2009. Early submissions may receive coaching on
resubmission that enhances the chances of your project being shortlisted. For more information please visit http://www.lcsi.smu.edu.sg/i3_challenge/index.asp Calling entrepreneurs for
sustainable development: SEED Awards 2009 Apply now if: - you are finding new ways of simultaneously improving incomes
and strengthening livelihoods; tackling poverty and marginalisation; and
managing and conserving natural
resources and ecosystems; and - you are developing a new concept that brings together people
and organizations from different backgrounds to work in partnership, and
partners are pooling their commitment and human, financial, and natural
resources; and - your project or enterprise is in the early stages of
development and keen to increase its impacts; and - your project or enterprise is locally-led, with strong
community engagement, and takes place in a country or countries with a
developing economy or economy in transition; and - your project or enterprise displays entrepreneurship in its
broadest sense and shows a proven concept that has market potential; it must
demonstrate financial sustainability in the long term and should have a draft
business plan. Detailed eligibility criteria are available at www.seedinit.org.
Before submitting your application, you will be asked to complete an
eligibility checklist. Winners of the 2009 SEED Awards for entrepreneurship in
sustainable development receive a tailored package of support services, worth
up to $40,000, to help their venture to become established and to increase their
impact. This includes access to relevant expertise and technical assistance,
meeting new partners and building networks, developing business plans and
identifying sources of finance. The deadline for applications is 16 March 2009. Application
forms can be filled in online or downloaded from the SEED Initiative website
at www.seedinit.org. World Forestry Institute (WFI)
Educator Fellowship WFI Educator Fellowship - term: 12 months - application deadline
February 15, 2009. The American Forest
Foundation and Harry A. Merlo Foundation are jointly sponsoring an educator
to the WFI Fellowship program for one year to continue research and
curriculum development for “Global Connections: Forests of the World.” The
Fellow will fully participate in the WFI Fellowship program (see below) and
conduct curriculum research, review activity modules, and work with other
education professionals. Applicant
must be a non-US citizen proficient in written and oral English, be a strong
communicator, and be an educator with some natural resource background. A
stipend and health insurance are provided. For details visit http://wfi.worldforestry.org/opportunity.pdf World Forestry Institute (WFI)
International Fellowship Program WFI International Fellowship Program - term: 6-12 months -
applications accepted year-round. The
WFI Fellowship brings professionals in natural resources to conduct a
practical research project at the World Forestry Center. In addition to projects, Fellows
participate in weekly field trips, interviews and site visits to Northwest
forestry organizations, research labs, universities, public and private
timberlands, trade associations, mills, and corporations. The Fellowship is a unique opportunity to
learn about sustainable forestry from the Pacific Northwest forestry sector,
and to work with colleagues from around the world. Fellowships are open to any country, and
there is a matching grant from the Harry A. Merlo Foundation. Over 70 Fellows from 23 countries have
participated to date. Applications are
accepted year-round. For details, visit: http://wfi.worldforestry.org/fellowship-1.htm Prizes for rural women 2009
- Call for Nominations The Women’s World Summit Foundation WWSF cordially invites you
to submit nominations for its 16th annual edition of the prize for women’s
creativity in rural life, honouring creative and courageous women and women’s
organisations working to improve the quality of life in rural communities
around the world. Since inception of the prize program in 1994, 344 Laureates have
been honoured for their creativity (as of 2009 US$1000 per laureate and
US$3000 for established organisations in Africa). All laureates and their profiles are published on the WWSF web
site: http://www.woman.ch/home.php. A travelling exposition and a global
poster is giving visibility to all the prize winners. Given your experience, interest and perspective with regard to
issues of development, human rights, micro-credit, peace building and
empowerment of women, WWSF greatly appreciate your participation and thank
you in advance for sending your candidates. Prize winners will be selected
from complete nominations that include all the required documents mentioned
in the attached nomination guidelines. Incomplete nominations will not be
considered. Your candidates should arrive no late than 31 March, 2009
preferably by mail to the WWSF executive director, Women’s World Summit
Foundation, 11 Avenue de la Paix 1202 Geneva, Switzerland or email:
wrwd@wwsf.ch http://www.scidev.net/en/announcements/prizes-for-rural-women-2009-call-for-nominations.html SEARCA Graduate
Scholarships (MS and PhD) on Agriculture Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research
in Agriculture (SEARCA) is offering Graduate Scholarships (MS and PhD) and
PhD Research Scholarships to Southeast Asian nationals as well as travel
grants There are two types of SEARCA scholarship grants available: Graduate Scholarship for MS and PhD Initiated in academic year 1968-69, the Graduate Scholarship
Program aims to ensure the relevance and responsiveness of Southeast Asia's
agricultural scientists and professionals to global sustainable development
issues. The program provides support for advanced studies leading to the
MS and PhD degrees in agriculture, forestry, and related fields. Thus, SEARCA
aims to prepare grantees for positions of leadership in developing economies
of SEAMEO member countries. PhD Research Scholarship Launched in November 2005, the SEARCA PhD Research Scholarship
provides financial support to a limited number of qualified PhD students
whose researches are relevant to the priority thrusts of SEARCA. For more information please visit http://www.searca.org/web/scholarship/regular_scholarships/index.html Southeast Asian Regional Center
for Graduate Study & Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) Travel Grants SEARCA Travel Grants provide financial support of upto a maximum
of US$1,200 per awardee for travel to present papers at local or
international scientific conferences or fora. Southeast Asian national who is a staff member of a
development-oriented institution or a graduate student of a reputable
university in Southeast Asia are eligible for this grant. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis in 2nd week of
March, June, September and December. For more information please visit http://www.searca.org/web/research/travelgrants/ Announcing Terra Viva
Grants Terra Viva Grants is a new website that will help you identify
where to look for grants in the “green sectors” of international development.
Currently, the website has profiles of about 300 grant makers worldwide in
agriculture, energy, environment and natural resources. The grant makers’
profiles can be browsed in lists or searched in a database to speed up filtering and
comparison. Grants are for technical assistance (development projects),
education and capacity building, research, prizes and awards. Access to the website is worldwide and free. Users search for
grants made by foundations, NGOs, companies, government organizations and
international organizations. Eligibility criteria are stated in each grant
maker profile. Terra Viva Grants began in early 2008, with plans to expand
coverage and continuously add to content in each succeeding year. For more information please visit http://terravivagrants.org The “Frosty” Hill
Agricultural Research Fellowship - Cornell University Cornell University dedicates the "Frosty" Hill
Agricultural Research Fellowship to the memory of Dr. Forrest F. Hill,
co-founder of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR), in honor of his significant contributions to the application of
agricultural sciences in addressing critical world food problems. The
Fellowship provides financial support for selected senior scientists from
international centers supported by or affiliated with the CGIAR to spend from
9 to 12 months with scientists at Cornell University. More importantly, this
Fellowship creates opportunities for scientists from the major international
centers to work together with scientists from Cornell on significant
agricultural problems of mutual priority and concern. This fellowship is open to any senior scientist from a
recognized CGIAR supported or affiliated international center. For program planning purposes, applicants are advised to applications
by 31January. However, applications are accepted throughout the year. For more information please visit http://ip.cals.cornell.edu/programs/researchexchanges/frostyhill.cfm The Borlaug Leadership
Enhancement in Agriculture Program (LEAP) The Borlaug LEAP fellowship program is funded by the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID) to enhance the quality of
thesis research of graduate students from developing countries who show
strong promise as leaders in the field of agriculture and related
disciplines. LEAP is part of the overall Borlaug International Agricultural
Science and Technology Fellows Program sponsored by the USDA. The LEAP program
will support engaging a mentor at a Consultative Group on International
Agricultural Research (CGIAR) system center to support and enhance thesis
research and mentoring experience. Citizens of a USAID-assisted country who are currently enrolled
as an MS or PhD student at a U.S. or developing country university can apply
for this program. Applications are welcome throughout the year. However, reviews
are conducted twice a year and the administrative deadline for the next
review is 11 March 2009. For more information please visit http://leap.ucdavis.edu/ Knight Science Journalism
Fellowships - Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Knight Science journalism Fellowship is offered at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The
nine-month program is divided between individually-chosen activities and
twiceweekly Knight seminars arranged by the director. A Fellow's work usually
includes courses audited at MIT and Harvard, attendance at departmental
colloquia, field trips, lab visits, interviews, reading and writing. Each
Fellow designs his or her own course of study in discussion with the
director. Self-motivated journalists with five years of professional
experience who hope to improve their coverage of science, technology,
medicine or the environment. Deadline: 2 March 2009. For more information please visit http://web.mit.edu/knight-science/fellowships/overview.html International Multimedia
Essay Competition 2009 - Youth Urged to Send Photos, Videos, and Essays on
Climate Change The World Bank’s 2009 Youth Essay Competition aims to tap into
the ideas of the next generation of green entrepreneurs for dealing with the
pressing problem of climate change. The Essay Competition invites youth aged
18-25 to share ideas on how climate change affects them, and how it can be
addressed through youth-led solutions. For the first time, the competition
will also include photo and video categories which will also vie for prizes
ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 US dollars. Submissions are accepted via the
website until February 22, 2009, and can be in English, French or Spanish.
Participants may submit entries in more than one category (essay, video and
photo), but only one submission per category is allowed. For more information please visit http://www.essaycompetition.org/ Call for Research Proposals
on the World Bank The Researchers Alliance for Development (RAD) is partnering
with the World Bank on a series of workshops for doctoral students whose main
area of research is the World Bank Group. Each workshop brings together some
20 PhD students, World Bank staff and academics from other institutions
(universities, research institutes). Paper proposals are invited from current
doctoral students and early career postdoctoral researchers (up to three
years post-PhD) conducting research on the World Bank Group and other international
economic organizations in any social science field. The next workshop will be
held on April 26-27, 2009 in Washington DC. Applications are now open and
deadline is February 16, 2009. For more information please visit http://www.radnetwork.org/content07_15_1 IN.Wallonia-Brussels International Excellent Grants In a context of greater mobility and globalisation, a new grant
programme has recently been set up by Wallonia-Brussels International (WBI).
This programme sets out to reflect the themes of the competitiveness clusters
designated by the MARSHALL plan, a plan launched by the Walloon Region of
Belgium. It is designed to allow our Universities to host university students
from institutions of excellence abroad. An identical programme exists for
graduates from Wallonia and Brussels who wish to study in a university of
excellence abroad. Applicants should hold a higher education diploma of Master’s
level delivered by a recognised foreign institution that is deemed to be
equivalent to the Master’s level by the Competent Authorities of
Wallonia-Brussels. Type of programme : 1- Grants of a duration of at least 1 year at doctorate or
post-doctorate level. This aims to support the various competitiveness
clusters of the MARSHALL plan, priority will be given to the following fields
of study: transport and logistics, mechanical engineering, life sciences,
agri-food industry, aeronautics – aerospace. Consideration may also be given
to all other fields of study, human, fundamental or applied sciences. Applicants are welcome from all countries.
All applications must be accompanied by the letter of intent or the admission
letter of the host institution in Wallonia-Brussels. Deadline for submissions : 15 March 2008 for periods of study
during the academic year 2009-2010 2- Short term research grants of a duration of 1 to 3 months.
This aims to support the various competitiveness clusters of the MARSHALL
plan, priority will be given to the following fields: transport and
logistics, mechanical engineering, life sciences, agri-food industry,
aeronautics – aerospace. Consideration may also be given to all other fields
of study, human, fundamental or applied sciences. Applicants from all countries
will be given due consideration. Deadline for applications: For periods of study between February 2009 and May 2009 : 1st
September 2009 For periods of study between June and September 2010 : 1st of
March 2009 For periods of study between October and January 2010 : 1st of
June 2009 For more information please visit http://www.wbi.be/cgi/bin3/render.cgi?id=0132992_article&userid=&lang=ln3&rubr=trad_en 50th International Speech
Contest in Japanese The Japan Foundation, International Education Center, and Hakodate
City co-organize the 50th International Speech Contest in Japanese. This
year, in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Hakodate Port, the
contest will be held in Hakodate City, Hokkaido on May 30. http://www.jpf.go.jp/e/japanese/event/benron/ We are now inviting applicants for the contest. Application
deadline will be 5:00 p.m. Thursday, April 9. For more information about application, please access to the
website of International Education Center http://www.nichibei.ac.jp/news/news_speechcontest50.html (in Japanese). |
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