SURF-WCA

In this issue :

Africa's First Elected Female Head of State

Strategy Development For Gender Mainstreaming

Projet TTF Genre - PNUD SENEGAL

Droits De l'Homme Et Réduction De La Pauvreté

Pro-Poor Resource Mobilization

UNDP @ WSIS

E-Governance Sub Practice

Promotion Et Protection Des Droits Des PVVIH

Starting Implementing The Integrated Package Of Services

ILN-LIIS Design and Partnership Workshop

Internship Research Activity

JPO Workshop

Content Management System

Upcoming Events

Contact Us

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From Liberian cabinet minister to senior UN administrator and now presidential election winner at the second attempt, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's career has never stood still. Having served as Finance Minister in William Tolbert's True Whig government in the 1970s, Johnson-Sirleaf announced her intention to stand as senatorial candidate in the 1985 elections during the military rule of Samuel Doe. For a brave speech heavily critical of Doe, she was sentenced to ten years imprisonment, of which she served two short periods of detention, one before and one after the 1985 election, before fleeing the country. Doe went on to win the election through widespread intimidation and almost certainly fraudulent counting.

The years in exile until returning for the elections of 1997,
gave her considerable international experience at the Citibank in Nairobi, the UNDP and the World Bank. She held the post of Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa at the UNDP, formulating development strategies for African economies, and was Senior Loans Officer at the World Bank.

Although initially giving support to Charles Taylor's 1989 invasion to oust Samuel Doe, Johnson-Sirleaf has been an implacable opponent ever since. Returning to Liberia after the conclusion of the 7-year civil war, she was a late entry to the presidential race as standard-bearer of the Unity Party. Her non-involvement in the war and her financial expertise were a mainstay of her campaign message and she endeavoured to put across the image of an untainted, maternal figure. However, while her history of opposition to the Doe government was well known, she was also seen as a former minister of the Americo-Liberian dominated Tolbert government and, despite mixed ancestry, a member of the old urban elite.

Although also known as the 'Iron Lady', Johnson-Sirleaf was up against Taylor's huge electoral machine and the feeling in the country that only Taylor's presence in the Executive Mansion would avert a return to war. Johnson-Sirleaf came a creditable second to Taylor's landslide 75% of the vote, but in fact only polled 10% and drew a mere 16% of her total vote from the predominantly rural areas outside Montserrado.

Charged with treason by the Taylor regime, she was quickly forced into another period of political exile, but maintained her promise to contest the 2003 elections, until the postponement of the polls early in that year. In the turmoil of the new civil war between the rebel groups, LURD and MODEL, and the Taylor government; the departure of Taylor under internal and external pressure into exile in Nigeria in August 2003; and the search for peace and a new administration, Johnson-Sirleaf remained firmly at the forefront of Liberian national politics. Finally, and once again as standard bearer for the Unity Party, she won the 2005 elections after a disputed run-off with the footballer George Weah, becoming the first African woman to win a presidential election.

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Strategy Development for Gender Mainstreaming in the Regional Bureau for Africa Country Offices
Dakar, October 10-14, 2005

The UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa contracted the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) to design and deliver a Regional Training Workshop on Strategy Development for Gender Mainstreaming, held in Dakar from 10-14 October 2005, for UNDP/RBA Country Office staff.

The 5-day Regional Workshop was attended by 57
participants: UNDP staff from 19 selected country offices
in the Africa region, including some of their national partners; representatives from UNDP HQ New York (Regional Bureau for Africa, BDP Gender Unit and Learning and Resource Centre); resource persons from the UNDP Regional Service Centres in Africa; UNDP/DRC; UNDP/RBA; UNIFEM; and an independent consultant from Senegal (Annex I: Participants Regional Workshop).

The overall aim was to enable UNDP staff to strengthen their gender mainstreaming capacity, contributing to gender equality and women's empowerment in their respective country programmes. By the end of the regional workshop participants were expected to :

• have strengthened their conceptual understanding, analytical skills and familiarity with tools for gender mainstreaming ;

• have reviewed UNDP gender policies, strategies, practice and assessed the way forward ;

• have increased their insights on specific gender issues in UNDP practice areas: HIV/AIDS and Conflict Prevention and Recovery ;

• have identified the challenges and opportunities and developed strategic action plans for more effective gender mainstreaming in their respective country offices ;

• have formulated recommendations for policy action ;

• have shared experiences and good practice examples, and initiated mutual support and resource sharing network.

Overall observations and recommendations

Generally participants seemed to have learned a lot from the regional workshop (Summary of Participants Evaluation: Annex VI). Their understanding of gender concepts and approaches was deepened and clarified and their knowledge of the links between gender equality and the two practice areas, HIV/AIDS and Post Conflict and Recovery, was strengthened and reinforced. In
particular the “real life” CPR case studies, presented by representatives from the countries involved, analysed in groups and discussed in plenary, were very rich, highly appreciated and stimulated lively debates.

The sobering outcome of reviewing the gender perspective in the PRSP process in selected countries as well as the gender analysis of the programme cycle by using case studies from UNDPs CO regular project documents, made participants aware that there is still a long way to go for gender mainstreaming to become effective. However, the presentations and discussions strengthened participant's skills and a number of practical recommendations were made and entry points identified to strengthen the gender perspective in projects and programmes as well as the CCA/UNDAF and PRSP process.

The opportunity to review and discuss UNDP's gender mainstreaming policy and strategy, mandate and renewed commitment allowed for a joint analysis and suggestions for the way forward to be taken on board by all, including higher level management. What was also appreciated was the demonstration of the UNDP collaborative space by the LRC and the opportunities it offered to access and share resources, expertise and good practice examples.

The learning environment was affected in two ways:

• the high number of participants (57) putting serious limitations to the training methodology as learner-cantered and participatory ;

• the heterogeneity of the group, in particular related to gender expertise and experience.

Despite this, the approach was maintained as interactive as possible with plenary debates, small group discussions, and sharing of participants' country experiences. The inputs of the resource persons from UNDP and UNIFEM with specific expertise in Gender, HIV and AIDS and Conflict Prevention and Recovery contributed substantially to the high quality of presentations and debates. The participation of high level management confirmed UNDPs renewed commitment and increased legitimacy for gender mainstreaming, building further policy support for follow-up actions.

In general however participants benefit more in smaller groups with more attention to specific learning needs and for future workshops it is recommended that if workshops are being organised for larger groups (for efficiency/financial reasons) to split into sub-workshops of 20-25 participants each with a separate facilitator. If required limited plenary sessions can be organised around specific topics (e.g. Governance; Poverty; HIV and AIDS, etc.) but group work, processing group work presentations and interactive debates should be conducted with a limited number of participants to allow full participation and address specific learning needs.

This was reflected in the evaluations where a number of participants would have liked more time for discussion and exercises; more in-depth discussions on how to use practical tools; and more time on reviewing project documents to sharpen their ability to apply gender concepts. Overall the sessions were rated high and participants indicated the workshop met their expectations and they felt the goals according to work plan were achieved. The overall coordination and management of the workshop by UNDP/RBA was very much appreciated, including the excellent simultaneous interpretation facilities. Only the administrative support available was rather limited.

From the presentations it became clear that Country Offices are at very different junctures in terms of implementing gender action plans and in being accountable for gender mainstreaming throughout their work. However, many seemed to be motivated to be more concentrated on gender equality, more insistent on gender mainstreaming in all programmes/projects and push for gender mainstreaming at the policy/management level. Some planned to establish gender networks, strengthen their contacts with other agencies and increase staff awareness at their country offices.

For that to happen participants would need continued management and technical support from UNDP/HQ RBA and BDP, SURF Dakar and Country Offices in the following areas:

• Ensure technical and financial support in the further development and implementation of the strategic action plans and regional networks and community of practice developed and presented at the end of the retreat ;

• Provide further in-depth education and gender analysis training combined with technical assistance (through other strategies such as accompaniments, working groups, case studies, etc.) with an emphasis on sustained capacity development where interventions are short but recurring, strategic and hands-on ;

• Review and strengthen mandates and capacities of gender focal points through capacity building so as to be an effective and competent support structure with formal roles and responsibilities ;

• Support in maintaining regional and sub-regional networks for exchange and mutual learning, using existing UNDP and other tools and resources (e.g. the UNDP collaborative space) ;

• Ensure the establishment of accountability mechanisms for gender mainstreaming (performance management) and making gender expertise/experience as a pre-requisite in recruitment ;

• Setting up structures for monitoring impact of project/programme interventions with adequate financial resources and budgeting for gender mainstreaming.

For further information please contact coumba.mar.gadio@undp.org or mamonyane.lekoetje@undp.org

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Suite à la décision du Siège du PNUD de renforcer les capacités du personnel des bureaux de terrain pour la prise en compte du genre, notre bureau a bénéficié d'un montant de 70 000$ dans le cadre du TTF Genre. Une contribution financière de 20 000$ a été dégagée par le bureau du PNUD/Dakar.

Les trois objectifs suivants avaient été définis dans le document de projet :

• renforcement des capacités d'analyse en genre de tout le personnel du PNUD, des Chefs d'Agences et des Points Focaux Genre, OMD-DSRP du système des Nations Unies ;

• développement d'une méthodologie et établissement d'un outil d'analyse pour la prise en compte du genre dans les programmes/projets ;

• création et/ou appui d'un Centre de Référence sur le Genre.

Dans l'objectif de donner une grande envergure à la question Genre au Sénégal, le PNUD a élargi la formation :

• aux points focaux Genre et OMD-DSRP du Ministère de la Femme et des Ministères sectoriels, en plus du personnel du PNUD et des Agences du système des Nations Unies ;

• aux plus Hautes Autorités du pays (Primature), l'Assemblée Nationale, la Société Civile, la Presse, par l'organisation d'une Journée de Réflexion au sommet sur la prise en compte du Genre pour l'atteinte des OMD.

Le partenariat avec l'Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar à travers son Laboratoire Genre et Recherche Scientifique a permis d'assurer une formation de qualité, mais également d'obtenir l'engagement de Monsieur Abdou Salam Sall, Recteur de l'Université Cheikh Anta Diop de soutenir l'initiative du PNUD.

Au total, 81 personnes, à des niveaux stratégiques, ont ainsi été formées sur le concept Genre afin de lever les équivoques, dégager une compréhension commune, montrer l'importance de la prise en compte du Genre pour un développement durable.

Pour de plus amples informations, contacter diene.keita@undp.org ou mareme.leye.lo@undp.org .

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Rapport de l'Atelier d'Orientation « Droits de l'Homme et Réduction de la pauvreté » - Cotonou du 7 au 9 Novembre 2005

Dans le contexte du projet pilote « Les Droits de l'Homme et la Lutte contre la Pauvreté » réalisé par le Groupe de travail sur la Pauvreté du Bureau des Politiques de Développement (PNUD) et le programme HURIST (Human Rights Strengthening, renforcement des droits de l'homme), différents projets sont en cours de réalisation dans différents pays : Bénin, Cap Vert, Comores, Macédoine, Kirghizstan, Ecuador et Argentine.

Il existe une forte disparité entre les pays francophones et les pays anglophones en matière de droits de l'homme ainsi qu'un manque de
formation et de documentation sur l'approche de la programmation basée sur les droits de l'homme (HRBA). Cet atelier pilote vise à susciter l'intérêt et la prise en compte de l'approche HRBA comme étant à la fois l'approche commune du système des Nations Unies dans son ensemble, et un complément aux approches qui sont déjà appliquées par différentes agences onusiennes dont le PNUD.

Cet atelier a un caractère « pilote » pour les bureaux des pays du PNUD faisant usage du français comme langue de travail. Il permet aux participants de :

• Renforcer leurs connaissances dans le domaine des droits de l'homme d'une manière générale et dans le contexte africain en particulier ;

• Partager et renforcer la compréhension de la définition commune du système des Nations Unies de l'approche fondée sur les droits de l'homme ;

• Cerner l'importance et l'utilité de la prise en compte de cette approche dans les stratégies de réduction de la pauvreté et de réalisation des Objectifs du Millénaire pour le Développement.

Etudier les liens entre :

• Droits de l'homme/Approche fondée sur les Droits de l'homme et stratégie de réduction de la pauvreté

• Droits de l'homme /Approche fondée sur les Droits de l'homme et les Objectifs du Millénaire de Développement

• Droits de l'homme et NEPAD

• Les Droits de l'homme et le Sommet 2005 des Nations Unies

• Identifier l‘approche adéquate et les besoins en formation dans les mois à venir pour les projets.

Les recommandations suivantes ont été proposées par les participants :

Durant la dernière session de l'atelier, les discussions ont essentiellement porté sur l'étape suivante à mettre en œuvre au regard des disparités entre pays francophones et pays anglophones dans le domaine des droits de l'homme, le manque de documentation en français et/ou leur inadéquation au contexte africain.

Une proposition pour le programme de travail de l'année 2006, dans les pays d'Afrique francophone est en cours d'élaboration et sera soumise aux Bureau des Politiques de Développement (BDP/PNUD), Bureau Régional de l'Afrique (RBA/PNUD) et l'Office du Haut Commissariat des Droits de l'Homme.

Pour de plus amples informations, contacter :
kango.lare-lantone@undp.org ou bien viet.tu.tran@undp.org .

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PRO-POOR RESOURCE MOBILIZATION: SECURING FISCAL SPACE FOR THE MDGs, Dakar 28-29 November 2005

1. A practical plan to achieve the MDGs requires a sustainable financing strategy. A central concern for policymakers involved in long term planning for the MDGs is to secure “fiscal space” for the MDGs.

2. Achieving the MDGs requires public financing to be available for a range of interventions. Domestic public resources can be mobilized by:

• Enhancing tax revenues so as to increase public savings (the surplus of current revenues over current expenditures) ;

• Public sector access to savings from households and firms for investment in public expenditures focused on MDG attainment ;

• Increasing the efficiency of public expenditures by lowering the unit cost of providing public services without reducing the quality and quantity of these services.

3. Most policy research on fiscal reform has focused on efficiency issues implied in (3) above, including effective tax administration, enhancing efficiency in tax collection, and debt sustainability. Relatively little attention has been paid to the question of “fiscal space” – identifying concrete policy actions for enhancing domestic resource mobilization, and the reforms necessary to secure the enabling governance, institutional and economic policy environment for these policy actions to be effective.

4. UNDP policy research at the country and regional level reveals that scope exists to enhance the “fiscal space” available to governments to enhance domestic resource mobilization, using both the above channels. However it is important to identify and design modes of resource mobilization that are pro-poor in nature, meaning that the instruments chosen are such that the net incidence of incremental domestic resource mobilization on the disposable income of the poor is minimized. This involves designing a progressive tax system but also devising ways to access resources from the relatively well-off parts of the population through recourse to non tax instruments, including public borrowing. Equity is therefore central to the design of a pro-poor resource mobilization strategy.

The deliberations of High level meeting on the Millennium Development Goals provide an important benchmark for assessing progress towards the Goals at
a global regional and country level, including financing strategies. France-UNDP Trust Fund has financed the theoretical phase of this project. In partnership with the Centre d'Etudes et de Recherche sur le Developpement International (CERDI, France), UNDP prepared a conceptual and analytical review of the existing challenges and opportunities with respect to pro poor domestic resource mobilization in the context of financing the MDGs. A workshop was held in Dakar, at the Novotel, on 28 and 29 November 2005 to discuss the concept paper with the support of UNDP SURF. Professional staff from the IMF, UNDP, AFD and BCEAO as well as experts from Cornell University, Wesleyan University and the London of Economics and government officials from Senegal and Morocco attended the workshop.

The objectives of the workshop were:

• To identify and assess potential instruments and policy reforms for enhancing “fiscal space” available to developing countries ;

• To comment on the main findings of the concept paper and define guidelines for future country case studies.

To realize these objectives, the workshop discussion was divided in four sessions:

• Session 1: Overview of the main findings of the concept paper

• Session 2: Presentation of the different components of fiscal space

• Session 3: Presentation of fiscal space in a global perspective

• Session 4: Implications of the concept paper for country case studies.

OPENING REMARKS

M. Aboulaye Diop, Senegal Finance Ministry Cabinet Director, and Alberic Kacou, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator in Senegal welcomed participants and opened the workshop.

M. Diop emphasized Senegal's Government interest in UNDP initiative and stressed the importance of domestic resource mobilization for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. M. Diop also insisted that the French translation for “fiscal space” should be “espace budgetaire” and not “espace fiscal”, which is too narrow and misleading.

M. Kacou underscored the role of the State for providing public goods to achieve the MDGs and the need for good economic governance to improve domestic resource mobilization.

Rathin Roy, Public Resource Management Advisor, UNDP, stressed that the idea of this workshop was to develop a “mapping” of fiscal space and develop guidelines for country case studies. He reiterated the objectives of the workshop, and provided a contextual introduction to the agenda.

Next steps of this project:

• Incorporation of comments and suggestions received during the workshop, which will be completed by the end of January 2006 ;

• Development of a two-page note synthesizing the objectives of the country studies (mid-January 2006)

• Creation of a virtual peer review group beyond workshop participants to facilitate dialogue and cross-fertilization in the country case study phase ;

• Potential input from Initiative for Policy Dialogue (directed by Joseph Stiglitz) on taxation, which will be circulated and inform country level work (March 2006) ;

• Start country case studies in Morocco, Senegal, Venezuela and Zambia (mid-February 2006). Potential country work in the Philippines and Madagascar will also be explored ;

• A first draft of country case studies will be produced by end of May 2006, which will provide the basis for the global report. This report may include thematic papers on gender, VAT, etc…

For more information please contact antoine.heuty@undp.org or gustave.nebie@undp.org

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UNDP @ WSIS: 16-18 November 2005

The second and final phase of WSIS (World Summit on the Information Society) took place in Tunis from 16 to 18 November. Close to 19,000 representatives from over 170 countries, 700 NGOs and civil society organizations, 250 private sector firms, and 200 international organizations took part in the event. The first phase of the meeting, which was held in Geneva back on December 2003, only mustered close to 10,000 participants. The UNDP delegation was headed by Shoji Nishimoto who was accompanied by BDP staff from the Governance and Poverty Practices, and SURF Dakar. The head of the Johannesburg Regional Service Center, Sam Nyambi, also attended, as well as staff from the regional ICT for development programmes in the Arab States, Asia and Pacific, and Eastern Europe and the CIS. On behalf of UNDP, Shoji addressed the plenary session of the Summit.

In partnership with UNIDO, UNDP had a large stand on the "Sharing the Future" pavilion in which it showcased its ICT programmes and activities and shared the space with NGOs and SMEs from developing countries supported by the partners. The organization and deployment of the Pavilion was undertaken with full support from the Country Office in Tunis which, under the direction for RC/RR Francis Dubois, did a magnificent job to make this a resounding success. UNDP also hosted one of its new partners, the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Association, who unveiled the first working prototype of the US $100 dollar laptop. The laptop was launched at a press conference with the Secretary General on 16 November. OLPC attracted "a tsunami of participants" who then drifted to adjoining UNDP booths.

Democratic Governance was throughout at the core of the WSIS process and discussions as epitomized by the Summit discussions which were centered on the issue of "Internet Governance" - or the governance of the domain name system (names and addresses) of the Internet. A non-for profit corporation, the Internet Corporation for the Assignment of Names and Numbers (ICANN) was established by the US in 1998. ICANN has had since an MoU with the US Department of Commerce that allows for its operations and management. Governments of both developed and developing countries challenged this structure demanding both the creation of a truly international organization and increased involvement of national governments in the process. Some even called for direct involvement from the UN in the process. At the same time, Internet Governance has become a catch word to now include other issues such as privacy, security, SPAM management, etc., a set of issues that go beyond the original mandate of ICANN itself and are rather part of the governance of the new ICTs which at the moment does not have an adequate space for discussions.

A second set of critical discussions centered in the issue of communications rights and freedom of expression. The bottom-up nature of the Internet allows any citizen with access to also become a direct provider of information by-passing the traditional media who are usually in control of the traditional communication means. This is compounded by the fact that the digitalization of information practically reduces its reproduction costs to zero thus potentially allowing for faster dissemination and sharing among citizens at both the local and global levels. As citizens start to network via the use of both old and new ICTs, information access and flows are expedited while stakeholders have access to important resources that will help them express their voices in a more informed fashion when facing critical public policy and development discussions.

Summit Outcomes :

Calls by some developing countries for the creation of new financing mechanisms such as global fund for ICT for Development programmes fell on deaf ears. Instead a voluntary Digital Solidarity Fund was created and is managed by a non-profit organization based in Geneva.( www.dsf.org ). There was however consensus on the fact that ICT is indeed an enabler for development and should thus not be seen as an end in itself. The links between ICT and development agendas and goals has thus been reinforced in the Summit processes. The focus should thus not be in the so-called "digital divide" itself but rather on now can ICTs help close the other traditional divides in education, health, gender, etc.

One of the critical outcomes of the Summit process was the recognition and acceptance by all, including national governments, that a multi-stakeholder approach with open participation and involvement of all sectors should be used to adequately address ICT and development issues. This is clearly reflected in the plan of action agreed upon in Tunis in which a multi-stakeholder approach is recommended to address the issue of Internet governance by calling for the creation of a global forum to keep the discussion on the issues alive and open and ensure that all voices are properly heard.

UNDP Responsibilities :

Although UNDP kept a low-profile during the whole WSIS process, with the exception perhaps of the Task Force on Financial Mechanism which UNDP facilitated and helped produced its final report ( www.itu.int/wsis ) , member states and other stakeholders agreed that involvement of the organization was of essence critical for the implementation at the country level of the action plan . As a result, UNDP ended up with the responsibility of supporting four critical areas, in collaboration with other UN agencies: enabling environment; e-government; capacity development; and regional and global coordination. All these issues should also be addressed on a multi-stakeholder fashion this requiring the involvement of relevant non-government stakeholders in the process. UNDP has also been asked to organize a multi-stakeholder meeting in 2006 as a follow-up to WSIS and in collaboration with UNESCO and the ITU. Also, although UNDP has no role in the upcoming Internet Governance discussions agreed upon by WSIS, it seems clear that at the national level issues related to both communication rights and the governance of the new ICTs need to be addressed, in particular if UNDP focuses on the human-rights approach to development supported by its body of work and expertise on e-governance and access to information. (Adapted from a report by Raul Zambrano, Pierre Dandjinou and Atsushi Yamanaka)

For further information please contact Dandjinou.pierre@undp.org

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The e-Governance Practice Note: A Progress report

One of the key achievements on the agenda of the Egovernance sub-practice for 2005 was the completion and publishing of the e-Governance practice note which is expected to complete the series within the Democratic Governance group (DGG). A draft of the PN was thus discussed at the e-governance sub practice retreat organized in Dakar, Senegal on 1-3 september 2005 ( www.undp.org/surf-wca). Further on the document was introduced at the DGG global retreat in Maputo (December 2005) with deadlines set for contributions to be received from other subpractices and staff members of the UNDP.

With the few contributions received so far (mainly from the Eastern Europe Surf , ICTDAR, and also from the gender focal point at Surf Dakar and other individual contributors) the new version of the e-Governance Practice note is currently being posted on the ICTD network for further contribution. The Practice note is expected to be completed by end of February 2006.

For further information please contact Dandjinou.pierre@undp.org

Cross-practice collaboration in localizing the MDGs in Africa : the Accra Workshop on LIIS

The E-Governance sub practice upon an invitation by Capacity 2015 Africa, contributed to the workshop on the Information and Learning Network-Local Integrated Information System (ILN/LIIS), an initiative being launched by Capacity 2015. While bringing the e-governance as well as the technological perspectives, the workshop also provided an opportunity for exploring possibilities for CDG and Governance cross-practice collaboration in promoting sustainable local development that can contribute to the attainment of the MDGs.

For further information please contact Dandjinou.pierre@undp.org

Pro Poor Access Option & Community development Models : A UNDP Global Programme
(Contact : Radhika Lal, BDP/PG http://propoor-ict.net)

ICT is emerging as an important medium for communication and exchange as well as a tool for development, including at the local and community levels. However, this potential is yet to be effectively leveraged. In part this is the result of an ICTD “affordable infrastructure and related service delivery and capacity deficit” that many rural and peri-urban areas continue to experience and in part because of the “development-policy and experience divide” that hinders the effective mainstreaming of ICT in development interventions.

Through a combination of research, policy support, advocacy partnerships, networking and capacity building, this programme component of UNDP's making ICT work for the poor service line aims to contribute to enlarging the policy options for enhancing pro-poor access to communication tools, development information and services and exploring the potential for strengthening community and local development through the use of ICT. More specifically, it aims to:

1. Support research and produce selected knowledge resources on:

• Pro-poor ICT infrastructure options : e.g. the potential application, feasibility and comparative benefits of adopting “open-access” approaches for addressing gaps in network infrastructure to poor and underserved regions within countries and at the sub-national level and for addressing challenges to it at the level of regulatory regimes and financing mechanisms;

• New models of network ownership and management : e.g. the role of community-driven networks in addressing local access challenges and strengthening community development options, and identification of possible openings in financial and regulatory mechanisms that can be conducive to supporting scaling-up of community-driven initiatives ;

• Local/community-development models empowered by ICT – e.g. the effectiveness responsiveness and range of services that can be offered by municipalities/local government and community development initiatives and the potential for policy change and partnerships are increased through the deployment of ICT.

2. Identify and support efforts and partnerships for national level policy advocacy for the introduction of supportive enabling options in regulatory policies, and mainstreaming of focus areas in ICTD and development strategies;

3. Identify and support capacity development and networking options and provide support for locally undertaken research, feasibility and impact assessments in connection with open-access and community-driven models and mainstreaming of ICTD working through existing networks and fora where feasible.

Outputs:

• Applied and policy-oriented research including national/sub-national case studies in 4-6 pilot countries; the studies would be organized around the twin themes of (new) community development models in the age of ICT and the combination of open access & community-driven network models; the studies, including selected issue papers, and demand and impact assessments would be published as part of the series on making ICT work for the poor ;

• Formation of advocacy partnerships and support for participatory inputs into relevant national policy discussions as needed in 3-4 countries ;

• Capacity development activities including support to local research efforts and cross-country networking in the pilot countries.

For further information please contact Dandjinou.pierre@undp.org

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Atelier Régional derenforcement des Capacités pour la Promotion et la Protection des Droits des PVVIH
24-26 novembre 2005
Iris Hôtel – Toubab Dialao, Sénégal

Contexte

La promotion et la protection des droits de la personne humaine constituent une composante essentielle dans la prévention de la transmission du VIH, la réduction de la vulnérabilité à l'infection et à ses impacts.

Pendant les 20 dernières années, des efforts importants ont été faits par la plupart des intervenants pour la protection et la promotion des droits humains.

Le constat est, qu'en dépit de quelques succès réalisés çà et là, les personnes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA sont assez souvent victimes de non respect de leurs droits fondamentaux :

• La discrimination et la stigmatisation sous diverses formes,

• La violation de l'intimité et de la vie privée,

• Restriction de la liberté de mouvement,

• Non accès à l'éducation, aux soins et traitement, au logement…

Le contexte international de la lutte contre le VIH/SIDA a été marqué ces dernières années par :

• Un engagement politique au plus haut niveau à travers la déclaration d'engagement de UNGASS,

• Un accroissement important des ressources financières à travers la mise en place d'un mécanisme international de financement (GFATM) et,

• la mise en place d'un nouveau concept pour l'intensification de la réponse nationale (les Three Ones).

Il s'agit donc, à travers cet « Atelier Régional de Renforcement des capacités pour la promotion et la protection des droits des PVVIH », de mettre à profit ces nouvelles opportunités pour :

• contribuer à la promotion et la protection des Droits Humains en relation avec le VIH/SIDA ;

• renforcer la lutte contre la stigmatisation, la discrimination et le non respect des droits humains liés au VIH/SIDA.

But

C'est un atelier de réflexion et de formation pour des leaders des réseaux de la société civile, mouvements communautaires et des responsables des CNLS d'Afrique de l'Ouest et du centre, en vue de contribuer à la concrétisation du respect des droits des PVVIH à travers la déclaration d'engagement de UNGASS et le concept des «Three Ones ».

Objectifs

Quatre objectifs spécifiques :

• Rappel sur les notions de stigmatisation, discrimination et violation des droits humains liés au VIH/SIDA ;

• Transfert de connaissances et de capacités sur le concept des Three Ones et la Déclaration d'Engagement (DoC) de UNGASS ;

• Partage de quelques expériences réussies d'actions contre lastigmatisation, la discrimination et les violations
  des droits humains ;

• Adoption d'une stratégie consensuelle de lutte contre la stigmatisation, la discrimination et les violations des droits humains dans le contexte de la DoC de UNGASS et du concept des Three Ones avec des indicateurs et outils de suivi & d'analyse.
  

Participants

Ont pris part à cette réunion :

• Représentants des réseaux communautaires d'Afrique : organisations membres d'AfriCASO, de la SWAA, du RAP+ et d'autres réseaux d'Organisations de la Société Civile (jeunes, religieux, médias) ;

• Représentants des instances gouvernementales de coordination (CNLS) ;

• Système des Nations Unies : UNDP & ONUSIDA ;

• Représentant de AWARE HIV/AIDS.

Au total, une trentaine de participants dont 15 d'organisations de la Société Civile, 10 des CNLS et 5 des partenaires de AWARE et du Système des Nations-Unies

Contenu de l'atelier

Durant les 3 jours, les travaux ont porté sur les sujets ci-après :

• Session introductive - Ouverture, Contexte, Format de l'atelier, Attentes

• Quelques Repères/Etat des lieux sur VIH/SIDA & Droits Humains

• La déclaration d'engagement de UNGASS

• Le concept des « Three Ones »

• Partage d'expériences réussies : Restitution d'études de cas

• Politique de UNDP en matière de VIH/SIDA & Droits Humains et perspectives de collaboration avec la société civile

• Politique de AWARE HIV en matière de VIH/SIDA & Droits Humains et perspectives de collaboration avec la société civile

• Travaux en groupes restreints : Politique et stratégie pour la protection et la promotion des Droits Humains dans le contexte de la DoC UNGASS et des Three Ones

• Travaux en groupes restreints : Elaboration d'un plan d'action et des outils de suivi

• Les Engagements

Résultats & Principales recommandations

Résultats

Renforcement de capacité

Les connaissances et compétences des participants ont été améliorés sur:

• Les concepts de Droits Humains, de stigmatisation et de discrimination ;

• Le concept des « Three Ones » ;

• La déclaration d'engagement de UNGASS.

Elaboration d'un plan d'action

Les participants à l'atelier ont élaboré une ébauche d'un plan d'action de promotion des Droits Humains et de lutte contre la stigmatisation et la discrimination. Cette ébauche comprend : les objectifs stratégiques, les résultats attendus, et les indicateurs.

Recommandations

• Restitution de l'atelier au niveau pays par tous les participants ;

• Il a été demandé à AfriCASO d'élaborer, sur la base du plan d'action ébauché, un projet multi-pays et sur plusieurs années de promotion de Droits Humains et de lutte contre la stigmatisation et la discrimination à soumettre au PNUD ;

• Il a été demandé au PNUD de soutenir les participants au niveau pays pour la restitution de l'atelier au niveau pays.

Pour plus d'informations, contacter moustapha.gueye@undp.org

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Starting implementing the Integrated Package of Services (IPS) in the West and Central Africa Region

Due to urgencies related to the PRSP cycle, the West and Central Africa SURF have already started in practical terms, to implement the IPS at country level. At the request of UNDP country offices in Benin and Guinea, the SURF Poverty Reduction Adviser supported trainings workshops in these two countries, to kick start the process of elaborating MDG-based PRSPs.

Regarding Benin, a “Methodological workshop on MDG needs assessment in Benin” was organized the last week of September 2005. The objective of the workshop was to train government officials, civil society representatives, local government representatives and development partners on the needs assessment methodology developed by the Millennium Project to estimate the cost of attaining the MDG. Benin is in the process of revising its PRSP, and wants to have a much more MDG based PRSP. Due to the timing of the revision of the PRSP, it was very urgent for Benin to start the costing exercise. But Benin Government wants the process to be participatory and entirely mainstreamed in current planning activities.

Due to time constrain, and in accordance with Benin authorities, it was decided that only the costing models for education and health will be presented in detail, so that Benin officials could train themselves on the remaining costing models, since the structure of the different sectoral costing models are quite similar. Around 45 persons participated in the workshop, and it was a real success. The 5 days workshop comprised the following training sessions:

• Keys elements of a MDG based PRSP

• Review of MDG costing methodologies

• The Millennium Project needs assessment methodology

• The Millennium Project Education need assessment model

• The Millennium Project reproductive health needs assessment model

• The Millennium Project Malaria needs assessment models

• The Millennium Project HIV/AID needs assessment model

For each model, a detailed presentation of the model was made, and participants were given the opportunity to train themselves on the models, since computers were made available to them. Using data available at the time of the workshop, rough estimates of the costing for education and health were made, that have to be fine tuned later.

Following the same pattern and methodology, a similar workshop was held in Guinea, in November 2005. 35 participants from Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire attended the workshop and much more models were reviewed, including, in addition to those mentioned above, Gender needs assessment model; Hunger needs assessment model and Water and Sanitation needs assessment model.

In both countries, committees have been set to pursue the exercise in order to make it really participatory.

Publication: The Macroeconomics of Aid

The Poverty Reduction Policy Adviser issue a new publication entitled: The Macroeconomics of Aid

Focusing on one aspect of the absorptive capacity constraint, namely the macroeconomic constraint, this paper first analyses the macroeconomic impact of an increase of ODA. One generally accepted phenomenon regarding macroeconomic impact of aid is “Dutch disease” whereby a sharp increase in external resources inflow impacts negatively on the external competitiveness of the economy and leads to a restructuring of the economy in favor of domestic production, due to a shift in the relative prices of traded to non-traded goods. Over the medium term, according to the theory, this would impact negatively on economic growth, because the tradable sector of the economy can benefit from externalities (notably learning by doing), unlike the non-tradable sector.

From the empirical attempts to measure the relationship between aid and exchange rate (which is at the heart of the Dutch disease), the case for strong Dutch disease-like effects of aid is, at best, not proven, some studies coming to the conclusion that the phenomenon does exist, other studies refuting its existence, and others being inconclusive. Face with this deadlock, some researchers have built macroeconomic simulation models in order to assess the likelihood impact of aid in certain circumstances, and no longer rely exclusively on actual history to provide quantitative insights on possible responses to aid.

Adam and Bevan for Uganda, and Agenor et al. for Ethiopia, among others, have built simulation models, informed by theory and calibrated by data and case study evidence. From the results of these enriching experiments, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• Even though Dutch disease may exist, this can be proved true only in the short run, when demand-side effects of aid excerpts upward pressure on prices. In the medium to long term, once the productive capacity of the economy has been enhanced through aid-financed public investment, the phenomenon disappears ;

• The way aid is used critically influences its macroeconomic impact.

Finally, the paper analyses the best macroeconomic management's policy options in response to aid inflow:

• In the short run, well designed monetary and exchange rate policies can limit the negative macroeconomic impact without endangering growth and poverty reduction ;

• In the medium and long run, it is essentially the way aid is used which matters.

The paper comes to the conclusion that ideally, Aid should be mainly used to finance imports of capital goods, that will be invest mainly in the non-tradable sector of the economy, in order to increase its productivity and thereby, its productive capacity.

For further information please contact gustave.nebie@undp.org

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Capacity 2015 Africa ILN/LIIS Design and Partnership Workshop
Accra, Ghana
21 – 23 November, 2005

The Capacity 2015 Africa programme organized a Local Level Integrated Information Systems (LIIS) design workshop in Accra – Ghana, from 21-23 November, in collaboration with Africa 2000 regional network. The workshop was held back-to-back with an A2RN regional workshop, in order to take advantage of the presence of representatives of all A2RN National Organisations (NOs) and other key partners. The workshop was attended by 25 national participants from Burundi, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In addition to the C2015 Africa team, resource persons were invited from the UNDP Sub-Regional Resource Facility for West and Central Africa (SURF/WCA), the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Eastern and Southern Africa ( RSC/ESA) , and the Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Francophone Africa.

Workshop objectives and expected outcomes

Specific objectives of the workshop were to :

• Elicit endorsement and support of key players involved in local-level development ;

• Identify what value LIIS will bring to the generation and sharing of information and knowledge that is relevant and useful to local communities ;

• Elicit ideas in respect of challenges, practical issues and possible approaches for implementing LIIS in various countries ;

• Map out core functionality, and desirable features of LIIS; and

• Discuss partnership framework for managing knowledge and sharing best practices on sustainable development at the national and regional levels in the context of the ILN/LIIS.

The expected outcomes of the workshop were as follows:

• Have a common understanding of ILN/LIIS

• Achieve consensus on implementation framework

• Reach agreement on partnership principles

• Define the capacity requirements, including:-

• Action plans for three countries, covering the identification of focus areas, a definition of the national partnership framework, and the development of a draft two year work plan, etc.

• A process for the documentation of best practices

Deliberations

The workshop was opened with a brief statement by Ms. Jessie Byron on behalf of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa. Ms. Ndey-Isatou Njie, Capacity Development Adviser and Capacity 2015 Africa Coordinator, gave an overview of the workshop agenda, highlighting the expected outcomes. She stressed that the focus of the workshop would be on moving the LIIS development and implementation process forward, on the ground.

The LIIS initiative will be implemented through a partnership framework, and is intended to benefit from various on-going initiatives on knowledge management, and information and communication technology (ICT) for development. Against this background, the goal of the workshop was to present the concepts and strategy, and to brainstorm on arrangements with potential partners for implementing LIIS.

A work-session format was adopted, with short presentations on the context, concept, and related technical issues. Much of the time and deliberations were then devoted to practical implementation issues in the respective countries by partners .

Workshop outcomes

The main outcomes of the workshop are as follows:

A common understanding of LIIS was reached. It was agreed that LIIS will focus on the management of information and knowledge to serve integrated and inclusive development processes at the local level. In this regard, LIIS will strengthen the capacity of local communities to identify information and knowledge needs that are most relevant to their priorities, and provide a framework for the systematic collection, facilitating access to, and sharing of information and knowledge in support of processes towards the attainment of their development objectives. It will be implemented through a partnership framework, and it will benefit from many on-going information and communication technology for development initiatives. LIIS will also be linked to the national level through the decentralization and the MDG based PRSP processes, and will support monitoring and evaluation processes.

Proposals (2-year work plan) for piloting LIIS in Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda . Draft action plans were prepared for Ghana, Uganda and Kenya for an initial 2-year period. The plans covered issues which include the overall macro-economic frameworks and links between the LIIS pilots and the national processes linked to these frameworks; the actual implementation arrangements on the ground, with particular emphasis on how it would support on–going activities; the approaches that it would enhance such as the assets-based community development approach (ABCD) in Ghana, participatory development management (PDM) in Uganda and the participatory planning frameworks in Kenya.

A Technical Advisory Group (TAG) was established to provide support in the implementation process. The group includes:-
Joseph Opio-Odongo, Policy Specialist - Environment, UNDP RSC/ESA
Pierre Dandjinou, Regional Adviser, e-Governance & ICT for Development, UNDP SURF/WCA
Kader Diop, Academic Coordinator, Lead Francophone Africa
Poverty Group (member to be determined)
The Africa Bureau (member to be determined)
The African Futures Institute (member to be determined)
The Capacity 2015 Africa team.

A draft outline of a guide for LIIS implementation was prepared based on the outcomes of the discussions on the conceptual and implementation framework, and the preparation of the country action plans. This guide will be developed during the implementation of the pilot phase. The preparation of the guide will be supervised by the TAG and will be done by the implementing teams supported by policy research institutions in Africa. Terms of reference for the preparation of the guide will be prepared in due course. It is envisaged that the guide will be available by the end of the first year and will be used as a mechanism for upscaling, either through an expansion of the current phase of LIIS or by other interested development institutions and practitioners. A team of trainers will also be trained also for the delivery of the guide during this period. It is expected that the trainers will initially come from the four pilot countries and some of the LEAD Africa national associations.

It was agreed that LIIS will be implemented as a cross-practice initiative within the UNDP . In this regard, policy advisers will be invited to serve in the technical advisory group, provide technical advice to countries in the implementation process, be included in the community of practice and also assist with resource mobilisation. It was also agreed that the advisers will identify the appropriate service lines that LIIS responds to in their respective practices as this would be key to cross-practice work. Mr. Dandjinou identified two service lines from the e-Governance & ICTD practice area, namely: making ITC work for the poor, and access to information. The same process will be done for other advisers in order to also create an integrated results matrix that respond to all the service lines and also facilitate results monitoring, and resource mobilisation. Particular emphasis will be placed on developing linkages with the local governance team and this will be followed up on by the C2015 Africa Coordinator

Tools on local development that have been developed in Uganda and Kenya were shared during the meeting:

- A manual for village community facilitators on Participatory village profiling and development planning (Uganda)

- A manual for Parish development committees on parish profiling and development planning (Uganda)

- Training of trainer's toolkit on participatory planning developed through the Kenya Capacity 21 project.

Particular emphasis was placed on the development of partnerships with:

Closing

In her closing remarks Ms. Njie expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the participants for their enthusiasm and inputs. She said that the project has a limited budget, and stressed the need for participants to be opportunistic in forging partnerships in their respective countries. The project is envisaged to start in January 2006, and would run through December 2008.

Participants to LIIS Design and Partnership Workshop

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Internship Research activity on the Sustainable Use of Revenues from Non Renewable Natural Resources in West & Central Africa

The Partnership between UNDP/SURF Local Governance and Decentralization and the Scuola Superiore S.Anna successfully started in August 2005 and it is meant to continue in the future.Actually 2 interns coming from the Scuola Superiore S.Anna are actively working in research activities related to developmental issues and Governance within the SURF W&CA office with the aim of strengthening this fruitful and key relationship.

The Sant' Anna School of Advanced Studies of Pisa is a public university specializing in the applied sciences : Economic Science, Jurisprudence and Political Science in the Social sciences Department ; agrarian Sciences, Medicine, and Industrial and Computer engineering in the Experimental Sciences Department .
The aims of the Sant'Anna school of advanced studies are:
To promote the development of culture, scientific and technological research, and innovation; to offer quality undergraduate, graduate and continuing education; to ensure high-quality studies through the ongoing interaction of research and instruction.
The mission of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies is to pave innovative pathways in education and research , responding to the modernization and innovation of society itself. This mission is pursued through the valorization of the autonomy and flexibility that characterize the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies and that derive from its status as an autonomous university by special statute , operating in the field of applied sciences.
For more Information, see Sant' Anna School of Advanced Studies website at: http://www.sssup.it (available in English version too).

Introduction

Within the West and Central Africa Region, at least 6 countries out of 27 are or will be oil-producing countries soon: Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Republic of Congo are long standing oil producers. Chad and Sao Tome and Principe will soon begin oil production. There are significative indications of off-shore oil discoveries in Mauritania, Central African Republic, and Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria.

- Drilling for oil -

Despite their mineral wealth, it is widely recognised that many natural resources-rich countries grow more slowly then similar countries with diverse economies, having low saving and low physical and human capital accumulation, as well as stagnating or declining total factor efficiency. According to recent UN Human Development Reports, those countries are paradoxically ranked among the poorest in the world.

Many studies refer this phenomenon to as the “resource curse” which suggests that an abundance of easily obtainable natural resources do not often lead to the advantage of a country's population, neither it is directed to reduce poverty or to increase productivity of the economies. Zambia and Zimbabwe showed marked declines in the 1990s, while in many other African countries the huge amounts of revenues coming from the extractive industries sector have been regularly mismanaged and monopolised by elites or political parties for their private interests, thus encouraging internal political corruption, under investment in domestic human capital and a decline in the competitiveness of other economic sectors and thereby hurting the growth prospects of the supposedly beneficiary nation.

By establishing repressive military regimes to protect their "national interests" , many governments have then prevented fair revenues distribution's arrangements at local level, spoiling local populations of both land and management rights and letting them subjected to environmental damage wrought by drilling corporations.

Furthermore, as a result of their natural endowment, countries such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone and Liberia, the largest diamonds African producers, generating as much as 50% of global production, have gone to experience bloody conflicts, where resources have played a dramatic role in fuelling war's waves, by providing the logistics and the funding for the arms, as well as inciting external unrest.

Although some of natural resources rich countries have attempted, over the last decades, to use their mineral wealth for the benefit of the whole population ( Botswana stands out as a successful experience) the overall inadequate and inefficient management of revenues have generally delayed their development process and didn't have any positive impact on the alleviation of the abject poverty that continues to prevail at large extent.

Within this dramatic context, different actors, comprising international organizations, NGOs, international and local financial institutions, civil society, the private sector, academia, churches, etc. have recently intervened in many resources rich African countries, by providing the adequate technical and financial assistance in order to create the basis for a sustainable use of non renewable natural resources, both at central and local level.

Since 2003, UNDP has taken lead initiatives in East and Central Africa oil-rich countries by helping governments in the design of new legal and technical frameworks for the overall management of revenues from mineral resources at the macro economic level (escrow accounts for future generations, oversight independent organs, public information institutions, transparency and accountability mechanisms, adapted to the current ongoing international initiatives (EITI, PWYP, etc.) and it is moving further to implement developmental programmes focused on the empowerment of local communities.

Given the increasing interest within UNDP COs and HQ on further developing links between the MDGs and the sustainability of revenues from non renewable natural resources, following the international debate after the Millennium Summit and the new strategic importance of management of revenues from extractive industries in West and Central Africa (The “Resource curse”), within UNDP/SURF W&CA research activities have been conducted with the aim of collecting and making available for use of UNDP Country Offices and other relevant actors in the sub-region an organized set of selected data and information on this relevant issue.

As present achievements of this research activity, thousands of documents related to non-renewable natural resources' management in the West and Central Africa sub-region have been collected and reviewed. Those documents comprise:

• Country HDIs and HDRs, PRSPs, CCAs, UNDAF, UNDP CPDs; statistics, economic data, country reports, need Assessments, projects etc.;

• Donors and INGOs reports , articles, social indicators, etc.;

• Laws, Regulations, decrees, Government proposals or reforms + other sources related to decentralization and NRNRs.

This material has been provided to some extent by UNDP/ SURF W&CA Decentralization sub practice area, partly collected and made it available through the aid of other UNDP Country Offices within the sub region, while other sources have been searched on the web.

UNDP focal points contribution in data collection is the outcome of an intense networking activi