Gender and Development e -Brief /
Issue 36
                                                            January, 2006
                                                           IN THIS ISSUE



EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
GENDER
Middle East Businesswomen & Leaders Achievement Awards 
Sixth Asia Pacific Congress of Women in Politics
50th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (27 February-10 March
2006)

GLOBALIZATION
VI World Social Forum and II Social Forum of the Americas-Caracas, Venezuela,
January 2006
World Social Forum: Critiquing the neoliberal agenda

HEALTH
Short course on public health In complex emergencies, 6-18 march 2006, American
University of Beirut, Lebanon

NEWS
EVIRONMENT
A round-up of the year's environmental achievements and disasters

GENDER
Gender Gap Alive and Well OnlineNew Egyptian Cabinet sees first veiled womanRelationship of Gender to Faculty Use of Online Educational Tools  To strip or not to strip? Egyptian clerics debate sex  Women say no to war!

HEALTH
Assessment of the Missed Children of the September 2004 National Immunization Day - Egypt 'Failed' hospitals get six months to meet standards  Iraq needs up to $8 billion to revive neglected health sector  Millions Saved: Preventing Diarrhoeal Deaths in Egypt Minister threatens to arrest 'every single hunter' in fight against bird flu

HURRIYAT
In Tunisia, the sound of enforced silence Jailed Bulgarian nurse in Libya begs for helpPalestinians in Lebanon inch closer to recognition with 2005 work law  … and protest over aid reductionThousands of students protest against U.S. interference 

ICT
ICT for Social Development (ICTSD)

POLITICS
Commission to submit 'just' draft election law on time Next in Iraq: Coalition-Building

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Beirut Marathon Association picks new director  ESCWA: Iraq Task Force (ITF):Reconstruction in Iraq Leprosy still casts the shadow of stigma across Lebanon  Moroccan graduates demand state jobs, snub private sectorRoad deaths in Lebanon shoot up by 20 percent The Role of Governments in Microfinance (Donor Brief No. 19)

TRADE & ECONOMY
Bahrain's 'honesty' keeps its economy freest in region  Boom in the Gulf Countries to enter fourth year EFG-Hermes acquires stake Banque Audi of Lebanon IMF projects a $940 million deficit for Palestinians in 2006 Lebanon yet to address crucial reformsLebanese NGOs criticize trade policy MENA, OECD countries look for ways to boost investment and jobs in MENA Politics influences World Bank loans Region's tourism sector to generate $220 billion by year 2015

REPORTS & BOOKS & ARTICLES
CHILDCARE POLICIES
Can Parents Afford to Work? Childcare Costs, Tax-Benefit Policies and Work Incentives (2005)

ECONOMY AND TRADE
Learning from Experience with Performance Assessment Frameworks for General Budget Support

GENDER
Gender equality and basic adult education

GOVERNANCE
Case studies of good corporate governance practices Freedom in the World 2005: The Annual Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties ECitizenship for All

ICT
Knowledge maps: ICTs in educationNew Bangladesh Model of Telecentres

RESOURCES
DONORS PROFILE
United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID)

GENDER
Gender, Governance and Women's Political Participation: New Section On UNINSTRAW Website

HEALTH
Synergizing HIV/AIDS and Sexual and Reproductive Rights: A manual for NGOs

Development e-Brief receives and comprises of material from various sources for its publication. Should you wish to refer to these sources/ sites directly, the list includes publications from: AVIVA, www.aviva.org , AWID: www.awid.org , Democracy Digest: www.freedomhouse.org, Development Gateway: www.developmentgatway.org, Dignity:www.dignity.org, e-Civicus: www.civicus.org, Eldis: www.eldis.org, ESCWA: www.escwa.org.lb, GDB: www.developmentex.com, Global Knowledge Partnership: www.globalknowledge.org, IGTN: www.IGTN.org, ILO: www.ilo.org One World: www.oneworld.net , Siyanda: www.siyanda.org , The Daily Star: www.dailystar.com.lb , The Drum Beat: www.comminit.com , The Soul Beat: www.comminit.com , The World Bank: www.worldbank.org, UNDP: www.undp.org, Wicejilist: www.wicej.addr.com, WLP: www.learningpartnership.org



EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

GENDER
Middle East Businesswomen & Leaders Achievement Awards
"The Middle East Businesswomen & Leaders Achievement Awards promote regional women’s leadership and honors outstanding leaders. They recognize Middle Eastern women in the community who are models of leadership." For more info:
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/gender/rc/ItemDetail.do~1055279?intcmp=700   

Sixth Asia Pacific Congress of Women in Politics
The Centre for Asia Pacific Women in Politics (CAPWIP) 10-12 February 2006, Makati City, Manila, Philippines  This conference is designed for women and men interested in promoting women in leadership and decision making. Its objective is to take stock of thewomen's situation and progress in promoting women's political participation, and identify strategic gaps and appropriate Courses of action for the next decade. For more information, visit
www.capwip.org/6thcongress.html  

50th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (27 February-10 March 2006)
The 50th session of the Commission on the Status of Women will consider the following two themes: Enhanced participation of women in development: anenabling environment for achieving gender equality and the advancement of women, taking into account …
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/gender/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054980?intcmp=700   

GLOBALIZATION
VI World Social Forum and II Social Forum of the Americas-Caracas, Venezuela, January 2006
 The 2006 World Social Forum will be polycentric in January 2006, taking place in three countries. Caracas, Venezuela, is the site from January 23-27 for a combined World Social Forum and 2nd Social Forum of the Americas. For info about the four themes of the forum visit:
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/culture/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054667?intcmp=

World Social Forum: Critiquing the neoliberal agenda
The African leg of the World Social Forum (WSF) will be held 19-23 January 2006 in the Malian capital, Bamako, with a host of issues on the agenda including war and militarism, global trade and debt. However, organisers plan to ensure that key development issues such as HIV/AIDS, human rights, democracy and governance will also be discussed in a broader perspective. For more information, visit
www.ipsterraviva.net/Europe/article.aspx?id=2825  

HEALTH
Short course on public health In complex emergencies, 6-18 march 2006, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
The Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon, will be holding a short course on "Public Health in Complex Emergencies" from 6 to 18 March, 2006. The purpose of the 12-day course isto improve the quality of public health assistance available to refugees and displaced persons involved in emergencies. Key aspects of public health in complex emergencies to be covered include: epidemiology, nutrition, communicable disease, reproductive health, psychosocial issues, ethicalissues and environmental health and the relationships between them. For
more information, please contact  Dr. Muna al-Khalidi,  ma77@aub.edu   , Tel: +961-1-374 374 ext: 4687 or http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20546

NEWS

EVIRONMENT
 
A round-up of the year's environmental achievements and disasters
With political assassinations and governmental instability posing a constant threat throughout the past year, environmental issues ranked very low on Lebanon's list of concerns in 2005. Virtually nothing has been done to solvethe two main environmental files, waste management and quarries, according to Munir Bou Ghanem director of the Association for Forest Development and Conservation (AFDC). More info at:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=%2021202


GENDER
Gender Gap Alive and Well Online
Summary of BBC article: "Gender divisions persist online but it is no longer about whether more men or women use the net, research shows. A study by the Pew Internet Project found that roughly the same percentage of men and women in the US are serious internet users ...
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/gender/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054377?intcmp=700 

New Egyptian Cabinet sees first veiled woman
Egypt's Cabinet reshuffle brought in only a handful new faces, but for the first time in the history of the country, they included a veiled woman. Aisha Abdel-Hadi was appointed labor and immigration minister in the government of Prime Minister Ahmad Nazif that was sworn in on Dec 31st. for more info:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id%20=21190

Relationship of Gender to Faculty Use of Online Educational Tools
Research shows that men and women use the web differently. This difference may dictate what online tools faculty make available to enhance student learning. This paper presents the results of a research study that questions whether this gendered use extends...
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/elearning/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054463?intcmp=700

To strip or not to strip? Egyptian clerics debate sex
An Egyptian cleric's controversial fatwa claiming that nudity during sexual intercourse invalidates a marriage has uncovered a rift among Islamic scholars. According to the religious edict issued by Rashad Hassan Khalil, aformer dean of the prestigious Al-Azhar University's faculty of Sharia (or Islamic law), "being completely naked during the act of coitus annuls the marriage." For more information:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id%20=21327
Women say no to war!
On 1 January 2006, the “Women Say No to War” campaign launched its call for an end to the occupation and violence in Iraq. Initiated by Code Pink, aglobal grassroots peace and social justice movement, the campaign aims to mobilise women worldwide and to strengthen the growing global movementof women and men “waging peace”. As part of the campaign, Code Pink hasissued the Women’s Call for Peace, and hopes to obtain a minimum of 100,000 signatures by International Women's Day on March 8, 2006, when US and Iraqi women will deliver these signatures to leaders in Washington DC and women around the world will deliver them to US embassies. For more information and to sign the appeal, visit
www.womensaynotowar.org/article.php?list=type&type=100. To read more about the campaign, visit http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/125239/1 

HEALTH
Assessment of the Missed Children of the September 2004 National Immunization Day - Egypt
At UNICEF's request, this study was conducted to support Egypt's Ministryof Health and Population (MOHP) national efforts to undertake a strongercommunication and social mobilisation campaign aimed at achieving a polio-free country by the end of 2005.  This 27-page report presents gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) and provides a profile of the children who did not participate in the 2004 National Immunization Days detailing misconceptions and refusal reasons.
http://www.comminit.com/africa/strategicthinking/st2005/thinking-1100.html

'Failed' hospitals get six months to meet standards
The Health Ministry has granted hospitals that failed to meet quality standards of an Australian-Lebanese survey six months to pass another test. The controversial report revealed that only 85 of the 135 hospitals surveyed,including one governmental establishment, received accreditation. For more information:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id= 21387 

Iraq needs up to $8 billion to revive neglected health sector
Iraq's neglected health system needs up to eight billion dollars over the next four years for reconstruction, the deputy health minister said. The U.S.pledged $786 million in 2004 to build clinics, repair neglected hospitals andbuy modern medical equipment.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id =21378 

Millions Saved: Preventing Diarrhoeal Deaths in Egypt
In 1977, diarrhoeal diseases were identified as a major cause of infant deaths in Egypt. This programme set out to distribute oral dehydration salts, along with information about the appropriate treatment of children with diarrhoea,through public and private channels, including mass media avenues such as television. The authors attribute the programme's success to its flexibility: an evaluation component was present from the outset of the programme, andthis allowed for corrective interventions during the life of the programme.The diarrhoeal programme was also flexible in that it used and responded totrial and error and feedback from evaluation evidence. Interventions were tested in episode pilots and rehearsals and different elements of the programme were constantly adapted.
http://www.comminit.com/africa/evaluations/evaluations2005/evaluations-43.html 

Minister threatens to arrest 'every single hunter' in fight against bird flu
The Agriculture Ministry vowed Tuesday to have "every single bird hunter arrested" as part of its efforts to try to prevent the spread of bird flu to Lebanon. "We are taking all the necessary precautions," Agriculture Minister Talal Sahili told reporters after a series of meetings with the heads of municipalities, police and military officials.
 http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id= 21531    

HURRIYAT
In Tunisia, the sound of enforced silence
While the international spotlight on Lebanon is good for Lebanese independence, Lebanon is not alone in the battle for free speech. On matters of press freedom, Tunisia, considered a success story by many in the West, is quickly seeing its positive image destroyed. For more information:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=5&article_id =21331   

Jailed Bulgarian nurse in Libya begs for help
"Don't forget us," a Bulgarian nurse who is behind bars accused of infecting Libyan children with the AIDS virus begged during a prison visit by the French foreign minister. "We are innocent," said nurse Kristiana Vulcheva, who was on the verge of tears as she sat next to Philippe Douste-Blazy inside the Jdeida prison on the outskirts of Tripoli. For more info:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id =21268  

Palestinians in Lebanon inch closer to recognition with 2005 work law
The first step in what human rights advocates hope will be the march for fullrecognition was made in 2005 when the Labor Ministry ended two decades of discrimination against subjugated Palestinian refugees by allowing those refugees born in Lebanon to work at manual and clerical jobs. For more info:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id= 21402   

… and protest over aid reduction
Hundreds of Palestinian refugees staged a demonstration in front of theUNRWA centers in the Tyre, Sidon and Baalbek camps on January 16th toprotest against a reduction in social services. The protestors raised banners urging the UNRWA to reverse a recent decision to partner with the Beirut Public Hospital instead of the Hammoud Hospital in Sidon and to reduce the level of medical services to below third grade. For more information:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id= 21499

Thousands of students protest against U.S. interference
Thousands of Lebanese students marched toward the U.S. Embassy in Awkar, protesting American interference in Lebanon and rejecting "anyattempts to place the country under American tutorship." Hundreds of riot police blocked the road leading to the embassy, north of Beirut, with barbed wire, and stopped the crowds from getting too close to the embassy's complex which was several hundred meters ahead. More info at:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id= 21525  

ICT
ICT for Social Development (ICTSD)
According to the website, "the objective of the Information Communication Technologies for Social Development (ICTSC) initiative is to spur an international strategy for generating and supporting collaborative activitiesamong academia, industry, governments…
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054285?intcmp=700 

POLITICS
Commission to submit 'just' draft election law on time
The National Commission for Drafting a New Electoral Law expects tosubmit a "fair and just" draft law by its January 14 deadline, according to the Commission's secretary, Nawaf Salam. "The two most important criteria that the proposed law will reflect are fairness and justice," Salam said, without disclosing the contents of the draft itself. For more information:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id= 21226

Next in Iraq: Coalition-Building
The new government must finalize the constitution and managereconstruction. With a remarkably calm day at the ballot box behind them, Iraqis have begun the far less placid process of tallying up which group emerges as the biggest bloc - and with the clout...
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/aideffectiveness/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054037?intcmp%20=700&itemId=1054037  

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Beirut Marathon Association picks new director
The Beirut Marathon Association, now into its fourth year, has appointed Mark Dickinson as its new managing director, the BMA said. In a statement Monday, the BMA said: "Mark, who is Scottish is no stranger to Lebanon, has lived and worked extensively in Beirut for nine years." For more info:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id= 21508 

ESCWA:Iraq Task Force (ITF):Reconstruction in Iraq
Based on ESCWA_s in-house expertise in social and economic development in Iraq _and the region, ESCWA is involved in the implementation of development projects in _Iraq as part of its work to serve and contribute to Iraq’s reconstruction. The Iraq Task _Force
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/aideffectiveness/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054620?intcmp =700

Leprosy still casts the shadow of stigma across Lebanon Ever since Ahmad, 27, was diagnosed with leprosy three years ago, he has had to face the physical consequences of his condition, as well as the social stigma associated with a disease most think vanished from Lebanon long ago."People are very scared and ignorant," he said. "If they know you have leprosy, no one will approach you or talk to you. You simply become a pariah." For more information:  http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id= 21429   

Moroccan graduates demand state jobs, snub private sector
Hundreds of university graduates have held weekly protests for the past 15 years on the streets of the Moroccan capital, demanding safe government jobsbecause they fear the demands of private business. Mostly holders of degrees in the humanities and social sciences, some of the demonstrators say theywould rather die than work for a private firm. For more information:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id =21455 

Road deaths in Lebanon shoot up by 20 percent
Fatalities due to car accidents rose 20 percent in 2005, according to a local NGO tracking Lebanon's traffic. "This year was a very tough one," said Ziad Akl, head of the Youth Association for Social Awareness (YASA)International, a non-governmental organization that has been lobbying toimprove road and traffic conditions in Lebanon since 1994. For more information:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id= 21297 

The Role of Governments in Microfinance (Donor Brief No. 19)
Understanding the limited but constructive role governments can play inbuilding financial systems is key to ensuring poor people's permanent access to quality financial services. Experienced donors can support governments to develop sound policy frameworks and
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/aideffectiveness/rc/ItemDetail.do~1053383?intc mp=700  

TRADE & ECONOMY
Bahrain's 'honesty' keeps its economy freest in region
Bahrain's honesty has helped keep it the freest economy in the Middle East for the 12th year running, despite slipping in the global rankings, accordingto an influential report. The 12th annual Index of Economic Freedom putsBahrain at the top of the North Africa and Middle East region and places itin the "mostly free" category. For more info: 
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=3&article_id =21261    

Boom in the Gulf Countries to enter fourth year
The economic boom in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to enter its fourth year thanks to high oil prices and the group's GDP is expected to reach $600 billion, according to a report. The GCC economies are being compared to China in terms of the surge in export receipts, the substantial current account surpluses.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=3&article_id =21194    

EFG-Hermes acquires stake Banque Audi of Lebanon
Cairo based EFG-Hermes acquired a 20 percent stake in Lebanon's Banque Audi and the latter disclosed plans to raise its capital up to $1.5 billion. The announcement came during a news conference held by the two parties at Banque Audi's headquarters Thursday. This is the biggest investment by the Egyptian financial firm in Lebanon in an attempt to establish a foothold inthe local market. For more info:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=3&article_id= 21271 

IMF projects a $940 million deficit for Palestinians in 2006
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a report on the economic challenges facing the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The IMF noted the Palestinian government had a difficult year as continued valance torpedoed financial reform efforts. IMF projected a budget deficit of $940 million in 2006, representing 19 percent of the GDP.The following text is an excerpt of an IMF report on the West Bank and GazaStrip. The full text is available on this link:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=3&article_id =2123 

Lebanon yet to address crucial reforms
The World Bank's Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Lebanon leaves no room for doubt that the country is in need of serious economic reform. Public debt is 171 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, the highest ratio in the world. For more information:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id= 21526

Lebanese NGOs criticize trade policy
Lebanese civil society groups blasted the government's eagerness to join theWorld Trade Organization (WTO), warning Lebanon should be more prepared before such a move. "The government's trade policy is reckless, not based on sound impact assessments," according to Lebanese civil society groups. They are worried that the government's free-trade agenda will have negative impacts on the economy for more information:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=3&article_id=  

MENA, OECD countries look for ways to boost investment and jobs in Middle East, North Africa
With economic development and job creation in many countries of the Middle East and North Africa likely to hinge on increased domestic, regional and foreign investment, ministers from MENA countries in charge of investment policy reform will meet with their OECD...
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/fdi/rc/ItemDetail.do~1055051?intcmp=7 

Politics influences World Bank loans
A leading international economist said that the World Bank and IMF loansare influenced by Washington's interest in the region. "We have the examples of Algeria and Jordan who had a shift in their foreign policies," said Dr. Jane Harrigan. Harrigan, head of the department of economics at the University ofLondon's School of Oriental African Studies, made these comments during a lecture at the American University of Beirut. For more information:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=3&article_id =21296  

Region's tourism sector to generate $220 billion by year 2015
The Middle East travel and tourism sector is expected to generate $220 billion of economic activity by 2015, according to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). While demand grew by 4.8 percent in 2005, it is expected to further go up by 4.4 percent per annum "in real terms" between 2006 and 2015, said the reports, published in the Emirates Today daily. For more info:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=3&article_id =21320  

REPORTS & BOOKS & ARTICLES

CHILDCARE POLICIES
Can Parents Afford to Work? Childcare Costs, Tax-Benefit Policies and Work Incentives (2005)
In this working paper, the authors examine the questions of childcare policies, and employment as matters of household budgets, tax concessions and cash benefits come to play within the landscape and ...
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054839?intcmp=700  

ECONOMY AND TRADE
Learning from Experience with Performance Assessment Frameworks for General Budget Support 
This report provides the findings of a study financed by the Swiss StateSecretariat for Economic Affairs (seco) and undertaken under the auspices ofthe OECD-DAC multi-country evaluation of General Budget Support (GBS). The overall objective was to gatherpreliminary...
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty/rc/ItemDetail.do~%201054825?intcmp=700&itemId=%201054825

GENDER
Gender equality and basic adult education
Produced by: Oxfam (2005)This paper argues that the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) do not directly address the issue of adult basic education and literacy, in spite of these being essential for achieving the Millennium targets. It explores thepotential of adult basic education with gender equality to be transformatoryfor individuals, and for groups working to address key issues, such as gender-based violence, and HIV and AIDS. The role of governments and other keyagencies in relation to gender equality and adult basic education is alsoexplored. Available online at:
http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20610    

GOVERNANCE 
Case studies of good corporate governance practices
Produced by: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2005)This report describes the experiences of eight Latin American firms leading reform initiatives and improvements in corporate governance practices in three different countries: Brazil (represented by CCR, CPFL, Natura, Net, Suzano and Ultrapar), Colombia (represented by Argos), and Peru (represented by Buenaventura). The publication shares practical solutions to corporate governance challenges with the broader Latin American business community, by examining each company's motivations, challenges, and solutions for putting into place better governance rules and practices. It also explores the operational results and market benefits these companies haveachieved through better governance. Available online at:
http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC19148

Freedom in the World 2005: The Annual Survey of Political Rights and Civil Liberties
The Freedom in the World 2005 survey contains reports on 192 countries and14 related and disputed territories. Each country report begins with a section containing basic political, economic, and social data arranged in the following categories: population, gross national income per capita (GNI/capita), life expectancy, religious groups, ethnic groups, capital, political rights[numerical rating], civil liberties [numerical rating], and status [Free, PartlyFree, or Not Free]. Each territory report begins with a section containing thesame data, except for GNI/capita and life expectancy figures.
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/governance/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054316?i%20ntcmp=913

eCitizenship For All
According to the eCitizenship For All survey, cities play a prominent role in achieving the Lisbon goals. However, since the Lisbon declaration in 2000, governments have done little to involve cities in achieving the Lisbon goals,such as employment, eGovernment and education. The key findings of the eCitizenship for All 2005 benchmark survey include: The survey suggest that increasing the involvement of cities in the development of European and national policies would help to improve good governance; in terms of transparency, accountability, efficiency and effectiveness. The survey was launched by EUROCITIES and Deloitte. http://topics.developmentgateway.org/governance/rc/ItemDetail.do~1052873?i%20ntcmp=913&itemId=1052873


ICT
Knowledge maps: ICTs in education
Produced by: Information for Development Program (Infodev) (2005)  This report is a "Knowledge Map" of what is known (and what isn't) about ICT use in education. It shows that important gaps remain in the current knowledge base, and that there appears to be a dearth of useful resources attempting to translate what is known to work (and not work) in this field for policymakers and donor staff working on education issues in developing countries. Available online at: 
http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC20652  

New Bangladesh Model of Telecentres
KATALYST/Swiss contact, a project funded by DFID,
SDC and SIDA is working in Bangladesh to promote the competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises of Bangladesh. Rural ICT is a new area of the project and we have come out with a new Business Model, basically... for more info:
 http://topics.developmentgateway.org/ict/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054937?intcmp=700 

RESOURCES

DONORS PROFILE
United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID)
DFID is the UK Government department that manages Britain 's aid to developing countries and works to rid the world of extreme poverty. Theyhave two headquarters and 25 offices overseas with over 2500 staff, almost half of whom work abroad. DFID works in partnership with governments, civil society and the private sector on long-term programmes to help tacklethe underlying causes of poverty as well as to respond to both natural and man-made emergencies. It also works with multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, United Nations agencies and the EuropeanCommission. Currently, achieving the Millennium Development Goals hasbecome the main focus of all of DFID’s work. DFID intends to live up to its strategic aim of halving world poverty by the year 2015. For moreinformation, visit
www.dfid.gov.uk  

GENDER
Gender, Governance and Women's Political Participation: New Section OnUN-INSTRAW Website
United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) has launched a new section on its website with the objective of opening a space for the analysis of theinterrelationship between gender, governance and women_s ...
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/gender/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054601?intcmp=700

HEALTH
Synergizing HIV/AIDS and Sexual and Reproductive Rights: A manual for NGOs
The 28 short chapters of this manual for NGOs illustrate how work on HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and other publichealth issues can be integrated. It emphasizes important societal aspects and the most important health system factors. 
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/gender/rc/ItemDetail.do~1054787?intcmp=700



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