November 2002

1. World Bank Facilities for SME

The World Bank Group has continued to broaden its outreach to small and medium enterprises, partnering with increasing numbers of outside organizations and working on many fronts to build the competitiveness and productivity of these key sources of job creation. The Review of Small Business Activities reports that the Bank Group provided $1.5 billion in support to such businesses last fiscal year -- $940 million from the Bank and $540 million from the IFC. The World Bank Group, helps provide local entrepreneurs with technical assistance to build viable small-and-medium-sized businesses through six specialized facilities around the world. The facilities also provide services such as training and research, and work with the Bank to promote policy reforms aimed at improving local business climates. Link: http://www.ifc.org/sme/html/dev__facilities.html Source: World Bank

2. EC unveils Euro 200 million Package for MERCOSUR Countries

The European Commission recently adopted Country Strategy papers for the 2002-2006 period for countries making up Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). Priorities for support programmes include support for regional integration, economic reform and promotion of trade capacities, social development and poverty alleviation, modernisation of the state, and poverty reduction. Indicative budgets are as follows: Argentina EUR65.7 million, Brazil EUR64 million, Paraguay EUR51.7million, and Uruguay EUR18.6 million. Link: http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/w36/7.htm Source: EC DG External Relations

3. Skills and Technology Deficits in Latin America

The World Bank Conference on Development in Latin America and the Caribbean in Madrid brought policy makers, leaders in academia, and development professionals from around the globe to discuss how to close gaps in productivity, skills and technology in the region. The conference featured a new Bank study that assesses the region's progress in education, skills and technology, and the influence of these factors on productivity. The report also offers policy directions to help countries close the gaps it identifies. Link Source: World Bank

4. Paper: Governance for Sustainable Development

A paper by R. Sherman prepared for the Earth Summit 2002 looks at how to improve current international governance systems. It assesses the different aspects of the potential implementation of a an inclusive and effective global governance system. The paper also contains two annexed documents, respectively: Good governance Indicators for Participation ,and The What (World Humanity Action Trust) Governance Programme. Link: http://www.earthsummit2002.org/es/issues/Governance/Montreal-IEG.pdf Source: Eldis

5. TI's Corruption Fighters' Tool Kit

The Corruption Fighter's Tool Kit was created to share the experiences of Transparency International's country chapter programmes, best practices, and lessons learned. The aim is to foster discussion, spark ideas, and inspire those fighting corruption around the world. The tool kit presents cases of anti-corruption activities to be replicated or adapted by civil society groups in other countries. Emphasis is on empowering civil society with the wherewithal to engage both the public and private sectors. TI's Source Book resembles the UN Anti-Corruption Tool Kit with an emphasis on systems of formal rules and institutions. Less explored is the cultural and social dimension of corruption affecting the success or failure of anti-corruption efforts. Link: http://www.transparency.org/toolkits/ Source: Transparency International/Eldis

6. Discussion: Winners and Losers from Privatisation

A common perception is that privatisation has enriched the few at the expense of many. Benefits to new private owners are seen as large and immediate, while consumers and citizens receive smaller, uncertain improvements, or sometimes none at all. The World Bank noticed that an invites you to discuss privatisation. This Rapid Response discussion seeks views on privatisation and asks for case studies or cross-country studies of its distributional impact. Link: http://rru.worldbank.org/Hot_Topics.asp Source: World Bank

7. UNCTAD Guide for an enabling context for ICTs

In order developing countries exploit these new economic opportunities e-business practices it is required that they create an appropriate environment for information and communication technologies (ICTs). This report aims to identify the policy areas where intervention at national and international level is needed, and analyses the basic elements of an enabling context for e-commerce in developing countries. The paper points out what specific measures developing countries should implement. Link: http://www.unctad.org/en/docs/c3em15d2.en.pdf Source: UNCTAD/Eldis

8. GTZ Crisis Prevention and Conflict Transformation

The GTZ Crisis Prevention and Conflict Transformation Programme presents detailed information about the topics peace-building, crisis prevention and conflict transformation as well as the services of the programme. The programme's main focus is to develop concepts and instruments for crisis prevention, conflict transformation and peace-building and to apply these in development cooperation. The web page also contains important documents for further reading and useful links. Link: http://www.gtz.de/crisisprevention/english/ Source: GTZ

9. Paper: Opportunities and Risks of Globalisation for the Poor

The authors from the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) argue that the forces of globalisation ought to influence and contribute towards positive health outcomes for the poor in developing countries. Industrialised countries can do much to help reduce world poverty, and improve health outcomes - since they are responsible for defining the global economic, political, and environmental agenda and context. Link: http://www.icrier.res.in/pdf/risk.pdf Source: Eldis

10. Online Community Development Resource Kit

An on-line community development resource by the Community Development Group, Department of Internal Affairs, Aotearoa-New Zealand. Link: http://www.dev-zone.org/cgi-bin/links2/jump.cgi?ID=4239 Source: Dev-Zone Resources Update

11. Green Computing Guide

Looking for ways to be environmentally responsible when using your computer? Here are practical Tips to Make Your Computer Environmentally Friendly. Link: http://www.gnet.org/news/newsdetail.cfm?NewsID=23043 Source: GNET

12. World Bank Standard Bidding Documents

To ensure that bids for Bank-related projects are handled in a consistent and transparent manner, the Bank has prepared a series of standard documents for use by borrowers and their implementing agencies that are seeking outside vendors, consultants and other contractual services. The documents allow potential suppliers to understand and prepare for the bidding process. They cover procedures for buying goods, works and consulting services. Link: http://www.worldbank.org/html/opr/procure/bdocpage.html Source: World Bank