ISSUE #13 | MAY-JUN 2015
ISSN: 2312-0924
www.asianngo.org
/AsianNGO
Funds | Partnerships | Learning COUNTRY FEATURE
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic is poised to shed a history of poverty and violence. For decades, the Vietnam War left Lao PDR the most heavily bombed country in the world, but recent years saw the Southeast Asian country catching up with its more developed neighbors in a region enjoying a steady economic boom.
LAO PDR:
Could 2015 be Lao PDR’s landmark year? A United Nations triennial review this year will evaluate Lao PDR’s eligibility for graduation from its least developed country status by 2020. LDCs are nations with the highest poverty rates, lowest gross national income and most vulnerable economies—coupled with often young and stifled civil societies.
a new era of inclusive growth
The government of Lao PDR thus unveiled in March a new development plan that will shape the country’s agenda for the next five years. The plan seeks to address the three criteria for graduation from LDC status set out by the United Nations Committee for Development Policy: national income increase, health and education advances, and economic and environmental viability. It is clear that the way forward for Lao PDR entails not only economic gains but also social progress. Lao PDR has made vital strides in reaching its Millennium Development Goal on reducing poverty. Still, challenges remain. Cont Page 4
Image: Donatella Venturi
IN THIS ISSUE Commentary: Women's labor rights
Guest Writers: Safe cities, workers in Asia
Asian CSR
Exclusive Interviews
Page 2
Page 6
Page 7
Page 11
........................................ Learning Resources
Calendar of Events
Grants and Project Opportunities
Page 13
Page 14
Page 16
5 myths about partnering with civil society By Suzanne Nazal
"Partnership" is an overused and sometimes misused term. If you Google the word, it takes you to resources relating to business ventures and cooperative arrangements with the end view of maximizing profit. In development discussions, however, how and when do we use "partnership"? And how do civil society and NGOs come in? Cont. page 5
FEATURED INITIATIVE
ASIAN CSR
Envisioning 5M digitally literate Filipinos in 2015
For a 'Zero Harm' Lao mining industry
An initiative that reached 100,000 Filipinos last year now targets to benefit 5 million more.
Lao PDR is on the road to economic prosperity, driven by its natural resources wealth. About 22,000 people currently work in its mining and hydropower sectors. In the coming decades, the World Bank estimates that 96,000 young citizens per year will be on the lookout for more jobs across the country.
As part of the mid-year launch of DigiBayanihan in 2014, public librarians in Negros Occidental, Philippines were trained on the use of information and communication technologies. This year, DigiBayanihan aims to benefit 5 million Filipinos—from farmers to school children to corporate employees, among others. Stakeholders from the government, private sector and civil society collaborated to launch DigiBayanihan. Its core implementers are the Philippine Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communication Technology Office (DOST-ICTO), Intel Philippines and the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST). DigiBayanihan will be managed on a day-to-day basis by ASSIST.
Cont. page 3
Management solutions for a better world
MDF Training & Consultancy is an international management training and consultancy bureau with 10 offices worldwide. Our services are especially tailored for the development sector and include open subscription courses,on-demand and tailored courses, and consultancy services which are delivered in more than 50 countries. Call our marketing team for infomation on our services...
MDF ASIA +94 11 2808121-5122 email: mdfasia@mdf.nl, web:www.mdf.nl
There is no better time than now to ensure the welfare and security of Lao workers. Trailblazing companies have already emerged—among these is Phu Bia Mining, a multi-awarded mining firm present in 2,600 sq km of Lao PDR.
Image: Klienne Manaois
In this issue, Phu Bia Mining’s General Manager for External Affairs and Site Support, Richard Taylor, talks to us about the firm’s strides in fostering occupational safety and health in Lao PDR’s mining industry. Cont. page 9
EDITORIAL EDITORIAL TEAM
EDITORIAL
A sea change
JOHANNA MORDEN
CEO & PUBLISHER Sreenivas Narayanan
Asia is in the midst of change and so are we here at AsianNGO. While change is not without its challenges, it has proven to be a vessel for innovation and development time and again. The philosopher George Bernard Shaw once said that “progress is impossible without change.”
johanna@asianngo.org
With our readers themselves being agents of change in moving to create social impact in the world, we will continue to enhance our services to facilitate this evolution. This is what I envision as I come on board as AsianNGO’s new Editor-in-Chief, following in the footsteps of Mike Saycon, who had seen AsianNGO from its fruition and nestled it into a now growing list of knowledge platforms, including booklets, a weekly newsletter and an ever-expanding web portal harnessing vital funding, partnership and learning data for tens of thousands of development-sector professionals in Asia-Pacific. This change was touched upon in the previous issue of the magazine, mentioning improvements that will be at the heart of AsianNGO’s growth: more learning resources and practical information to help you, our readers, stem operational barriers in your work. This is in line with the capacity-building thrust of AsianNGO’s parent organization, the Asia Society for Social Improvement and
Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST). To add, innovation is in the works—this year, we will be rolling-out more Learning Series booklets and will be using new channels to reach you better. In the coming issues, expect regular columns from our partners and from other thought leaders from an array of development and humanitarian spaces who may just give you fresh ideas on how to do good, the better way. After all, any organization striving for positive social change in Asia-Pacific—whether it be a mid-sized NGO or a major donor, a government entity or a profitable business like Lao PDR’s Phu Bia Mining (see Page 7)—will have to be in tip-top shape to help fully transform the region’s flourishing economic wealth into sustainable and participatory growth benefiting the most marginalized and underprivileged sectors of society. Our fragile region is undergoing a sea change. The ADB’s 2015 Asian Development Outlook report posits that developing Asian economies will grow at a steady rate of 6.3 percent in 2015 and 2016. And front-and-center to this progress is our featured country this May-June, Lao PDR. In these shifting times, all development actors must become not only “watchdogs” but also role models by exhibiting good governance, transparency, accountability and efficiency in the way they operate (see Page 11). Here at AsianNGO, we agree. We want to be your podium for sharing best practices, ground-breaking programs and valuable experience with the rest of the region. To contribute to AsianNGO, email contribute@asianngo. org.
COMMENTARY
Women’s labor rights: the road ahead May 1 is International Workers Day. Its origins lie in a peaceful demonstration in 1886 in Chicago’s Haymarket Square that turned violent as frustrated workers petitioned for an eighthour workday. Since then, workers’ rights around the world have seen significant legal BARBARA RODRIGUEZ gains, including the right barbara.rodriguez@asiafoundation.org to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced labor, the abolition of child labor, and the elimination of discrimination in employment. Yet enforcement on these issues continues to lag in many nations, and, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, women have not experienced the same degree of progress as men in claiming their rights. While national policies and sociocultural norms have shifted to allow women to participate in the work force at higher rates, the global workforce gender gap has not budged in the last two decades. Despite gains in participation, women across countries remain less likely to enter the labor force than men, with a female labor force participation rate of 67 percent in East Asia and the Pacific, and a mere 33 percent in South Asia, as compared to 83 and 84 percent for men in those regions respectively. In fact, the World Economic Forum’s 2014 Gender Gap Report notes that the Asia-Pacific region has seen the least progress in closing the gender gap in economic participation of all regions surveyed. In addition to the gender gap in workforce participation, the quality of participation is vastly different for women. Across the globe, more women than men work in the informal sector, which includes non-regulated employment without a contract or benefits (such as unpaid work in a family enterprise, casual wage labor, home-based work, and street vending). The informal sector serves as the main source of employment for women in the majority of developing countries. 2|
For example, in India and Indonesia, nine out of 10 women with non-agriculture jobs work in the informal sector. This leaves many women vulnerable, as the informal sector typically lacks the oversight, protections, and regulations offered to formal sector workers. Even when women are employed in the formal sector, they are often in smaller-scale and less profitable areas. In Mongolia, for example, while women’s economic participation is high, women workers are concentrated in a narrow set of occupations including retail, catering, and teaching, rather than higher-paying sectors such as mining, transportation, and energy, where prospects for advancement are greater. The United Nations estimates that, as a result of the limits on women’s participation in the workforce across the AsiaPacific region, US$89 billion are lost to the economy every year. According to the ADB, the Asia-Pacific region loses US$42–47 billion annually because of women’s limited access to employment opportunities, and another US$16–30 billion due to gender gaps in educational attainment. Partly as a result of discrimination, and also due to women’s disproportionate representation in vulnerable, lower-paying, and low-level jobs, the gender pay gap persists. For example, in Bangladesh, the tenth largest tea producer in the world, women make up 75 percent of tea plantation workers, performing the most painstaking jobs in the field – including leaf plucking – and facing particularly hazardous conditions at work, while being denied a decent wage. In addition, women’s wages worldwide generally represent just 70–90 percent of men’s wages for similar work. In Asia, the wage gap can be even starker. In 2014, Euromonitor reported that women in the Asia Pacific region can expect to earn 41.2 percent less than men by 2030. Globally, 117 countries have equal pay laws and outlaw sexual harassment in the workplace, but implementation falls short. For example, in China, the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women prohibits sexual harassment against women, while the Special Rules on Labor Protection of Female Employees require employers to prevent sexual harassment at the workplace. Nonetheless, a 2013 study looking into workplace sexual harassment in manufacturing industries in China found that over 70 percent of female workers surveyed had been harassed by co-workers at least once in their lives. Another gap between legislation and implementation is reflected in Pakistan, which, despite constitutional commitments to non-discrimination and fundamental
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Johanna Morden SENIOR EDITOR Karthikeyan Subburaman DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Robert Ferguson PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER Olga Babina PARTNERSHIPS ASSOCIATE Nicole Razo RESEARCH AND EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES Ashley Venerable Veda Bongalos Kristine Cassandra Azcona WEB ADMINISTRATOR Chris Daria LAYOUT ARTISTS Rose Ann Dela Cruz Rozelle Tiru CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kelvin Tee For Subscriptions: subscribe@asianngo.org For Contributions: contribute@asianngo.org For Partnerships: partner@asianngo.org For Sponsorships & Advertising: advertise@asianngo.org For General Enquiry info@asianngo.org PHOTO CREDITS FLICKR www.flickr.com PHOTO STOCK EXCHANGE www.sxc.hu ISTOCK PHOTOS www.istockphoto.com AsianNGO is a publication of Asian Development Media, with address in 21B, Kwong Fat Hong Bldg No.1, Ramsey St. Central, Hong Kong 1226. The print edition of AsianNGO is released on a bi-monthly basis. Opinions expressed in this magazine are solely those of the writers and not necessarily endorsed by Asian Development Media. For more of AsianNGO and its database of grants, partners, learning assets and events, visit www.asianngo.org.
freedoms, has one of the lowest levels of female labor force participation in the region, and where there are significant obstacles to citizens exercising their labor rights. Civil society organizations, like HomeNet, are working to increase awareness among women workers about their rights in the formal and informal sectors, and conducting advocacy centered on women’s rights in the workplace. However, there is still an urgent need to raise awareness of existing labor laws, strengthen monitoring of labor rights violations, and improve reporting and redress of work-related grievances. To improve the quality of women’s labor force participation and close workforce gender gaps, the Asia Foundation is supporting an online legal aid portal in Vietnam that invites workers to ask questions about their rights. To date, 75 percent of the questions posed have been submitted by women, and addressed issues like overtime and medical leave. In Bangladesh, we will soon be working to increase understanding of labor rights and responsibilities among tea plantation workers, employers, government representatives, and union members, and strengthening the Bangladesh Cha Sramik Union, which represents tea workers. Though projections suggest the world will have to wait until the year 2095 for gender equality in the workplace, this International Workers’ Day, let us work together so that day will not be so far away. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Barbara Rodriguez is an assistant director at The Asia Foundation’s Women’s Empowerment Program. She provides technical assistance on women’s empowerment issues and leads gender analysis and mainstreaming across the Foundation’s program. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked as a gender researcher for UNDP in Cambodia, where she conducted an extensive mapping of NGOs engaged in improving awareness and implementation of the Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence and the Protection of Victims. She holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Grinnell College. This article also appeared on The Asia Foundation at www.asiafoundation.org.
www.asianngo.org
FEATURES FEATURED GRANTS
EU backs reconstruction for Sri Lankan IDPs The European Union is seeking proposals from NGOs to plan and implement its Developmental Housing Reconstruction Support for people in Sri Lanka displaced by almost three decades of civil war. The grant is worth €14 million (approximately US$15.8 million) and is open to all NGOs and international organizations eligible under the Development Cooperation Instrument. The grant falls under EU’s regional facility, Aid to Uprooted People. The deadline for applications is on June 3, 2015. Activities outlined in the proposal must involve giving the most vulnerable groups access to developmental permanent housing, providing enhanced tenure security of beneficiaries, offering access to local income opportunities and giving access to social infrastructure, providing a conducive Cont. from page 1
community environment, and helping the groups achieve financial literacy.
With DOST-ICTO being a critical partner in DigiBayanihan, the movement is planning to enhance partnerships with other stakeholders—in particular, academic institutions and international agencies—and to include more Philippine government agencies such as the National Youth Commission and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. “Apart from ICT skills literacy, DigiBayanihan will also promote digital empowerment and citizenship,” says Sreenivas Narayanan, managing director of ASSIST. “A digitally enabled and empowered Filipino will be a responsible citizen no matter where.”
among vulnerable groups by identifying the root cause of food insecurity and addressing each one. In case of emergencies and natural disasters, USAID also provides emergency food assistance.
Awardees shall be directly responsible for the implementation and management of these activities. The civil war has left about 90,000 internally-displace people (IDP) in Sri Lanka without homes, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. The destruction left by the war added to the already large number of dilapidated buildings and houses damaged by a tsunami in 2004. The European Union in 2005 thus began extending reconstruction aid in affected areas in Sri Lanka. Aside from the erection of Image: WFP USA houses, EU has aimed to engage communities, and build their capacity and skills. This has been done through the Home Owner Driven The US Agency for International or Owner Driven Reconstruction approach Development’s Office of Food for Peace is along with livelihood support efforts. calling for applications from private voluntary organizations, non-profits, intergovernmental organizations or cooperatives that are registered with the USAID Administrator.
Envisioning 5M digitally literate Filipinos in 2015 “DigiBayanihan, is a Movement of Volunteerism focusing on digital literacy. [It is] very much aligned to our Tech4Ed and free Public WiFi projects, [and] it provides additional support to the ICT trainings of our people,” says Bettina Quimson, DOSTICTO deputy executive director.
USAID calls to solve food insecurity in Mali and Bangladesh
As part of the initiative, ASSIST also organized two competitions: Cinemobile 2015 and Ten Photos to Shake the World 2015 (TPSW). Cinemobile is a mobile video competition that calls for tutorial video entries from around the globe. TPSW, on the other hand, is a photography contest that aims to get photographs showcasing digital literacy in the Philippines. “Intel believes that DigiBayanihan has already achieved one of the goals we first set in mid-2014, and that is to put digital literacy at the forefront of the national agenda for human and economic development,” says Calum Chisholm, country manager of Intel Philippines.
The related projects will address food insecurity among marginalized people in Bangladesh and Mali. In Bangladesh, the funding will be allocated for four five-year cooperative agreements with the total amount of US$180 million. In Mali, USAID will award one five-year assistance agreement totaling approximately US$9 million per year. The deadline for applications is on May 28, 2015. USAID’s Development Food Assistance Projects aim to combat hunger and poverty
The projects aspire to achieve three objectives: increased equitable access to income and nutritious food for both males and females; improved nutritional status of children under five years old, pregnant and lactating women and adolescent girls, and; strengthened gender equitable ability of people, households, communities, and systems to mitigate, adapt to and recover from man-made and natural shocks and stresses. Proposals should revolve around key objectives on enhancing food access and incomes through agriculture and other livelihoods initiatives; improving natural resource and environment management; fighting under nutrition, especially for children and pregnant and lactating women, and; alleviating disaster impact through early warning and community preparedness activities. With these projects, USAID hopes that target populations will become more resilient to hunger, resulting in a lesser need for emergency food assistance.
DigiBayanihan partners are working together to reach more Filipinos by showcasing basic digital skills as a first step. Intel’s digital literacy program, Easy Steps, is the current mainstay of DigiBayanihan. However, plans are in place to expand the program by creating more Philippine-focused topics.
Sustainable Urban Development Part-time professional development
Take your career a step beyond the rest with part-time professional development at the University of Oxford.
Image: I2can/ASSIST
I2Can: igniting and inspiring young minds in India More than 6,000 Indian students have received practical trainings designed to foster creative and socially-responsible minds under the umbrella of the ‘I2Can– Ignite & Inspire young minds’ project. I2Can is spearheaded by the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) to train youth in Tamil Nadu, India on practical topics like health, sanitation, hygiene, fire safety, road safety, emergency response, green-living, problem-solving and decision-making. In 2014, 20 events were implemented under I2Can. The events were supported by local police officers, fire safety instructors and health instructors, who trained students during interactive sessions at select schools.
www.asianngo.org
“We believe that in addition to traditional subjects, hands-on, practical and relevant topics will create an enriching and meaningful learning experience,” says Sreenivas Narayanan, managing director of ASSIST. “An important dimension of the I2Can initiative is to also enable the trained young people to be change agents in their communities. We aspire to achieve a longterm multiplier effect by developing a strong volunteer force,” Narayanan adds. ASSIST, through I2Can and its various social initiatives, seeks to challenge conventional thinking, spark positive change and build enduring partnerships for progress.
The Sustainable Urban Development Programme offers an MSc taught-course and DPhil (PhD) research degree, and a new three-day training course in Financing Urban Sustainability. The Programme attracts international professionals from across sectors and all levels. Combining industry and academic expertise, the Programme promotes a unique, cross-disciplinary collaboration between scholars at the University of Oxford and leading urban practitioners. To find out more and to register visit: www.conted.ox.ac.uk/sustainable Email: sud@conted.ox.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1865 286953 @ox_urban |3
COUNTRY FEATURE Cont. from page 1
A new era of inclusive growth
proposed a new set of rules that will compel multiple and time-consuming approvals for the community projects of INGOs.
The number of people living below the poverty line has almost halved since 1992, with the national government aiming to cut the poverty rate even further from 23.2 percent in 2012 to 19.17 percent in 2015.
Already, Lao civil society largely implements, not challenges, local government policy. CSOs wanting to speak out against unjust government directives have faced threats, intimidation and even enforced disappearances.
It has achieved its MDG target for under-five mortality of 80 for every thousand live births. It has also made significant headway in providing universal primary education and access to health services.
In December 2012, Lao PDR caught international attention when Sombath Somphone, a renowned local civil rights leader, was allegedly abducted by government forces and never seen again.
Roadblocks to development The country has attracted much foreign interest and investment in recent years, particularly in the areas of energy, minerals, forestry and hydropower. According to the Asian Development Bank, the gross domestic product of Lao PDR is projected to rise by 7 percent this year and slightly faster in 2016. But this natural resource wealth has not been adequately funneled into effective government investments in areas that foster inclusive growth, such as health and education and other basic services, public infrastructure, bridging urban and rural divide, and access to essential services. Lao PDR’s economic growth has not been amply translated into positive social impact, especially among rural communities. According to the latest UN MDGs Progress report for Lao PDR, residents of remote areas across the country have actually reported an upsurge in poverty and big disparities in skills-based job opportunities despite a general decrease in national poverty rates. Gender issues remain, and the wage gap and the higher education sector still exhibit lingering gender inequality. Another worrying aspect is continued human trafficking of women and girls—with approximately 72 percent under 18 years old—to nearby countries like Thailand for sexual and labor exploitation. Lao PDR also suffers from a painful legacy of the Vietnam War. The conflict, which ran from 1964 to 1973, left behind an estimated
XIANGKHOANG, LAO PDR—Aside from mining and energy, agriculture remains to be a main source of living in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Image by Johanna Morden
80 million unexploded cluster munitions in the country. Today, these unexploded ordnances threaten about 25 percent of all local villages, including schools, rice fields, forests and other populous areas within. Opportunities for change As the world looks towards Sustainable Development Goals post-2015, Lao PDR will need to spur its efforts to achieve unmet targets—or the “unfinished business”—of the MDGs.
Joining ADB’s ranks are the World Bank, UN agencies and other international organizations. Lao PDR’s other partner in development, however, is less conspicuous. A nascent civil society Lao PDR’s budding civil society has reported increasing oppression and intervention from the national government.
After the socialist state’s establishment in 1975, international assistance has been slow to trickle in, only expanding in 2009 after It is likely that this unfinished business will the Lao prime minister etched the Decree on spill over to the next set of global development Associations. The decree calls for the central agenda, and Lao PDR will need added registration of local organizations, dubbed support from its international partners and non-profit associations or NPAs, signaling the participation from its nascent civil society to government’s acknowledgment of the role of ensure success. civil society and NGOs in nation-building. A major development partner has already pledged its support: the ADB. The bank has allotted US$116.6 million from its Asian Development Fund for 2015 to 2016 to “strengthen education, develop economic corridors, enhance transport sector governance, and improve health services delivery” in Lao PDR. To date, the bank has supplied the country with US$1.8 billion in loans, US$151 million in technical assistance and US$496 million in grants.
On the downside, the rule has allowed the government to encroach upon the activities and coverage of CSOs in the country. CSOs have reported that the registration process is slow, bureaucratic, invasive and complex. It does not encourage the proliferation of muchneeded, independent CSOs.
Robertson adds that the country “sadly deserves its official designation by the UN as a least-developed country and economic, social and cultural rights—like right to health—continue to suffer.” The oppression of civil society has stood in the way of its essential involvement in the design of the country’s latest development plan. This shows the need for its function to veer away from mere service delivery towards the promotion of better governance and plurality of voices. Will the role of Lao PDR’s civil society evolve? It remains to be seen, but what cannot be denied is that its participation is key to equitable growth as the country transitions into a new decade of prosperity.
With excerpts from ADB Country Partnership Strategy: Lao PDR, 2012–2016; Vientiane Times report ‘Laos prepares to graduate from LDC status,’ March 2015; UNDP MDGs Progress Report for the Lao PDR, 2013; Kepa: Reflections on Lao Civil While international NGOs enjoy a wider berth Society, 2013; Radio Free Asia report ‘Call than NPAs, they are restricted by a similar For Laos to Consult NGOs on “Restrictive” decree. In June last year, the government Guidelines,’ December 2014.
Lao CSOs decry government pressure at ASEAN forum
WB supports preservation of forests in Lao PDR
Civil society organizations from Lao PDR came under pressure to omit key concerns from a list of regional human rights issues raised on the sidelines of the 26th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia in April, a Lao CSO official said.
The Lao PDR government has etched a grant agreement with the World Bank aimed at building a national strategy to slow down deforestation and forest degradation.
However, a high-ranking official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Lao government “never intervenes in or controls the work of CSOs” and only seeks to “facilitate and cooperate” with the groups.
The grant, amounting to US$3.6 million, has been provided by the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility for the promotion of better sustainable forest management among Lao PDR’s agriculture, forestry and 2015 APF chairperson Jerald Joseph said environmental ministries, as well as other Lao leaders must first demonstrate a greater commitment towards improving human rights stakeholders. and progress on Sombath’s case before it can “[The CSOs] will talk mostly about gender earn the trust of CSO participants. The World Bank estimates that of the 780 roles only, but not other issues such as land million forests found in the Asia-Pacific rights, the impact of hydropower dams… “We think that any chairmanship (sic) who region, 9.5 million are in Lao PDR and and enforced disappearance, because they are is organizing the next summit must answer without proper investment and intervention, afraid for their safety,” he added, speaking on these questions and if they are not forthcoming this number could go lower. condition of anonymity. with answers then it will really create doubt in many people’s minds—should we go to Laos or The official claimed that the majority of organize the APF in Lao PDR?’” Joseph added. But Lao PDR has been improving its sustainable forestry framework in recent years. credible CSOs in Lao PDR did not want to attend the forum, which was held from April Joseph said Lao CSOs are “too closely” 21 to 24, especially those which focus on In November 2010, the Forest Carbon influenced by the government in Vientiane human rights issues but that the Lao Ministry and that the ASEAN needs to do more to help Partnership Facility Participants’ Committee of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of the Interior them operate with greater freedom. endorsed Lao PDR’s Readiness Preparation had persuaded other “irrelevant” organizations Proposal leading to the ongoing formulation to go in their place. “NGOs should have the confidence and of the government’s official framework for empowerment to be more independent away implementing activities under the Reduction Other Lao activists believe that a retired from government. I feel in Laos it’s not there of Emissions from Deforestation and forest Lao public official, serving as a proxy for yet,” he said. “So I think that’s something Degradation (REDD+) initiative. the authoritarian government in the capital that really needs to open up … and I think Vientiane, had unsuccessfully lobbied the APF governments must be comfortable with people to erase the name of Sombath Somphone—a who are critical of you or disagree with you… The grant will support the creation of this prominent civil rights leader who has been framework, so that Lao PDR in the future this is something ASEAN should do for our missing for more than two years—from its list countries.” Radio Free Asia at www.rfa.org may be able to join and benefit from the of human rights and governance problems in Southeast Asia. While Lao PDR is set to take over the helm of ASEAN in 2016, at this year’s 2016 ASEAN People’s Forum (APF), Lao CSOs “dared not” raise their concerns at the forum intended to provide civil society with a platform to address ASEAN leaders. The APF was held parallel to the summit.
4|
“The take-away among community activists and local Lao non-profit associations is that if someone as well connected and recognized in the global community as Sombath can be taken, then no one is safe,” says Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia Division, speaking to the Asian Correspondent. “The result is self-censorship, which of course is reinforced by the government’s total control of the news media.”
ASEAN headship Next year, the Lao government will chair the 10-member ASEAN coalition and the APF.
Image: Michael Hamrah/Flickr
World Bank’s incentive payment programs to support the lessening of greenhouse gas emissions in the forest sector. The bank approximates that 12 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions come from deforestation and degradation, contributing to climate change. The new grant is a continuation of the World Bank’s support of natural resource management in Lao PDR under the Scaling-Up Participatory Sustainable Forest Management (SUPSFM) Project worth US$39.39 million.
www.asianngo.org
FEATURES Cont. from page 1
5 myths about partnering with civil society The Asian Development Bank's engagement with civil society organizations and NGOs has been evolving since ADB’s 1998 policy on cooperation with NGOs came into effect. ADB’s Strategy 2020 long-term strategic framework highlights partnerships with development institutions—including CSOs— as central to ADB's project development processes. Yet, there are a number of misconceptions about working with CSOs, which create challenges not only for ADB but for other development institutions as well. 1. Confrontation. There is an age-old perception that CSOs only operate as watchdogs and confront institutions like the ADB when they detect negative behavior. This is rapidly changing, though. While many NGOs continue to raise issues in relation to ADB projects, most of our operations actually involve constructive engagement with civil society groups. CSOs cooperate with ADB in various ways, for instance when village organizations help ADB carry out health services, or when CSOs share their expertise in disaster response, are just two examples.
delays. At the end of the day, organizing dialogue could turn out to be the most efficient way to manage successful projects. 3. Contracting equals partnership. Contracting CSOs as consultants is only one of the ways to work with CSOs. ADB recognizes the knowledge and expertise that CSOs can offer in our projects. But partnership should go beyond engaging CSOs merely as hired hands. Genuine participation happens when civil society representatives are able to contribute to decision-making and influence project outcomes.
On April 25, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, leaving more than 5,000 people dead and nearly 10,000 injured.
4. CSOs have weak capacity to engage. While small organizations typically lack the institutional capacity to engage with institutions like ADB, many CSOs in countries with a more established civil society sector have been able to engage very effectively not only with multilaterals, but also with governments and the private sector as well. At the international level, organizations like Oxfam and WWF have a large capacity to share their expertise in key global development dialogues.
Communication with communities has been frequently highlighted in evaluations as a shortfall in earthquake crisis response. Past experience has shown that communicating with communities in early stages can make a profound difference to operational aid effectiveness.
5. One size fits all. There is no single formula to making civil society partnerships work. One needs to take into account the local 2. Engaging with CSOs is expensive and time consuming. Consulting with CSOs may context to be effective, consider carefully the sociopolitical situation of the country in take time and resources. Experience shows, however, that working with CSOs—especially question, and the capacity and preparedness of CSOs to successfully engage. in the early stages of the project cycle— brings about better development results. The first step to developing true, full, Getting community-based organizations, and effective partnerships with CSOs is women’s groups, and other nonprofits debunking these myths. All development involved can provide important on-theactors should identify mutual objectives ground information that is not otherwise in the overall goal of poverty reduction, readily available. Meaningful consultation recognize the advantages of working in helps mitigate risks, leads to improved project outcomes, and prevents costly project partnerships, and invest time and resources in them. This would benefit everyone. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
SUZANNE NAZAL snazal@adb.org
What do we know about communicating with communities following an earthquake?
Suzanne Nazal is a Senior Social Development Officer (Civil Society and Participation) in the NGO and Civil Society Center, Regional Sustainable Development Department of the ADB. She supports civil society participation and engagement in ADB’s operations and has organized several knowledge-sharing events on CSO engagement for ADB staff. Before joining ADB, Suzanne worked with several NGOs in the Philippines before becoming a freelance development planning consultant. She finished Social Work and holds a Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. This article also appeared on the Asian Development Blog at www.blogs.adb.org.
Image: IFRC
Relief efforts followed suit as part of the international response to the tragedy, bringing to light some key learning from the programs held by the Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities Network (CDAC Network) during similar emergencies in Haiti and the Philippines.
The following lessons, which focus on the early stages of earthquake response, come from the ‘Ann Kite Yo Pale’ report by Imogen Wall and Yves Gerald Chéry, and other evaluations and learning reviews of the CDAC Network: Asking recipients if your assistance is appropriate from an early stage is vital. There is a need to constantly check with communities that aid provision is culturally appropriate and aligned with their needs. Local populations voices need to be heard and should be driving programmatic decisions. Early assessment of people’s information needs, and the best channels and methods to meet them is crucial. Including questions on information needs and preferred communication channels in needs assessments can help determine how best to reach communities with vital information as early as possible. Key information needs—or ‘things people need to know’—after an earthquake tend to be as follows: • Family reunification—how to contact and find family members. • Guidance on shelter, as people are afraid to go back into damaged houses. • How to meet their physical needs (food, water and medical assistance). • Dead body management
• Assessment of buildings (whether I can go back home or not) • Followed later by a need for information on: personal documentation, property deeds, compensation, death certificates and other legal issues. We also know that localized information is really important for communities. A multi-channel approach to communication works best. Face to face communication is always critical. Make sure that field staff have as much information as possible so they can answer people’s questions, and that they are feeding back what communities’ ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ are, so your agency can try and respond to them. Look out for coordinated communication efforts amongst local and humanitarian responders, and feed vital information into existing media broadcasts. Personal radio sets may have been destroyed, resulting in limited access to information, particularly in rural areas. Consider coordinating with other agencies to include solar/wind up radios in aid distributions; or playing radio broadcasts through loudspeakers at distribution points. Don’t just message out—Create a space for interaction and dialogue. ‘Communication models that facilitate genuine dialogue and facilitate listening to perspectives and concerns of local populations are more effective on multiple levels (including improving operational design and delivery, relationship building, delivering on accountability and transparency commitments and developing trust). The ability to communicate - ask a question, share a story—rather than just source information is key for communities affected by disasters.’ (Wall and Chery, 2012) Communication and connectivity plays a crucial role in psychosocial support and healing following a crisis. Providing support to local media can help with rumor mitigation and aid effectiveness. Local media can play a vital role in getting important information to communities, and providing a platform for community voice, dialogue and connectivity, as well as mitigating rumors. In Haiti, practical support such as fuel for radio station generators and restoration of Internet access (this is increasingly prioritized by local journalists), as well as food and shelter for reporters, would have made a considerable difference. (Wall and Chery, 2012). CONTACT CDAC Network nicki.bailey@cdacnetwork.org CDAC Network Secretariat c/o Internews Europe London This article also appeared on CDAC Network at www.cdacnetwork.org
www.asianngo.org
|5
GUEST WRITER
The era of the safe city Around the globe, most of today’s discussions of city security are quickly followed with talks of safe city projects, and with good reason. The rapid growth in urbanization, together with the changing threat landscape, is making safer cities absolutely vital. ITAI ELATA
According to a recent UN report, in 2014, 54 percent of the world population resided in urban areas; by 2050, 66 percent is projected to live in urban locations. Notably, Asia and Africa are urbanizing faster than the rest of the world and are projected to become 56 and 64 percent urban, respectively, by 2050.
of keeping a city safe is gaining situational awareness. Here at Verint, a leading provider of actionable intelligence technology, we think of situational awareness as the ability to collect, correlate and analyze a wealth of data—then transform it into Actionable Intelligence. This intelligence helps officials to be proactive—as opposed to reactive— and take immediate and appropriate action on suspicious activities. The ability to understand what’s happening anywhere, anytime and at any given moment is the cornerstone of situational awareness technology. Cities are dynamic, and systems need to adapt themselves to changing environments—whether it be city expansion and urban growth or city modernization, emerging security “hot spots,” evolving politics and socio-economics, or other factors. Any municipal security platform needs to have the flexibility of adjusting itself to these changing dynamics while maintaining a high level of performance. For example, a city should be able to scale the solution easily to expand to other areas within the city in order maximize safety coverage.
Building a safe city can be a gradual process, in which the initial stage may involve deploying city-wide surveillance connected with License Plate Recognition Systems. The solution should be open and flexible enough to gradually integrate with more sensors, such as gunshot detection, Meanwhile, as these regions undergo rapid economic growth, video analytics, crowdsourcing applications, panic buttons, social media intelligence, weather sensors, traffic more residents are able to buy vehicles than ever before. management systems and more, as needed. As these systems These factors combine to create more crowding in cities and potentially greater socio-economic disparities. Together and sensors are introduced, they should be fused into a central command-and-control center to give officials a with the rising threats of terror, crime, vandalism, natural comprehensive view of a city’s order disruption landscape. disasters and traffic safety, this drives the need for more City security and response policies and procedures may personal safety in cities. also adapt over time; as such, the solution should easily Cities need to prepare themselves for this population boom, accommodate this evolution. which means putting comprehensive safety systems in place. It’s also increasingly important for cities to integrate disparate Safe city funding We see a consistent increase of government and individual systems and agencies in order to gain true situational awareness to detect threats early and better control escalating city funding for safe city projects. We are also seeing more projects and more teams within cities set up to evaluate situations. By managing a city’s security posture through a these types of initiatives. Public interest is also rising, with single “pane of glass,” officials can respond to any incident efficiently and effectively, and then return to routine life and greater citizen engagement through smarter interaction with the community. business operations as quickly as possible. Continuing population growth and urbanization are projected to add 2.5 billion people to the world’s urban population by 2050. Nearly 90 percent of the increase is expected to be concentrated in Asia and Africa.
Safe cities around the globe Safe cities are about maintaining public order and safety so that routine life and business operations go undisrupted, while also creating operational efficiency. A key foundation
As a result, safe city funding has increased significantly. In China alone, hundreds of cities have instituted safe city programs, and some regions are spending several billion dollars on the accompanying systems and training. In Surat
and Mumbai, India, multi-million dollars have been invested in safe city projects, and many other cities in the Asia Pacific region are following their lead. Beyond 2015 Major building blocks in every city’s growth are usually related to transportation, infrastructure, communication and more. We see that public safety is an inherent part of every city’s development and a key component to sustaining it. Just as cities are expected to invest in infrastructure, electricity, sewage, water and other ways to improve residents’ quality of life, personal safety is equally important and expected. Together with this, citizens also expect operational efficiencies from response teams when handling incidents, and ways to make it easier for citizens to report on city hazards—for example, through their mobile phones. Today’s citizens expect that the same platform used for security reports is also the backbone for city operational services and can be used to link citizens through a single smartphone application. The security community and non-governmental organizations can work together to further this paradigm. NGOs are a critical part of helping attain public safety, order and sustainability through initiatives that create a more economical and greener environment or relief work charities that support natural disaster zones. By working hand-inhand with local authorities, their impact can be greatly leveraged through mass notification, volunteer dispatch and evacuation, and ensure smooth and efficient collaboration.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Itai Elata is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Video & Situation Intelligence Solutions, International at Verint. Itai, who recently joined the Safe Cities Asia 2015 conference in Singapore, has more than 20 years of experience in sales, business development and managing business units in a variety of companies, including DEC, ECI Telecom, and Radwin, and he previously led Verint’s Communication Intelligence Solutions business unit in Europe and North America. Itai has a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Ben-Gurion University, Israel.
Lessons and challenges: workers’ health and safety in Asia and footwear factories. ECC International is implementing the project, which focuses on factories participating in the Better Work programs in Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Lesotho, Haiti, Jordan, and Nicaragua. In Asia, the profiling completed to date covers garment and footwear factories in Vietnam and Cambodia. The profiles are developed based on fire and building accident data, regulatory framework, Better Work assessments, stakeholder discussions and site visits for selected individual factories.
Image: Better Work
The annual rate of occupational accidents, fatal and non-fatal, is estimated at 270 million across the globe. The majority of these take place in developing countries, a number of which are found in Asia.
In terms of compliance with labor laws and regulations, occupational safety and health has remained challenging for a variety of reasons. Laws and regulations are often insufficient and even where they exist, the capacities of the national labor inspectorates are low and there is deficient enforcement. While improvements are needed across all the countries looked at, those with weaker regulatory frameworks face the greatest challenges.
In Vietnam, regulations on fire and building safety are While globalization has led international brands to outsource in place. However, they are not strictly adhered to, given the low level of enforcement. Advances and declines in the development of their products to low-income countries, occupational safety and health can also been seen. Fire events such as Bangladesh’s Rana Plaza building collapse incidents have been a challenge in Vietnam in homes and in 2013—which killed more than 1,127 people, mostly garment workers—have brought heightened scrutiny over the workplaces, including garment and footwear factories. conditions in which products are made. International brands The industry has also experienced some building safety are increasingly being held accountable for the conditions of accidents, although the risk levels are lower than those seen in Cambodia. work in their supply chain, including the health of workers and their safety at work. In Cambodia, regulations on fire and building safety are inadequate to comprehensively address fire and building This is a serious issue that has considerable human, social safety issues. Insufficient regulation in the country— and economic costs. In Vietnam and Cambodia, for instance, workers in the garment and footwear industries are including the lack of a building code and the failure predominantly sending earnings to their family members, so to implement recently adopted fire safety measures— contributes to fire and building safety-related risks. the reliance on these livelihoods is vast and loss of income due to injuries affects broader communities. While fire safety and emergency preparedness remain key Better Work, a joint partnership program of the International issues in the Cambodian garment industry, there have been recent improvements. Data from Better Factories Cambodia's Finance Corporation and the International Labour synthesis report covering May 2013 to April 2014 found that Organization, which aims for garment workers’ rights to 43 percent of the factories assessed were non-compliant with be realized and for factories who uphold labour laws and regular emergency evacuation drills, while 24 percent were standards to be profitable and productive, has sponsored an initiative evaluating fire and building safety risks in garment non-compliant in October 2014. 6|
Perhaps the most interesting finding of the project is the fundamental role of buyers in the fight for workers’ health and safety in the Asia-Pacific region. It was found that buyers have an important role as a primary driver influencing factories to implement health and safety measures. A key recommendation is that buyers set up systems incentivizing factory improvements on workers’ well-being. Although not part of the profiling exercise, the efforts of international buyers to improve building and fire safety in garment factories in Bangladesh (through the Alliance and Accord initiatives) further support this finding.
"
Could buyers be the catalyst for a speedier uptake of occupational safety and health across the region? This is an idea that bears further exploration.
"
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anne Ziebarth is a Senior Technical Specialist at the International Labour Organization/Better Work. ziebarth@ilo.org
Image: Better Work
www.asianngo.org
CSR
Responsible business for sustainable impact SunEdison brings renewable energy access to Indian students SunEdison, a top global renewable energy development company, has installed a 100 kW solar power system at the Ramakrishna Mission Students' Home in India to help approximately 700 students gain energy independence. Reverend Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj, senior trustee and governing body member of the Ramakrishna Math Center and Mission, appreciates that the project has allowed Ramakrishna to use clean energy using the 345 high performance solar panels provided by SunEdison.
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation and power other buildings in the vicinity.
"The system allows the mission to increase its energy independence and frees up resources to help them focus on vocational training and universal education to students,“ Gopalan added.
Serco wins int'l award for workplace safety are taking sensible and effective steps to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their workers, celebrating their efforts and encouraging other businesses everywhere," he added.
The International Safety Award is given to organizations that are able to manage "All of those working at Serco Middle East their workplaces well, and prevent workTransport Division have made this award related illnesses and injuries. More than 500 possible, which recognizes their commitment organizations from different sectors and to preventing injury and ill health in the countries won the award in 2015. workplace," said Neal Stone, acting chief executive of the British Safety Council. According to Stone, the International Safety Award “reflects the importance of aiming for good standards of health and safety at work.” Stone highlighted the importance of acknowledging the organizations that are taking good measures to achieve occupational safety and health. "Awards have an important role to play in shining a light on those employers who
A crowd-funded campaign for UK immigrants Powered by crowdfunding, the “I am an Immigrant” poster campaign has been launched in the United Kingdom to help curb prejudices against immigrants in the nation. The campaign has been initiated by the Movement Against Xenophobia (MAX), an umbrella group composed of 113 UK organizations and led by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigration, an independent voluntary organization in the UK. Through crowdfunding, MAX has raised over £44,000 (approximately US$67,000) to put up posters and billboards at railway stations in the UK. Under the campaign, posters will be shared across various channels containing photos of immigrants sharing their stories and contribution. www.asianngo.org
By Iris Lui
care workers by providing recognized healthcare training courses from accredited academic institutions. IRC and the School of Global Studies at Thammasat University have worked together to introduce a training which leads to the attainment of a Certificate in Public Health, recognized by the Myanmar Ministry of Health.
“We believe that solar energy will be the cheapest form of energy in the coming years. These kinds of installations enable harnessing of energy right at the source thereby curbing environmental pollution,” said Pashupathy Gopalan, president of SunEdison in Asia-Pacific.
“Generating electricity from renewable energy helps mitigate the air and water pollution emitted by coal power plants that is linked to certain health risks," he said. SunEdison manufactures, develops, finances and installs solar technology, and operates The project has a potential to also be wind and solar power plants. This initiative income-generating. Through a net metering forms a part of the company’s corporate social arrangement, Ramakrishna could export responsibility project that aims to provide excess energy from the solar panels to the electricity to 20 million people by 2020.
Serco’s Middle East Transport Division has received a 2015 International Safety Award from the British Safety Council. The council commended the service company's commitment in maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for its employees in the Middle East.
Sustainably growing your workforce in Myanmar
Image: Serco
First B4B event to be held in China A new event highlighting the role of mediumsized enterprises in sustainability will be held in China from July 15 to 16, 2015. The first Business4Better (B4B) China is a not-for-profit business event spearheaded by UBM Asia. It will gather medium-sized businesses, community partners and nonprofit organizations at the Shanghai KIC Conference Center. “Medium-sized businesses have the highest potential for impact because of the large number of businesses and their proximity to the community,” said Jime Essink, president and CEO of UBM Asia.
YANGON, MYANMAR—Workers handle bricks at a brick factory on the outskirts of Yangon. By Ye Aung Thu via AFP/GettyImages
CSR Asia has been working with the International Rescue Committee on the “Invest to Excel – Sustainably growing your workforce in Myanmar” program. The aim of the program is to build preparedness activities, such as skills trainings and apprenticeship/employment schemes, for the eventual voluntary return of refugees and migrant workers from Thailand to Myanmar as the country reforms and develops, so that their integration into wider society will be sustainable, and their positive impact on the Myanmar labor market and economy will be maximized.
In addition, thousands of refugees and migrants have received training by IRC and its partners in business management; accounting & finance; computing; language (English, Thai and Burmese); teaching; health care & public health; hospitality management; and agricultural & construction. It is hoped that through these trainings, returnees’ competitiveness will be enhanced in the open labor market. • Successful examples of supporting resettled refugees: IRC has vast experience working with corporate partners to train and recruit refugees. For example, IRC works closely with the restaurant chain, Chipotle, to identify interested and skilled refugees to work in its over 1,000 restaurants across the United States. Also, IRC's New Roots program is giving hundreds of refugee farmers the tools and trainings they need to grow healthy and affordable food and become self-sufficient.
• Reintegration into Myanmar: Companies raised concerns in regard to the successful There are currently around 110,000 refugees reintegration of returnees into the workforce and the Myanmar society. This and anywhere between 2 to 3 million highlights the importance in ensuring migrants living in Thailand. In January that the returnees receive the necessary 2015, CSR Asia and IRC invited leading companies operating in Myanmar to attend preparedness activities prior to their arrival and continuous support during a meeting in Yangon to discuss ways to their resettlement. This is an area that invest in returning refugees and migrant IRC expressed confidence in given their workers. experience of resettling refugees which The event was an opportunity for companies promotes self-reliance and integration. For example, in 2013, IRC helped resettle some to learn more about refugees and migrant 8,700 newly arrived refugees globally. workers residing in Thailand and raise questions they have on the project. • Support from the government: This is considered to be a key success factor in The key takeaways from the event were: facilitating the eventual voluntary return of • Labor market in Myanmar: The economy refugees and migrant workers to Myanmar. Foremost, ensuring that the returnees have in Myanmar is on track to grow by 7.8 the legal status to work and companies percent in fiscal year 2014 (ending March have the endorsement from Government to 31, 2015). The growth is spurred by rising support the program is important. IRC is investments driven by improved business currently looking to engage the government confidence, commodity exports, the rising on this issue and will provide more updates production of natural gas, buoyant tourism and credit growth. As the country continues later on this year. to grow, it has been reported that the country will need 32 million workers in 2015. IRC anticipates that skilled refugees & ABOUT THE AUTHOR migrants will choose to return home in the next one to three years. • Refugees and migrants are skilled labor capable of contributing positively to the workforce: The Accor example in Australia demonstrates the value that refugees can bring to the workforce. The Job Ready Program, which is designed to provide training for migrants living in Melbourne and Sydney, has seen over 70 candidates successfully employed across a range of hotel operations in 2013. IRC also presented the skills that refugees and migrants already possess and have already been trained in. • Building greater preparedness among refugees and migrants in Thailand–an example: With IRC’s focus on building preparedness activities for return to Myanmar, they have introduced a program to further strengthen the skills and competencies of refugee and migrant health
Iris undertakes consultancy projects and training with CSR Asia, especially in the areas of corporate social responsibility strategy, IRIS LUI community iris.lui@csr-asia.com investment and stakeholder engagement in China and Hong Kong. Iris graduated from the University of Manchester, UK, in B.soc.sci (Hons) Sociology and an MA in International Relations (International Politics). This article also appeared on CSR Asia at www.csr-asia.com.
|7
ASIAN CSR
Philanthropy: feel-good factor or a business opportunity? By Tania Ellis
Philanthropy has been considered—and in many cases rightly so—a “nice-to-have” add-on to business, or a feel-good buzz that creates purpose for the company’s employees but adding no real value to the company. But does it have to be this way? The short answer is no. In the pursuit of developing a sustainable business case for corporate social responsibility, many companies have embarked on a journey in which they try to develop solutions that create value to both society and themselves. My experience as a practitioner over the last decade has, however, proven to me that a solid business case for corporate responsibility and sustainability often requires long-term, serious efforts before social and economic returns of those efforts can be measured.
In other words: pioneering takes time. And time is a precious commodity in a business environment fixated on the short term, where market demands dictate quick decisions, impatient shareholders rule, and quarterly earnings dominate.
Philanthropy—if used " strategically—can provide space
for long-term sustainability efforts and experimentation with new ‘shared value’ business solutions that can generate both value for society and the bottom line without the constraints imposed by short-sightedness.
"
Here are three examples: 1. Create a pipeline of social innovations with your philanthropic funds French food giant Danone, in its effort to live up to its mission of “Bringing health through food to as many people as possible,” has turned its charity foundation Danone Funds into so-called Social Innovation Platforms. By using its philanthropic war-chest as incubation funds for new technologies and ideas, Danone can experiment with new socially beneficial solutions that may eventually break new ground, helping Danone optimize and innovate its business. 2. Apply skilled volunteering to develop both market opportunities and talent United States IT giant IBM has developed a triple-win solution through its Corporate Service Corps program. Here, a selection of IBM’s employees are paid to apply their
SINGAPORE
ENVIRONMENTAL
ACHIEVEMENT
AWARDS
professional skills on a pro bono basis— so-called skilled volunteering—over a three-month period to help communities around the world solve critical problems in business, technology and society. This provides triple benefits: communities have their problems solved, IBM’s employees receive leadership training and development, and IBM gains greater local knowledge and insight into potential markets. 3. Give the company a start-up mindset through pro bono partnerships A few years ago, one of our clients Danish intimate healthcare company Coloplast decided to help small social business venture Ruby Cup, which wanted to produce and sell menstrual cups for women in developing countries, but lacked the technical know-how to do so. Coloplast saw no commercial potential in the alliance, but wanted to help; so, instead of a formalized partnership, the alliance operated as a “skunk-work” project escaping routine organizational procedures - by some of Coloplast’s R&D employees, who within a year helped Ruby Cup’s young entrepreneurs develop their first prototype of the menstrual cup. The project with Ruby Cup was not only a huge motivator for these Coloplast employees, it also showed them how little time was really needed to go from-idea-tomarket. In other words, the informal pro bono partnership with Ruby Cup exposed Coloplast to an entrepreneurial environment and mindset, showing Coloplast how it could improve its own product innovation processes. As R&D manager Carsten Faltum explains: “Our greatest benefits of working with Ruby Cup were not so much about CSR, but more about innovation and exposing the organization to a dynamic start-up mindset, which our employees have been able to apply in their own everyday work.” So what can we learn from these three examples? Firstly, philanthropy can be used as “patient capital”, if a company wants to experiment with new and sustainable business solutions, as this enables a longer time horizon for both social and financial returns than developing solutions in a market-driven business environment.
Participate in the Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards (SEAA) to vie for the top environmental accolade in Singapore and the region! Join the ranks of past winners, such as Keppel Land Limited, Glaxo Wellcome Manufacturing, Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay, Grand Hyatt Singapore, Ricoh Asia Pacific, as well as regional players like KUB-Berjaya Enviro Sdn Bhd and YTL Corporation Bhd in being the top environmental stewards!
APPLY NOW!
Secondly, philanthropy can consequently be seen as social investment or as “venture philanthropy” rather than a charitable onetime donation. Thirdly, philanthropic engagement is not necessarily all about providing capital. Time, network contacts and other business resources may, in fact, create far greater value for all parties involved. So the next time you need to decide on charitable projects to support or donations to give, you might want to consider engaging in projects or partnerships that can not only benefit from your support, but can also help you gain insight into a societal challenge, a potential market, or a new customer segment. It might just also bring a fresh shot of entrepreneurial energy and inject new values into your organization. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tania Ellis is a Danish-British prize-winning author, speaker and business innovator, specializing in social business trends and strategies.
Log on to www.sec.org.sg/seaa for more information. Organised by TANIA ELLIS te@taniaellis.com
In 2014, she received the Indian "Women Leadership Excellence Award" for her work over the past decade on corporate sustainability, social responsibility and entrepreneurship. This article also appeared on Eco-Business at www.eco-business.com. 8|
www.asianngo.org
ASIAN CSR Cont. from page 1
For a 'Zero Harm' Lao mining industry In March 2013, Phu Bia Mining’s parent company, PanAust, won the Sustainability Leadership Award at the Asia Mining Congress in Singapore and, in 2011, was presented with the Labor Medal Class 1 for the ‘Best Development in a Rural Area’ by the Lao government. What inspired Phu Bia Mining to begin promoting occupational safety and health (OSH) among its workforce? Strong OSH is the ‘right’ way to operate. From an ethical perspective, we believe we have a responsibility to care for the health and well-being of people with whom we have contact in our business activities. This is particularly so in a developing country such as Lao PDR where safety standards and behaviours are not as advanced as in Australia where our parent company, PanAust Limited, is based. As Phu Bia Mining grows in Lao PDR, so does our local workforce. Almost 90 percent of our workforce consists of Lao nationals. To ensure the success of the business, we have had to focus on building the safety capacity of our Phu Bia Mining’s General Manager External Affairs and Site Support , Richard Taylor. Lao national workforce. The better the safety performance of our operations, the better our overall production and cost outcomes. Our safety statistics show that the OSH work we are doing at our sites and operations is Tell us more about the work that you are paying off. The company’s group-wide Total doing in this space. Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) Since commencing operations in Lao of 0.88 for 2014 is a 48 percent year-on-year PDR approximately 10 years ago, we have improvement from 2013’s result of 1.72. implemented numerous OSH initiatives to The company’s Lost Time Injury Frequency ensure we bring our safety commitments to life Rate (LTIFR) for 2014 was 0.15 which was through the behaviors of all of our employees; also an improvement on the previous year’s 88 percent of whom are Lao-nationals. 0.31. Our TRIFR and LTIFR continue to be significantly better than industry averages Our Safety Management System is consistent globally. Within the Lao PDR context, we’re with OHSAS 18001 and includes standards, very pleased with these results. procedures, training and monitoring plans for each site. We are not afraid of discovering How can your success be replicated among areas that need improvement and it is part other companies interested in doing the same of our ‘continual improvement’ culture work? that we constantly review for gaps in our Phu Bia Mining hosts a large number of safety standards and develop action plans to visitors each year from across the industry address non-compliances. from people interested in replicating the operations’ success. As with many types Our workforce must be risk-aware in order for of business culture, it is not possible to us to achieve Zero Harm. We use behavioral point to a single initiative but it is rather safety programs to promote a proactive a combination of different processes and safety culture based on positive indicators commitment from our people built up over such as visible safety leadership, carrying our time. Phu Bia Mining is keen to demonstrate job-safety observations, hazard-awareness its approach and we seek to share information training, and workplace inspections. on what has worked with industry colleagues. Beyond our own sites and operations, we also look to others in the industry internationally. We regularly carry out benchmarking activities to exchange ideas and share lessons learnt, which in turn helps shape our own OSH programs.
What partnerships have you bridged with civil society and NGOs? Phu Bia Mining has developed several key partnerships that is hoped will leave enduring legacies in Lao PDR. In 2013 we established a ground-breaking partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the Lao government to improve water supply and sanitation in 11 small towns in the country with a combined population of approximately 160,000 people. To date, we have expensed US$2 million in grants toward the project and will contribute a total of US$6 million over the project’s life, which is expected to be six years. As part of a three-year sponsorship arrangement that commenced in 2012, Phu Bia Mining has also partnered with not-forprofit Interplast Australia and New Zealand to provide free-of-charge, life-changing surgical treatment to people who otherwise would not have access to such services. Since the partnership’s inception, Phu Bia Mining has contributed US$150,000 towards the program which brings highly experienced volunteer medical personnel to Lao PDR to deliver the services alongside Lao national staff.
developed corporate citizenship programs that leverage high-quality strategic partnerships. In this way, we increase ‘buy-in’ and the likelihood of success, as well as making the most of effective use of limited and, at times, disparate resources. Mining operations, which are mostly located in remote and typically underdeveloped areas, are uniquely placed to be agents of economic development. There is, therefore, great potential for all parties committed to improving the living standards of people in these areas to work together to effect change. A collaborative approach ensures resources are more effectively deployed and outcomes maximized. CONTACT info@panaust.com.au Vientiane, Lao PDR +856 21 268 000
Phu Bia Mining’s philosophy is that wherever we operate, we partner with local authorities and communities to improve the socioeconomic well-being of the region. This way we build capacity in our host communities rather than create dependencies. To this end, our Trades Training Program is being delivered in partnership with the Lao-German Technical College in Vientiane. We offer five-year apprenticeship programs to train and develop young local people to be fully competent tradespeople to safely and effectively maintain heavy industry equipment. The program is the first of its kind in Lao PDR where a private company has partnered with a Lao tertiary institution to provide world-class training and has multiple flow-on benefits. What other opportunities for partnerships between the private sector and civil society do you see in Lao PDR? The government of Lao PDR aims to graduate from least developed country status by 2020. We think there is great scope for NGOs, business, and civil society to work together to help make this a reality. Beyond the scope of OSH, Phu Bia Mining has
Mine Training Supervisor, Sayyasith Phonesavath (standing) with Fatigue Coordinator, Viengkham (sitting) reviewing ‘fatigue self-assessment forms’ completed by haul truck operators at the Phu Kham Copper-Gold Operation; a process which helps manage fatigue among Phu Bia Mining’s employees. Image by: Phu Bia Mining
Supported By
Digital Advertising
Guiding an excavator into the Mobile Maintenance Workshop at the Ban Houayxai Gold-Silver Operation for scheduled maintenance; the traffic controller is giving the signal for ‘stop’ Image by: Phu Bia Mining
www.asianngo.org
|9
DONORS AND PARTNERS
Partnership opens FEATURED EVENT up educt'l opportunities for DIHAD 2015 highlights innovation and partnerships conference with open minds and creative Lao villagers Image: DIHAD
A partnership between a foreign volunteer and a local organic food grower has led to an initiative providing educational opportunities for local youth in Lao PDR’s inner districts. The offshoot initiative, named Equal Education For All (EEFA), has been providing 34 free English classes per week in four villages in the Lao locality of Vang Vieng—Phoudindaeng, Pakpo, Viengsamai and Nathong. More than 200 students have registered to join the English classes conducted by EEFA’s local and foreign volunteers. EEFA offers scheduled classes in primary school students, evening classes for students at secondary and high school levels, and two evening classes a week for adults. It has also built community centers and refurbished classrooms in local communities. The project was founded in 2007 when Thanongsi Solangkoun, owner of the Vang Vieng Organic Farm, and Ward Reekmans, a Belgian volunteer, teamed up to aid local youth with English classes, learning materials, and the construction and renovation of local schools. EEFA is made possible by private donations and a portion of the profit of the Vang Vieng Organic Farm. Reekmans also created an NGO in Belgium to help raise funds for EEFA. According to EEFA’s mission statement, its aim is to “create leadership within the community so that locals become leaders and teachers” and “will not have to be dependent on volunteers.”
Image: Vang Vieng Organic Farm
Korean NGO brings critical health aid to children in Asia Samdong International, a Korea-based NGO, has launched a new program that focuses on giving medical assistance to children with critical needs in developing countries in Asia.
More than 396 companies and humanitarian organizations attended this year’s event, marking a 20 percent increase in participation from 2014. The attendees encompassed organizations specializing in delivering goods and services for disaster response operations, humanitarian aid projects and development programs.
The 12TH edition of the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD) closed on March 26, enabling a platform for dialogue and best practice sharing across regions. The theme of the event was ‘Opportunity, Mobility, Sustainability: The Humanitarian Aid & Development Perspectives.’ Held from March 24 to 26, the conference centered on disaster reduction and preparedness, environmental protection and climate change, the forced displacement of persons,
“It's the largest scale program we've ever taken on, and it's quite exciting for us,” said Jessica Adel, Samdong International’s director of international relations. Samdong International was established in 2008 in South Korea. Aside from its health and medical services, the organization has also supported clean water projects, green energy initiatives, and agricultural management programs, including school construction and emergency relief.
10 |
causes and consequences, and the topic of sustainable development after 2015. To foster partnerships, DIHAD also hosted special sessions about sustainability of water and energy, the role of NGOs in the provision of humanitarian assistance in today’s crisis environments, and the role of NGOs as partners in development assistance. “Innovation is the key to finding solutions to the most complex aid situations… [I] encourage all participants to approach the
“For 12 consecutive years, DIHAD has been a focal point of attraction for all humanitarians from East and West, being an ideal platform for networking and a global umbrella to promote and improve the mechanisms of the humanitarian response to crises and disasters that arise in various parts of the world,” said Abdul Salam Al Madani, executive chairperson of DIHAD. DIHAD is organized by INDEX Conferences and Exhibitions, a member of INDEX Holding, and is sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Est., the UN, the UAE Red Crescent Authority, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, International Humanitarian City, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs—Dubai and Dubai Cares. DIHAD is also supported by Al Khair Foundation and IQRA TV.
Social enterprise ranked among global top 500 Digital Divide Data, a pioneering social enterprise in the business process outsourcing industry, has been named among the top 500 NGOs worldwide for the third year running. Digital Divide Data (DDD) has been ranked #31 out of 2,000 organizations considered for the top 500 honors in 2014 by independent consulting firm Global Geneva. Digital Divide Data was ranked #25 in 2013 and #28 in 2012. Every year, Global Geneva honors NGOs that "challenge normal approaches in policy, the market, and NGO activity."
DDD offers data, research and digital content services to clients internationally from its offices in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Kenya and the US. It also provides access to job opportunities and higher income to talented youth from The Cure 100: Children's Hope Project is underprivileged communities under the expected to benefit a hundred children from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Lao PDR, “impact sourcing” model that the organization has pioneered. Mongolia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The program will bring 100 children with crucial health needs and their families to South Korea to undergo vital medical treatment. Samdong International, working with the target nations’ embassies and governments, will sponsor all flights, accommodations, food, incidentals and hospital expenses incurred by the patients’ stay.
lenses in order to come up with innovative, collaborative ideas for tackling today’s most pressing humanitarian and development situations,” said Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE minister of international cooperation and development, at the conference’s opening.
Since DDD launched its Asia operations in 2001, various firms across the globe have integrated this model. DDD in Asia is now composed of more than 750 staff. “What distinguishes us is a business model that delivers high-quality, competitively priced digital solutions to our clients, while also providing jobs and access to education to the talented youth we employ,” said Jeremy Hockenstein, CEO and co-founder of DDD. Also among the highest ranked NGOs of 2014 are Acumen, Ashoka, Grameen, One Acre Fund, Partners in Health, Tostan and Root Capital.
2nd ANNUAL MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT Envisioning Future Mixed Use Development 27 - 28 May 2015 | Manila, Philippines Mixed-used is creating a unique project and design puzzle that is encouraging companies to innovate to fit different uses together. You need to provide elements like green space that will engage people and resonate with their tastes and needs. Striking the right balance of commercial, workplace and community uses helps ensure people arrive for one reason—and stay for the rest.
KEY FEATURES OF THIS CONFERENCE Reinventing the concept of Mixed Use Development Finding the right balance of mix use components to be integrated in your project Positioning your MXD as the key drivers of economic growth Assessing the commercial elements in your MXD project Using MXD as a tool for creating smart cities Learning best practices in mixed used development projects Benchmarking with leading developers and architects
Image: DDD For more details, contact: Karen Leong Tel: +603 2775 0000 F: +603 2775 0055 E: karenl@trueventus.com
www.asianngo.org
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Where civil society and Asia’s young democracies meet The state of civil society tends to go with the ebb and flow of its home country’s political climate. It was no different for the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), the largest coalition of civil society organization networks in the Philippines working for social development. When CODE-NGO was founded 24 years ago, Philippine democracy was in transition from over a decade of rule under despot Ferdinand Marcos. The coalition has since grown to 12 national and sub-national networks, representing more than 1,600 development NGOs, people’s organizations and cooperatives in the archipelago.
of its many decision-makers and agencies. Add to this the reality that many officials in the local and national governments still view most CSOs negatively as trouble-makers, if not outright opponents.
Continuing the high level of awareness and action against graft and corruption and the abuse by politicians of their "pork barrel" or In this issue, CODE-NGO Executive Director discretionary funds remained among the most important challenge for civil society in the Sixto Donato Macasaet talks to AsianNGO Philippines in the past year. This started in about civil society’s pivotal role in a young democracy like the Philippines often plagued mid-2013 with the exposure of the decades-old "pork barrel scam" involving the alleged misuse by issues of corruption and slow reforms. of public funds by local senators, members of the congress, national and local government In the experience of CODE-NGO, how officials, "businesspersons" and fake NGOs. important is it to have an organized civil society in Asia’s young democracies? A related challenge faced by civil society was sustaining and broadening the support for An organized civil society important reforms initiated by government in of people's participation, transparency ensures the sector’s autonomy pursuit and accountability in governance despite from the government to be its the negative publicity for politicians and government officials in general, and even for “watchdog,” and at the same NGOs, that resulted from the "pork barrel time establishes its legitimacy scam." These reform initiatives include the nationwide Bottom Up Budgeting and the Full as an equal partner and Disclosure Policy.
establish a self-regulating mechanism. The CODE-NGO good governance campaigns include, aside from obtaining the continued commitment of members to the Code of Conduct, promoting certification by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) and Good Governance Checklist. The PCNC, an NGO self-regulation mechanism in the Philippines, is a private voluntary, nonstock, non-profit corporation that functions as a service organization certifying non-profits that meet established minimum criteria for management and accountability. The Good Governance Checklist is CODE-NGO’s tool for organizations, which are not PCNC certified to assess themselves in terms of minimum measures of good governance for CSOs.
"
stakeholder for development.
"
When democracy was restored in the Philippines in 1986, for example, the vibrancy of civil society groups of various convictions and their coming together brought forth policies which institutionalized the important role of civil society in nation-building – as enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and in the various laws enacted afterwards, for instance the local government code and social reform laws. What have been so far the most challenging aspects of working with the Philippine government? Working with the Philippine government can be very challenging because of its huge size, the complexity of its structures and systems, and the varied and often opposing interests
When does government intervention, or support, become excessive? It is better to look at government intervention and support in terms of how it complements with CSO efforts and vice-versa than measuring when it becomes excessive. The current government’s openness to working with CSOs to promote transparent, participatory and accountable governance is being appreciated by the majority in the sector. CSOs serve as alternative providers of services to the poor, especially those underserved by the government. In your experience, what are the most pressing issues of NGO management in the country and the region? Among the most pressing issues in NGO management is ensuring the financial and over-all sustainability of the organization while
CODE-NGO Executive Director Sixto Donato Macasaet
remaining true to its vision and mission. This is related to the challenge of showing results to the various stakeholders and ensuring good governance within the NGO, including understanding and complying fully with regulatory requirements. How do you advocate for stronger accountability and transparency in nonprofit development work? CODE-NGO implements and advocates CSO accountability and transparency through its Covenant on Philippine Development and Code of Conduct for Development NGOs. This document, which served as the basis of unity of CODE-NGO members during its establishment in 1991, defined a collective vision for development and declared a commitment to observe the highest standards of development work. This document is believed to be one of the first initiatives by the NGO community to
What lessons from the success of CODENGO’s work in the Philippines do you believe can replicate similar direction in other countries in Asia? The good governance campaigns initiated by CODE-NGO as mentioned above do not require enormous resources to implement or replicate and are easily replicable with the commitment of members (CSOs) to practice good governance in their operations. In other young democracies in Asia, what opportunities and potentials for success should NGOs and their civil society look out for? Early on, it is important for CSOs not only to demand good governance, transparency and accountability from the public sector and business sector but also to exhibit it in the way they operate. It is essential that CSOs realize that they are accountable not only to their donors but also to the communities they serve, to their fellow CSOs, and their staff. At the current stage of multi-faceted development problems calling for a broader response and governance reforms, partnerships and networking should also aim to build or develop the capacities of CSOs for a wide and united response and expand democratic space for CSO participation in governance.
A new, circular path to Asian development There is a new buzzword in the development sphere and it puts sustainable economics front and center. Just what is “circular economy” and could it be the catalyst that will put Asia’s fledgling nations on a straight path to development? Tell us more about “circular economy,” and why this is important especially for developing countries. The current linear “take—make—dispose” economic model generates waste by-products that simply do not fit anywhere, since the vast majority of products have not be designed from the outset to re-enter a cycle. A systemic shift towards a circular model in which materials, technical as well as biological, continuously flow: metals and polymers are kept in loops and re-employed whilst being kept at the highest level of quality, organic elements return to the soil safely and help build natural capital. This, of course, presupposes careful design—for ease of disassembly, for instance—and the elimination of toxicity.
backed economic rationale and making a strong business case. Engaging with business and education by providing case studies, and by showing the opportunity for innovation, is important. Just like fostering collaborations between a wide variety of stakeholders—the system shift that circularity represents is by nature cross-disciplinary and requires changes across the whole value chain, with the support of policy to create the right conditions. It’s primarily a business-led transition but given the right regulatory framework, it will reach scale quicker.
Your corporate partners are mostly the multi-nationals. How different would it be for local firms and conglomerates to pursue this, if at all? Since it is inspired by living systems, the circular economy relies on diversity of scale Since a circular model provides the opportunity and on local networks connected to the bigger to decouple economic development from the “grid.” As such, all players have a role. Having consumption of finite resources and strives said that, it can be more challenging for a small to eliminate waste by design, it can help structure to shift its practices, due to lack of developing markets achieve positive and human resources, time and perceived risks, etc. regenerative growth without having to go Dame Ellen MacArthur, founder of Ellen MacArthur through the same phases as those of mature But what we find, and we also do work with Foundation economies shaped by the material-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises, is that industrial revolution. Dame Ellen MacArthur, proponent of the collaborative practices help overcome that paradigm and founder of the Ellen MacArthur potential barrier. By opening a dialogue Foundation, discusses how a change in the How can these circular models be replicated with other players—around, for example, conventional and often environmentallyin developing Asia? materials exchanges where the by-product of adverse models of economic consumption and Key to establishing the credibility of the one becomes the resource of another—new production could be the way forward. circular economy has been providing a datarevenue generation mechanisms often arise. Is
www.asianngo.org
there potential for me to sell the service of my product rather than the object itself? Can that be achieved through a partnership with a local business that has logistic capabilities? These are just examples, but breaking down the silos is key, regardless of business size. What inspired you to set up the MacArthur Foundation? Realizing the true meaning of the word “finite” was a defining moment for me. Sailing around the world against the clock in 2004, I had with me the absolute minimum of resources in order to be as light, hence as fast, as possible. At sea, what you have is all you have, stopping en route to restock is not an option and careful resource management can be a matter of life or death—running out of energy to power the autopilot means you can be upside-down in seconds. My boat was my world, I was constantly aware of its supply limits and when I stepped back ashore, I began to see that our world was not any different. I started to research issues around energy and materials, which eventually led me to set up the Foundation in 2010, with the aim to rethink, redesign and build a positive future. Back to the Foundation, what can you advise those who intend to set up a Foundation or an NGO? Have a very clear objective, a very defined goal, and stick to it.
| 11
ACROSS ASIA
ADB signs first-ever PPP co-advisory agreement with Lao PDR and Myanmar bolster political and and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. The agreement global banks was signed on the sidelines of ADB’s 48th Annual Meeting of its Board of Governors, being held here from May 2-5, 2015. security cooperation Under the agreement, ADB and the eight banks can work together to provide independent advice to governments in developing Asia on how best to structure PPPs to make them attractive to the private sector and to manage the subsequent PPP bidding process. The governments will, however, make the final choice of PPP winning bidders.
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN—At the opening of the ADB's 48th Annual Meeting on May 4. Image by ADB/Flickr
The Asian Development Bank has signed a public-private partnership co-advisory agreement with eight global commercial banks, a move aimed at accelerating the flow of private funds into critical infrastructure projects in developing Asia. This agreement is the first formal co-advisory framework between a multilateral development bank and international commercial banks. “Coupling the in-depth market experience of the global banks with ADB’s PPP expertise in developing Asia and strong relationships in the region should help public sector clients structure successful, bankable PPPs without crowding out private sector advisors,” said ADB Managing Director General Juan Miranda, who signed the agreement on behalf of ADB. The eight banks that signed the agreement are Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole CIB, HSBC, Mizuho Bank, Macquarie Capital, Societe Generale,
South Asia needs more investment to reduce child-stunting—UNICEF Stunting affects about 63 million children in South Asia, and more investment is needed to counter it, top UN officials have said.
ADB has estimated that developing Asia needs to spend US$8 trillion between 2010 and 2020 on national infrastructure. Many governments hope to raise finance for energy, roads, railways, ports, airports, water, and other key infrastructure through PPPs. ADB, with its co-advisors, will help clients assess the future income flows of projects, bring international best practices to PPPs, and develop PPP capacity in the region to deliver bankable transactions. ADB has been supporting the efforts of countries in the region to improve their PPP regimes for some time. On 1 September 2014, it formally established the Office of PublicPrivate Partnership to provide independent transaction advice on specific deals and help countries improve their PPP knowledge and legal and regulatory frameworks. ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2014, ADB assistance totaled US$22.9 billion, including co-financing of US$9.2 billion. This article also appeared on the Asian Development Bank (www.adb.org)
US envoy returns to Southeast Asia to boost science and education relations
Stunted growth, or reduced growth rate, is believed to begin even before a child is born, especially when the mother is undernourished or is too young to be pregnant. Poor quality of diet may also contribute to stunted growth as well as the lack of hygiene and sanitation.
Image: AP
12 |
The upcoming Friendship Bridge linking Lao PDR’s Laungnamtha province with Myanmar's Shan state was also the subject of talks. The bridge, when completed later this year, is expected to spur economic development and enable a better flow of commodities between the countries. This is another step forward for the Southeast Asian neighbors. In January 2014, Lao PDR and Myanmar devised an alternative development plan, and a strategy to support the prevention of the smuggling of illegal drugs between their borders.
Indian government revokes licenses of 8,975 NGOs The Indian government has canceled the licenses of thousands of NGOs working in the country for failing to provide details of donations received for three years, in a move seen as increased scrutiny against foreign-funded NGOs. 8,975 NGOs failed to file their annual returns for the years 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, despite having been issued notices on October 16, 2014, according to India’s Union home ministry. The NGOs were said to have violated the 2011 Foreign Contribution Regulation Act of India.
"No reply has been received from the remaining associations numbering 8,975," said a ‘cancellation order’ released by the Indian home ministry on April 6.
“South Asia is at the epicenter of the global stunting… In our region, one third of women are underweight, anemic or both, two-thirds of young children are fed diets that do not meet the minimum requirements for healthy growth and development, and 40 percent of households practice open defecation,” said Karin Hulshof, regional director for UNICEF in South Asia.
“The nutrition status deteriorates progressively through the first two years of life due to the poor quality of their diets. In environments where open defecation is widespread, nutrition interventions alone may not be able to normalize child growth,” said Geeta Rao Gupta, Deputy Executive Director (Programmes) for UNICEF.
At the 11th meeting of the Myanmar-Lao PDR Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation held in Nay Pyi Taw in March, top officials of the two Southeast Asian nations led by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Myanmar Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin vowed to have regular high-level talks, more cooperation between the countries’ foreign departments, toughened border control of transnational crimes and illegal drugs, and increased exchanges in trade, mining and tourism.
Some 10,343 NGOs in the country were issue notices to file their annual returns within a month from October 16. The organizations were asked to supply such information as the amount of foreign funds received, funding sources, purpose of funding and how the funds were spent.
Officials from UNICEF, a UN agency supplying humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing countries, have said that for the region to scale down the rate of stunted growth among its children, added support in child-feeding, women’s nutrition and household sanitation is essential.
Steps are needed to be taken immediately to mitigate the problem, she added.
Lao PDR and Myanmar have made a pledge to enhance their political and security cooperation in years to come.
The home ministry said only 229 NGOs reverted. The cancellation includes 510 organizations to which notices were sent but were returned undelivered, and 632 from which no reply has been obtained within the mandated period. Image: Geraldine Richmond
United States Science Envoy Geraldine Richmond has made a repeat visit to Southeast Asia to strengthen science and education relations between US and the region. Richmond has returned to Southeast Asia—particularly to Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand—to meet representatives from the scientific, academic, non-profit and business sectors. Discussions centered around improving and fortifying research collaboration between scientists and engineers in the US and the three countries.
Before the order, the Indian government placed US-based Ford Foundation on a security watch list and suspended the license of Greenpeace India.
India promotes private investment in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam The Indian government is pushing for private sector investments in four Asian developing countries under its Act East Policy, which aims to grow and strengthen economic and strategic relations in Southeast Asia.
Richmond is the founder and chair of the Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists, a grass-roots organization, This will be done through the creation of a project the Presidential Chair of Chemistry at the University of development firm under Exim Bank to start up investments in Oregon, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV). Richmond said on her six-day visit to Cambodia: “What Cambodia needs right now is the technical workforces that can In his budget speech, Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that “in order to catalyze investments from the Indian attract companies that want to be here to raise the economy. private sector in this region, a project development firm That is not necessarily to the PhD level, but it is those people, will, through separate special purpose vehicles, set up who get out of [vocational-technical] school, get out of colleges in engineering, that can go directly to the workforce.” manufacturing hubs in CLMV countries.” The US Science Envoy Program supports the administration's commitment to global engagement in science and technology. Science envoys are sent to different countries to share and exchange knowledge. Since the program began in 2009, the science envoys have visited 27 countries.
The initiative of the government is hoped to encourage more interest in the four countries. Indian Commerce Secretary Rhajeev Kher said that Indian private investors are typically afraid to take risks because they are not confident with the stability of the market.
www.asianngo.org
LEARNING AND RESOURCES FREE DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES
ADB Annual Report 2014 This document summarizes the Asian Development Bank’s facts, figures and results from its 48th year working for Asia and the Pacific. In 2014, the Asian Development Bank approved US$22.93 billion in development assistance, including US$13.69 billion financed by ADB’s ordinary capital resources and special funds, and a record US$9.24 billion by co-financing partners.
Handbook for Disaster Recovery Practitioners The Handbook for Disaster Recovery Practitioners offers guidance on the implementation of long-term disaster recovery programs. These programs cover key areas for the upturn of disaster-torn communities such as livelihood, land use planning, housing and other facilities. The handbook contains collective information from communities affected by disasters, from which guidelines are formed to address the knowledge gap on post-disaster recovery practices and to refine methods on program implementation. http://bit. ly/1JEpojW
Disbursements totaled US$10.01 billion, an increase of US$1.47 billion (17 percent) from 2013, and the first time in five years that disbursements breached the US$10-billion mark. These numbers emphasize ADB’s push for improved project implementation and for greater private sector participation and co-financing schemes to help fund the estimated US$8 trillion required to close the region’s infrastructure gap over the next decade. (Asian Development Bank) http://bit.ly/1QF5sl7
2014 Global Findex: Measuring Financial Inclusion Around the World The World Bank’s Global Financial Inclusion (Global Findex) Database contains comprehensive, in-depth information measuring people’s use of financial services—how they save, borrow, make payments and manage risks. The 2014 Global Findex consists of over 100 indicators, also shown by gender, income and age. Collected in partnership with the Gallup World Poll and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Findex is based on interviews with about 150,000 nationally representative and randomly selected adults (age 15+) in over 140 countries. According to the bank, great progress has been made in expanding financial inclusion. The number of people worldwide having an account grew by 700 million between 2011 and 2014. 62 percent of the world’s adult population has an account; up from 51 percent in 2011. Three years ago, 2.5 billion adults were unbanked. Today, 2 billion adults remain without an account. This represents a 20 percent decrease. (World Bank) http://bit. ly/1OD4rsR
Global evidence on inequities in rural health protection: New data on rural deficits in health coverage for 174 countries This new report by the International Labour Organization presents a global snapshot of the existing inequities in health coverage between rural and urban areas. Worldwide estimates show that the lack of access to healthcare services is most experienced by people living in rural areas. According to the report, weak enforcement of laws, financial resource gaps, insufficient number of health workers, and inadequate funding are major factors that lead to the exclusion of rural populations from essential health services. The report, on the whole, provides evidence suggesting that governments must include the provision of equitable and accessible health services in rural areas among their highest priorities. http://bit.ly/1cJbOSo
Financing the Future: How International Public Finance Should Fund a Global Social Compact to Eradicate Poverty This year the world will agree on new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to shape global development policy until 2030. Achieving these goals would have transformative effects, eradicating the scourge of global poverty and expanding opportunities for many millions worldwide. Success will require political leadership backed by financial commitments. This report has a simple message: the proposed SDGs are achievable, but adopting a business-as-usual approach will leave us far short of the target. Projections based on current patterns of development point to a world in 2030 where: low-income fragile states have been left even further behind; some 550 million people are still living on less than US$1.25 a day, most of them in sub-Saharan Africa; around four million children will die needlessly before the age of five; universal health and education are still distant prospects in many countries, with some in sub-Saharan Africa still 20 years away from achieving universal primary education. This report sets out the case for a strengthened commitment for international public finance to support a new social compact, focused on the poorest countries. This basic social compact must include minimum income provisions, alongside universal health care and universal access to good quality education. These are three critical elements in the fight to tackle chronic poverty, stop impoverishment, and accelerate the escape from poverty. (Overseas Development Institute) http://bit.ly/1K3XIZf
MDF CALENDAR OF EVENTS (www.mdf.nl)
25 May 2015
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad India
25 - 27 May 2015 Disaster Risk Reduction Dubai, U.A.E
20-23 July 2015 Fundraising & Social Media Dubai, U.A.E
25 - 29 May 2015 Management Skills Colombo, Sri Lanka
27-31 July 2015 Corporate Sustainability & CSR Bali, Indonesia
1-5 June 2015 Leadership and People Management Hanoi, Vietnam
3-7 August 2015 Leadership and People Management Bali, Indonesia
8-12 June 2015 Change Management Bali, Indonesia
10-14 August 2015 Strategic Planning and Organisational Development Colombo, Sri Lanka
6-10 July 2015 Monitoring and Evaluation for Learning Colombo, Sri Lanka www.asianngo.org
| 13
LEARNING AND RESOURCES
FEATURED AUTHOR
Patrick Meier in 'Digital Humanitarians' The overflow of information generated during disasters can be as paralyzing to humanitarian response as the lack of information. This flash flood of information-social media, satellite imagery and more-is often referred to as Big Data. Making sense of this data deluge during disasters is proving to be a challenge for traditional humanitarian organizations, which explains why they're turning to Digital Humanitarians. Who exactly are these Digital Humanitarians and how do they make sense of Big Data? This book charts the sudden and spectacular rise of Digital Humanitarians by sharing their remarkable, reallife stories, highlighting how their humanity coupled with innovative solutions to Big Data is changing humanitarian response forever. Digital Humanitarians desire to make a difference, and they do by rapidly mobilizing online in collaboration with international humanitarian organizations. In virtually real-time, they make sense of vast volumes of social media, SMS and imagery captured from satellites and UAVs to support relief efforts worldwide. How? They craft and leverage ingenious crowdsourcing solutions with trail-blazing insights from artificial intelligence.
Patrick Meier
Patrick Meier co-founded and co-directed the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative’s (HHI) Program on Crisis Mapping & Early Warning and served as Director of Crisis Mapping at Ushahidi. He has consulted extensively for several international organizations including the United Nations and the World Bank. Patrick also founded/co-founded CrisisMappers, Digital Humanitarians, MicroMappers, Humanitarian UAV Network and the award-winning Standby Task Force. The infographic marks Aid and International Development Forum's (AIDF) three-day event, AIDF Asia: Aid & Response Summit held at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, Thailand on June 16 to 18, the first day of which focuses on Mobile for Development and has panels on Mobile Money and Mobile Health. AIDF’s infographic shows that mobile penetration is very high and looks at how public-private partnerships in M4D are helping achieve development goals. More at asia.aidforum.org.
At present, Patrick is Director of Social Innovation at Qatar Computing Research Institute where he both develops and deploys Next Generation Humanitarian Technologies in partnership with multiple humanitarian groups. He is on the Innovation Team of the United Nations Secretary-General’s World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) and is a UNICEF Humanitarian Innovations Fellow, Rockefeller Foundation Fellow and PopTech Fellow. Patrick holds a PhD from The Fletcher School, a Pre-Doctoral Fellowship from Stanford University, an MA from Columbia University and EAP from UC Berkeley.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
12 May 2015 CII & UNICEF - CSR Conference and Exhibition on “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” Chennai, India 12-14 May 2015 Safe Cities Asia 2015 Singapore, Singapore 16 May 2015 VELOCITY RUN: Summer Splashin Manila, Philippines 18-20 May 2015 CSR Summit Dubai 2015 Dubai, UAE 20 May 2015 Philippines Investment Summit Manila, Philippines 21-23 May 2015 Everything About Water Expo Mumbai, India 25-27 May 2015 2nd Annual International Conference on Accounting and Finance (ICAF2015) Colombo, Sri Lanka
27-28 May 2015 Mixed-Use Development Manila, Philippines
17-18 June 2015 Chief Innovation Officer Summit Singapore, Singapore
3-5 June 2015 Power and Electricity World Philippines Manila, Philippines
24-26 June 2015 ASEAN Food Conference Manila, Philippines
3-5 June 2015 World Ocean Summit 2015 Lisbon, Portugal 9-11 June 2015 4th Child and Youth Finance International Summit Abu Dhabi, UAE 10-12 June 2015 Sustainable Agriculture and Global Food Security Colombo, Sri Lanka 10-11 June 2015 Social Innovation Summit Washington DC, USA 15-19 June 2015 Asia Clean Energy Forum Manila, Philippines 16-18 June 2015 AIDF Asia: Aid & Response Summit Bangkok, Thailand
29 June- 1 July 2015 Real Estate Show Myanmar 2015 Myanmar 1-3 July 2015 WasteMET China 2015 China 1-3 July 2015 Social Enterprise World Forum Milan, Italy 2 July 2015 Disaster Preparedness Forum Hanoi, Vietnam 9 July 2015 Japan Summit 2015 Tokyo, Japan 12 July 2015 4th Annual Impact Investing Conference Colorado, USA
20-22 July 2015 International Conference on Arts and Humanities, 2015 (ICOAH 2015) Colombo, Sri Lanka 31 July-1 August 2015 RISE Conference Hong Kong 5-6 August 2015 4th Annual Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Manila, Philippines 20 August 2015 South-East Asia Summit 2015 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 20-24 August 2015 HPAIR Asia Conference Manila, Philippines 24-25 August 2015 CSR Summit Cambridge Cambridge, United Kingdom 26 August 2015 Singapore Environmental Achievement Awards 2015 Singapore, Singapore
For further information and more events, visit www.asianngo.org 14 |
www.asianngo.org
LEARNING AND RESOURCES
ASEAN Integrity Community: A Vision for Transparent and Accountable Integration
A conversation with Rukshana Nanayakkara, Regional Outreach Manager for Asia-Pacific at Transparency International (TI).
At present, there is only the ad-hoc regional collaboration to address these challenges. To give a few examples, only two out of 10 ASEAN countries have the right to information laws, so there is a weak culture of disclosing information. In the entire region—other than Singapore and Malaysia—countries have scored below 50 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, indicating a serious problem of corruption in the public sector. According to another research conducted by Transparency International, the Global Corruption Barometer, 50 percent of the people in the region believe that the level of corruption in the region is on the rise.
What are the most striking conclusions of the report? The report in general reveals how unprepared the ASEAN is as a region to tackle corruption in the context of its aim to become one economic region by 2015.
Tell us more about the anti-corruption regional body that the report recommends. The ASEAN integrity Community is a large umbrella where different partners come to play their roles. But foremost, it requires a political commitment from each government in the ASEAN region to fight corruption. To this end, TI proposes a holistic mechanism.
There are number of corruption challenges identified in the report, including weak transparent and anti-corruption infrastructure; insufficient legal frameworks; ineffective anti-corruption institutions; unresolved corruption challenges, and; emerging corruption risks of ASEAN Economic Community with the increased level of cross-border corruption.
At the apex level, it requests the formation of an ASEAN Inter-Ministerial Council. This is consisted of ministerial-level representation from all the ASEAN governments. The interministerial working group gets its input from each national-level government working group on integrity who form their policies and recommendations in consultation with national level stakeholders particularly the
civil society and the business community. What level of participation is needed from NGOs and civil society in this anti-corruption regional body? How about the private sector? Both the civil society and the private sector play a key role here. In the mechanism described before, the national-level working groups have to get their input from business sector and the civil society to form their policies and recommendations. Both the civil society and the business community in the region are paramount partners in this. The integration within ASEAN aims at increased level of businesses. So the business community’s opinion about corruption risks in doing businesses with the increased level of infrastructure development matters here. Overall, civil society needs to be considered in the decision-making process. It is the people of ASEAN who are directly being impacted by the proposed integration, so the policies and actions both have to reflect what they have to say. http://bit.ly/1bOyLSD CONTACT Rukshana Nanayakkara rnanayakkara@transparency.org Asia-Pacific Department, Transparency International Berlin, Germany
A S IA N C S R
Creating Shared Value Through Inclusive Business The paper demonstrates how it is possible to create shared value through inclusive business strategies. It sets out a roadmap of practical steps that can be taken by organizations interested in putting in place an inclusive business strategy. By CSR Asia, 2015. http://bit.ly/1KWvs8C
Engaging Business on Human Rights: Issues for Responsible and Inclusive Value Chains The report outlines some of the human rights risks that are facing businesses that operate global value chains. It highlights, in particular, growing concerns about various forms of modern day slavery that are often found deep down the supply chains of companies, where traditional audits rarely reach. By CSR Asia, 2015. http://bit.ly/19ES9kN
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Products and Services for NGOs
RATES - CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING - PRINTED MAGAZINE & DIGITAL EDITIONS US$100 per issue US$500 for 6 issues/1 year ACCOUNTING/FINANCE To see your company here, please contact robert@asianngo.org ADVERTISING - MEDIA - PR Services
Mission Media
increases clients’ influence through through powerful, targe-ted communication. We provide Strategic Communication services of the highest quality worldwide, including in challenging & hostile environments. www.mission-media.tv ASSOCIATIONS & HUBS
CSR Asia
is the largest, longestestablished CSR organisation in Asia. We provide advisory, research and training services on sustainable business practices in Asia and our services include: CSR reporting and communications; stakeholder engagement and materiality assessment; CSR strategy; Community Investment Scorecard and strategy; ISO 26000 Health Check; Research and CSR Intelligence; Training; and Strategic Partner Programme and Community Investment Roundtable. Erin Lyon | Executive Director Email: elyon@csr-asia.com | (65) 6778-9416 www.csr-asia.com BUILDING
Pearls Mii Home
using patented, world first manufacturing & construction technology to deliver structures of unrivalled strength, speed, quality, economy & energy efficiency in regional & remote areas. Phone: +61 (0)7 5570 2000 www.miihome.com.au
Leading Edge Group, Inc.
distributes a series of unique & technologically advanced compressed soil block & soil mixing machines to humanitarian relief & military organizations worldwide. Using a hydraulic press mechanism to produce uniform, construction grade soil blocks, this equipment has been used on multimillion dollar homes, low-income housing projects, and military training sites. www.leadingedgegroupinc.com CONSULTING To see your company here, please contact robert@asianngo.org
www.asianngo.org
Sign up now to receive these additional benefits: • 1 company profile/feature in the magazine and newsletter - Value US$1,000. • 12 month listing and logo in our company/partner database.
DISEASE PREVENTION
Bayer
has been a participant in the fight against vector-borne disease for more than 50 years. We a uniqueportfolio of product solutions, covering important intervention techniques, in the fight against diseases such as malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis, sleeping sickness and Chagas (diseases which affect more than half of the world’s population). www.bayer.com FUNDRAISING
Venture for Fundraising
envisions a community that celebrates the joy of giving & ensures a bountiful and sustainable world. We continue to make a difference by helping non-profit organizations generate resources to fulfill their missions. We do this by designing ethical, inspiring & excellent fund raising solutions which include research & information, training, mentoring & implementation. www.venture-asia.org INSURANCE
Vanbreda International
has more than 50 years of market of market leadership in providing worldwide medical insurance to workers from international organisations. Together with Cigna we have developed a product for NGOs answering their specific needs, leveraging our unmatched experience and knowledge of global medical insurance solutions. www.vanbreda-international.com LEGAL To see your company here, please contact robert@asianngo.org LOGISTICS/SHIPPING
AIDMATRIX Foundation, Inc.
builds & operates powerful technology hubs that support diverse stakeholder groups in their efforts to work together to solve the world's most challenging humanitarian crises. Our solutions enhance participation, amplify contributions, & accelerate results for humanitarian relief. 38,000 leading corporate, nonprofit and government partners leverage Aidmatrix solutions to mobilize $1.5 billion in global aid annually. Joan Bond | Director, Programs Business Development Phone: 972 869 8160 | www.aidmatrix.org
The IFRC Global Logistics Service
is a recognized provider humanitarian logistics services with a global presence & 90 years of experience. We are specialized in procurement, transportation, warehousing, fleet management & supply chain set-up. By regionalizing our operational capacity we achieve substantial savings in delivering humanitarian aid. www.ifrc.org/logistics
• •
Free listing in PDF classified pages – online and print editions. Extra distribution at key events - Launching July 2014.
PRIZES
Islamic Development Bank
IDB Seeks Nominations to Win US $450,000 for Prizes in Science & Technology & Women Contribution to Development Gender -NGOs Division. Phone: 966 2 646 6787 E-mail: prizeforwomen@isdb.org | www.isdb.org RECRUITMENT To see your company here, please contact robert@asianngo.org SHELTER
Bestnet
is constantly working to develop innovative & intelligent new products that offer safe and cost efficient solutions that help us build a network of life! Supply of WHO recommended long lasting Insecticide treated nets for malaria prevention & durable portable solar products for light, mobile charging and radio. E-mail: mhl@bestneteurope.com Phone: +45 30180115 | www.bestneteurope.com SOFTWARE
Techsoup / Connecting Up, Inc.
is a not-for-profit organisation that works to unleash the power of not-for-profits by providing a variety of information, products, resources & programs. Our services are available in Australia and New Zealand and throughout South East Asia. We also help to develop relationships with business, community & government sectors for the development of the not-for-profit sector. E-mail: rj@connectingup.org Phone: 1300 731 844 | www.connectingup.org
Blackbaud Pacific
Serving the nonprofit and education sectors for 30 years, Blackbaud (NASDAQ: BLKB) combines technology and expertise to help organisations achieve their missions. Blackbaud works with more than 29,000 customers in over 60 countries and offers a full spectrum of software solutions and related services including fundraising, eMarketing, constituent relationship management (CRM), payment services and analytics. Website: www.blackbaud.com.au Email: Elizabeth.Hubrich@Blackbaud.com.au
Softrek
a nonprofit donor management software and decision support tools enable our clients to better manage their fundraising activities, make decisions about building donor relationships, & improve their fundraising results. Phone: 800.442.9211 (toll free) or 716.691.2800 E-mail: info@softrek.com | www.softrek.com
TRAINING
MDF
We are passionate learning facilitators with 29 years of experience in the field of international co-operation. Clients therefore call upon our training & consultancy services to achieve better &more sustainable results. We offer expertise on the programme, individual, organisational & network level, throughout all sectors, & all over the world. Ms. Ineke Ann Pitts | Director, MDF South Asia E-mail: ineke@mdfsa.lk | +94112808121 www.mdf.nl
Claro KC
we offer training and technical assistance in support of acquisition & assistance (A&A) activities and strategies, project management, decision-making, conflict transformation, & wise use of resources to organizations for effective coordination & execution of international development programs. Training, technical assistance approaches, methodology, and strategies are designed and implemented by a knowledgeable and experienced team. Mr. Jeffery Bell | Vice President Fax : 877-464-8592 | E-mail: eff@clarokc.net http://www.clarokc.net TRANSPORT To see your company here, please contact robert@asianngo.org WATER SOLUTIONS
Vergnet Hydro
Provides potable water solutions for rural and isolated communities. For the last 30 years, we have been designing, manufacturing and installing sustainable human powered water pumps adapted to the users and their socio-economic environment. Today, 100 000 pumps supply water to 50 Million people in more than 35 countries. Phone: +33 2 38 22 75 10 E-mail: eau@vergnet.fr | www.vergnet-hydro.com
F Cubed Water
Owners, Inventors & manufacturers of Direct Solar Powered Desalination Technology, one of the most efficient and cost effective products of its kind in the world. The panel(s) system creates its own natural sun-powered water cycle to revitalize water to drinking water quality from any water source. This includes polluted, contaminated, industrial waste water,brackish ground water, saline aquifers and sea water. www.fcubed.com.au | 15
LEARNING AND RESOURCES GRANTS Enhancing Gender Equality Results in South Asia Developing Member Countries (Phase 2) (Consultancy) Donor: Asian Development Bank Country: Bangladesh Area(s) of Interest: Research Application Deadline: 16 May 2015
Urban Water Supply Project (Consultancy) Donor: Asian Development Bank Country: Cambodia Area(s) of Interest: Water Application Deadline: 18 May 2015
Design-and-Build Scheme for the Construction of Community Evacuation Center in Tacloban City (Works and Services) Donor: United Nations Development Programme Country: Philippines Area(s) of Interest: Infrastructure Application Deadline: 22 May 2015
US Embassy Call for Applications (Grant) Donor: US Embassy of Dhaka, Bangladesh Country: Bangladesh Area(s) of Interest: Capacity Building Application Deadline: 17 May 2015
National Expert on Biodiversity Policy and Institutional (Consultancy) Donor: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country: Thailand Area(s) of Interest: Finance Application Deadline: 20 May 2015
Support to In-country Civil Society Actors in Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding, Crisis Preparedness (Grant) Donor: Europe Aid Country: Yemen Area(s) of Interest: Peace-building and Conflict Resolution Application Deadline: 18 May 2015
Analytical and Capacity Development Partnership—Regional Programs and Basic Education Advisor (Consultancy) Donor: Asian Development Bank Country: Indonesia Area(s) of Interest: Research and Education Application Deadline: 21 May 2015
Environment Grant Scheme (Grant) Donor: Europe Aid Country: Turkey Area(s) of Interest: Civil Society Application Deadline: 25 May 2015 Expansion and Improvement of Services to People living with Disabilities and to People living with Mental Disorders (Grant) Donor: Europe Aid Country: Afghanistan Area(s) of Interest: Disability-Inclusive Development Application Deadline: 25 May 2015
REGISTER NOW online asia.aidforum.org AsianNGO Promo Code: ANGO10
16-18 June 2015 | United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok Mobile for Development
Disaster & Community Resilience
Aid & Response Operations
Equator Prize 2015 (Grant) Donor: United Nations Development Programme Country: Global Call Area(s) of Interest: Indigenous Peoples Application Deadline: 27 May 2015 Feed the Future Asia Innovative Farmers Activity (Grant) Donor: USAID Country: Thailand Area(s) of Interest: Agriculture Application Deadline: 1 June 2015 Susan Hardwood Training Grant 2015 (Grant) Donor: US Department of Labor Country: Global Call Area(s) of Interest: Education Application Deadline: 2 June 2015 Health Policy Plus (Grant) Donor: USAID Country: Global Call Area(s) of Interest: Health Application Deadline: 3 June 2015 Software Infrastructure for Sustained Innovation (Grant) Donor: National Science Foundation Country: Global Call Area(s) of Interest: Technology Application Deadline: 3 June 2015 Agriculture and Fisheries Grant Scheme (Grant) Donor: Europe Aid Country: Turkey Area(s) of Interest: Civil Society Application Deadline: 5 June 2015 Dry Zone Program (Works and Services) Donor: United Nations Office for Project Services Country: Myanmar Area(s) of Interest: Finance, Agriculture, Nutrition, Capacity Building Application Deadline: 5 June 2015 Securing Water for Food (Grant) Donor: USAID Country: Global Call Area(s) of Interest: Water Application Deadline: 5 June 2015
Join 400 senior representatives and advisors from regional governments, investors, UN agencies, NGOs, research institutes and the private sector at AIDF Asia: Aid and Response Summit 2015. This unique event provides valuable insight into how technological innovations and best practice can improve aid and development work in Asia-Pacific, especially with regards to building resilience to disasters and climate change, enabling quicker, safer and better emergency response, and ensuring more effective aid delivery and community health via mobile devices.
Event Partners
Delegates
60+
Speakers
asia.aidforum.org 16 |
Southeast Asia Biorisk Management Enhancement (Grant) Donor: CRDF Global Country: Global Call Area(s) of Interest: Emergency and Disaster Management Application Deadline: 19 June 2015 Arch-Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Award (Grant) Donor: National Science Foundation Country: Global Call Area(s) of Interest: Research Application Deadline: Accepted Anytime
Strategic Partners
400+
National Endowment for Democracy (Grant) Donor: NED Country: Global Call Area(s) of Interest: Governance Application Deadline: 19 June 2015
30+
Partners
3
Days
Register
For further information and more grants, visit www.asianngo.org
asia.aidforum.org
@FollowAIDF #AIDF
www.asianngo.org