If you always do what you have always done,
you will always get what you have always gotten.
1. EPA Negotiations: Where do we stand?
At a time when the pace of the EPA negotiations has increased in all regions, and the state of play is ever changing, accessing the latest information available on these wide-ranging agreements is of essence. Pursuing its efforts to increase the transparency of the highly sensitive EPA negotiations, ECDPM has decided to set up dedicated pages for each ACP region negotiating an EPA with the EU at www.acp-eu-trade.org/epa and www.ecdpm.org/epa. These pages will be updated on a weekly basis and aim at providing news “as-it-happens”, drawing from various reliable sources of information. French versions of these webpages are available for the regions Central Africa, West Africa and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) as well as for the All ACP level.
Oxfam International on Economic Partnership Agreements in 2008
According to the NGO, these agreements demand ACP countries to liberalise their EU imports as broadly and as rapidly as possible and rule out previous declarations (in most cases, liberalisation will cover more than 80% of imports more often than not over 15 years); do not offer adequate protection for developing industries or food safety because they do not contain adequate safeguard clauses; do not contain a clause for the modification of the tariff commitments; demand the reduction or elimination of export restrictions (reducing the possibilities for reserving raw materials for local processing); do not contain EU commitment to reduce or eliminate export subsidies; only contain minor improvement of rules origin, limiting cumulation to countries that have signed interim agreements; oblige ACP countries to negotiate services, investment, government procurement and other issues even though Cotonou Agreement does not contain such obligations and they remain vague on development cooperation and impact assessment. See http://www.oxfam.org.uk/...
ONGOING DISCUSSION FORUM:
Which factors are necessary to the achievement of a positive relationship between Trade and Sustainable Development?
"Trade liberalization and sustainable development are not unavoidably incompatible. Trade liberalization can advance sustainable development goals, just as it can retard their achievement. The same can be said for foreign direct investment. Appropriate investment can spur sustainable development, but much investment in developing countries has been environmentally, socially and often economically questionable." (IISD Statement on Trade and SD) We kindly invite you to participate in the recently posted Discussion Forum. You will need to be logged-in to contribute. http://topics.developmentgateway.org/trade/discussion/...
GTZ Studies on EPAs
Four Studies on how to ensure development friendly EPAs have been published by GTZ. The main themes are TRIPS, trade in services, SPS measures, and trade liberalisation impacting on regional integration. http://www.gtz.de/en/themen/laendliche-entwicklung/13421.htm
2. World Economic Situation and Prospects 2008 (WESP 2008)
According to WESP 2008, the world economy is facing serious challenges in sustaining the strong pace of economic growth seen over the past few years. While the baseline forecast is for world economic growth to moderate somewhat in 2008, the risks associated with the bursting of the housing bubble in the United States, the related unfolding credit crisis, the decline of the dollar, large global imbalances and high oil prices are all pointing to the downside. The report draws some lessons from the global financial turmoil of 2007, which was triggered by the meltdown of sub-prime mortgages in the United States, and points out that the various measures adopted by central banks of the major economies did not address the root causes of the turmoil: the huge global imbalances. In an alternative scenario, which takes into account the possibility of a sharper-than-expected decline in house prices in the United States and a hard landing of the US dollar, the United States economy would fall into a recession, while global growth would be significantly lower than the baseline. In addition to trends in international trade and capital flows, WESP 2008 also covers the latest progress and policy issues related to international trade negotiations and reform of the international financial system. http://www.un.org/esa/policy/wess/wesp.html
3. Human Development Report 2007/2008
The HDR provides evidence of the mechanisms through with the ecological impacts of climate change will be transmitted to the poor. Focusing on the 2.6 billion people surviving on less than US$2 a day, the authors warn forces unleashed by global warming could stall and then reverse progress built up over generations. The Report argues that climate change poses challenges at many levels. In a divided but ecologically interdependent world, it challenges all people to reflect upon how we manage the environment of the one thing that we share in common: planet Earth. It challenges us to reflect on social justice and human rights across countries and generations. It challenges political leaders and people in rich nations to acknowledge their historic responsibility for the problem, and to initiate deep and early cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Above all, it challenges the entire human community to undertake prompt and strong collective action based on shared values and a shared vision. http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2007-2008
4. 12th UN Conference on Trade and Development
UNCTAD XII (http://www.unctadxii.org) will be held at ministerial level next April, 20-25, 2008 in Accra, Ghana. The conference is not only about defining UNCTAD’s programme but also about what is important for developing countries: a kind of development and trade paradigm which is later sometimes used, or abused by official institutions and donors. As developing countries have more say than at the WTO, there are some interesting positions being taken, sometimes reflected in the outcome which can be useful for NGOs. NGOs will have an official speaking slot at the conference, opportunities to lobby, to network and hold workshops. Obeserves can get accreditation at http://www.unctadxii.org/en/Civil-Society-Outreach/Accreditation/ until 31 January.
5. Measuring Well-Being Beyond GDP
The European Commission is working on a new tool to measure the wealth and well-being of countries beyond the traditional GDP. The new tool will aim to measure 'true' progress, taking environmental and social indicators into consideration. The initiative was presented at a high-level conference in Brussels that aimed to clarify which indices are most appropriate to measure progress, and how these can best be integrated into the decision-making process and taken up by public debate. http://www.beyond-gdp.eu
6. Study: Provision of Technical Assistance Personnel
What can we learn from promising approaches?
This ECDPM study focused on the future demand for technical assistance, how TA personnel can best be mobilised, used and managed to strengthen national capacity. The study was commissioned to contribute to the current discussions on aid effectiveness and capacity development by learning about what works in relation to TA personnel, and to see what initiatives are being taken to improve practice. This work was financed by Denmark, Australia and Germany. The study included field research in Vietnam, Mozambique and the Solomon Islands. The final reports can be downloaded on the ECDPM website: http://www.ecdpm.org/dpir/ta
7. Poor families hit hardest by bribery, even in rich countries, finds new TI poll
Poor families are hit hardest by demands for bribes in developed as well as developing countries, according to Transparency international’s Global Corruption Barometer 2007. The public opinion survey, published today ahead of International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December, also found that citizens in countries across the globe continue to see political parties and parliaments as the institutions most compromised by corruption. The Barometer, which surveys 63,199 respondents in 60 countries, offers a broad spectrum of data on common experiences of corruption, including which institutions most frequently demand bribes, where citizens see the greatest degree of corruption, and how they see both the future development of corruption and their governments' efforts to eradicate it. http://www.transparency.org/...
8. New Microinsurance Initiative from the ILO and GatesFoundation
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently announced a new partnership to develop or improve insurance products to promote decent work for tens of millions of low-income people in the developing world. Over the course of the next three years, the facility will issue bi-annual requests for proposals and provide funding to pilot new insurance products, improve efficiency in the field, and use technology to create new products that better meet people’s needs. The facility will also train technical specialists to help replicate successful models. This facility builds on the successful efforts of the CGAP Working Group on Microinsurance to document the experiences of microinsurance operations around the world. Funded by DFID, GTZ, ILO and SIDA, this “Good and Bad Practices” project conducted a series of case studies of insurance companies, microfinance institutions and community-based schemes that provide insurance to the poor. See case studies on http://www.microinsurancefocus.org
9. Updated WTO trade statistics online
The WTO has released two updated statistical publications. This year’s edition of the annual “International Trade Statistics”, and an updated “Trade Profiles”, which offers a quick but comprehensive look at WTO members’ trade statistics and policy measures as well as those of countries negotiating WTO membership. http://www.wto.org/...
10. IFC SME: Entrepreneurship Database
The 2007 World Bank Group Entrepreneurship Survey measures entrepreneurial activity in 84 developing and industrial countries over the period 2003-2005. The database includes cross-country, time-series data on the number of total and newly registered businesses, collected directly from Registrar of Companies around the world. In its second year, this survey incorporates improvements in methodology, and expanded participation from countries covered, allowing for greater cross-border compatibility of data compared with the 2006 survey. This joint effort by the IFC SME Department and the World Bank Developing Research Group is the most comprehensive dataset on cross-country firm entry data available today. http://www.ifc.org/...
11. PSD blog is looking for experimental research in entrepreneurship
The 2007 World Bank Entrepreneuship Database finds significant relationships between entrepreneurial activity and the quality of the enabling environment. The bank and the Kauffman Foundation are now jointly offering funding of up to $35,000 for research projects that will study what contributes to greater entrepreneurship and formal sector participation. http://psdblog.worldbank.org/psdblog/2007/11/looking-for-exp.html
12. Training and Events
Seven Training modules for Entrepreneurs http://www.bds-forum.net/training-modules/
Training module for business start-ups in French and English. Introducing the four steps of business implementation including practical exercises (action planning, business idea generation, analyse your competencies, SWOT analysis of the business idea (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats). These training modules are published without copyright and free for use. Modules: 1 on Steps of business implementation, 2 on Marketing, 3 on Accounting, 4 on Administrative procedures, 5 on Financing your business, 7 on International Trade Promotion.
Greening the Economy – New Energy for Business http://www.ebsummit.eu
21 - 22 February at the 6th EBS!
The sixth European Business Summit provides the perfect meeting opportunity for more than 2000 participants from the business community, EU and national political circles, scientific platforms and NGOs from more than 60 nationalities, to debate and exchange views on how to boost business in Europe and Europe in business. Climate change, energy and eco-innovation are at the heart of today’s worldwide debate. Key question for Europe is how to become more competitive whilst being global leader in climate quality at the same time. Therefore, the 2008 EBS will focus on how the EU can turn the ‘carbon challenge’ into business opportunities, giving new energy to growth and jobs.
Value Chain Concepts http://www.mdf.nl
The Netherlands, 25-29 February 2008
Hans Posthumus Consulting and MDF will present, discuss and practise the Value Chain Concept in a structured and participatory way. Due attention is given to the various approaches that exist among Value Chain Development practitioners and the various roles that donors, development organisations, private sector organisations, governmental organisations and other stakeholders can play. You will exchange experiences, practice tools and instruments to develop your skills and increase your understanding of the actual practices as well as the process and management thereof. The training approach will be experience-based with emphasis on practical examples. MDF/HPC staff and external resource persons will facilitate, deliver lectures, exercises and discussions, complemented by exploring real-life cases chosen from cases proposed by the participants.
International Anti-Corruption Conference http://www.dbbakademie.de/korruptionbetrug.html
Cologne, Germany, 25 - 26 February 2008
The international conference on the topic of corruption aims at providing information about the developments on fighting corruption in the European Union as well as promoting better co-operation among the Member States. The international conference supports the co-ordination of actors.
Regional Innovation Strategies for Cluster Internationalisation and Global Competitiveness http://www.clusterforum.org/media/191207Agenda_02_2008.pdf
Karlsruhe, Germany, 26-27 February 2008
The focus of the International Conference CLOE - Clusters Linked over Europe is on exchanging experiences, how best to support successful cluster evolution and how to stimulate knowledge, innovation and internationalisation of clusters.
Banking on Development http://www.oecd.org/...
Geneva, Switzerland 28-29 February 2008
OCED-led Policy Public-Private round table. Jointly organised with the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the context of the OECD Global Forum on Development.
Business Planning and Financial Projections with Microfin
Washington DC, USA, 7 - 11 April 2008
Bali, Indonesia, 31 Mar - 4 Apr 2008
Microfin has long been the microfinance "industry standard" for planning and budgeting. This course uses the new version of our software, Microfin 4. Microfin 4.0 includes 200 major enhancements over Microfin 3.0, including an expanded range of financial products, improved guidance and error-checking features, versatile graphing, and much more.
Second Conference on Micro Evidence on Innovation in Developing Economies http://rqsi.ulaval.ca/url.php?i=3119&f=News&l=En
Beijing, China, 21 - 23April 2008
The aim of the conference is to bring together researchers from around the world to discuss the importance and the different dimensions of innovation in relation with economic growth and development. In this second Conference, a particular emphasis will be put on innovation in China and other BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa) countries.
Radical Challenges in Innovation Management http://rqsi.ulaval.ca/url.php?i=3118&f=News&l=En
The 9th Continuous Innovation Network (CINet) conference will take place in Valencia on 8-9 September 2008. Academics, practitioners and consultants involved in managing innovation and change are invited to submit presentations. Abstracts should be sent electronically to the conference secretariat before March 3, 2008.
First International Workshop on Economic Aspects of Corruption http://eri.ir/fa/index.asp?tar=page&id=88
Tehran, Iran, 3.-4.November 2008.
Deadline for paper Submission: 1.April 2008.
Microfinance Passport distance learning course http://www.microfinancepassport.com
Plural India announced the launch of its "Microfinance Passport", a four-month distance learning course for those interested in the emergent field of microfinance. The course comprises two comprehensive modules spanning an expansive range of topics in microfinance, both at the macro and micro level, Freestyle (debate sessions) and GroundZero (field visits to partner microfinance institutions).
e-Learning at UNITAR 2008 http://www.unitar.org/pft/elearning
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is pleased to announce its 2008 e-Learning Course Calendar. For 2008, UNITAR will be conducting over least fifteen online courses intended for a global audience of finance-sector and trade officials.
13. Publications
Aid for Trade: New OECD Report http://topics.developmentgateway.org/trade/...
The WTO Aid for Trade Task Force argued that a global picture of aid-for-trade flows is important to assess whether additional resources are being delivered, to identify where gaps exists, to highlight where improvements should be made, and to increase transparency on pledges and disbursements. For that purpose the Task Force defined aid for trade as comprising support for trade policy and regulations, trade development, trade-related infrastructure, building productive capacity and trade-related adjustment if identified as trade-related development priorities in partner countries' national development strategies.
WTO launches first Global Review of Aid for Trade http://www.wto.org/...
WTO provided an overview of what has been learned from the first year of Aid for Trade monitoring, with a focus on global flows and the result of the donor and partner self-assessments. Subsequently, roadmaps for mainstreaming trade in national development strategies were brought on the way.
Africa Development Indicators 2007 http://www.dev-zone.org/...
Africa Development Indicators 2007 provides the most detailed collection of data on Africa. It contains over 1,000 indicators covering 53 African countries. Findings suggest that the economic outlook for Africa is improving (World Bank, 2007)
Understanding Your Local Economy: A Resource Guide for Cities http://www.citiesalliance.org/...
Cities Alliance has released a new publication, "Understanding Your Local Economy: A Resource Guide for Cities" that addresses the challenges of analysing local economic conditions and a city’s comparative and competitive advantages. Funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Guide presents practical approaches to conducting citywide and regionwide economic and competitive assessments. It includes advice on how to choose local economic development (LED) indicators and tools that can assess a local economy’s competitiveness.
Growth, Poverty and Employment in Brazil, Chile and Mexico http://www.undp-povertycentre.org...
International Poverty Centre - Working Paper # 42
We are pleased to announce the publication of IPC Working Paper #42, “Growth, Poverty and Employment in Brazil, Chile and Mexico”. The authors find that earnings trends were more powerful than employment trends in explaining changes in labour income. They also find that out of the total of eight country periods that they reviewed, only three exhibited a pro-poor pattern of change in labour income but two of these occurred during economic contractions. The authors also note that 1) poor workers would have suffered more if they had not significantly boosted their participation in labour markets in response to downturns but 2) such workers benefited less than proportionately from economic expansions compared to non-poor workers.
Pro-Poor Growth: Though a Contested Marriage, Still a Premature Divorce http://www.undp-povertycentre.org/pub/IPCOnePager45.pdf
The author of IPC One Pager #45, Terry McKinley, analyses why enthusiasm for the concept of ‘pro-poor growth’ has waned and been replaced recently by such alternatives as ‘inclusive growth’. He argues that the twin objectives inherent in the concept, namely, faster growth and greater equity, should have remained distinct. Pragmatically merging the two led to the conclusion that growth could no longer be considered ‘pro-poor’ or ‘anti-poor’, just ‘more’ or ‘less’ poverty-reducing. He concludes by raising concerns about whether a strong focus on greater equity has been lost in the process.
Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism http://www.grameenfoundation.org/yunus_book/.
A new book by Dr. Muhammad Yunus which advances his pioneering vision of social businesses—for-profit companies with a strictly social mission that reinvest their profits to further their mission rather than distribute dividends to shareholders.
“Microfinance Fever” by Matthew Swibel http://www.forbes.com...
A lot of people are chasing returns in barefoot banking. Here's what you should know before you follow.
Good Practice Guidelines for Funders of Microfinance E-book http://www.cgap.org/...
To help funding agency staff translate guidance into daily operations, CGAP has developed an e-book version of the Good Practice Guidelines for Funders of Microfinance. The e-book version goes one step further than the Good Practice Guidelines that help to raise awareness of good practice and improve the effectiveness of donors and investors' microfinance operations--it provides links to practical operational tools.
New ILO Study on Microfinance and Efficiency http://topics.developmentgateway.org/microfinance/...
An estimated US$4 billion is invested annually in microfinance around the world. But while microfinance institutions must have strong business models in order to survive, they face the challenge of making profits while creating lasting social change. A newly published study entitled Microfinance and public policy: Outreach, performance and efficiency edited by Bernd Balkenhol, the head of the Social Finance Programme at the International Labour Office (ILO) provides practitioners and policy makers with guidance on how to deal with the issue of balancing business and poverty reduction by defining criteria for supporting microfinance institutions. This research study seeks to clarify an issue that practitioners of microfinance and donors often face: how to preserve the dual commitment of microfinance institutions (MFIs) to both poverty reduction and profitability, whilst ensuring their progressive integration into the financial market and the phasing out of subsidies.
Girls Count: A Global Investment & Action Agenda http://www.cgdev.org/...
The wellbeing of adolescent girls in developing countries shapes global economic and social prosperity -- yet girls' needs often are consigned to the margins of development policies and programs. This new CGD report describes why and how to provide adolescent girls in developing countries a full and equal chance in life. Offering targeted recommendations for national and local governments, donor agencies, civil society, and the private sector, Girls Count provides a compelling starting point for country-specific agendas to recognize and foster girls' potential.
Online access to the complete Palgrave Macmillan Journals Portfolio http://www.p algrave- journals.com/accessallareas/index.html
Until February 15th the Palgrave Macmillan Access All Areas campaign gives visitors unrestricted online access not only to all Palgrave Macmillan journals, an impressive list of more than 60 journals, but also to a selection of our reference and books content.
You might want to explore the Development site, and experience the rich content archive - see www.sidint.org/development
Manual 'Policy Coherence for Development, a practical guide' http://evertvermeerstic.email-service5.nl/nct88121/qWYjIjAy
The EU Coherence Programme is happy to present you the new Manual ‘Policy Coherence for Development, a practical guide’. Our brand new Manual provides the reader with seven case studies on different EU policy areas where clear contradictions are seen with EU development objectives.
Information and Knowledge Management: IKM Emergent Newsletter http://www.ikmemergent.net
The quarterly newsletter will be a vehicle to inform both Programme members and non-members on the developments taking place within the EADI Programme "Emergent Issues in Information and Knowledge Management (IKM) and International Development". It presents both work that is being undertaken and approaches that are being developed.
From e&lr to Rural 21 http://www.rural-development.de/3070.0.html#01
The journal Rural 21 replaced entwicklung & ländlicher raum (e&lr) as of January 2008. The journal will have a new name, a new design and a completely revamped editorial concept. This step towards further internationalising the journal will make it accessible for an even greater readership, because Rural 21 will also incorporate the former English journal agriculture & rural development.
14. Websites of the Month
North-South Training, Research and Policy Network on Trade and Development http://www.acp-eu-trade.org/index.php?loc=nsn/
The NSN comprises universities and policy-oriented institutions from European and ACP countries. Its overall aim is to contribute to creating in ACP countries a cadre of professionals able to provide sound policy advice on trade and development matters, through the strengthening of linkages and interaction between the ACP and European training, research and policy communities in the area of development and trade.
The International Poverty Centre (IPC) http://www.undp-povertycentre.org
IPC is a joint project between the United Nations Development Programme and the Brazilian Government to promote South-South Cooperation on applied poverty research and training. It specializes in analyzing poverty and inequality and offering research-based policy recommendations on how to reduce them. IPC is directly linked to the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea), which does research for the Brazilian Ministry of Strategic Planning, and the Bureau for Development Policy, UNDP.
The Internet Site for Economists http://www.inomics.com
Inomics is an Internet service especially tailored to the needs of economists. At this site you can find job openings for economists, conference announcements, a human-edited directory as well as a database of research papers in economics.
Informal Economy Resource Database http://www.ilo.org/dyn/dwresources/iebrowse.home
This database contains over 500 ILO entries directly or indirectly related to the informal economy and decent work. The database is searchable by country, keyword, ILO author unit and date. Each entry contains information about the resource, and usually includes a brief summary of the contents. In most cases the resources can be accessed electronically, in PDF format. Links are often provided to the relevant ILO website to enable the User to make further inquiries. As a database, this resource is a "living" and dynamic inventory which can be improved on at any time. Comments and/or suggestions are welcome at: iedintegration @ ilo.org
UN to Connect Rural Women Entrepreneurs through Online Knowledge Network http://kn4womencoop.org
This web-based network will make it possible for women entrepreneurs to learn from each other about business opportunities, market trends, and to market their products. Membership in the knowledge network is open to women’s cooperatives, women’s business associations, non-governmental organizations and policymakers. Topics include: business basics, building life skills for women’s empowerment, forming cooperative enterprises, marketing, making business plans, costing and pricing, building e-businesses, and online payment and delivery systems.
World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) http://www.woccu.org
This improved Web site this eerything you need to know about WOCCU's programs, international remittances, partnerships and credit union statistics in any given country is now available in one place in both English and Spanish. WOCCU’s Web site also offers an archive of valuable resources on best practices in credit union development.
55 Top Quality Products on one 640 Meg CD http://www.cd3wd.com
CD3WD is a 3rd World Development private-sector initiative, mastered by Software Developer Alex Weir. Major online and offline sections on Livestock, Training, Metalwork, Auto Mechanics, Wind, Solar, other Alternative Energies. You can browse and/or download the complete and latest version of CD3WD. Single Files are at http://sleekfreak.ath.cx:81/3wdev/cd3wd/index.htm
Alternative Channel Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada, http://www.alternativechannel.tv/achannel/articles/about.html
Alternative Channel is international, interactive, and deeply committed to the ideals of journalism in a brave new world of media. The place of citizen journalism in our lives is still being explored.
Global Hand http://www.globalhand.org
Global Hand is a matching service helping corporate/ community groups partner with NGOs: a non-profit brokerage facilitating public/ private partnership. Finding appropriate partners, in this context, can be difficult. The library has been set up to connect all parties in this sector with carefully chosen information searchable by location, need type and services, at both national and international levels.
WAND directories http://www.wand.com
The specificity of the WAND product and service categories allows more accurate search and classification than any other business directory platform on the Internet. The categories can be split off into industry segments to create vertical directories. Over 70,000 categories are available. The WAND business to business directory platform is built upon the WAND Product and Service Taxonomy providing a sophisticated underlying structure for categorizing and searching company data by the specific product or service which a company is able to provide. Custom branded Powered by WAND directories have been in use on the Internet by major yellow pages publishers, trade associations, and government agencies since 1996.
15. Check out our daily Newsbox zine and RSS feed
It has been kept as a secret, but most of the input we compile for our newsletters is now open for our readers. Visit our Newsbox at http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/newsbox/ It has a fast search facility, that leads you to latest partner newsletters. Some addicts get the full version with 10+ e-mails per day and get an overwhelming wealth of information. We recommend to you the Daily Digest option, which sorts all in one handy file. Or simply read the RSS feed at http://rss.groups.yahoo.com/group/newsbox/rss