VDIC NEWSLETTER
September 2010

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

VDIC News. 1

Free Training Sessions Provided by VDIC.. 1

Exhibition at VDIC.. 1

Library. 1

Highlights from the New Resources to VDIC Library.. 1

Highlights of some new academic papers on development issues in Vietnam... 2

New Publications for Sale at VDIC.. 5

Information on Development Projects in Vietnam... 10

New Disclosure World Bank Operational Project Documents for Vietnam... 10

Distance Learning Center events in September 2010. 10

Funding Opportunities. 10

 

 

 

 

VDIC News

 

Free Training Sessions Provided by VDIC

 

Location:        VDIC, 2nd 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:              September 23, 2010 -- 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:              September 23, 2010 -- Time: 01:30pm 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.

 

Exhibition at VDIC

 

International Literacy Day 8 September 2010: The power of women’s literacy

 

Despite many and varied efforts, literacy remains an elusive target: some 759 million adults lack minimum literacy skills (two-thirds are women ) which means that one in five adults is still not literate; 72 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out.  The International Literacy Day global celebrations will therefore focus on the transformation literacy can bring to women’s lives and thosen  of their families, communities and societies. This is an occasion to celebrate women’s empowerment through literacy and pay tribute to the women and men who work behind the scenes who help others acquire literacy skills and enter a world of opportunities.

 

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

 

Highlights from the New Resources 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-POL 13. Swanson, Burton E.; Rajalahti, Riikka. Strengthening agricultural extension and advisory systems: Procedures for assessing, transforming, and evaluating extension systems. World Bank, 2010. Full text http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTARD/Resources/Stren_combined_web.pdf

 

ECO-V4. Nguyễn, Đức Thành (chủ biên). Báo cáo thường niên kinh tế Việt Nam 2010: Lựa chọn để tăng trưởng bền vững. Nhà xuất bản Tri thức, 2010.

 

ENV-CLI-V7. Asian Development Bank (ADB). Ho Chi Minh city adaption to climate change: Summary report. Asian Development Bank (ADB), 2010. Full text http://www.adb.org/documents/reports/hcmc-climate-change/

 

ENV-CLI-V8. Doyle, Thomas W. ; Day, Richard H. ; Michot, Thomas C. Development of Sea Level Rise Scenarios for Climate Change Assessments of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: Open-file report 2010-1165. U.S. Department of the Interior; U.S. Geological Survey, 2010. Full text http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2010/1165/

 

INF-TRA-V27. Almec Corporation. Study on urban transportation investment in medium sized cities in Vietnam: Final report. World Bank; Ministry of Construction of Vietnam, 2010.

 

POV-V14. Lagree, Stephane; Cling, Jean-Pierre; Razafinrakoto, Mireille; Roubaud, Francois (biên tập). Chiến lược giảm nghèo: các cách tiếp cận phương pháp luận và liên ngành: Khóa học mùa hè về khoa học xã hội 2009: Khóa học Tam Đảo. Nhà xuất bản Tri thức, 2010.

 

SOC-CHI-V20. Tổng cục Dân số Kế hoạch hóa Gia đình; Tổng cục Thống kê; Ngân hàng Phát triển châu Á. Điều tra quốc gia về vị thành niên và thanh niên Việt Nam: Lần thứ 2. Tổng cục Dân số Kế hoạch hóa Gia đình; Tổng cục Thống kê; Ngân hàng Phát triển châu Á, 2010.

 

TRA-INT 50. Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI); Gide Loyrette Nouel. Một số vụ kiện chống bán phá giá tại EU và Trung Quốc = Typical antidumping cases in EU and China. Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI); Gide Loyrette Nouel, 2007.

 

Highlights of some new academic papers on development issues in Vietnam

 

Please visit http://www.vdic.org.vn/data/File/Library/New-academic-papers-on-Vietnam-2010.pdf for more comprehensive list. Send an email to nvu2@worldbank.org for article full text, if available.

 

Assessment of Vietnam Coastal Wetland Vulnerability for Sustainable Use (Case Study in Xuanthuy Ramsar Site, Vietnam). Mai Trong Nhuan, Nguyen Thi Minh Ngoc, Nghiem Quynh Huong, Nguyen Thi Hong Hue, Nguyen Tai Tue, Pham Bao Ngoc. Journal of Wetlands Ecology, Vol 2, No 1&2, 2009. Abstract: For sustainable use of coastal wetland ecosystems, vulnerability of the Xuan Thuy Ramsar site in the northern coast of Vietnam, an internationally important area for feeding and roosting of migratory water birds, is assessed. The assessment tools include 1) a geographical information system database, which describes physical, socio-economic, and environmental conditions; 2) spatial multi-criteria decision analysis, and 3) evaluating criteria by a pair-wise comparison method. Consequently, coastal vulnerability criteria were determined following three periods of a year with different density of migrating birds: the highest density period - from September to March of the following year; the average density period - April and from August to October; the lowest density period - the remain time in year. For each period, 5 levels of vulnerability (from 1-lowest to 5-highest level) were determined. High vulnerability level is concentrated in a great area, belonging to the ecological restored area and the south of communes Giao Thien, Giao Xuan; Low vulnerability level is distributed in communes of the buffer zone. Correspondingly to each vulnerability level, recommendations are given for the risk management, resource use, environment protection and human activities. Free full text http://www.nepjol.info/index.php/JOWE/article/view/1850.

 

Business constraints and recessionary effects on small firms in Vietnam: a case study of the retail clothing industry. Victor Egan. Asian Forum on Business Education - AFBE 2010 conference papers. ABSTRACT: Small firms have long been touted as a driving force for economic development by way of entrepreneurial innovation, and the employment opportunities created. In this context, the efficiency of the small firm sector should be of paramount concern to governments, particularly those with the responsibility of delivering economic growth and improved living conditions to the citizens of less developed countries. This paper presents the results of a study which sought to explore the short-term impact of the 2008 global economic recession, as well as the longer-term business constraints that impact on the efficiency and potential for growth for small firms in Vietnam. To this end, the study focused on the retail clothing industry as a basic barometer of the health of the Vietnamese economy. The results of the study suggest that the global economic recession produced a decline in sales of 20-50 percent (average 32 percent) over the same period the previous year. The results further indicate that a number of constraints to the performance of small firms were common. These include strong competition, government taxes, poor infrastructure, and lack of skills of both employees and owners. Free full text http://www.afbe.biz/main/wp-content/uploads/AFBEConfPapers2010.pdf#page=387.

 

Civil Society Action and Governance in Vietnam: Selected Findings from an Empirical Survey. Author: Jörg Wischermann. Journal: Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs. Year: 2010. Volume: 29. Issue: 2. pages No: 3-40. Abstract: In this article, findings from 300 standardized interviews with representatives of Civic Organizations in Ho Chi Minh-City and Ha Noi are presented. Following a view of civil society as a specific mode of social action and interaction, data analysis unveils the existence of core dimensions of such action (respect, empathy/ sympathy, and the willingness to compromise and stick to agreed-upon rules), though the respective values of those dimensions vary strongly. Inseparably linked with such civil society action of whatever kind is consensus-seeking, an aversion to conflicts, and an affinity to synthesis. These attitudes and practices, dominating various Civic Organizations’ internal decision-making processes, represent elements of authoritarian political thinking in Civic Organizations’ leaders’ mindsets and courses of action. Combined, those characteristics make up civil society action “in Vietnamese colours”. Free full text http://hup.sub.uni-hamburg.de/giga/jsaa/article/view/260.

 

Forecasting Areas Vulnerable to Forest Conversion in the Tam Dao National Park Region, Vietnam. Author: Duong Dang Khoi ; Yuji Murayama. Journal: Remote Sensing. Year: 2010. Volume: 2. Issue: 5. pages: 1249-1272. Abstract: Tam Dao National Park (TDNP) is a remaining primary forest that supports some of the highest levels of biodiversity in Vietnam. Forest conversion due to illegal logging and agricultural expansion is a major problem that is hampering biodiversity conservation efforts in the TDNP region. Yet, areas vulnerable to forest conversion are unknown. In this paper, we predicted areas vulnerable to forest changes in the TDNP region using multi-temporal remote sensing data and a multi-layer perceptron neural network (MLPNN) with a Markov chain model (MLPNN-M). The MLPNN-M model predicted increasing pressure in the remaining primary forest within the park as well as on the secondary forest in the surrounding areas. The primary forest is predicted to decrease from 18.03% in 2007 to 15.10% in 2014 and 12.66% in 2021. Our results can be used to prioritize locations for future biodiversity conservation and forest management efforts. The combined use of remote sensing and spatial modeling techniques provides an effective tool for monitoring the remaining forests in the TDNP region. Free full text http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/2/5/1249/.

 

Medicine prices, availability, and affordability in Vietnam. Anh Tuan Nguyen, Rosemary Knight, Andrea Mant, Quang Minh Cao, Martin Auton. Southern Med Review, Volume 2 Issue 2 September 2009. Abstract: -- Objective: To assess the price, availability and affordability of a sample of medicines in Vietnam. Methods: Data on the price and availability of 42 medicines were collected using the standard World Health Organization/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology in fi ve geographical areas in Vietnam. The median price of these medicines was compared with the Management Science for Health international reference prices (IRPs), expressed as median price ratios. Affordability was measured as the number of days’ wages required for the lowest-paid unskilled government worker to purchase one course of therapy. Of the 42 medicines studied, 15 were chosen for international comparison, which were included in at least 80% of other country surveys using the WHO/HAI methodology. -- Results: Public sector availability of generic medicines was 33.6%. The median public procurement price was 1.82 times the IRPs for generics, but for some individual medicines it was less than half the IRP. The price to patients in public outlets was higher than in private pharmacies. Adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity in 2005, the lowest generic prices in private pharmacies were still 8.3 times the IRPs. Treatments were thus unaffordable for a large part of Vietnam’s population. - Conclusions: Medicines in Vietnam were high in price, and low in both availability and affordability, especially in the public sector. To make public facilities a primary treatment option for the poor, Vietnam must reduce medicine prices in this sector by improving procurement effi ciency, ensuring and promoting low-priced generics, and regulating reasonable mark-ups. Free full text http://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/sop/smr/_docs/SMR_Vol2_Issue2.pdf.

 

Organisational capabilities, competitive advantage and performance in supporting industries in Vietnam. Author: Nham Phong Tuan ; Takahashi Yoshi. Journal: Asian Academy of Management Journal. Year: 2010. Volume: 15. Issue: 1. pages: 1-21. Abstract: This paper focuses on applying the resource-based view (RBV) of firms to explain performance in supporting industries in Vietnam. Specifically, we based our research on the comprehensive framework of RBV and reviewed previous empirical researches before deciding on adopting a dynamic capabilities approach to test relationships among organisational capabilities, competitive advantage and performance. A multivariate analysis of survey responses of 102 firms belonging to supporting industries in Vietnam indicates that the organisational capabilities are related to the competitive advantage, that the competitive advantage is related to performance, and that the competitive advantage mediates the relationship between organizational capabilities and performance. These findings have considerable implications for academics as well as practitioners. Finally, this study also provides directions for future research. Free full text http://www.usm.my/aamj/15.1.2010/AAMJ_15.1.1.pdf.

 

Suicide attempt in a rural area of Vietnam: Incidence, methods used and access to mental health care. Author: Nguyen Tuan ; Dalman Christina ; Le Thien ; Nguyen Thiem ; Tran Nghi ; Allebeck Peter. Journal: International Journal of Mental Health Systems. Year: 2010. Volume: 4. Issue: 1. Abstract: -- Objectives: The study aims to determine the incidence of suicide attempt, describe the methods used, and assess use of health care services including mental health care after suicide attempt in a rural area of Vietnam. -- Methods: All suicide attempters (104) during 2003-2007 were listed, diagnosed and re-evaluated by trained physicians according to the research criteria of the WHO Multicentre Study of Attempted Suicide. All attempters were interviewed by trained medical staff to investigate methods used, socio-demographic characteristics and use of health services. -- Results: The yearly incidence was 10.2 per 100000 person-years, 10.6 per 100000 in males and 9.8 per 100000 in females. 99% of cases committed suicide attempt by poisoning, 62.6% by pesticides and 36.3% by pharmaceutical drugs. 34.3% reported having been in contact with somatic care and 13.2% had received mental health care. Among those who reported some treatment received, 47.5% had been in contact with official health care services, 8.1% had pharmacy keepers' consultation or were treated by traditional healers and 4% reported self treatment. -- Conclusion: The incidence of suicide attempt was lower in this population compared to other settings. While the majority of attempters use pesticides, many had used psychotropic drugs. Contact with mental health services following the attempt was very limited in this setting. Suicide prevention for this high risk group should focus on reducing access to pesticides and psychotropic drugs. Mental health services should be made more accessible in rural areas. Free full text http://www.ijmhs.com/content/4/1/3.

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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.

 

To help protect our environment, VDIC stops giving clients plastic bags. VDIC clients can choose between buying paper bags at 1,000 VND each or fabric bags at 5,000 VND or 2,000 VND each.

 

More titles for sale at VDIC are listed at

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

 

For more information about other new World Bank publications, please check the Interactive World Bank Publications Catalog at http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/904cc0b8 or World Bank’s online bookstore www.worldbank.org/publications.

 

Globalization and Growth: Implications for a Post-Crisis World

ISBN: 978-0-8213-8220-2 -- by World Bank 2010 April.

Price: $18.00  

 

This book has been prepared for the Commission on Growth and Development to evaluate the prospects for economic growth in developing countries in the wake of the world financial and economic crises of 2008-09. It considers a range of questions, particularly with regard to the future of globalization and the policy implications of the crisis. It considers the important issues pertaining to short-term, medium-term, and long-term growth and puts forward the latest policy ideas for fostering sustained economic growth in the developing world.

 

Đô thị hóa và tăng trưởng

Spence, Michael; Annez, Patricia Clarke; Buckley, Robert M.

Ủy ban Tăng trưởng và Phát triển, 2010.

Giá tiền: 2 USD

 

- Tại sao năng suất ở thành phố lại cao hơn?

- Đô thị hóa là nguyên nhân thúc đẩy tăng trưởng hay tăng trưởng là nguyên nhân thúc đẩy đô thị hóa?

- Các quốc gia đạt được tốc độ tăng trưởng nhanh hay thu nhập cao mà không cần đô thị hóa hay không?

- Các nhà hoạch định chính sách làm thế nào để gặt hái lợi ích của đô thị hóa mà không phải trả giá quá cao?

- Liệu hỗ trợ quá trình đô thị hóa có nghĩa là coi nhẹ khu vực nông thôn hay không?

- Tại sao chỉ có chính phủ một số nước hoan nghênh đô thị hóa?

- Chính phủ các nước cần làm gì để cải thiện điều kiện về nhà ở ở các thành phố trong khi đô thị hóa?

- Những đổi mới trong chính sách cung cấp các tài chính để phát triển nhà ở là tốt hay xấu  đối với các quốc gia đang phát triển?

- Chính phủ các nước sẽ làm thế nào để cấp hàng nghìn tỷ đôla tiền vốn để đầu tư hạ tầng cần thiết cho các thành phố ở các quốc gia đang phát triển?

 

Là cuốn đầu tiên trong bộ báo cáo chuyên đề, cuốn sách này được biên soạn theo yêu cầu của Ủy ban về Tăng trưởng và Phát triển nhằm đánh giá mức độ hiểu biết về mối quan hệ giữa đô thị hóa và tăng trưởng kinh tế. Báo cáo này không nhằm mục đích cung cấp tất cả các câu trả lời, mà nhằm xác định các vấn đề và đòn bầy chính sách để giúp các quốc gia lồng ghép đô thị hóa thành một phần của chiến lược tăng trưởng quốc gia. Báo cáo này nghiên cứu một loạt các đề tài như: tính thích hợp và ý nghĩa chính sách của những tiến bộ gần đây trong nghiên cứu kinh tế học đô thị hóa cho các quốc gia đang phát triển, vai trò của địa kinh tế trong xu hướng kinh tế và mô hình thương mại toàn cầu, tác động của quá trình đô thị hóa đối với sự bất bình đẳng giữa các vùng trong một quốc gia, và các phương pháp tiếp cận khác trong việc cấp vốn đầu tư hạ tầng cơ bản cần thiết cho các thành phố ở các quốc gia đang phát triển.

 

Được viết bởi các chuyên gia hàng đầu trong các lĩnh vực có liên quan, báo cáo Đô thị hóa và Tăng trưởng cố gắng để hiểu rõ hơn vai trò của đô thị hóa trong quá trình tăng trưởng và cung cấp cho các nhà hoạch định chính sách thông tin để đối phó với những thách thức to lớn mà quá trình này đưa ra.

 

Unlocking Land Values to Finance Urban Infrastructure

ISBN: 978-0-8213-8329-2 -- by World Bank 2010 June

Price: $13.00  

 

Land-based financing of urban infrastructure is growing in importance in the developing world. Why is it so difficult to finance urban infrastructure investment, when land values typically increase by more than the cost of investment? Unlocking Land Values to Finance Urban Infrastructure examines the theory underlying different instruments of land-based finance, such as betterment levies, developer exactions, impact fees, and the exchange of publicly owned land assets for infrastructure. It provides a wealth of case-study illustrations of how different land-based financing tools have been implemented, and the lessons learned from these experiences. This practical guide is designed to help expand the role of land-based financing in urban capital budgets in a way that strengthens urban infrastructure finance and urban land markets. –

 

This study shows that a rethinking of traditional approaches to urban finance in developing countries is necessary. It discusses why this potential source of revenue has been largely overlooked by analysts from developed countries, as well as why much greater attention should be paid to these transactions. This book is written in a lively, accessible style without sacrificing analytical rigor.” – Robert Buckley, Managing Director, Rockefeller Foundation –

 

A grand magnitude of financing in infrastructure can be obtained from unlocking land values. Dr Peterson presents a deep and often innovative analysis. This book will be a great resource for an unusually broad audience—from international consultants to national and municipal officials.” – Olga Kaganova, Coeditor, Managing Property Assets: International Experiences, and Senior Associate, Urban Institute

 

A Practical Approach to Pharmaceutical Policy     

ISBN: 978-0-8213-8386-5 -- by World Bank 2010 June

Price: $13.00  

 

This book offers policy makers a hands-on approach, tested in the World Bank’s field work in many countries, for developing policies that improve access to safe, effective medicines in health systems of low- and middle-income economies.

 

Innovation Policy: A Guide for Developing Countries       

ISBN: 978-0-8213-8269-1 -- by  World Bank 2010 May

Price: $17.00

 

Innovation–in all its forms–and particularly technological innovation in recent years has become a crucial driver for spurring growth, enhancing competitiveness, and increasing social well being in all economies of the world. Innovation should be understood in a broad and diversified sense including not only the creation of new knowledge and technology and the adaptation of existing ones, but even more importantly, the diffusion and use of technologies, products, processes, and practices which are new in a given country context – a definition that is particularly relevant for low- and medium- income countries.

 

Innovation policy, by its very nature, is an inter- or multi-departmental policy, touching policy areas as complementary and different as education and training, skills development, science and technology, the business environment, ICT and other infrastructure (e.g. logistics). This guidebook therefore necessarily draws upon a large and diversified set of policy areas as sources of knowledge and competence in order to provide a holistic discussion of innovation policy. It offers a broad methodological framework into which concerned policy making communities can design, conceive and implement policy measures adapted to their context. The framework would provide some fundamental principles which can then be applied and customized for specific circumstances. In order to foster a coherent and systemic approach to the design of innovation policy, this book integrates the analysis and information from policy-related departments that usually tend to work in silos and who need to work together for having a common, relevant and efficient understanding of innovation policy. In light of a key issue in low and medium income countries is the resistance of innovation systems to significant improvements, this book also addresses the relations between innovation policy and institutions.

 

Business Regulation and Economic Performance

ISBN: 978-0-8213-7407-8 -- by World Bank 2010 January

Price: $18.00  

 

"The Schumpeterian process of “creative destruction” is an essential ingredient of a dynamic economy. In many countries around the world, however, this process is weakened by pervasive regulation of product and factor markets. This book documents the regulatory obstacles faced by firms, particularly in developing countries, and assesses their implications for firm renewal and macroeconomic performance.

 

Combining a variety of methodological approaches -- analytical and empirical, micro and macroeconomic, single- and cross-country --, the book provides evidence that streamlining the regulatory framework would have a significant social pay-off, particularly in developing countries that are also burdened by weak governance. The book’s chapters trace out analytically and empirically the links between microeconomic policies and distortions, on the one hand, and aggregate performance in terms of productivity, growth and volatility, on the other.

 

The volume adds to a novel but increasingly influential literature that seeks to understand macroeconomic phenomena from a microeconomic perspective, and derive the relevant lessons for development policy. Such literature is still fairly scarce in the case of industrial countries, and virtually in its infancy for developing countries.

 

Endorsements:

 

"To the benefit of interest groups, most of the large costs associated with excessive business regulation remain hidden in the complexities of the ongoing process of restructuring. Business Regulation and Economic Performance does a great service to all of us by unearthing some of these costs with a convincing array of cross-sectional evidence. A must-read for policy makers, especially in heavily regulated regions such as Latin America."

- Ricardo Caballero, Chairman and Ford International Professor,

Department of Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

 

"Despite greater macroeconomic stability and increased openness to trade and investment, many developing countries have failed to thrive. This original study links microeconomic regulation to aggregate measures of growth, productivity, and volatility to explain the poor performance of emerging economies around the world, and especially in Latin America. The authors convincingly show that excessive regulation of business and labor has led to adverse macro performance. Stringent regulations perform a double punch. First, they prevent resources from moving to their most productive uses and economies from adjusting to external shocks. Second, they provide insidious incentives for rent seeking to the relevant authorities, especially when governance is weak. Business Regulation and Economic Performance is essential reading for policy makers seeking to improve growth and stability in developing countries."

- Simeon Djankov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Bulgaria, and

former lead author of Doing Business, The World Bank "

 

Equity and Growth in a Globalizing World  

ISBN: 978-0-8213-8180-9 -- by World Bank 2010 May

Price: $17.00  

 

- What has been the evolution of poverty and equity during the recent globalizing decades?

- How have poor countries fared on the Millennium Development Goals?

- What role does wealth inequality play in the level and efficiency of investment and, hence, in economic growth?

- Is gender equity a smart pro-growth strategy as well as a pro-poor one?

- How is equality different from equality of opportunity, and should policy makers pursue one, the other, or both?

- In formulating distributional strategies, should the middle class be integrally considered, or should the focus be entirely on the poorest of the poor?

- What are the precise impacts of globalization on poverty and equity, and what are the policy implications of these impacts?

- Is the problem with globalization that a key element is missing—the globalization of labor employment?

- What is the role of international migration in the evolution of equity within and between nations?

 

This book has been prepared for the Commission on Growth and Development to evaluate the state of knowledge on the relationship between poverty, equity, and globalization. It considers a range of questions on poverty and equity within nations, and the policy frameworks that can best address distributional concerns as the basis for a growth strategy. It also examines the important issue of equity between nations, in particular the possible role of international migration in alleviating this inequity.

 

Written by prominent analysts in their fields, Equity and Growth in a Globalizing World seeks to create a better understanding of the interactions between globalization, growth, and different dimensions of equity and poverty, and to inform policy makers of possible policy levers to address central concerns in the debates in this area.

 

Cẩm nang đánh giá tác động: Các phương pháp định lượng và thực hành

Khandker, Shahidur R.; Koolwal, Gayatri B.; Samad, Hussain A.

Ngân hàng Thế giới, 2010

Giá tiền: 2 USD

 

Cẩm nang đánh giá tác động giới thiệu một cách thực tiễn và toàn diện các phương pháp mới nhất trong đánh giá các chương trình công ích, hướng đến đối tượng là các nhà nghiên cứu cũng như hoạch định chính sách. Cuốn sách liên kết những nghiên cứu toán kinh tế mới nhất về đánh giá tác động với kinh nghiệm thực tế của các nhà quản lý và người đánh giá chương trình cũng như những phương pháp khảo sát tác động phân bổ và cấu trúc của chương trình.

 

Các phần thảo luận và nghiên cứu điểm được trình bày ở từng chương, đúc rút kinh nghiệm thực tế của các nhà quản lý và người nghiên cứu chương trình trong quá trình triển khai các mặt hoạt động như chính sách về giáo dục, tài chính vi mô, y tế và hạ tầng. Đối với người nghiên cứu muốn học hỏi cách thức sử dụng những mô hình này bằng phần mềm thống kê, cuốn Cẩm nang còn cung cấp các bài tập Stata với tình huống đánh giá các chương trình tín dụng vi mô lớn ở Bănglađét, như chương trình của ngân hang Grameen.

Cuốn Cẩm nang cũng được sử dụng trong các khóa học về chính sách và kinh tế ở cấp cao, cũng như làm tài liệu bổ sung trong các khóa học kinh tế học phát triển cấp đại học. Cuốn Cẩm nang  sẽ có ích cho sinh viên, nhà nghiên cứu và các cấp hoạch định chính sách.

 

Những giải pháp tiện lợi giải quyết thực tế phiền phức: Cách tiếp cận dựa vào hệ sinh thái để giải quyết vấn đề biến đổi khí hậu

Ngân hàng Thế giới, 2010

Giá tiền: 2 USD

 

Những giải pháp tiện lợi để giải quyết thực tế phiền phức đã trình bày luận cứ thuyết phục cho thấy bảo tồn tính đa dạng sinh học, bảo vệ các hệ sinh thái và khu/vùng cư trú tự nhiên có thể góp phần thực hiện hiệu quả các chiến lược giảm phát thải và thích ứng để giải quyết các vấn đề về biến đổi khí hậu.

 

Thích ứng dựa vào hệ sinh thái là giải pháp dựa trên nguyên tắc win-win: nó đồng thời giải quyết thách thức của biến đổi khí hậu và bảo vệ đa dạng sinh học và những dịch vụ mà các hệ sinh thái cung cấp, là những yếu tố đặc biệt quan trọng đối với sự sinh tồn của loài người. Các cơ quan phát triển, các quốc gia và các Công ước về đa dạng sinh học và biến đổi khí hậu cần phải thừa nhận rằng bảo tồn và phục hồi các hệ sinh thái là cách tiếp cận có trách nhiệm với xã hội và có tính chi phí – hiệu quả cao để giải quyết đồng thời cả mục tiêu giảm phát thải và mục tiêu thích ứng với biến đổi khí hậu trong khi vẫn đảm bảo cung cấp cho cộng đồng những dịch vụ sinh thái quan trọng và thiết yếu đối với sự thịnh vượng của loài người.”

- Robert Watson 

Cố vấn trưởng về khoa học, Cục Môi trường, Thực phẩm và Các vấn đề về Nông thôn, Vương quốc Anh và Giáo sư về khoa học môi trường, Giám đốc Ban chiến lược, Đại học East Anglia, Vương quốc Anh

 

Chúng ta phải luôn nhớ rằng đảm bảo an toàn và phục hồi tính đa dạng sinh học và các hệ sinh thái là phương thức quan trọng và có tính chi phí – hiệu quả cao nhất để giảm nhẹ tác động của biến đổi khí hậu và giảm tính dễ bị tổn thương của chúng ta trước những tác động không thể tránh khỏi gây bởi biến đổi khí hậu. Cuốn sách này đã chỉ ra ví dụ rất thuyết phục chứng minh vai trò trung tâm của việc quản lý các hệ sinh thái để đổi phó với biến đổi khí hậu. Đây là cuốn sách cấn thiết đối với những người tham gia xây dựng chính sách, nghiên cứu và triển khai.”

- Richard Cowling – Giáo sư về thực vật học,

Trường đại học Thành phố Nelson Mandela, Port Elizabeth, Nam Phi

 

Đồng thời với việc hiểu biết sâu rộng hơn về những tác động phổ biến của biến đổi khí hậu do chính con người tạo ra, chúng ta cáng nhận thức rõ hơn về tầm quan trọng  hàng đầu của các mối liên hệ gắn kết chặt chẽ lẫn nhau giữa đa dạng sinh học, các dịch vụ sinh thái và giảm thiểu thích ứng với biến đổi khí hậu không thể tiên liệu được thì chúng ta cần phải tận dụng tất cả các nguồn tài nguyên sẵn có, bao gồm các nguồn tài nguyên mà thiên nhiên đem lại như tính đa dạng về gene, về loài và về hệ sinh thái. Gắn kết những thách thức hai mặt liên quan đến cả biến đổi khí hậu và mất tính đa dạng sinh học là cách tiếp cận không thể thiếu được nhằm đạt được các mục tiêu trong đã đề ra ở Hội nghị Rio.”

- Ahmed Djoghlaf – Giám đốc điều hành, Ban thư ký Công ước Đa dạng sinh học, Montreal, Ca-na-đa

 

Eco2 Cities: Ecological Cities as Economic Cities

by Hiroaki Suzaki , Arish Dastur , Sebastian Moffatt , Nanae Yabuki , Hinako Maruyama 

Published May 2010 by World Bank ISBN: 0-8213-8046-X

Price: $ 15.00

 

This is a point of departure for cities that would like to reap the many benefits of ecological and economic sustainability. It provides an analytical and operational framework that offers strategic guidance to cities on sustainable and integrated urban development. At the same time case studies are used throughout the book to provide a matter-of-fact and ground-level perspective. This framework is flexible and easily customized to the context of each country or city. Based on the particular circumstances and the development priorities of a city – the application of the framework can contribute to the development of a unique action plan or roadmap in each case. This action plan can be triggered through catalyst projects.

 

To support this framework, it also begins to introduce some powerful and practical methods and tools that can further enable sustainable and integrated city planning and decision making. These include 1) operational and process methods that can strengthen collaborative decision making and cross-sector synergies in a city; 2) analytical methods ranging from diagnostics, simulation, design and scenario-generation; and 3) accounting and benchmarking methods which can help clarify, define and measure what it means to truly invest in sustainability and resilience.

 

As additional reference reading, it also features a series of case studies from best practice cities around the world, each demonstrating a very different dimension of the Eco2 approach. It also features a series of infrastructure sector notes (on spatial development, transport, energy, water and waste management), each of which explore sector specific issues as they pertain to urban development, and the many opportunities for coordination and integration across sectors.

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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”.

 

Coastal Cities Environmental Sanitation Project = Dự án vệ sinh môi trường các thành phố duyên hải

 

Quy Nhon city sub-project, component 1,2 and 5: environemental impact assessment = Tiểu hợp phần thành phố Quy Nhơn, hợp phần mục 1, 2 và 5: Báo cáo đánh giá tác động môi trường

 

Dong Hoi city sub-project, Component 1 and 5. Environmental impact assessment. Final version  = Tiểu dự án thành phố Đồng Hới, hạng mục 1 và 5. Báo cáo đánh gia tác động môi trường. Bản dự thảo cuối cùng. 

 

Project ID: P082295

 

Ho Chi Minh City Investment Fund (HIFU) for urban development project = Dự án phát triển HIFU. Dự án mở rộng xa lộ Hà Nội. Đọan từ Sài Gòn đến nút giao thông Tân Vạn

 

Báo cáo đánh giá tác động môi trường.

 

Project ID: P104848

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Distance Learning Center events in September 2010

 

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

 

International Symposium for Cardiac Care Teleconference Training Series (by invitation only)

Date & time: September 9, from 7 pm to 10 pm (for Cardiac Surgeons)

September 16, from 7 pm to 10 pm (for Nurses)

 

Funded by the VinaCapital Foundation Vietnam, the World Heart Foundation and supported by the World Bank Global Development Learning Network Asia Pacific, this regional program links surgeons, doctors and nurses involved in cardiac care in developing countries with the world’s best in cardio-thoracic surgery, cardiology and pediatric cardiac care.

 

The International Symposium for Cardiac Care will allows doctors from all over Vietnam to congregate in GDLN centers in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and other Asian sites for a series of lectures by exemplary leaders in the field of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and Cardiology. The series is interactive and enables participants to ask questions after the presentations. The lectures are also webcast to enable worldwide participation and then compiled into a DVD series which will be distributed by World Heart Foundation to surgical programs in developing countries around the world. This session will connect Vietnam (4 cities) with Bangladesh, China, Cambodia and Indonesia and be presented by world-class speakers from University of Michigan, USA (Sept 9) and Children's Hospital Boston, USA (Sept 16).

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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.

 

European Master in Law and Economics (EMLE) programme scholarships

 

This programme offers the unique opportunity for interdisciplinary studies of law and economics at two or even three European and Non-European universities. Each partner university awards a Master degree (LL.M. / M.A. / M.Sc.). The programme provides students with an advanced understanding of the economic effects of divergent laws and prepares students for a professional career, for example, in public organisations, in multinational law firms or consultancy firms. Graduates are also well prepared for doctorate research in a PhD programme such as the European Doctorate in Law and Economics.

 

The EMLE has been recognized by the European Commission as an Erasmus Mundus Master Programme of "outstanding academic quality". The Erasmus Mundus label allows the EMLE programme to annually grant a substantial number of scholarships (including several full scholarships to non-European students).

 

Application Procedure for Third Country Students for the academic year 2011/2012 is open until November 15, 2010.

 

http://www.emle.org/

 

Jordan IFLA/OCLC Fellowship program 2012 program for librarians

 

The Fellowship Program is for library and information science professionals who are in early stages of career development and from countries with developing economies. Eligibility is limited to those who are from a qualifying country, have a degree in library or information science obtained within the past five years, and have at least three years, but no more than eight years, of library or information science experience. These and other qualifications are explained in detail in the Program Guidelines.

 

Interested candidates should read the guidelines and, if qualified, complete and submit the application by the specified due date.

 

The deadline for application is: February 18, 2011.

 

http://www.oclc.org/us/en/community/careerdevelopment/fellows/details/default.htm

 

AstroMundus programme scholarships

 

AstroMundus is a 2-years Erasmus Mundus Masters Course ( 120 ECTS) in Astronomy and Astrophysics offered by a consortium of 5 partner universities in 4 different countries: Austria, Italy, Germany, and Serbia.

 

Its main objective is to provide top-ranked students with an excellent background in Astrophysics, to introduce them to the world of modern astrophysical research, and foster their future career in this field. At the same time, in the spirit of the Erasmus Mundus programmes, we promote cultural exchanges between Third Country and European students and academics.

 

AstroMundus students carry out their master studies in at least 2 and up to four of these countries, in a stimulating and scientifically excellent international environment.

 

The official language of the course is English, but students are given the possibility to learn the languages of the host countries by attending language courses at the partner universities.

 

Category A scholarships, reserved to Third Country students, cover the registration fees (including the insurance), include a contribution to travel, installation and any other type of costs of 8000 €, and a monthly allowance of 1000 €/month for the whole duration of the Masters Course (22 months).

 

Third Country and European students, as well as Third Country and European academics that satisfy the eligibility criteria are invited to send their applications in electronic form in the period between August 1st 2010 and November 30th 2010 at midnight (CET). The final result of the selection of students is expected to be known by mid April 2011.

 

http://www.astromundus.eu/

 

National University of Singapore Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS) Scholarship

 

NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS) welcomes students from around the globe. Students are encouraged not only to integrate different areas of research, but to learn to integrate and interact with people from all backgrounds. Hosting students from over 15 different countries enables NGS to gather some of the best minds in the world, regardless of international borders.

 

The NGS Scholarship is awarded to talented students with an aptitude for innovative, high calibre PhD research.

Application for January 2011 (Semester II) intake is OPEN. Closing dates: 15 Sep 2010.

 

http://www.nus.edu.sg/ngs/NGSS.html

 

World Forest Institute (WFI) International Fellowship - Bringing Together Foresters from Around the World

 

The Fellowship Program offers participants many opportunities, such as:

 

Conducting studies in the Pacific Northwest related to forestry

Meeting with many different forestry organizations and corporations

Building a network of forestry contacts, and

Promoting the dissemination and exchange of information regarding global forest resources and their utilization

 

Fellows leave the program with a solid understanding of how the US forestry sector operates and who the key players are. Additionally, Fellows gain invaluable cultural experience and English language skills.

 

The Fellowship is a Blend of Research, Networking, and Cultural Exchange

 

WFI brings Fellows in three times each year: February 1, May 1, and October 1. These are our preferential dates, but we are flexible and willing to work with any other schedule you may have. If you are planning for a full year Fellowship, the start date is unimportant. If planning for a shorter Fellowship, we recommend that your stay encompass the summer months (June through October). During the summer months more site visits are scheduled due to drier weather. Applications are due two months prior to the start date.

 

http://wfi.worldforestry.org/index/international-fellowship.html

 

Natural Environment Research Council Fellowships - UK

 

The Natural Environment Research Council Fellowship scheme provides opportunities for outstanding environmental scientists to devote their time to research, develop their research careers and produce work of international importance.

 

NERC Fellowships are open to any nationality.

 

Closing date: 2 November 2010 at 16:00.

 

http://www.nerc.ac.uk/funding/available/fellowships/

 

Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship on conservation and use of plant genetic resources

 

The Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship Fund aims to encourage the conservation and use of plant genetic resources by awarding Fellowships to outstanding young researchers from developing countries to carry out innovative research at an advanced research institute outside their home country for a period of three months to one year.

 

Applicants should be nationals of low income and lower-middle income countries, according to the Human and Income Poverty Index. They should be no more than 35 years of age, and should hold at least a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area.

 

Applications should be submitted in English, French or Spanish by 7 November 2010.

 

http://www.bioversityinternational.org/training/research_fellowships/vavilov_frankel_fellowship.html

 

Food Security Center (FSC) Research Scholarships

 

In 2011, FSC is awarding up to 29 scholarships for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers for a period of 4 to 36 months. The Center wishes to attract outstanding PhD students and postdoctoral fellows pursuing a career in academia or development collaboration relevant to food security related issues. FSC offers three categories of scholarships: 1. Sandwich scholarships for PhD students (6 months); 2. Research scholarships for visiting postdoctoral researchers (4 months); 3. Excellence scholarships for FSC-supported PhD program “Global Food Security” (36 months) at the University of Hohenheim.

 

Nationals of a developing country according to OECD DAC list and students of the University of Hohenheim are eligible for this grants.

 

Deadline is 30 September 2010.

 

https://fsc.uni-hohenheim.de/77676.html

 

Orskov Foundation – Small Grants on agriculture

 

Orskov makes grants of up to £2,500 to support agriculture in developing countries. One category of grants supports university students in agricultural studies related to poverty alleviation and environmental sustainabilty. The second category of grants is for community-based agriculture on a revolving-fund basis.

 

Graduate students and communities in developing countries are eligible for this grants.

 

Deadline is 31 January 2011.

 

http://www.orskovfoundation.org/home

 

King's School Foundation -- Small Grants for Community Forestry

 

The King's School Foundation (Netherlands) makes small grants for community-based forests and forestry projects in developing countries.

 

Application deadline is 01 October.

 

http://www.koningsschool.nl/eng/

 

Southeast Asia Fellowship Program Fall 2011 East-West Center in Washington

 

The East-West Center in Washington (EWCW) is accepting applications from scholars and analysts who wish to undertake policy-relevant research and writing in one of the following areas: 1. International relations of Southeast Asia; 2. Political change in Southeast Asia; and 3. ASEAN integration and community-building  efforts.

 

The fellowship finances a three-month residence at the East-West Center in Washington, D.C. While in residence in Washington the fellows will complete an article  or monograph to be considered for publication in a peer-reviewed publication, such as the East-West Center’s Asia Pacific Bulletin series or Asia Pacific Issues  series. The first full draft of the manuscript should be completed before the end of the residency period. Fellows will also give a public presentation on their topic.

 

Fellowships will include a monthly stipend of US$2,500 to $4,500 (dependent upon experience) while in residence at EWC in Washington and round trip airfare to  Washington, D.C. Residency at the Center will start in September 2011. Additionally, at the discretion of the Director, a small grant to cover field research, in Asia  only, may be available. Fieldwork in the region will be completed prior to residence at the East-West Center in Washington.

 

Deadline: All materials must be received by October 15, 2010.

 

http://www.eastwestcenter.org/scholarships-fellowships/

 

UNAOC - GDF Essay Contest

 

The Melbourne Forum organised by the Global Dialogue Foundation (GDF) under the auspices of  the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, will showcase some of the most innovative and successful grassroots  initiatives aimed at promoting mutual understanding among people and cultures in the Asia-Pacific Region.  This event will be held in the presence of business and political leaders, policy makers, influential civil society leaders, media, heads of religious communities and academics.

 

Applications: Civil society organisations are invited to submit their Essay Application by 15 September, by email to info@globaldialoguefoundation.org

 

http://www.unaoc.org/images/marketplace_of_ideas_flyer.pdf

 

UNEP Sasakawa Prize

 

The UNEP Sasakawa Prize recognizes laureates with a proven record of achievement, as well as the potential to make outstanding contributions to the environment consistent with UNEP's policy and objectives. This international award is a partnership between UNEP and The Nippon Foundation.

 

The search is on for the most innovative, groundbreaking and sustainable grassroots environmental initiatives in emerging and developing countries!

 

The winner will receive $200,000 cash prize at an Award Ceremony and Reception to be held in February 2011, in Nairobi, Kenya.

 

Nominations open from 1 August to 30 September 2010

 

http://www.unep.org/awards/

 

Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP)  - International Institute for Applied Systems Analyses (IIASA)

 

This annual three-month program offers research opportunities to talented young researchers whose interests correspond with IIASA's ongoing research on issues of global environmental, economic and social change. From June through August accepted participants work within the institute's Research Programs under the guidance of IIASA scientific staff.

 

Applicants from all over the world are welcome. Although IIASA gives priority to citizens or residents of countries in which IIASA has a national member organization (NMO), a limited number of applicants from non-NMO countries are accepted each ear and in very exceptional cases funding is provided.

 

Deadline: Jan 18, 2011.

 

http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Admin/YSP/index.html?sb=1 

 

ASIA Fellows Award - Asian Scholarship Foundation

 

The principal goal of the ASIA Fellows Awards is to increase the overall awareness of intellectual resources in the countries of Northeast Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia and to contribute to the growth of long-range capabilities for cross-egional knowledge sharing. The ASIA Fellows Awards seek to develop regional expertise, establish a multilateral network of Asian specialists from many disciplines, professional fields and countries, stimulate interdisciplinary research and intersocietal comparison, and contribute to new developments within existing area studies communities. The awards offer opportunities for outstanding young and mid-career Asian scholars, and professionals to gain knowledge of the countries in the region and an understanding of the contexts that shape global and regional issues through research. The awards enable the awardees to conduct research in a participating Asian country for six to nine months.

 

Deadline: Jan 15, 2011

 

http://www.asianscholarship.org/asf/General%20information_Grant%20Information.php

 

2011 Call for Proposals - Trust Fund on Indigenous Issues relating to the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People

 

The Trust Fund for the Second Decade was established to promote, support and implement the objectives of the Decade. The Fund will give priority to projects concerning the main areas of the Second Decade: culture, education, health, human Rights, the environment and social and economic development. The Advisory Group for the Trust Fund for the Second Decade consists of members of the Permanent Forum’s Bureau.

 

Indigenous organizations or organizations working for indigenous peoples can apply for small grants from the Trust Fund. It is expected that the Fund will mainly be used for small grants projects with a budget for up to 10,000 US$ covering one year’s expenses.

 

2011 Call for Proposals

 

Please note:

 

- Project must have a focus on indigenous peoples

- All applicants must submit their project proposals in accordance with the Trust Fund Project Proposal Format and include both a summary sheet and a proposal document

- Projects will be disregarded if the required information is not present.

- Additional information pertaining to the proposal will not be accepted beyond the deadline of submission (1 October 2010)

 

Guidelines to applicants for the Fund is available at http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/second_trustfund.html.   

 

Social Performance Reporting Awards for Microfinance Institutions

 

The Social Performance Reporting Awards provide a yardstick for those wanting to assess an MFI’s commitment not only to showing progress in helping its clients, but also to supporting its staff, and protecting the environment.

 

As such, the awards reward openness and accountability in reporting, not the actual performance of MFIs on these measures. More than 200 MFIs submitted reports on their social performance in 2009 to MIX and this number is expected to increase significantly in the second round of awards.

 

To qualify, MFIs provide reports on a set of social performance monitoring indicators that have been developed and refined through the Social Performance Task Force in cooperation with industry leaders. One of the most important indicators is the degree to which MFIs are measuring the poverty level of their clients and which poverty-measurement tools they are using.

 

The awards feature three levels of recognition:

 

CERTIFICATE: awarded to MFIs that complete the Social Performance Reporting Report

SILVER AWARD: awarded to MFIs that complete the report, and also provide full data on poverty measurement

GOLD AWARD: awarded to MFIs that complete the report, provide data on poverty measurement, and have a social rating that includes auditing of the poverty tool used by the MFI.

 

An award will also be given to microfinance networks or associations that have more than 50 percent of their affiliates reporting on social performance to MIX.

 

This year’s winners will be recognized on the CGAP and MIX Web sites and at special events, with certificates to be awarded in two rounds between June and December 2010.

 

The MFIs will have until September 30, 2010, to report their social performance data to MIX.

 

http://www.cgap.org/p/site/c/template.rc/1.26.13416/

 

Elsevier Foundation Program Guidelines - Innovative Libraries in Developing Countries

 

The Elsevier Foundation supports the efforts of libraries to enhance the quality of life in developing countries by advancing knowledge in science, technology and medicine.  The Foundation provides one, two and three year grants to libraries in the developing countries and supporting organizations in the following areas:

 

- Programs to enhance library infrastructure, technology or information services in ways that significantly enhance their ability to make STM (scientific/social sciences, technical and medical) information available to those who need it -- researchers, clinicians, students, policymakers and the wider public.

 

- Programs that enhance or expand library information resources in the developing world through digitization or preservation of information that advances science, health, the environment, and indigenous knowledge.  

 

- Training and education programs, for library staff, students or researchers, contributing to sustainable improvements in the library’s capacity to provide STM information in the developing world.

 

- Partnerships between libraries in the developing countries and institutions in the developed countries to provide technical assistance or training.  Developed country partner organizations include libraries, learned societies, universities, intergovernmental organizations and other non-profit organizations.

 

Awards must be submitted online via The Elsevier Foundation's online grant application proposal system between August 1st and September 15th.

 

http://www.elsevierfoundation.org/  

 

Enter the 2010 CGAP Microfinance Photography Contest

 

The 2010 CGAP Microfinance Photography Contest is open for entries. Submit your photos for the chance to win this year’s prestigious award, and tell the world about microfinance. Winners receive considerable exposure the world over, and become part of a global community of professional and nonprofessional photographers who share a twin passion for photography and microfinance.

 

The CGAP Microfinance Photo Contest is open to all photographers at least 18 years of age, except the operational team of CGAP, the World Bank, and their immediate families.

 

Deadline: before noon EST 15 September 2010.

 

http://www.cgap.org/p/site/c/template.rc/1.26.13701/

 

2010 Global Development Awards and Medals Competition - Channeling finance to sustainable development

 

The Global Development Awards and Medals Competition (AMC) is an innovative award scheme launched by GDN, with generous support from the Ministry of Finance, Government of Japan and other donors. Since its inception in 2000, GDN has awarded roughly US$ 2 million in research and travel grants to finalists and winners. The awards encourage original research on theme based papers. Winners are chosen by an eminent jury at the final event. This event is also GDN’s Annual Conference, with an audience of over 500 practitioners in the field of development to whom the finalists will present. This year, the Twelfth Annual Global Development Conference will be held in Bogota, Columbia in January 2011.

 

Competition Categories:

 

1. Japanese Award for Outstanding Research on Development - This award is for applicants submitting research proposals that are seeking to explore any of the three research themes in an original, innovative way.

 

Prizes: First Prize: US $30,000; Second Prize: US $5,000

 

Deadline: 18 October 2010

 

2. Medals for Research on Development - These medals are for completed research papers of outstanding nature on any of the three research themes (details below).

 

Prizes: First Prize: US $10,000; Second prize: US $5,000

 

Deadline: 18 October 2010

 

3. Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project (MIDP) – MIDP awards provide an opportunity to development projects being executed in the field to scale up their work though grants.

 

Prizes: First Prize: US $30,000; Second prize: US $5,000

 

Deadline: 9 September 2010

 

For more information please visit http://www.gdnet.org/~2010awards

 

Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP)  - International Institute for Applied Systems Analyses (IIASA)

 

This annual three-month program offers research opportunities to talented young researchers whose interests correspond with IIASA's ongoing research on issues of global environmental, economic and social change. From June through August accepted participants work within the institute's Research Programs under the guidance of IIASA scientific staff.

 

Deadline: Jan 18, 2011.

 

View details at http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Admin/YSP/index.html?sb=1

 

Canada-Asia-Pacific Awards - International Council for Canadian Studies (ICCS)

 

The Canada-Asia-Pacific Awards program will support scholars in universities or research institutes in the Asia-Pacific region to undertake short-term research, including collaborative research, contributing to the understanding of bilateral and multilateral relations between Canada and the Asia-Pacific Region.

 

Awards may be granted for research projects related to Canada and Asia-Pacific relations, either with the region as a whole, or any part thereof. Eligible topics will be within the areas of social sciences and the humanities, as well as some professional schools, such as business studies, economics, law, international relations, public administration, history, politics, sociology, geography, arts, literature, linguistics, education, communications policy, media studies, planning, science policy, social administration, environmental studies, architecture, and other related fields.

 

Deadline: Nov 24, 2010.

 

View details at http://www.iccs-ciec.ca/CAPA_en.asp?shownav=4

 

ASIA Fellows Award - Asian Scholarship Foundation

 

The principal goal of the ASIA Fellows Awards is to increase the overall awareness of intellectual resources in the countries of Northeast Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia and to contribute to the growth of long-range capabilities for cross-egional knowledge sharing. The ASIA Fellows Awards seek to develop regional expertise, establish a multilateral network of Asian specialists from many disciplines, professional fields and countries, stimulate interdisciplinary research and intersocietal comparison, and contribute to new developments within existing area studies communities. The awards offer opportunities for outstanding young and mid-career Asian scholars, and professionals to gain knowledge of the countries in the region and an understanding of the contexts that shape global and regional issues through research. The awards enable the awardees to conduct research in a participating Asian country for six to nine months.

 

Deadline: Jan 15, 2011

 

View details at http://www.asianscholarship.org/asf/General%20information_Grant%20Information.php

 

Abe Fellowship - Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP)

 

The Abe Fellowship is designed to encourage international multidisciplinary research on topics of pressing global concern. The program seeks to foster the development of a new generation of researchers who are interested in policy-relevant topics of long-range importance and who are willing to become key members of a bilateral and global research network built around such topics.

 

Deadline: April 1 and December 31 of a given year.

 

View details at http://fellowships.ssrc.org/abe/detailed_app_criteria/

 

IFS Research Grants

 

The IFS Granting Programme is open for project proposals from developing country scientists who meet the eligibility criteria and conduct research on the sustainable management of biological resources. An IFS Research Grant has a maximum value of USD 12,000. It is awarded to an individual researcher, for a specific research project, presented by the applicant in the application form. The IFS Research Grant is intended for the purchase of the basic tools needed to conduct the proposed research project - equipment, expendable supplies, and literature - and to arrange fieldwork activities related to the proposed project. It is expected that the IFS Grantees already receive a salary and are employed by or otherwise attached to a developing country research institution. The timeframe of a research project should normally be 1-3 years.

 

An eligible candidate for an IFS Research grant is: -a citizen of a developing country -a scientist with at least a Master's or equivalent degree/research experience -under 40 years of age and at the beginning of research career (45 years in sub-Saharan Africa) -attached to a university, national research institution or a research-oriented NGO in a developing country.

 

Closing date: 30 December 2010

 

More information is available at http://www.ifs.se/Forms/how_to_apply.asp

 

ICI Call For Proposal on Climate Protection Projects in developing, newly industrialising and transition countries

 

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) to launch the International Climate Initiative (ICI) in 2008. It strengthens Germany’s bilateral cooperation with developing, newly industrialising and transition countries in the field of climate protection and supports the ongoing negotiation process for a comprehensive global climate agreement.

 

The International Climate Initiative supports climate protection projects in developing, newly industrialising and transition countries ("partner countries") and complements the Federal Government's existing international, multi- and bilateral cooperation. The projects are geared towards the needs of the partner countries and are intended to support them in climate protection, especially reducing greenhouse gases, improving adaptability to the consequences of climate change and conserving and sustainably using climate-relevant areas which merit protection.

 

The deadline for submission of projects with a planned starting date in the second half of 2010 is April 15.

The deadline for submission of projects with a planned starting date in the first half of 2011 is December 31.

 

Read more at http://www.bmu-klimaschutzinitiative.de/en/application  

 

IMD MBA Alumni Scholarships - Switzerland

 

The five IMD MBA Alumni Scholarships are designed to encourage diversity in the class. One is awarded to each region: Asia, Africa/Middle East, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Western Europe/North America/Oceania.

 

Criteria: Submitting an essay on: “As a business leader, which issue would you set as your first priority to address in your region / country? Why would you choose this issue? How would you, personally, address it?”

(maximum 1000 words)

 

Please draw on your own experiences in your answer, rather than on general, broad statements. The committee is looking for essays that are personal, visionary and demonstrate leadership, which include a clearly articulated description of how the solution could be implemented.

essay template

 

Deadline : September 30.

 

Read more at http://www.imd.ch/programs/mba/fees/scholarships/Shell.cfm

 

JIM ELLERT SCHOLARSHIP - Swizerland

 

Applicants must submit an essay on: 'Why I would like to do an MBA at IMD' (maximum 500 words)

Candidates will also be considered on the basis of merit as per the quality of their admission application.

essay template

 

Deadline : September 30.

 

Read more at http://www.imd.ch/programs/mba/fees/scholarships/Jim-Ellert.cfm

 

NESTLE SCHOLARSHIP FOR WOMEN

 

The Nestlé Scholarship for Women was first awarded in 1997 and was initiated by a group of IMD MBA participants who wanted to encourage women to take the MBA.

 

Applicant submit an essay discussing the issue: 'Does diversity in management impact the bottom line? If so, how?' (maximum 750 words)

 

Deadline : September 30.

 

Read more at http://www.imd.ch/programs/mba/fees/scholarships/Nestle.cfm

 

IMD MBA Future Leaders Scholarships

 

Three scholarships are awarded each year to candidates who demonstrate leadership understanding through an essay competition. Candidates must be those who demonstrate exceptionally strong leadership potential and submit the best essay on 'Leadership in an era of Globalization'.

 

Deadline: September 30.

 

Read more at http://www.imd.ch/programs/mba/fees/scholarships/Future-Leaders.cfm

 

The Master of Lifelong Learning Scholarships

 

Lifelong Learning has become a fundamental goal of recent education policies, often advocated as a way to achieve socio-economic development and as a tool for promoting the 'knowledge-based' society. The rationale of the Masters of Lifelong Learning is to increase the awareness of European Lifelong Learning policies in a regional European context as well as on a global scale. It aims to provide policy-makers and professionals with responsibility for managing, delivering or supporting Lifelong Learning with opportunities to develop their own analysis and practice in what is a constantly changing economic, social, technological and policy environment.

 

The growing significance of Lifelong Learning both in national and international policy results in the need to bring its implications under close and critical scrutiny. The Master of Lifelong Learning is to be considered a response to a strong need for conducting educational reform activities all over the world.

 

The European Commission offers scholarships for 3rd country (non-EU) students and scholars.The deadline for scholarship applications is 1 December 2010.

 

For more information please visit http://www.dpu.dk/site.aspx?p=7131

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