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Key UNDP Laos events Jan-June 2006


Annual Review of UNDP Country Programme 2005

Implementation, Implementation, Implementation.

The annual review of UNDP Programme provides an opportunity to reflect on our performance in 2005, agree on 2006 targets, and discuss lessons learned and constraints. UNDP’s assistance is provided in accordance with its Country Programme called the 2nd Country Cooperation Framework (CCF) for 2002-2006 and UNDP Results Framework. All in all we had yet another successful year in 2005, achieving nine out of ten targets. The financial delivery of the UNDP programme has steadily grown over the years and reached the highest point in 2005, recording the total expenditure of $9.9 million. This higher delivery was achieved by improved efficiency, by achieving the higher implementation rate of 80 per cent – or the rate of actual expenditure over budget. The delivery of UNDP core funding reached $3.8 million, achieving the target of $3.5 million. Based on this good performance, UNDP’s resource allocation for Lao PDR is expected to grow in the next few years. In addition, in 2005 we managed to mobilize resources of US$ 9.4 million.

Additionally, UNDP is strengthening its capacity to enhance our effectiveness through knowledge management with support from the two regional centers in Bangkok and Colombo and advisors in New York. We are a knowledge organization that can help you to learn from experiences from elsewhere as well.

Transformational thinking among leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS

The Government of the Lao PDR, in close collaboration with UNDP and other UN agencies, is highlighting the role leaders and decision makers can play to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and to end discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

This highly effective training aptly called “Leadership for Results” was held in Luang Prabang last month. Almost hundred high-ranking officials from various line Ministries, mass organizations and the Buddhist clergy met to continue the work they had begun in January. One of this workshop’s results was the creation of seven breakthrough initiatives (targeting various provinces) designed to address issues such as 100% condom use promotion, awareness raising campaigns through radio and HIV/ADS vulnerability of rural housewives.

Congratulations to the Winning Authors of the United Nations Research Award 2005!!

“I would like to urge all intellectuals to contribute their research articles, which significantly means contributing their experience, knowledge and development perspectives. More people mean more ideas, experience and knowledge. This award is a great opportunity for everyone to share and express their perspective on Lao development, no matter what profession they are doing or what position they are in.” (Mr Phengxion, Winner of UNDRA 2005).

As you are all aware, Juth Pakai serves as an important forum for debating and sharing knowledge about development issues in the Lao PDR, and over the last three years it has consistently been expanding its readership base, both in Laos and abroad.

To encourage broader participation of Lao nationals in research and analysis on development topics related to the Lao PDR, the United Nations Development Research Award (UNDRA) was established in 2005. In this first year, we are delighted to report that we received over 60 articles from across the country. Our voluntary panel of reviewers, which included representatives of the National University of Laos, Lao Journalists Association, National Economic Research Institute and UNDP, did a superb job of judging the submissions.

On 2 June 2006 the official award ceremony was held at the National University of Laos where the three winning authors were announced and the UNDRA 2005 Edition was launched. First prize was awarded to Mr Phengxiong for his article on the effectiveness of open-book monthly school tests. Mr Phengxiong, a long-serving teacher in the provinces, responded to the call for contributions to the award and has given original thoughts based on his own, very important experience and research.

Congratulations also go to Dr Maytry Senchanthixay and Mr Houmphanh Rattanvong for their prize winning articles on the Community-Based Health Insurance Scheme and the suitability of mountainous area development strategies.

Finally, it is our pleasure to announce that the UNDRA 2006 has now been launched and we are now accepting submissions. Please note that this year's award has been expanded to include a new youth category. For reference to the conditions of the award, please visit our website at http://www.undplao.org/. The deadline for contributions is 15 August 2006.

Mekong wetlands meeting in Cambodia

At the third Executive Regional Steering Committee Meeting of the Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Programme, Finn Reske-Nielsen, UNDP Resident Representative said that the Millennium Development Goals, agreed and committed by all the countries in the Mekong Region, includes MDG 7, the goal on Environmental Sustainability. The MDGs constitute an interlinked agenda for action, and achieving of MDG7 is essential in meeting the other goals. This link is particularly strong for MDG1, on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, because the livelihoods of the rural poor rely heavily on natural resources.

The environment is the foundation of the regional economy. Economic growth can only occur when all aspects of the environment and biodiversity are managed well. This includes watersheds and wetlands.

The Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Programme is working towards achieving the MDGs, protecting the environment and working on the livelihoods side, that is, helping local communities to improve their wetlands based livelihoods.

GPAR Saravane is giving kumban’s money for development projects

The GPAR project in Saravane province held their first Tripartite Review Meeting on April 2006. This project, jointly funded by the United Nations Capital Development Fund and UNDP, aims to streamline government organisations at the provincial, district and [kumban] levels. A special feature of this GPAR is their innovative district development funds that will be used to directly address poverty reduction in Saravane

UNDP holds work planning retreat

The entire UNDP office recently spent a day surrounded by the old world charm offered by Setta Palace Hotel, Vientiane, described by one major UXO donor as the “old people’s hotel!” UNDP Laos must have livened up this illustrious hotel for at least this day as most of the staff are under the age of 45. Although, this time we met to discuss the year’s work plan and present a plan for each unit and not to enjoy the glorious swimming pool.

The planning retreat was extremely successful last year and therefore the staff decided it was a useful way to ensure that each member of the various units ranging from Poverty to procurement to Information could become familiar with the work of their colleagues. Staff were also given the opportunity to contribute to the work plans of other units. A comprehensive office work plan has been drawn up and also endorsed as UNDP Laos work plan for 2006.

Luang Prabang visit provides an opportunity of learning through exposure for GPAR- Xieng Khouang

The GPAR-Xiengkhouang Mission visited the GPAR Project (including the United Nations Volunteer (UNV) component) in Luang Prabang in May 2006. The Mission had field trip to Pak Ou district and observed participatory planning process at grassroots level in Wangley village. Mission team observed the participatory planning process and result achieved through the assistance of UNV-GPAR program related to participatory planning at village level.

In Ban Wangley village the site selected for a participatory planning exercise was well attended by both women and men of village including village authorities. Villagers prepared a social map indicating existing resources and social status in their villages. Three groups were formed (village authority group, women group and men group) to identify and tackle the problems related to agriculture and livestock sectors.

List of problems and prioritized problems were written in big flip charts to show the documentation of participatory planning process. Each group representative presented the group decision. Mission team understood how villagers identify and prioritize their problems and come to a common consensus in
decision-making related to prioritized activities that are brought in village plan with budget, time frame and responsible parties. Mission team interacted with village communities and also discussed on the issues of participatory planning and village development fund (VDF) as a support to village activities.

The GPAR-Xiengkhouang Mission was able to learn from the GPAR-LP experience and learning, and to develop longer-term linkages with them. They also gained first hand exposure on how to run a participatory planning process that had been spearheaded by the UNV-GPAR project. They also saw
how the GPAR-LP works on improving governance reform and ensuring that the national accounting system has a direct impact on the provincial financial management system.

Expert learning gears up female candidates

Australian Senator Kay Patterson coached women candidates running for office at the National Assembly 6th Legislature in Pakxan at a workshop run by the UNDP Project on Strengthening the National Assembly of Lao PDR.

Following welcoming remarks from the Governor, Madame Thongpan, the Senator spent the first hour or so sharing her personal experiences with the 39 women candidates (half of whom were first time candidates). She drew many parallels between the condition of women in Australia 20 years ago when she first started out in political life and the challenges Lao women face today. Through very human experiences, she was able to captivate the audience. The Senator also made good use of video footage (clips) that showed her in action in the Senate, and during question time, where she had to defend her party's record on promoting gender, for example.

The Senator was able to elicit responses/remarks from the women candidates that were quite bold and courageous. For example, when asked what some of the challenges in garnering public support were, one candidate mentioned that women are often at a disadvantage since women tend to be put at the bottom of the numbered list in the ballot. If voters see a ballot numbered from 1-30, with only 20 spots to fill, the assumption made is that the first 20 names are the Party's preferred choice. Another group of participants spoke of the need to introduce a quota system to ensure women maintained a proportional representation in the NA, in line with UN MDG targets.


UN Country Team working jointly on rolling out the UNDAF

UN and UNDP are committed to supporting the government’s MDG-based national plans and national priorities by fostering its ownership and national capacity. The Lao Government and UN Country Team in Lao PDR have just completed the Common Country Assessment (CCA. This document is an analysis of the situation and challenges that this country faces. Based on this analysis and draft NSEDP, the next UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for 2007-2011 is being prepared. Three joint government-UN theme groups on governance, poverty reduction, and social services are meeting regularly to prepare the next UNDAF. This UN common country programming will provide more coherent support to the government by aligning UN programme to national priorities, synchronizing our programme period, and identifying more joint programmes. Based on the UNDAF, UNDP will prepare the next Country Programme Document this year. Furthermore, UN has plans to harmonize our implementation and monitoring. For instance, we are discussing to hold joint annual reviews among the Executive Committee Agencies (UNICEF, UNFPA, and WFP) in the future

Global events

Speaking with One Voice on Landmines

4 April 2006 marked the first International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, as declared by the UN General Assembly. More than 35 countries organized events to highlight the achievements of mine action and demonstrate that, unlike many other issues we deal with, the problem of landmines and explosive remnants of war can be solved in years rather than decades. At a high-level panel discussion in New York, UNDP emphasized that the UN is “speaking with one voice” on Mine Action, dividing roles and responsibilities among comparative strengths of the 14 UN agencies and departments involved in mine action. Within this framework, UNDP reiterated its commitment to work with its partners to integrate mine action into overseas development assistance, build capacity and carry out preventive work in mine action. Find speeches by UNDP's Kathleen Cravero , the UN Secretary-General, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. (shared by Jackie Seck)

Global Resources

One-Stop-Shop for Gender and Disaster Risk Reduction: What is the link between gender equality and disaster risk? What lessons have been learned? How can the knowledge and tools be applied in practice? These are the questions that are addressed in the electronic sourcebook on gender and disaster risk reduction. Organized in user-friendly modules, the sourcebook covers topics such as gender equality and disaster risk reduction, planning and practice tools, examples of good practices and case studies, communication strategies and training and education materials. (shared by Sam Barnes and Ilaria Carnevali)

World economic situation and prospects 2006 – UN
The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) is the United Nations' annual analysis of current developments in the world economy and emerging policy issues.

Governance, Development and Aid Effectiveness: A Quick Guide to Complex Relationships – ODI
When, why and how do governance issues make a difference to the way countries develop? What are the priorities for poor countries? Why does governance matter for aid effectiveness and what can donors do? This Briefing Paper provides a synthesis of thinking on governance, development and aid effectiveness.

Global Conferences

The Eighth Annual Global Development Conference: ‘Shaping a New Global Reality: The Rise of Asia’, 14 – 16 January 2007, Beijing, China
Discussions will include an analysis of Asian development and also focus on the implications of Asian growth, on other regions in the developing and transition world.