VDIC NEWSLETTER
May 2009

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

VDIC News. 1

Employment opportunity with VDIC.. 1

Free Training Sessions Provided by VDIC.. 1

Exhibitions at VDIC.. 1

Library. 3

Selected Resources on Biodiversity at VDIC.. 3

Highlights from the New Additions to VDIC Library.. 4

Selected New Publications for Sale at VDIC.. 6

Distance Learning Center Events in May 2009. 11

Information on Development Projects in Vietnam.. 11

New Disclosure World Bank Operational Project Documents for Vietnam... 11

Funding Opportunities. 14

 

 

 

VDIC News

 

Employment opportunity with VDIC

 

The World Bank Vietnam Office (Vietnam Development Information Center – VDIC) requires a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Short Term Consultant (STC) with adequate qualifications and extensive experiences to facilitate the evaluation of the implementation of the Vietnam Blended Learning Program and to provide technical assistance to VBLP teams in monitoring and evaluating project activities. The consultant will be assigned to work with VBLP teams, VDIC staff and other consultants and to elicit advice from the VBLP Steering Committee. The Consultant will report to the Task Manager and be based in the World Bank’s Hanoi Office.

 

Deadline for application: Applications must be reveived by 5pm, May 28, 2009.

 

Please send your application to:

 

Ms Nguyen Hoai Linh

Manager

Vietnam Development Information Center

Ground floor, 63 Ly Thai To, Hanoi, Vietnam.

 

For more information about this position, please see the TOR. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.

 

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:              May 21, 2009 -- Time: 09:30am to 12:00 noon

 

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:              May 21, 2009 -- Time: 01:30pm to 04:30pm

 

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.

 

Exhibitions at VDIC

 

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

 

22nd May 2009 - International Day for Biological Diversity: Invasive Alien Species - A Threat to Biodiversity

 

Invasive alien species have affected native biodiversity in almost every type of ecosystem on Earth. As one of the greatest drivers of biodiversity loss, they pose a threat to ecosystem integrity and function and therefore, to human well-being.

 

Globalization has resulted in greater levels of trade, transport, travel and tourism, all of which can facilitate the introduction and spread of non-native (or alien) species. Some of these can establish themselves in the new habitat and become invasive.

 

For an alien species to become invasive, it must arrive, survive and thrive. It must successfully out-compete native organisms for food and habitat, spread through its new environment, increase its population and harm ecosystems in its introduced range.

 

The impacts of invasive alien species are exacerbated by other drivers of biodiversity loss, including climate change, habitat loss, pollution and human-induced disturbance. Climate change may shift the geographic distribution and abundance of species by affecting the environment in which it lives, leading to a change in their physiology.

 

Prevention is the most cost-effective and feasible method of controlling invasive alien species. It requires collaboration among governments, economic sectors and non-governmental and international organizations.

 

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is addressing the threat of invasive alien species by setting global priorities and guidelines, as well as collecting information and facilitating the coordination of international actions.

 

Small exhibition at VDIC provides brief information on this topic.

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Library

 

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

 

Selected Resources on Biodiversity at VDIC

 

For more comprehensive list, please contact nvu2@worldbank.org.

 

ENV-BIO-V33. Pilgrim, John ; Nguyễn, Đức Tú. Thông tin cơ sở về các loài đe dọa và các loài ngoại lai tại Việt Nam và các đề xuất cho nội dung của luật đa dạng sinh học. BirdLife International in Indochina, 2007. http://www.birdlifeindochina.org/report_pdfs/report33.pdf and http://www.birdlifeindochina.org/report_pdfs/report33_App1.pdf

 

ENV-BIO-V33. Pilgrim, John ; Nguyen, Duc Tu. Threatened and alien species in Vietnam: Background and recommendations for the content of the national Biodiversity Law. Report to the Department of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. BirdLife International in Indochina, 2007. http://www.birdlifeindochina.org/report_pdfs/report32.pdf and http://www.birdlifeindochina.org/report_pdfs/report32_App1.pdf 

 

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

 

(REF) ENV-BIO-V28. Bộ Khoa học và Công nghệ; Viện Khoa học và Công nghệ Việt Nam. Sách đỏ Việt Nam. Phần 1: Động vật. Nhà xuất bản Khoa học và Công nghệ, 2007.

 

(REF) ENV-BIO-V28. Bộ Khoa học và Công nghệ; Viện Khoa học và Công nghệ Việt Nam. Sách đỏ Việt Nam. Phần 2: Thực vật. 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. Part 1: Animals. Natural Science and Technology Publishers, 2007.

 

(REF) ENV-BIO-V28. Ministry of Science and Technology; Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology. Vietnam Red Data Book. Part 2: Plants. Natural Science and Technology Publishers, 2007.

 

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

 

ENV-BIO 11. WWF. Quản lý động vật hoang dã vùng nhiệt đới: Đặc biệt chú trọng đến khu vực Đông Nam Á. Phần 2: Động học các quần thể động vật hoang dã - cấu trúc, giới tính và tuổi - sinh sản, tăng trưởng và thể trạng. Vietnam: WWF, 2001.

 

ENV-BIO 12. WWF. Quản lý động vật hoang dã vùng nhiệt đới: Đặc biệt chú trọng đến khu vực Đông Nam Á. Phần 1: Giới thiệu, ghi chép ngoài thực địa & các phương pháp điều tra. Vietnam: WWF, 2001.

 

ENV-BIO 16. Laird, Sarah A. Biodiversity and traditional knowledge: equitable partnerships in practice / edited by Sarah A. Laird; with Miguel N. Adexiades . [et al.]. London: Earthscan Publications ltd, 2002.

 

ENV-BIO-V13. World Bank; Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; SIDA. Vietnam environment monitor 2005: biodiversity. Hanoi: Nha xuat ban Lao dong Xa hoi, 2005.

 

ENV-BIO-V19. Bộ Tài nguyên và Môi trường. Báo cáo hiện trạng môi trường quốc gia 2005: Chuyên đề đa dạng sinh học năm 2005. Hà Nội: MONRE, 2005. http://www.nea.gov.vn/HTMT_ddsh05.htm

 

ENV-BIO-V24. Tordoff, Andrew W.; Tran Quoc Bao; Nguyen Duc Tu; Le Manh Hung; BirdLife International Indochina. Thông tin về các khu bảo vệ hiện có và đề xuất ở Việt Nam: Tập I: Miền Bắc Việt Nam. Hà Nội: Birdlife International Indochina và Bộ Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn, 2004.

 

ENV-BIO-V24. Tordoff, Andrew W.; Tran Quoc Bao; Nguyen Duc Tu; Le Manh Hung; BirdLife International Indochina. Thông tin về các khu bảo vệ hiện có và đề xuất ở Việt Nam: Tập II: Miền Nam Việt Nam. Hà Nội: Birdlife International Indochina và Bộ Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn, 2004.

 

ENV-BIO-V24. Tordoff, Andrew W.; Tran, Quoc Bao; Nguyen, Duc Tu; Le, Manh Hung; BirdLIfe International in Indochina. Sourcebook of existing and proposed protected areas in Vietnam: volume I: Northern Vietnam. Hanoi: Birdlife International in Indochina and the ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2004.

 

ENV-BIO-V24. Tordoff, Andrew W.; Tran, Quoc Bao; Nguyen, Duc Tu; Le, Manh Hung; BirdLife International in Indochina. Sourcebook of existing and proposed protected areas in Vietnam: volume II: Southern Vietnam. Hanoi: Birdlife International in Indochina and the ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2004.

 

ENV-BIO-V25. Dự án Hỗ trợ Chuyên ngành Lâm sản Ngoài gỗ tại Việt Nam - Pha II. Lâm sản ngoài gỗ Việt Nam. Trung tâm Nghiên cứu Lâm Đặc sản; Viện Khoa học Lâm nghiệp Việt Nam; Tổ chức Bảo tồn Thiên nhiên Thế giới (IUCN), 2007.

 

ENV-BIO-V25. Trung tâm Nghiên cứu tài nguyên và môi trường. Danh lục các loài thực vật Việt Nam. Hà Nội, Việt Nam: Nhà xuất bản Nông nghiệp, 2001.

 

ENV-BIO-V26. Sterling, Eleanor J., Hurley, Martha Maud, 1966-, Le, Minh Duc, 1973-. Vietnam: a natural history / Eleanor Jane Sterling, Martha Maud Hurley, Le Duc Minh; with illustrations by Joyce A. Powzyk. New Haven : Yale University Press, 2006.

 

ENV-BIO-V26. Sterling, Eleanor Jane; Hurley, Martha Maud; Lê, Đức Minh. Lịch sử tự nhiên của Việt Nam. Nhà xuất bản Đại học Yale, 2006.

 

ENV-BIO-V28. Dự án PARC. Tóm tắt chính sách: Xây dựng hệ thống khu bảo tồn thiên nhiên Việt Nam. Những yêu cầu đổi mới chính sách và thể chế. Dự án Xây dựng các Khu bảo tồn nhằm Bảo vệ Tài nguyên Thiên nhiên trên Cơ sở Sinh thái Cảnh quan (PARC) VIE/95/G31&031; Cục Kiểm lâm; UNOPS; UNDP; IUCN, 2006. Full text. http://www.undp.org.vn/undpLive/System/Publications/Publication-Details?contentId=1833&languageId=4

 

ENV-BIO-V31. BirdLife International. Building grassroots support for conservation. Lessons learned from BirdLife's site support groups in Cambodia and Vietnam. BirdLife International in Indochina, 2006. Full text. http://birdlifeindochina.org/report_pdfs/ssg_case_study_report.pdf

 

ENV-BIO-V31. BirdLife International. Tăng cường hỗ trợ của cộng đồng đối với công tác bảo tồn. Bài học kinh nghiệm từ các nhóm cộng đồng của BirdLife tại Cam-pu-chia và Việt Nam. BirdLife International in Indochina, 2006. Full text in English http://birdlifeindochina.org/report_pdfs/ssg_case_study_report.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

 

ECO-DEL 18. Lin, Justin Yifu. Economic development and transition: Thought, strategy, and viability. Cambrige University Press, 2009.

 

ECO-ENT-V7. USAID; Phòng Thương mại và Công nghiệp Việt Nam (VCCI); Malesky, Edmund. Chỉ số năng lực cạnh tranh cấp tỉnh của Việt Nam năm 2008: Đánh giá chất lượng điều hành kinh tế để thúc đẩy sự phát triển của khu vực kinh tế tư nhân. Sáng kiến Cạnh tranh Việt Nam (VNCI), 2008. Full text http://www.pcivietnam.org/reports.php  

 

ECO-ENT-V7. USAID; VCCI; Malesky, Edmund. The Vietnam Provincial Competitiveness Index 2008: Measuring economic governance for private sector development. VNCI, 2008. Full text http://www.pcivietnam.org/reports.php  

 

ECO-GLO 29. Rodrik, Dani. One economics, many recipes: Globalization, institutions, and economic growth. Princeton University Press, 2008.

 

ECO-GLO 30. Rudra, Nita. Globalization and the race to the bottom in developing countries: Who really gets hurt?. Cambrige University Press, 2008.

 

EDU-NON 3. Bozarth, Jane (ed.). From analysis to evaluation: Tools, tips and techniques for trainers (with CD-ROM). Pfeiffer, 2008.

 

EDU-NON 4. Church, Kathryn; Bascia, Nina; Shragge, Eric (eds.). Learning through community: Exploring participatory practices. Springer, 2008.

 

EDU-PRI-V2. Dang, Hai Anh. Private tutoring in Vietnam: An investigation of its causes and impacts with policy implications. VDM Verlag Dr. Muller, 2008.

 

ENV-CLI-V1. Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia: A Regional Review. Asian Development Bank (ADB), 2009. Full text http://www.adb.org/Documents/Books/Economics-Climate-Change-SEA/  

 

GEN-LAB-V3. Castel, Paulette; World Bank; ILSSA. Tuổi nghỉ hưu của lao động nữ Việt Nam : Bình đẳng giới và sự bền vững của Quỹ Bảo hiểm Xã hội. World Bank, 2009.

 

GEN-LAB-V3. Castel, Paulette; World Bank; ILSSA. Woman's retirement age in Vietnam: Gender equality and sustainability of the Social Security Fund. World Bank, 2009.

 

GEN-LAB-V4. Reerink, Annemarie. ILO/Japan Asian Regional Programme on Expansion of Employment Opportunities for Women: Cambodia and Vietnam Chapters: Report of the Independent Final Evaluation. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2008. Full text http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/
---asia/---ro-bangkok/documents/publication/wcms_101810.pdf
 

 

GEN-V6. Lee, Sunhwa; World Bank. How do women fare in education, employement, and health? : Gender analysis of the 2006 Vietnam household living standard survey: Final report. World Bank, 2008. Full text http://go.worldbank.org/PBUKCAKCK0  

 

GEN-V7. Barrieri, Magali; Belanger, Daniele (eds.). Reconfiguring families in contemporary Vietnam. Standford University Press, 2009.

 

ICT-ECO-V1. Information for Development Program (infoDev). Financing Technology Entrepreneurs & SMEs in Developing Countries : Challenges and opportunities - Vietnam country case study. Information for Development Program (infoDev), 2008. Full text http://www.infodev.org/en/Publication.552.html  

 

POV-PRS 20. Narayan, Deepa; Pritchett, Lant; Kapoor, Soumya. Moving out of poverty: Success from the bottom up. World Bank, 2009.

 

TRA-ECO-V1. Bộ Công thương. Báo cáo thương mại điện tử Việt Nam 2008. Bộ Công thương, 2008. Full text http://www.moit.gov.vn/vsi_portlets/UserFiles/Docman/Upload/
BoCongThuong_BCThuongMaiDienTu_layout_Cuong%209-3-2009.pdf
 

 

TRA-V8. Eurocham (European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam). Các vấn đề thương mại và kiến nghị = Trade Issues and Recommendations (with CD-ROM). Eurocham (European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam), 2008.

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Selected New Publications for Sale at VDIC

 

Please note that books are only available for sale at VDIC premise and

we provide no courier service for this activity.

 

More featured titles for sale are listed at

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

 

Conditional Cash Transfers: Reducing Present and Future Poverty

by Ariel Fiszbein, Norbert Schady

English Paperback -- Published February 2009 by World Bank -- ISBN: 0-8213-7352-8

Price: $ 13.00

 

Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs aim to reduce poverty by making welfare programs conditional upon the receivers' actions. That is, the government only transfers the money to persons who meet certain criteria. These criteria may include enrolling children into public schools, getting regular check-ups at the doctor's office, receiving vaccinations, or the like. They have been hailed as a way of reducing inequality and helping households break out of a vicious cycle whereby poverty is transmitted from one generation to another. Do these and other claims make sense? Are they supported by the available empirical evidence? This volume seeks to answer these and other related questions. Specifically, it lays out a conceptual framework for thinking about the economic rationale for CCTs; it reviews the very rich evidence that has accumulated on CCTs,; it discusses how the conceptual framework and the evidence on impacts should inform the design of CCT programs in practice; and it discusses how CCTs fit in the context of broader social policies. The authors show that there is considerable evidence that CCTs have improved the lives of poor people and argue that conditional cash transfers have been an effective way of redistributing income to the poor. They also recognize that even the best-designed and managed CCT cannot fulfill all of the needs of a comprehensive social protection system. They therefore need to be complemented with other interventions, such as workfare or employment programs, and social pensions.

 

"If we are serious about tackling poverty, we must get serious about trying new things. Conditional cash transfer programs have proven effective in countries across the globe and New York is proud to be the first American city to experiment with the innovative idea. This book provides an up-to-date assessment of CCT programs based on impact evaluations studies from across the world. We look forward to adding our evaluation results to an important body of research, and continuing our work with partners worldwide to reach our shared goal of breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty."

- Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, New York City

 

"This book provides a careful and thorough assessment of the knowledge accumulated so far on conditional cash transfer programs; it will inform and orient academic economists and policy makers when thinking about starting, scaling-up and evaluating programs of this nature. Further, the book also raises issues that, in my view, are very relevant and have so far been under-emphasized, namely the need to place these programs within the broader context of countries' social policies. Fiszbein and Schady have produced a very valuable and timely work for all interested in poverty."

- Santiago Levy, Vice President, Inter-American Development Bank

 

The Growth Report: Strategies for Sustained Growth and Inclusive Development

English Paperback -- Published July 2008 -- ISBN: 0-8213-7491-5

Price: $ 12.00

 

Why have only 13 developing world economies achieved sustained, high growth since World War II?

Why is engagement with the global economy necessary to achieve high growth?

Why do some countries' growth strategies fail to win the public's confidence?

Why are equity and equality of opportunity important components of successful growth strategies?

Why do many countries, blessed with natural resource wealth, not achieve high growth?

Why has no country ever sustained rapid growth without high rates of public investment?

Why does it not always pay to devalue the exchange rate? When does it?

Why is childhood nutrition so important to economic growth?

Why do some economies lose momentum when others keep on growing?

Why has no country ever sustained long-term growth without urbanizing?

Why should there be an end to energy subsidies?

Why do global warming and the rising prices of food, energy and minerals pose challenges to potential future growth in developing countries?

Why does the aging of the world population matter for developing countries growth and employment prospects?

 

The Growth Report does not have all the answers, but it does identify some of the key insights and policy levers to help countries achieve high, sustainable and inclusive growth.

 

The result of two years work by 19 experienced policymakers and two Nobel prize-winning economists, the Growth Report is the most complete analysis to date of the ingredients which, if used in the right country-specific recipe, can deliver growth and help lift populations out of poverty.

 

Sustainable Land Management Sourcebook

by World Bank

English Paperback -- Published June 2008 -- ISBN: 0-8213-7432-X

Price: $ 17.00

 

The Sustainable Land Management Sourcebook is a resource of good practice information on land and natural resource management issues that will be of operational relevance to practitioners in the tropics and sub-tropics. The Sourcebook covers a comprehensive range of topics on the technical issues of land and natural resource management and is presented in a way that will facilitate use by both experts and lay readers. The text is well-illustrated with graphs and photos and for the more specialized reader, key references and web links to institutional reference databases are provided.

 

Moving Out of Poverty, Volume 2: Success from the Bottom Up

by Deepa Narayan, Lant Pritchett, Soumya Kapoor

English Paperback -- Published March 2009 by Palgrave Macmillan, World Bank -- ISBN: 0-8213-7215-7.

Price: $ 15.00

 

"No matter if I fall, I get up again. If I fall 5,000 times, I will stand up another 5,000 times."

- William, a 37-year-old from El Gorrión, Colombia

 

Why and how do some people move out of poverty—and stay out—while others remain trapped? Most books on growth and poverty reduction are dominated by the perspectives of policy makers and academic experts. In contrast, Moving Out of Poverty: Success from the Bottom Up presents the experiences of poor people who have made it out of poverty. The book's findings draw from the Moving Out of Poverty research conducted in communities in 15 countries in Africa, East Asia, Latin America, and South Asia. The authors synthesize the results of qualitative and quantitative research based on discussions with over 60,000 people in rural areas. They offer bottom-up perspectives on the processes and local institutions that play key roles in escapes from poverty.

 

The study finds that there are no differences in the initiatives taken by the poor, the rich, and the upwardly mobile. What, then, explains the difference in outcomes? The authors demonstrate how—in the face of deep social inequalities that block access to economic opportunities and local democracies&mdash:individual initiative and empowerment by themselves are often not enough to escape poverty.

 

This book will be of interest to all concerned with equity in an increasingly unequal world.

 

"Today, too few people around the world have enough opportunity to connect their dreams and their talents with the outcomes of their efforts to lift themselves out of poverty. As we work to expand these opportunities, we can learn a lot from the voices of the poor themselves, especially those who have lifted themselves up successfully. This book, based on conversations with thousands of people around the world, is an important resource for everyone who's working to alleviate poverty."

- Bill Clinton, Former President, the United States

 

"Here is a treasure trove of stories, data, and creative analysis that no one who cares about ending poverty should miss... From thousands of interviews in 15 poor countries, the authors extract some surprising conclusions: Most poor people do not feel trapped; local markets and politics and community leadership and institutions matter more than average national income in who escapes poverty. An important complement to the World Bank-sponsored Spence Commission Report on growth."

- Nancy Birdsall, President, Center for Global Development

 

The Role and Impact of Public-Private Partnerships in Education

by World Bank

English Paperback -- Published March 2009 by World Bank -- ISBN: 0-8213-7866-X

Price: $ 14.00

 

Enhancing the role of private sector partners in education can lead to significant improvements in education service delivery. However, the realization of such benefits depends in great part on the design of the partnership between the public and private sectors, on the overall regulatory framework of the country, and on the governmental capacity to oversee and enforce its contracts with the private sector. Under the right terms, private sector participation in education can increase efficiency, choice, and access to education services, particularly for students who tend to fail in traditional education settings. Private-for-profit schools across the world are already serving a vast range of users—from elite families to children in poor communities. Through balanced public-private partnerships (PPPs) in education, governments can leverage the specialized skills offered by private organizations as well as overcome operating restrictions such as salary scales and work rules that limit public sector responses.

 

The Role and Impact of Public-Private Partnerships in Education presents a conceptualization of the issues related to PPPs in education, a detailed review of rigorous evaluations, and guidleines on how to create successful PPPs. The book shows how this approach can facilitate service delivery, lead to additional financing, expand equitable access, and improve learning outcomes. The book also discusses the best way to set up these arrangements in practice. This information will be of particular interest to policymakers, teachers, researchers, and development practitioners.

 

The Challenge of Establishing World Class Universities

by Jamil Salmi

English Paperback -- Published February 2009 by World Bank -- ISBN: 0-8213-7865-1

Price: $ 11.00

 

Governments are becoming increasingly aware of the important contribution that high performance, world-class universities make to global competitiveness and economic growth. There is growing recognition, in both industrial and developing countries, of the need to establish one or more world-class universities that can compete effectively with the best of the best around the world. Contextualizing the drive for world-class higher education institutions and the power of international and domestic university rankings, this book outlines possible strategies and pathways for establishing globally competitive universities and explores the challenges, costs, and risks involved. Its findings will be of particular interest to policy makers, university leaders, researchers, and development practitioners.

 

Handbook on Poverty and Inequality

Edited by Shahidur Khandker, Jonathan Haughton

English Paperback -- Published March 2009 by World Bank -- ISBN: 0-8213-7613-6

Price: $ 15.00

 

Handbook on Poverty + Inequality was originally designed to support training courses in poverty analysis and inequality. The Handbook begins with an explanatory text that includes numerous examples, multiple-choice questions to ensure active learning, and extensive practical exercises that use Stata statistical software. The Handbook will help researchers and evaluators in charge of preparing background materials for Poverty Reducation Strategy Papers (PRSPs) and those responsible for monitoring and evaluating poverty reduction programs and policies.

 

The World Bank Institute has used the Handbook in training workshops in countries from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, to Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, to Malawi and Tanzania, as well as in university courses on poverty and in distance education courses with participants from Asian and African countries. The Handbook has also been used in an online asynchronous course with more than 200 participants worldwide. Using the feedback from these courses, the authors have created a clearly-written text that balances rigor with practicality.

 

The Handbook is designed to be accessible to people with a university-level background in science or the social sciences. It is an invaluable tool for policy analysts, researchers, college students, and government officials working on policy issues related to poverty and inequality.

 

Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Asia

by Kym Anderson, Will Martin

English Paperback -- Published February 2009 by World Bank -- ISBN: 0-8213-7662-4

Price: $ 15.00

 

Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Asia provides an overview of the evolution of distortions to agricultural incentives caused by price and trade policies in the 12 largest economies of East and South Asia. Together these countries constitute more than 95 percent of the region's population, agricultural output, and overall GDP. Sectoral, trade, and exchange rate policies in the region have changed greatly since the 1950s, and there have been substantial reforms since the 1980s, most notably in China and India. Nonetheless, numerous price distortions in this region remain and others have added in recent years. The new empirical indicators in these country studies provide a strong evidence-based foundation for assessing the successes and failures of the past and for evaluating policy options for the years ahead.

 

Table of contents

 

PART I. INTRODUCTION

1. Introduction and Summary / Kym Anderson and Will Martin

 

PART II. NORTHEAST ASIA

2. Republic of Koera and Taiwan, China / Masayoshi Honma and Yujiro Hayami

3. China / Jikun Huang, Scott Rozelle, Will Martin, and Yu Liu

 

PART III. SOUTHEAST ASIA

4. Indonesia / George Fane and Peter Warr

5. Malaysia / Prema-Chandra Athukorala and Wai-Heng Loke

6. The Philippines / Christina David, Ponciano Intal, and Arsenio M. Balisacan

7. Thailand / Peter Warr and Archanun Kohpaiboon

8. Vietnam / Prema-Chandra Athukorala, Pham Lan Huong, and Vo Tri Thanh

 

PART IV. SOUTH ASIA

9. Bangladesh / Nazneen Ahmed, Zaid Bakht, Paul A. Dorosh, and Quazi Shahabuddin

10. India / Garry Pursell, Ashok Gulati, and Kanupriya Gupta

11. Pakistan / Paul A. Dorosh and Abdul Salam

12. Sri Lanka / Jayatilleke Bandara and Sisira Jayasuriya

 

International Financial Reporting Standards: A Practical Guide (Fifth Edition)

by Hennie van Greuning

English Paperback -- Published April 2009 by World Bank -- ISBN: 0-8213-7727-2

Price: $ 18.00

 

Applying International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in a business situation can have a signficant effect on the financial results and position of a division or an entire business enterprise. International Financial Reporting Standards: A Practical Guide gives private or public sector executives, managers, and financial analysts without a strong background in accounting the tools they need to participate in discussions and decisions on the appropriateness or application of IFRS.

 

Each chapter summarizes an International Financial Reporting Standard, following a consistent structure:

 

- Objective of the Standard

- Scope of the Standard

- Key concepts

- Accounting treatment

- Presentation and disclosure

- Financial analysis and interpretation

 

Many chapters of the book also contain examples that illustrate the practical application of key concepts in a particular standard. The publication includes all of the standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) through December 2008.

 

"The fifth edition of this publication provides a timely update on important developments in the IFRS framework. With the growing number of countries adopting IFRS this practical guide provides a valuable aid to both the understanding and application of International Financial Reporting Standards. Grouping standards by themes provides an effective tool for preparers to understand the requirements of individual standards within the broader framework, thus ensuring greater transparency and usefulness of the financial statements."

- Kenneth Sullivan, Senior Financial Sector Expert (IMF)

 

"Overall, this book gets very high marks for its comprehensive yet understandable and easy to read coverage of the field of international accounting and financial reporting. It should prove very useful to anyone seeking an understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards, their requirements, and their application."

- Global Business and Economics Review, April 2005

 

Analyzing Banking Risk: A Framework for Assessing Corporate Governance and Risk Management (3rd Edition)

by Hennie van Greuning, Sonja Brajovic Bratanovic

English Paperback -- Published April 2009 by World Bank -- ISBN: 0-8213-7728-0

Price: $ 19.00

 

The third edition of 'Analyzing Banking Risk' provides a comprehensive overview of topics dealing with the assessment, analysis, and management of financial risks in banking.

 

The publication emphasizes risk-management principles and stresses that key players in the corporate governance process are accountable for managing the different dimensions of financial risk.

 

This third edition remains faithful to the objectives of the original publication. A significant new addition is the inclusion of chapters on the management of the treasury function. Advances made by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision are reflected in the chapters on capital adequacy, transparency, and banking supervision.

 

This publication should be of interest to a wide body of users of bank financial data. The target audience includes persons responsible for the analysis of banks and for the senior management or organizations directing their efforts.

 

Human Development Report 2007/2008: Fighting climate change: Human solidarity in a divided world

by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

English -- Published 2007 by UNDP -- ISBN: 978-0-2305-4704-9.

Price: $ 9.00

 

Climate change is the defining human development challenge of the 21st Century. Failure to respond to that challenge will stall and then reverse international efforts to reduce poverty. The poorest countries and most vulnerable citizens will suffer the earliest and most damaging setbacks, even though they have contributed least to the problem. Looking to the future, no country—however wealthy or powerful—will be immune to the impact of global warming.

 

The Human Development Report 2007/2008 shows that climate change is not just a future scenario. Increased exposure to droughts, floods and storms is already destroying opportunity and reinforcing inequality. Meanwhile, there is now overwhelming scientific evidence that the world is moving towards the point at which irreversible ecological catastrophe becomes unavoidable. Business-as-usual climate change points in a clear direction: unprecedented reversal in human development in our lifetime, and acute risks for our children and their grandchildren.

 

There is a window of opportunity for avoiding the most damaging climate change impacts, but that window is closing: the world has less than a decade to change course. Actions taken—or not taken—in the years ahead will have a profound bearing on the future course of human development. The world lacks neither the financial resources nor the technological capabilities to act. What is missing is a sense of urgency, human solidarity and collective interest.

 

As the Human Development Report 2007/2008 argues, climate change poses challenges at many levels. In a divided but ecologically interdependent world, it challenges all people to reflect upon how we manage the environment of the one thing that we share in common: planet Earth. It challenges us to reflect on social justice and human rights across countries and generations. It challenges political leaders and people in rich nations to acknowledge their historic responsibility for the problem, and to initiate deep and early cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Above all, it challenges the entire human community to undertake prompt and strong collective action based on shared values and a shared vision.

 

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Distance Learning Center Events in May 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

 

Seminar Series of International Symposium for Cardiac Surgery (by invitation only)

May 14, 2009 from 19:00 p.m - 22:00 p.m

 

The program is funded by VinaCapital Foundation in partnership with World Heart Foundation and Global Development Learning Network Asia Pacific. The series aim to improve capacity for cardiac surgery in developing countries such as: Vietnam, China, Indonesia and Bangladesh; with the world's best in cardio-thoracic surgery, cardiology and pediatric cardiac care. The series consists of 11 videoconferences, with webcasting and upon the completion of the Series, participants will receive a CDRom of all the lectures and materials used during the Series. This 5th session will connect Vietnam (Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh city), China, Indonesia and Bangladesh via videoconferencing, with the presentation of leading doctors from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, USA.

 

Seminar Series on Strengthening Disaster Risk Management in East Asia and Pacific - Session 5: Community based Disaster Risk Management

May 29, 2009 from 14:00 p.m - 17.00 p.m

 

As part of the EAP Sector Management Unit Initiatives, which is a program promoting outreach and knowledge-sharing, the East Asia and Pacific Disaster Risk Management (DRM) team, in collaboration with the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN), has planned a learning and knowledge sharing seminar series to reach counterparts in countries of the region, as well as staff working in country offices. This video-conferencing based seminar series will highlight three areas: (i) Post-disaster recovery planning and lessons learned; (ii) Risk financing and the World Bank’s new financial products; and (iii) Local approaches to disaster risk  management.

 

For more inforamtion, please contact Ms Dang Thi Thu Huong, email hdang2@worldbank.org, telephone: 04-3934 6600, ext. 706.

 

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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 found at www.worldbank.org/vn >> select “Projects & Programs”.

 

Vietnam - Livestock Competitiveness and Food Safety Project - Environmental Assessments 

Document Date: April 29, 2009

Report Number: E2144

 

Vietnam - Livestock Competitiveness and Food Safety Project - Resettlement Instrument Reports 

Report Number: RP804

 

Vietnam - Livestock Competitiveness and Food Safety Project - Indigenous Peoples Plans 

Document Date: April 29, 2009

Report Number: IPP354

 

Vietnam - Rural Distribution Project - Environmental Assessments (3 vols.)

Document Date: April 20, 2009

Report Number: E1712

 

Vietnam - Rural Distribution Project - Resettlement Instrument Reports (3 vols)

Document Date: April 20, 2009

Report Number: RP606

 

Vietnam - Second Transmission and Distribution Project - Environmental Assessments (3 vols)

Document Date: April 21, 2009

Report Number: E1148

 

Vietnam - Second Transmission and distribution Project - Resettlement Instrument Reports (6 Vols)

Document Date: April 21, 2009

Report Number: RP317

 

Vietnam - Second Transmission and Distribution Project - Indigenous Peoples Plans (Revised) (3 vols)

Document Date: April 21, 2009

Report Number: IPP136

 

Vietnam - Second Rural Energy Project: Additional financing – Integrated Safeguards Data Sheet

Document Date: 2009/04/24

Report Number: AC4290

http://go.worldbank.org/YL6NEQZ9Z0

 

Vietnam - Primary Teacher Development Project - Implementation Completion and Results Report

Document Date: 2008/04/22

Report Number: ICR697

Ratings for the Primary Teacher Development Project for Vietnam were as follows: outcomes were highly satisfactory, the risk to development outcome was low or negligible, Bank performance was satisfactory, and Borrower performance was also satisfactory. Some lessons learned included: 1) a standards-based approach in education has much to recommend it in terms of clear expectations for outcomes, objective evidence of achievement, planning for growth or development, and rewarding progress; 2) changes in teaching methods are best achieved through combining theory and practice, as happened when teachers undertook training modules while involved in teaching the new curriculum; 3) teachers appreciated the Professional Profile because it defined their work, set targets for improvement, and offered rewards for better performance; and 4) the motivation for teachers to engage in self improvement could be impeded unless performance appraisal is included in the criteria for teachers' titles, along with qualifications.

http://go.worldbank.org/9SF4ERX720

 

Vietnam - Additional Finance for Vietnam Urban Upgrading Project - Environmental Assessments (Revised)

Document Date: April 15, 2009

Report Number: E2137

 

Vietnam - Additional Finance for Vietnam Urban Upgrading Project - Resettlement Instrument Reports (Revised)

Document Date: April 15, 2009

Report Number: RP800

 

Vietnam - Poverty Reduction Support Credit 8 - Project Information Documents

Document Date: 2009/04/19

Report Number: AB4522

http://go.worldbank.org/XJRBCLGYY0

 

Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City Investment Fund for Urban (HIFU) Development Project - Environmental Assessment

Document Date: April 7, 2009

Report Number: E-2122 (Operational Manual)

 

Vietnam - Local Development Investment Fund Project - Environmental Assessment

Document Date: April 7, 2009

Report Number: E2123 (Operational Manual)

 

Vietnam - Rural Energy II - Additional Financing - Environmental Assessments (Revised)

Document Date: March 31, 2009 E2105

 

Vietnam - Rural Energy II - Additional Financing - Indigenous Peoples Plans

Document Date: March 31, 2009

Report Number: IPP340

 

Vietnam - Rural Energy II - Additional Financing - Project Information Documents (Revised)

Document Date: 2009/03/22

Report Number: AB4643

http://go.worldbank.org/H118R4WQE0   

 

Vietnam - Red River Delta Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Environmental Assessments 

(2 vols)

Document Date: April 8, 2009

Report Number: E1060

 

Vietnam - Red River Delta Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project - Resettlement Instrument Reports 

(2 vols)

Document Date: April 8, 2009

Report Number: RP280

 

Vietnam - School Education Quality Assurance - Project Information Documents (Revised)

http://go.worldbank.org/0D2COWYJ10

 

Vietnam - School Education Quality Assurance - Integrated Safeguards Data Sheets (Revised)

http://go.worldbank.org/KS54UFU2L0

 

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Funding Opportunities

 

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

 

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

 

Please let us know if you have directly benefited from an opportunity information disseminated by VDIC.

 

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES NEWS – from The Communication Initiative Network

 

http://www.comminit.com/en/funding.html   

 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: The 2009 Ryutaro Hashimoto APFED Awards

 

The Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED) is pleased to invite all eligible organisations that have made contributions to the promotion of sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific to apply for the 2009 Ryutaro Hashimoto APFED Awards for Good Practices.

 

The applications that satisfy the eligibility requirements and qualify by means of a peer-review will be registered in the APFED Database. After a comprehensive evaluation process, winners will be presented with monetary awards. These awards are the Gold Prize (USD 20,000), the Silver Prize (USD 7,000) and the Incentive Prize (USD 2,000).

 

The deadline for applications is Sunday, 31 May 2009 (17:00 pm Japan Standard Time).

 

For further details, please visit http://www.apfed.net/ki/awards/   

 

E-mail: apfed-award@iges.or.jp  

 

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: 2009 APFED Showcase Programme

 

The Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED) is now calling for proposals under the Showcase Programme, which supports the development, implementation, monitoring, and information dissemination of innovative policies, measures and actions for promoting sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. A grant of up to USD 30,000 will be provided to each selected project.

 

The deadline for proposal submission is Sunday, 31 May 2009.

 

For further details, please visit http://www.apfed.net/showcase/  

 

Contacts: APFED Showcase Facility Secretariat

c/o Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP/ROAP)

Email: unep-apfed@un.org

 

Monsanto’s Beachell-Borlaug International Scholars Program

 

This program is a result of a pledge that Monsanto made to help improve rice and wheat yields as part of the company’s commitment to sustainable yield. Monsanto established this program in honor of two of  the world’s most preeminent rice and wheat breeders: Dr. Henry Beachell and Dr. Norman Borlaug. The objective of this prestigious Fellowship program administered by Texas A&M University is to develop highly educated rice and wheat plant breeders who can serve as agricultural leaders.

 

Applicants with a master’s degree or equivalent in Plant Breeding and Genetics. They should also be enrolled or accepted in a rice or wheat breeding PhD program and be supported by a professor at the university where the degree will be awarded.

 

Deadline: 31 May, 2009.

 

http://www.monsanto.com/default.asp

 

The World Forestry Institute (WFI) International Fellowship Program

 

The World Forestry Institute (WFI) Fellowship program 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 all countries. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

 

http://wfi.worldforestry.org/fellowship-1.htm

 

UNESCO/L’ORÉAL Co-Sponsored Fellowships for Young Women in Life Sciences

 

Within the of the UNESCO Co-sponsored Fellowships Scheme, a joint program has been launched with the L’ORÉAL Corporate Foundation with a view to promoting the contribution of young women - from all over the world – in research developments in the field of life sciences. The award of the fellowships constitutes a key strategy through which impetus is being given to the enhancement of the role of women in devising scientific solutions to problems confronting humankind in the twenty-first century.

 

Candidates must already be engaged in pursuing research at the doctoral or post-doctoral level in one or allied fields of life sciences including biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, agriculture, medicine, pharmacy and physiology. Projects involving animal models (i.e. experimentation using vertebrate laboratory animals) are rejected, and proposals in the area of cosmetics research are NOT encouraged; preference is given to non cosmetic researches. Special attention will be given to candidatures from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

 

Deadline: 30 June 2009.

 

http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=44170&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html  

 

Ernesto Illy Trieste Science Prize

 

The academy of science for the developing world is seeking nominations for the Trieste Science Prize. The prize, sponsored by Trieste-based illycaffè, has been established to give international recognition and visibility to outstanding scientific achievements made by scientists living and working in the developing countries. The prize which includes a US$100,000 monetary award will be given for outstanding achievements in climate change and its impact on agriculture in developing countries. For additional information, refer to the website.

 

This prize is open to nationals of developing countries, working and living in the South. The individuals will be awarded for scientific research of outstanding international merit carried out at institutions in developing countries.

 

Deadline: 31 May 2009.

 

http://www.twas.org/

 

Farm Foundation Competition for Innovative Agricultural Solutions

 

The Farm Foundation has organized a competition seeking innovative and promising public policy ideas in global financial markets and recession, food security, energy security, climate change, competition for natural resources and economic development.

 

The competition is open to anyone with an interest in the public policy issues.

 

Deadline: 1 June 2009 by 5 pm.

 

http://www.farmfoundation.org/

 

UN-HABITAT’s Opportunities Fund for Urban Youth-Led Development

 

Youth-led development is about young people pro-actively creating a better future for themselves and their communities. it involves business and community improvement projects, devised and managed by young people, often working alongside adults who are able to pass on their skills and experience.

 

Youth, especially girls and young women, are most vulnerable to social problems caused by unemployment and poverty and also, make up the majority of the population in many developing countries and their cities. With over 00 million youth living in poverty, 30 million illiterate, 88 million unemployed and 0 million young people living with hiv/aids, there is a clear need to meaningfully engage and support youth.

 

The Fund aims to advance the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the Habitat Agenda through the following:

 

          Mobilizing young people to help strengthen youth-related policy formulation;

          Building the capacities of Governments, non-governmental and civil society and private-sector organization to ensure a better response to the needs and issues of young people;

          Supporting the development of interest-based information and communication-oriented networks;

          Piloting and demonstration of new and innovative approaches to employment, good governance, adequate shelter and secure tenure;

          Sharing and exchange of information on best practices;

          Facilitating vocational training and credit mechanisms to promote entrepreneurship and employment for young women and men, in collaboration with the private sector and in cooperation with other UN bodies and stakeholders; and

          Promoting gender mainstreaming in all activities of urban youth.

 

UN-habitat recognizes that to achieve these global benchmarks, advances must be made in bOth policy and practice. For this reason the Fund is committed to supporting both leading edge youth-led project and research. in regards to policy and research, un-habitat recognizes that research on youth-led development, especially in the developing world, is a new and expanding field. un-habitat will contribute to this field by undertaking research on projects supported by the Fund. the knowledge obtained from this research will be used to strengthen local, national and international youth-related policies as well as to ensure that gender concerns are addressed in those policies.

 

the Fund will also assist governments, civil society organizations and the private sector in addressing youth concerns, and support new information and learning channels for young people.

 

Currently in its pilot phase, the Fund will be managed by a committee of experts, researchers and practitioners drawn from un-habitat academia, donor governments and youth.

 

Small, grassroots initiatives are eligible for grants up to usd 5,000. Larger projects are eligible for grants up to usd 5,000. Grants will be awarded to projects that best meet the following criteria:

 

          innovation – project uses a new method to address a local or global challenge;

          impact – project has potential to produce significant or measurable impact on the issue it addresses;

          sustainability – project has potential to produce on-going positive change. in other words, it’s not a one time event; and

          Youth-led and youth-driven – Leaders of the project should be between 5 and 3 .

          urban youth organizations dedicated to solutions that sustain commmunities.

          partnerships with governmental organizations, private enterprises and un institutions are encouraged.

 

More info: http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=19&catid=531&cid=6329  

 

Drawing Competition for Children on Gender Equality

 

Calling on children aged 8 - 10 in developing countries to express their vision of gender equality. This call was extended on International Women's Day 2009 by the European Commission (EC), who will convene a jury composed of children from the 27 European Union member states. They will select 2 drawings per region, and award a prize totalling €1,000 for each region. An exhibition will be inaugurated during the autumn of 2009. In addition, the winning drawings will be included in a booklet which will be distributed in the schools of the participating countries and in the European schools that have participated in the competition.

 

Deadline: May 15 2009.

 

http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/what/gender/drawing-competition_en.htm  

 

Geotourism Challenge 2009: Power of Place - Sustaining the Future of Destinations

 

Launching an online competition to identify and showcase innovators - individuals and organisations - that directly or indirectly support good destination stewardship and the approach known as  geotourism: "tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place - its environment, culture, aesthetics,  heritage, and the well-being of its residents."  The intention is to  search for global innovative ideas in tourism that celebrate the distinct destinations of the world by honouring culture, cherishing history, and enhancing the environment.

 

Deadline: May 20 2009

 

http://changemakers.net/en-us/competition/geotourism  

 

The World Young Reader Prizes

 

The World Young Reader Prizes are awarded annually to innovative newspapers that have devised, in the judges' opinion, the best project or activity in the past 24 months in one or more of the main areas of young reader development.

 

It's easy to enter! Just send us a PowerPoint presentation (maximum size 15 megabytes on a CD or 5 megabytes via e-mail) in English that describes your project and its impact.

 

We are looking for innovative strategies that produce measurable results, particularly those that can be adapted for use in other countries. Use of multiple platforms is particularly encouraged.

 

SIX CATEGORIES:

 

1. Editorial: A newspaper content strategy

 

2. Making the News: Activity that gives young people the chance to experience professional newspaper practice

 

3. Newspapers in Education (NIE): Use of the newspaper as a teaching tool

 

4. Public Service: Public service project in areas such as the environment, literacy, youth civic involvement, etc.

 

5. Brand: Other projects that improve a newspaper brand's relationship with the young

 

Deadline: June 5 2009 (with an April 15 deadline for the Press Freedom prize)

 

http://www.wan-press.org/nie/wyrp.php  

 

International Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) Award

 

Encouraging youth participation in media throughout the year, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) will award the annual International Children's Day of Broadcasting (ICDB) Awards. The competition is open to radio and television broadcasters who participated in the 2008 ICDB with programmes on the theme "The  World We Want". To be eligible for the ICDB Award, broadcasts must have taken place on or around March 1 2009, and should be for young people and created with some aspect of youth participation. The 2009 theme is "Unite for Children - Tune in to Kids".

 

Deadline: June 15 2009

 

http://www.unicef.org/videoaudio/video_18112.html  

 

2009 Goi Peace Foundation UNESCO International Essay Contest for Young People

 

The United Nations has designated 2001-2010 as the "International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World" and 2005-2014 as the "United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development." Not only should young people benefit from these global initiatives, but they should be empowered to play a leading role in them. The theme of this year's International Essay Contest is "The role of science in building a better world." Young people from around the world are invited to submit their innovative ideas on this theme.

 

Scientific progress has brought many benefits to humanity, while some applications of science have had adverse impacts. What kind of science and technology do you think is needed for realizing a more equitable, prosperous and sustainable world for all? Please express your vision for the future of science, including examples of studies or researches you wish to engage in.

 

Essays may be submitted by anyone up to 25 years old (as of June 30, 2009) in one of the following age categories: a) Children (ages up to 14) b) Youth (ages 15 - 25).

 

Essays must be 800 words or less, typed or printed in English, French, Spanish or German.

 

Deadline: Entries must be received by June 30, 2009.

 

For more information please visit http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/programs/0901.html  

 

International Peace Pals Art Competition and Exhibition

 

Encouraging children throughout the world between the ages of 5 and  15 to participate in The 11th Annual International Peace Pals Art Competition and Exhibition. Entries are divided into 4 age categories for the awarding of prizes: 5-8 years, 9-12 years, 13-15 years, and 16-19 years of age. The competition's theme is 'Peace in  My Community'. Pictures should include the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth". Awards will be decided by a panel of  international judges. First, second, and third place entries in each  of the categories will be made into greeting cards, which will be  awarded to all winners.

 

Deadline: July 30 2009

 

http://www.wppspeacepals.org/  

 

AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards

 

Honouring outstanding reporting for a general audience by  individuals (rather than institutions, publishers, or employers) for  their coverage of the sciences, engineering, and mathematics.

 

United States (U.S.) Categories: large newspapers; small newspapers; magazines; television (2 awards: spot news/feature reporting and an in-depth reporting); radio; and online.

 

International Category:

 

Children's Science News award is for work distributed via any medium  - print, broadcast, or online. The prize recognises excellence in reporting science news for children, including young teens up to age 14. Note: Provide English translations of international entries whenever possible.

 

Deadline: August 1 2009

 

http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/awards/sja/index.shtml

 

Documentary Photography Distribution Grant: A Grant to Encourage

 

New Ways of Presenting Documentary Photography to the Public Offering a grant to documentary photographers who have already completed a significant body of work on issues of social justice, to collaborate with a partner organisation and propose new ways of using photography as a tool for positive social change. All photographers must have another entity (such as a nonprofit, NGO, or community-based organisation) that will work with the photographer to design an innovative distribution strategy that focuses on specific communities and advocates for social change. Grants of US$5,000 to US$30,000 will be awarded.

 

Deadline: June 19 2009

 

http://www.soros.org/initiatives/photography/focus_areas/distribution/guidelines  

 

KPC Mentorship Program

 

Seeking new grantees preparing to embark on their first Knowledge Practice Coverage (KPC) Survey or a veteran in need of an extra and conducting a KPC survey and host participant organisations. This KPC Mentorship Program is designed to match new trainees with a CORE member's KPC survey teams to learn by going through the entire process. Trainees must be an employee or consultant for a CORE member organisation or a new Child Survival and Health Grants Program (CSHGP) grantee, and must be sponsored by a CORE member organisation.

 

Deadline: July 14 2009

 

http://www.coregroup.org/conf_reg/mentors.cfm

 

New Media Fund

 

Seeking to nurture ideas that hold promise for wider adoption by independent media in developing democracies. The New Media Fund of the Media Development Loan Fund (MDLF) will provide financing for projects that further independent journalism and/or open debate about current affairs which incorporate: innovative editorial models for participative and citizen journalism; sustainable business models for open-content journalism; or sustainable business models for journalism that do not primarily or exclusively rely on advertising sales or pay-for-use.

 

Deadline: Rolling deadline

 

http://www.mdlf.org/en/mdlf/apply/  

 

Open Society Fellowship

 

Supporting idea entrepreneurs from around the world through a fellowship that focuses on 4 areas: 'National Security and the Open Society'; 'Citizenship, Membership and Marginalisation'; 'Strategies and Tools for Advocacy and Citizen Engagement'; and Understanding Authoritarianism'. The Open Society Fellowship seeks professionals, including journalists, activists, scholars, and practitioners, to work on projects that inspire meaningful public debate, shape public policy, and generate intellectual ferment within Open Society Institute (OSI). Fellows' projects may include books, articles, outreach for documentary films, online media, and efforts to seed new campaigns and organisations. Fellowships are awarded for one year, but in some cases OSI considers requests for shorter or longer durations. Preference is given to applications for full-time fellowships, but OSI also considers applicants who can only work part-time on their projects.

 

Deadline: Rolling deadline

 

http://www.soros.org/initiatives/fellowship/focus_areas/guidelines

 

Opportunities for Vietnamese from Australian Endeavour Awards Intake 2010

 

Applications are now open for the 2010 Intake of the Australian Government’s Endeavour Awards which offer exciting opportunities for high-achievers from Vietnam.  Endeavour Awards are available for postgraduate study and research, postdoctoral research; vocational education and training (VET Awards); and professional development (Executive Awards).  Awards range from one month to three years and are open to all fields of study.

 

Applications for Intake 2010 for postgraduate (study and research), postdoctoral research and VET awards opened on 6 April and will close on 31 July 2009. There will be two rounds for Endeavour Executive Awards for professional development:1 June to 31 July 2009 and 1 December to 31 January 2010.

 

Endeavour recipients will be selected on merit from internationally-competitive fields on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated leadership qualities, and the potential for the study, research or professional attachments to contribute to ongoing linkages between Vietnam and Australia. For further information please visit www.endeavour.deewr.gov.au.  

 

DM2009 - Less than 1 month left to apply!

 

There is left than a month left to submit a proposal to the 2009 Development Marketplace (DM) Grant Competition on Climate Adaptation. 100 finalists will be flown to DC to compete for an award pool of up to US$5 million. Turn your idea into reality and apply today!

 

The competition focuses on three sub-themes: 

  1) Resilience of Indigenous Peoples' Communities to Climate Risks

  2) Climate Risk Management with Multiple Benefits

  3) Climate Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management

 

To apply, visit our website at www.developmentmarketplace.org. The application deadline is May 18, 2009.

 

Who can apply?  Non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, foundations, academia and development agencies based in the country of implementation may apply without additional partners. All other groups must partner with at least one organization; the type of partnership varies across types of applicants. Individuals cannot apply. Click here for more details on partnerships and eligibility criteria or check the guidelines available in English, Spanish and French (http://go.worldbank.org/3XNDW1CBO0).

 

How to apply? All proposals must be submitted online. Submit your proposal through the DM online application form available here: http://go.worldbank.org/TO9I039DH0. Only proposals received before May 18, 2009 6 p.m. EST (22:00 GMT) will be considered.

 

How will the proposals be selected? Proposals will be selected through a rigorous selection process. Click here for the selection process and assessment criteria (http://go.worldbank.org/S4NVGECBM0).

 

The application deadline is May 18, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. EST (22:00 GMT).

 

Scholarship for Master in International Media Studies

 

The Master’s Program International Media Studies is a four-semester, full-time program for further education. It is a joint project from the University of Bonn, the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences and Deutsche Welle, Germany’s international broadcaster with its headquarters in Bonn.

 

The bilingual Master’s Program offers a unique course offer given the current development of global media and the connection between media and cooperative development. Students from around the world will benefit from the inclusion of partners and the

unparalleled mix of research, lectures and practical experience.

 

The program combines topics like media and development, journalism, communication science and media economics, while developing practical skills and competencies that are important for the world of media.

 

Philosophy

 

Free and independent media is a significant factor for a functioning democracy, social justice and the protection of human rights. The Master’s Program is based on the belief that there is a connection between democracy and development, between the freedom of opinion and democracy as well as between free media and development. The prerequisite for the establishment of a functioning, free media system are journalists who realize their role as a critical observer and reporter. This can only be guaranteed when they are professionally trained and feel obligated by a set of journalistic ethics.

 

By training journalists academically, the Master’s Program is therefore a targeted step towards making the media spokespeople for openness within democracy.

 

The courses are based on the values of democracy, freedom and conflict prevention, civil society and good government – representative of the connection between the media and cooperative development.

 

Objective

 

Students will acquire the knowledge and skills that are essential for a journalistic career. They will be able to meet specific occupational requirements with expertise and communicative independence.

 

The Master’s Program trains students – personally and professionally – to be competent journalists and prepare them for a challenging role as expert or manager in the media sector.

 

Target Group

 

The program is targeted at students from around the world that want to work in a position of responsibility in journalism or the communications sector. It especially addresses journalists-in-training, media representatives from radio, TV, online and print and communication experts.

 

Those interested must have already completed an academic program (bachelor’s or equivalent) and have at least one year of professional media experience.

 

The program will be bilingual (English and German), whereby English will be the prevalent course language.

 

Especially targeted at:

 

Media representatives from radio, TV, online and print

Journalists-in-training, especially from electronic media

Journalists and management from community radio stations

Communication experts

NGO employees

Employees from ministries

Employees from cooperative development groups and projects

Representatives from regional working groups and national broadcasters

Media association representatives

 

Scholarships

 

15 Scholarships will be awarded to applicants from Africa, Asia, Latin America or Eastern Europe. The scholarship will be about 750 Euro covering your cost of living and costs for accommodation. The tuition fee and the flight will be remunerated, too. A committee will decide which applicant will receive a scholarship.If you would like to apply for a scholarship, you are required to submit the following documents:

 

completed application form (attachment)

curriculum vitae in table form

statement of purpose

academic degree including transcripts

proof of at least one year's work experience in the field of media after your degree

proof of English-language skills (TOEFL: score of 550 or higher, IELTS: Score of 6.0 or higher, BULATS: score of 70 or higher, LCCI: level of 3, etc.)

proof of German-language skills (TestDaF level TDN 3 or DSH level 1)

one passport-size photograph

copy of the first two pages of passport

original Certificate of APS (for applicants from China, Vietnam and Mongolia)

 

Please note that the copies of the certificates and the translations into German or English need to be certified. Please send your application form to: Deutsche Welle, DW-AKADEMIE, International Media Studies, Dr. Christoph Schmidt, 53110 Bonn, Germany, E-Mail: Barbara.Hiller@dw-world.de

 

More information is available at http://www.dw-world.de/dw/0,,12278,00.html  

 

Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award

 

Each year, the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy confers the Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award on one individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the advancement of democracy and human rights through peaceful means in Asia. As the first national democracy assistance foundation in Asia, the TFD is committed to supporting courageous individuals and groups who build democracy, stand up for justice and defend human rights, especially those in our home region.

 

The Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award is presented to the laureate at a ceremony in Taipei on December 10th, International Human Rights Day. The Award consists of a sculpture and a US$100,000 grant to support the ongoing work of the laureate. The TFD also pledges to deepen its relationship with each Award laureate to help sustain and increase the impact of their work.

 

After an open call for nominations, the Award laureate is chosen by a rigorous review process that spans several months and adheres to strict principles of fairness and confidentiality. A preliminary board of domestic reviewers shortlists five candidates for the final review, which is then conducted by an international panel of distinguished experts.

Nominations are now open to the public and due by 30 June 2009. For more information, please write to award@taiwandemocracy.org.tw or call the TFD at +886-2-2708-0100 ext. 211.

 

Nominations are open to the public, and each nominee must be nominated in writing by at least two credible organizations or individuals from the field of democracy or human rights. The nomination form is available for download from the TFD’s website, and all pertinent documents must be received by the TFD no later than June 30 of each year.

 

More information is available at http://www.tfd.org.tw/english/HTML/ADHRA_2009_main.html

 

Call for community-level project proposals focusing on local experiences with climate change impacts and adaptation

 

Community-level projects focusing on local experiences with climate change and its impacts are encouraged. These could involve field research, interviews with community members, workshops, photo projects, film projects etc.

 

Proposals can be made by interested groups or individuals, for example, local and indigenous organisations, research centres, researchers, graduate students with interdisciplinary training, community members (youth groups, women, elders) etc.

 

Projects could explore any topic relating to climate change and local communities. For example:

 

a) Local observations and understandings of climate change impacts (negative or positive) on communities, livelihoods or local environments;

b) Ways that your community is adapting to or dealing with climate change;

c) Strategies and practices developed by local communities to cope with changes in the environment;

d) Local impacts (positive or negative) of measures to fight climate change. For example, planting trees to reduce greenhouse gases (through carbon sequestration); or building hydroelectric dams or avoiding deforestation (e.g. REDD) to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

 

 

However, we invite all kinds of proposals related to climate change and local communities, so do not feel limited by these suggestions.

 

We invite proposals from anywhere in the world, as long as they are for local-scale projects involving peoples and places vulnerable to climate change.

 

Proposals should reach UNESCO on or before 15 July 2009.

 

For further information, please write to peoples@climatefrontlines.org or visit http://www.climatefrontlines.org/en-GB/node/191.   

 

Health Essay Competition

 

The Global Forum for Health Research and The Lancet are sponsoring their fourth joint essay competition with the theme Innovating for the health of all, held in conjunction with Forum 2009, the annual meeting of the Global Forum that takes place in Havana, Cuba, from 16 to 20 November.

 

The Global Forum's vision is of a world in which the potential of research and innovation is fully utilized to address the health problems of the poor. Innovation is defined as the creation, development and implementation of a new product, process or service, with the aim of improving efficiency, effectiveness or competitive advantage. Research for health therefore goes far beyond medicine and biology, to include sectors such as economics, environment, politics, sociology and others. Innovating for the health of all involves both social and technological innovation

 

Within the broad range of the theme, essays are invited from young professionals working in or interested in the wide spectrum of research for health and health equity.

 

Authors must have been born on or after 1 January 1979.

 

The competition is open to young people from all disciplines (for instance, social sciences and humanities, engineering, environment, nutrition, health, etc.) and backgrounds (such as academia, NGO, private sector, social entrepreneur, etc.).

 

The deadline for receipt of entries is 13 May 2009.

 

For any questions, please contact susan.jupp@globalforumhealth.org or Udani Samarasekera u.samarasekera@lancet.com.

 

http://www.globalforumhealth.org/filesupld/Essay2009/EssayCompetitionAdEnFeb09.pdf

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