UNDP Oslo Governance Centre

Bergen Seminar, 1-3 May 2005: Unleashing Capacities to Achieve the MDGs

The 2005 Bergen Seminar examined the question of developing capacities to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. It provided a forum both for identifying responses to key capacity constraints hindering effective delivery at the country level and for enriching solutions that countries and their development partners are elaborating to overcome constraints. It was widely believed that capacity, understood as “the ability of people, institutions and societies to perform functions, solve problems, and set and achieve objectives”, requires political leadership that is empowering and provides space for non-state actors.  Both governments and external partners need to recognise capacity development as both a process and goal of development. Dr Hage Geingob, Member of Parliament and former Prime Minister of Namibia, delivered the keynote address at the event

Summary Report
Seminar Programme and Aide Memoire

Keynote speaker Dr. Hage Geingob, Member of Parliament and former Prime Minister of Namibia:

Remarks

Tanzania case study:
“The problem of translating policy into effective delivery – experiences from a case study in Tanzania”
by Dr. Bertil Tungodden, Chr. Michelsen Institute and Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration, Bergen, Norway

• Abstract 
• Presentation

Vietnam case study:
“The need for health policy research capacity building”, by Dr. Tran Tuan, Director, Research and Training Center for Community Development (RTCCD)

• Abstract and background information
• Presentation

"Aid, incentives and institutions”,
by Dr. Gaute Torsvik, University of Bergen and Chr. Michelsen Institute

• Abstract
• Paper

A Review of NHDRs on MDGs
by Dr. Selim Jahan, Senior advisor, Employment for Poverty Reduction, Poverty Group, Bureau for Development Policy, UNDP

“A Capacity Development Framework to Deliver on the MDGs”
UNDP Briefing Note

OECD DAC Network on Governance -
Living up the Capacity Development Challenge: Lessons and Good Practice

• Paper
• Participants

 

For further information please contact:

• Claudia Melim-Mcleod, Governance and Learning Advisor
  claudia.melim-mcleod@undp.org
• Hege Hermansen, Learning Specialist
  hege.hermansen@undp.org