CIRDAP's e-news. April-May Building Bridges. DG, CIRDAP with Dr. Celistio at Asian Productivity Organization (APO) in Bangkok, April 2015.

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1 Building Bridges CIRDAP's e-news April-May 2015 DG, CIRDAP with Dr. Hiroyuki Konuma, Chief of the FAO Asia Pacific Office in Bangkok on April 29, DG, CIRDAP with Dr. Celistio at Asian Productivity Organization (APO) in Bangkok, April H.E Pema Choden, Ambassador, Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Dhaka, Bangladesh visited CIRDAP on May 11, Mr. MJH Jabed, Director, Agriculture, Rural Development and SAARC Development Fund, SAARC Secretariat, Nepal visited CIRDAP on May 19, CIRDAP signs MOU with Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development (BIID) on 25 May 1

2 Regional Workshop organized in Pakistan CIRDAP in collaboration with Akhter Hameed Khan National Centre for Rural Development (AHKNCRD), the CIRDAP link institute in Pakistan organized a Regional Consultation Workshop on Efficacy of Initiatives on Rural Income and Poverty Alleviation: Way Forward followed by a Seminar on Interest-Free Micro-Finance for Sustainable Livelihood during 5-8 May 2015.In this workshop the country experts presented their country reports prepared on the above mentioned title. This consultation workshop is a part of the program of CIRDAP Research Division suggested by the Twenty Ninth Technical Committee (TC-29) Meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam in September As follow up activity the country reports are being synthesized and will be published by the CIRDAP as Rural Development Report The study is expected to provide a guideline to the policy makers of CIRDAP Member Countries to redesign the future rural development initiatives and sharing knowledge amoung them. Group Photographs of the Regional Workshop Participants, 5 May 2015, Islamabad, Pakistan Eleven countries out of fifteen CIRDAP Member countries, namely Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam prepared country reports. However, seven country experts have presented their findings in the consultation workshop. The findings of the regional consultation workshop would be discussed in the forth coming Seventh Regional Policy Dialogue in August 2015 in Fiji where policy makers of CIRDAP Member Countries will meet in a biannual meeting of CIRDAP. The national seminar on Interest-Free Micro- Finance was organized to demonstrate the findings of a successful programme being implemented by a number of philanthropists on Interest free micro-finance for sustainable livelihood of the poor called Akhuwat. Dr. Amjad Saqib founder of the AKHUWAT highlighted the concept of interest free micro-finance as an offshoot of personal experience in the government and later have taken initiative for a larger goal of brotherhood, bond of solidarity with the marginalized people. Thanked AHKNCRD and CIRDAP for the giving the opportunity for this knowledge sharing and mutual learning. Akhuwat has some innovative projects: microfinance, health, Volunteers, Sira Support, Clothes Bank, Dreams, Institute of Social Enterprise and Management, Internship and Fellowship Program, Incubation Center, Akhuwat University etc. 2

3 In the seminar the organizer showcased e-learning platform of Taleem Foundation operated/telecasted simultaneously over eight remote locations using PBX EDUCAST in Baluchistan demonstrating how video conference could be a bridge to learning. On the final day of the consultation workshop there was a field visit for all participants in Rawalpindi where the participants had a practical experience on interest free micro finance operation. SAARC and CIRDAP meeting to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and to initiate collaborative program In 2007 CIRDAP and SAARC signed a MoU for three years to collaborate in various fields of mutual interests. The term of the MoU ended in Recently, both the organizations showed willingness to renew the MoU for mutual collaboration in rural development and allied fields. Delegates from SAARC Secretariat and SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) had meeting with DG, CIRDAP and other professionals on 19 May 2015 to discuss on the renewal of MoU between the two organizations and probable collaborative programmes. SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC) is one of the 11 regional centres of SAARC having the similar mandates with those of CIRDAP. It will work jointly under the MoU on some common issues such as rural development and poverty alleviation. The following decisions were taken in the meeting 1. The previous MoU should be revised and a new draft MoU will be prepared by both SAC and CIRDAP. Then it will be sent to the SAARC Secretariat for review. Once final it will be signed by CIRDAP and SAARC Secretariat. 2. A joint Program on Agricultural insurance in South Asia for rural development or other topics will be conceptualized and submitted to respect we approving authority of both the organization. 3. SAC and CIRDAP may develop any joint project proposal on agro-processing for action research through pilot project with the aim of establishment of micro, small and medium agro-processing enterprises in the region. The proposal will be submitted to SAARC Development Fund(SDF). 4. Both SAC and CIRDAP can take initiative for manpower development in the field of agro processing. (e.g: making chips from Jackfruit, Mango, etc, Ice-cream from Banana skin, Pappadum from livestock by product, chips from vegetables like bitter gourd, betel vine leaf etc). 5. SAC and CIRDAP may organize Seminar of a common issue/topic. Seminar on Empowering SME Women Entrepreneurs in Food Processing: Diabetic and Functional Foods 3 Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) under Bangladesh Bank, Protina HM Food Products in collaboration with PPD, CIRDAP organized a Seminar on Empowering SME Women Entrepreneurs in Food Processing: Diabetic and Functional Foods, April 30 May 2015, CIRDAP International conference Centre on 30 May Dr. Atiur Rahman, Governor, Bangladesh Bank to graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Representatives of commercial banks and leasing

4 company dealing with SMEs were present at the seminar like AB Bank, IDLC, Midland Bank etc. Director, PPD, CIRDAP was one of the members of the Coordination Committee of the organizers. One behalf of DG, CIRDAP, Ms. Eva Binita A. Tuzon, Director, Pilot Projects Division briefed the involvement of CIRDAP in greater SME Network in Bangladesh and other selected CIRDAP Member Countries. CIRDAP is in process of exploring the convergence of initiatives across sectors like agriculture, banks, micro-finance and other relevant sectors. CIRDAP with Bangladesh Bank and other relevant organizations have been working together to establish the SME Advocacy Network for policy makers along with other stakeholders on SME, agriculture value chain, food processing etc. Women entrepreneurs should focus on innovative food businesses, like diabetic confectionary items, due to its immense potential in Bangladesh, analysts said in the seminar. In the keynote paper the message was that there is demand for diabetic and functional food is gradually increasing with greater health awareness as opined by Mr. AK Obidul Huq, Assistant Professor at the department of food technology and nutritional science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU), Tangail, Bangladesh. Sukamal Sinha Choudhury, SME consultant of BIBM under Bangladesh Bank opined that there is a huge prospect for functional food. Women should progress towards food processing, rather than focusing on tailoring or boutiques, for higher business growth, he added. Demand for safe food is set to increase as the country lacks a supply of fresh and healthy food, said Md Alauddin, Vice Chancellor of MBSTU. Mr. Nirmal Chandra Bhakta, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank, also spoke on Bangladesh Bank s friendly policy towards SME Women Entrepreneurs. Also, there was an exhibition of displaying some sample of diabetic foods made by some women entrepreneurs at CICC which was visited by some enthusiastic participants. Workshop on Disaster Recovery Planning A three day workshop was organized on May 2015 at CIRDAP International Conference Centre, Dhaka CIRDAP by Institute of Strategic Recovery Studies for Disaster Resilience & Research (ISRSDRR), International Recovery Platform (IRP) & UNDP, Dhaka in collaboration Bangladesh key focal Ministry namely, Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief (MoDMR), Government of Bangladesh. Assistant Programme Officer, CIRDAP Pilot Projects Division, Mr. David Hilton participated at this three day certificate course as part of capacity building of Staff development in CIRDAP Secretariat. The workshop made an effort to build on the substantial experience of government officials, NGO/INGO representative, Civil Defense Agencies, Academics, Research Institutes (with total participants of persons) aiming to provide an opportunity for improved understanding and abilities to incorporate risk reduction into recovery. The overall objective of the workshop is to introduce resilient recovery agenda, focusing on Build Back Better, to reinforce the capabilities of national government in disaster recovery planning so that Bangladesh could better integrate risk reduction concerns in all phases of the recovery process, building on the existing assessment of risks. The concept of Build Back Better is emphasized in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which was adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in March 2015 in Sendai, Japan. In support of implementing Priority 4 of the Framework, the International Recovery Platform (IRP) serves as an international 4

5 mechanism for sharing of experience and learning among countries and all relevant stakeholders. One of these activities is the workshop on disaster recovery planning. The Chief Guest of Inauguration Programme Mr. Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya Bir Bikram, MP, Hon ble Minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management & Relief (MoDMR), GoB inaugurated the programme with expectation that all the Ministries (not only MoDMR) along with civil society will come forward to tackle disaster and work together in disaster recovery plan. In Technical Session, there were expert s papers/presentations from UNDP on Pre and Post Disaster Recovery Plan, Introduction to Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), papers on climate change and environment related with disaster adaptation and resilience with case studies on different counties like Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Haiti. Also, Major A.K.M Shakil Newaz, Director(Operation & Maintenance), Fire Service & Civil Defense, Bangladesh made a presentation on entitled, Why Dhaka is Vulnerable to Earthquake and also briefed on Nepal s recent earth quakes experiences with possible scenario of Dhaka may experience during disaster like earthquake with high magnitude in rector scale. In technical session, there were group works done on various thematic areas (e.g. Infrastructure, Shelter, governance, Livelihoods, Environment Gender, Health, Psychosocial and climate Change. The closing session was graced by Chief Guest, Mr. Hasanul Haq Inu, Hon ble Minister, Ministry of Information, Govt. of the People s Republic of Bangladesh who praised the organizer to conduct this workshop as everyone is concerned about the disasters occurred in and around the world. CIRDAP Internship Programme for NIRD&PR 8 th Batch Students, 02 March 15 April 2015, CIRDAP, Dhaka The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR),, is conducting one year residential Post Graduate Diploma Programme in Rural Development Management (PGDRDM) since This is a paid programme and the objective of the programme is to develop committed and competent cadre of rural development management professionals and orient in-service officers and practitioners to various facets of rural development. CIRDAP organizied an Internship Programme for the five top merited students of 8 th Batch PGDRDM on rural development activities in Bangladesh from 02 March to 15 April The students are undergoing 8 th PGDRDM and will be completed in August The students are: Ms. Hemangi Sharma, Ms. Pallavi Balaso Mane, Ms. Susmita Layek, Mr. Nishkarsh Mehra, and Mr. Kunal Singh. The main objective of the programme was to sensitize and familiarize the students with the approaches and practices adopted by well known institutions in Bangladesh. As part of this internship programme the students attached with Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), Comilla and Rural Development Academy (RDA), Bogra, for 15 days each. The internees also attended briefing sessions at the following organizations: Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies, University of Dhaka Institute of Microfinance (InM) Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) BRAC Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) Daffodil International University PROSHIKA Human Resource Development Centre Trust Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB) 5

6 National Institute of Local Government (NILG) Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) Media Professionals Group (MPG) Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Bangladesh The five internees from NIRD&PR, Hyderabad, India presented their internship report in Bangladesh on the last day of their internship in the presence of representatives of the organizations they visited and CIRDAP officials. The presentation of report by the internees was highly appreciated by the audience. They left Bangladesh on 16 April 2015 to begin with their remaining part of their study of PGDRDM at NIRDPR,. They will be completing their PGDRDM course on 31 July One Year Post Graduate Diploma Programme in Rural Development Management (PGDRDM) (10 th Batch ) Conducted by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR),, CIRDAP s Link Institution in India, is conducting one year residential Post Graduate Diploma Programme in Rural Development Management (PGDRDM). The Tenth Batch will commence in August 2015 and they are seeking nominations from member countries of CIRDAP. It is a paid programme. The objective of the programme is to develop committed and competent cadre of rural development management professionals and orient in-service officers and practitioners to various facets of rural development. Under the regional cooperation, the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, as a goodwill gesture has offered to sponsor five slots to CIRDAP member countries in this programme in order to develop capacities of rural development managers. The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, is kind enough to cover course fee, board and lodging charges, subsistence allowance, and to and fro air travel by shortest route in economy class from respective countries to. The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India has entrusted CIRDAP to solicit nomination from its member countries, scrutinize on criteria suggested by the Ministry and NIRD&PR. On the basis of eligibility criteria and suitability of the candidature, nominations will be forwarded to NIRD&PR for consideration for admission in the programme. CIRDAP has nominated candidates for the Batches from 3 rd to 8 th. As per feedback from CIRDAP nominees, the course has been exceedingly useful to develop skills, knowledge and pragmatic perspectives on various facet of rural development management. This is highly encouraging. We would like that CIRDAP member countries should avail this opportunity to develop a cadre of committed rural development managers. CIRDAP invited nominations from its member countries in March 2015 and received seven nominations from Fiji, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines and Vietnam. The nominees from these countries will be interviewed telephonically by CIRDAP and short - listed candidates will be recommended to NIRDPR for consideration of admission in the PGDRDM, Batch 10 ( ). Audit of CIRDAP Accounts EDUARDO DON PADERNAL, Senior External Auditor, Commission on Audit (COA), from the Republic of the Philippine conducted the interim audit of the accounts of the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) for the 18th Biennium from May An internal audit was also conducted by Artisan, Chartered Accountants during the first week of May

7 Screening Committee for Appointment of Director General, CIRDAP for the period meets at CIRDAP The First Screening Committee for Appointment of Director General, CIRDAP for the period meeting was held on 19 May 2015 at CIRDAP, Headquarters. The Committee examined, perused and evaluated the Personal History Forms, CVs, qualifications, present position and other available documents of all candidates in line with the required qualifications as in the vacancy announcement for the appointment of next Director General of CIRDAP for the period of The committee also kept in view the decisions of GC-11, GC-16, GC-18 and GC-19 meetings in appointing the Director General to ensure the highest standard of efficiency, professional competence and integrity. After the examination and evaluation of the particulars of the candidates, the committee had shortlisted as per the terms of reference one candidate from each country and also decided that the candidates (by countries in alphabetical order) be invited for interview for the post of Director General, CIRDAP, as they qualify and their nominations have been forwarded by their respective Governments. This Committee will meet again on 22 nd Jun e for interviewing the shortlisted candidates in CIRDAP Headquarters. Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Fellowships to CIRDAP Member Countries (CMCs) for As a kind gesture for regional cooperation in promoting human resource development of CIRDAP Member Countries (CMCs), the Hon ble Minister of Rural Development, Government of India (GoI) and the Chairperson of the GC-19 declared in the inaugural session of the 19 th GC that Government of India would offer 20 Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) fellowships to CIRDAP Member Countries (CMCs). Under the ITEC programmes CMCs may avail the Civilian Training Programmes offered by various Indian institutes for the financial year (April 2015 to March 2016) ( The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI), will bear the international air travel cost, course fee, board and lodging and living allowance of the nominee(s). The application form is available at for your use/information. The relevant training programmes CIRDAP requested to MEA, GoI for CMCs offered by Indian institutes are as follows: Sl. No. Name of the Courses Duration/ Date Institute No. of Slots 1. Communication Skills in English and 12 Weeks NIMSME, Yousufguda, 2 Promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (EPMSMEs) 10 August to 30 October International Training Programme on 3 weeks Solar Energy Centre, 2 Solar Energy Technologies and 30 November 18 Gwal Pahari, Gurgaon Applications December Climate Change and Sustainability 3 weeks October 2015 TERI, New Delhi 2 4. SMEs Financing: Approaches and Strategies (SMEFAS) 5. Planning and Promotion of Agro and Food Enterprises (PAFE) 6. Training of Trainers in Entrepreneurship and Skill Development (ToTE-ESD) 8 Weeks 16 November 2015 to 08 January Weeks 25 January to 18 March Weeks 25 January to 18 March 2016 NIMSME, Yousufguda, NIMSME, Yousufguda, NIMSME, Yousufguda,

8 7. Participatory Rural Development 4 weeks Planning and Management of Rural Development Programme 8. Diploma Course in Development Journalism for Non-aligned and other Developing Countries 17 August to 13 September weeks 02 January to 30 April Energy and Water Use Efficiency 3 weeks January Renewable Energy and Energy 3 weeks Efficiency 15 February to 04 March Integrated Approach towards Sustainable Development 3 weeks 28 March to 25 April 2016 NIRD, 2 IIMC, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi TERI, New Delhi 2 TERI, New Delhi 2 TERI, New Delhi 2 The nominees may be advised to visit the website of ITEC ( and confirm about the date/duration of the respective programme. While nominating candidates, the following guidelines may be followed: Who can Apply Employees and officials in Government, Private and Public Sector, Parastatals, Universities, Chambers of Commerce and Industry Having 3 to 5 years minimum work experience Applicants who are the age group of 25 to 45 years Who are medically fit. How to Apply Applications must be submitted in the prescribed ITEC/SCAAP Form to CIRDAP, 17 Topkhana Road, Dhaka 1000, GPO Box 2883, Bangladesh ( through CIRDAP s Contact Ministry (CCM) and CIRDAP Link Institution (CLI) in respective CIRDAP Member Countries (CMCs) to nominate candidates. A copy of the application may also be submitted to the Embassy/High Commission of India in respective CMCs. CIRDAP will in turn forward the applications to the Embassy/High Commission of India, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Eligibility Criteria for Admission to Courses Must have the required academic qualifications as laid down by the Institute for the selected course. Must have working knowledge of English to follow the Courses. Scholarship Government of India will bear the following expenses for the selected candidate: Return international air fare by excursion/economy class Course fees Accommodation hostel (depending on availability, it could be on single or sharing basis) or hotel in case of non-availability of hostel accommodation. Living per month. Candidates are, among other things, expected to meet the expenditure for their meals from this amount. General Information Applications must reach CIRDAP, Dhaka, Bangladesh and the Indian Embassy/High Commission of nominees country before 2/3 months of the commencement of respective course. Upon selection, the Embassy/High Commission of India will inform CIRDAP and CIRDAP will in turn inform the applicant. 1 8

9 Selected candidates are required to fully familiarize themselves regarding living conditions in India and the Institutes through the websites of the concerned institute. Decision for grant of scholarship rests solely with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. It is requested to select interested candidate(s) (middle/junior level) for the programme and send the nominations to CIRDAP three (3) months before the commencement of the training programme so that necessary formalities can be completed well in time. CIRDAP will allocate training programmes to each CIRDAP Member Country (CMC) every year and the fellowships will be awarded on first come first serve basis. The matter may be given due attention and reply send at your earliest convenience. Forthcoming Programmes Knowledge Sharing Workshop on Bamboo Value Chain Co-organized by CIRDAP-DoPC, MAF, Lao PDR Vientiane Center, 7-8 July 2015 CIRDAP NIRD&PR Collaborative International Training Programme on Sustainable Agriculture for Rural Development will be held on October 2015 in Lao PDR, CIRDAP NIRD&PR Collaborative International Training Programme on Geo-informatics Applications in Rural Development for Sharing Innovative and Best Practices will be held on December 2015 in NIRD, India CIRDAP NIRD&PR Collaborative International Training Programme on Local Governance and Delivery of Services will be held on January 2016 in NIRD, India CIRDAP NIRD&PR Collaborative International Training Programme on ICT Application for Rural Development will be held on February 2016 in NIRD, India For further details please contact: Dr. Vasanthi Rajendran Director, ICD, CIRDAP CIRDAP. Chameli House, 17 Topkhana Road, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh. web: 9