euforic tv

Reflecting on the outcomes of the ICT Observatory 2009

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:34:58 +0000

Wageningen, 4 November 2009. Olaf Erz from IICD is honored to have taken part in the CTA ICT Observatory 2009. He appreciates the possibilities to interact with other participants and exchange experiences.
From one side, the event was an eye opener; on the other, he could also share the great deal of experiences that IICD has on the use of ICTs in development. He sees opportunities for concrete follow ups with several of the people met, to enhance the activities of IICD partners. The 'chatterbox' presented by Cliff Schmidt for example could be really useful for the Zambia and Ghana programmes.

See more at http://observatory2009.cta.int/

The 'chatterbox': A simple device for bringing knowledge to rural areas

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:29:58 +0000

Wageningen, 4 November 2009. Cliff Schmidt from Literacy Bridge presents the 'talking-book' (aka 'chatterbox'), a device that generated a lot of interest among the participants of the ICT Observatory 2009. This device is designed to allow people in remote rural areas to get access to knowledge and improve literacy: basically, all that a computer can do, but without having a display. It can speak multiple languages and can play content on different topics, such as agriculture and health. It also allow recording onto it, so that users can create and document their own knowledge. Last but not least, it allow exchange of digital content when connected with another 'chatterbox'. The content is produced locally. This device is not a prototype but has been deployed on the field for one year now and it is currently produced for sale to governments and NGOs.

See more at http://observatory2009.cta.int/

[video by Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic]

Some learning points from the CTA ICT Observatory

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:50:35 +0000

Wageningen, 4 November 2009. For Cliff Schmidt (literacy Bridge) the ICT Observatory has been "extremely important": it has been very participatory, bringing together different experts from diverse fields, and all had something to learn from each others. Further, he highlights the issues of content and service models as the most relevant items discussed during the event. See more at http://observatory2009.cta.int/

Designing sustainable service models

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:11:51 +0000

Wageningen, 3 November 2009. Telly Ono (ICT4EDC, Caribbean) reflects of the discussions that have been taking place so far in the 2009 ICT Observatory. After having discussed channels and case studies on the first day, the second day focussed on service models, the underlying business models, and the issue of their sustainability.

See more at http://observatory2009.cta.int/

[video by Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic]

Reflecting on the second day of the 2009 CTA ICT Observatory

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:47:47 +0000

Wageningen, 3 November 2009. For Kafui Amenu (One Village Foundation, Ghana) the second day on the Observatory offered great opportunities to discuss business models, how these can be leveraged, and how ICTs can be applied in different situations. He concludes with a note of appreciation for the participatory and interactive approach adopted by the facilitators, which make possible for people to engage at a different level and really think out of the box.

See more at http://observatory2009.cta.int/

[video by Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic]

Simulating a mobile/wireless service for agriculture: Reflections on the process

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:30:34 +0000

Wageningen, 3 November 2009. Roxanna Samii from IFAD appreciated one of the facilitation methods used in the second day of the CTA ICT Observatory. Adapting the social media game, participants had to work in groups and imagine a mobile, wireless service for agriculture and rural development. They had to talk about target audiences, stakeholders, channels, sustainability and scaling. For Roxanna, nobody had anything at stake in this process and the creativity of people come out in amazing ways.

See more at http://observatory2009.cta.int/

[video by Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic]

Mobile devices in wireless environments: Reflections on the first day

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:49:53 +0000

Wageningen, 2 November 2009. For Edna Karamagi from Brosdi the first day of the ICT Observatory 2009 offered quite some interesting topics for discussion and ideas. In particular, for Edna the issue of sustainability of ICTs initiatives should be really at the center of the debate. Further, she underlines the importance of the quality of information that is made available through ICTs. You can also check her tweets to have a more complete overview of the debate - see http://twitter.com/ednahkaramagi or search for #ctamobile.

See more at http://observatory2009.cta.int

[video by Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic]

"Validating information is key for agricultural research"

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:51:15 +0000

Wageningen, 2 November 2009. During the CTA ICT Observatory 2009 Jacqueline Nyagahima form Asareca took few minutes of her time to share some ideas with us on ICTs and agricultural research. In her views, research has the role to validate information: the current ICTs however might allow also some information not yet validated to circulate and people might take decisions upon this same information. See more at http://observatory2009.cta.int/ [video by Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic]

Mobile Services for Women's Network in Uganda

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:47:13 +0000

Wageningen, 2 November 2009. During the CTA ICT Observatory 2009 Dorothy Okello presented the work of WOUGNET in Uganda. Her organisation has been using mobile services to enhance the outreach of ICTs, to reach also rural and remote areas. However, there are also some challenges: the costs are still high; access to power and energy is an issue, and innovation in this field is very much needed; there's also a lack of skills in using these technologies; lastly, the policy environment needs to support the development of these services She concludes with some reflections on the day discussions. See more at http://observatory2009.cta.int/ [video by Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic]

Mobile Information Services for agriculture and rural development: The Esoko Initiative

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:28:38 +0000

Wageningen, 2 November 2009. During the CTA ICT Observatory 2009 we interviewed Mike Davies from Esoko, in Ghana. Esoko is a software platform licensed to facilitate the flow of market information between farmers, governments, researchers and other stakeholders involved in agriculture and rural development. It is used to share information on prices, offers, price of fertilizers etc. It is managed by the web, but delivered via mobile phones. Mark underlines the potential positive effects that Market Information Services such as Esoko can bring about, both in agriculture as well as in for other sectors. He then concludes talking about the difficulties he has encountered in this initiative, such as the lack of content available and the lack of right capacities to build and develop such software.

See more at http://observatory2009.cta.int/

[video by Pier Andrea Pirani - Euforic]

Tanzania Workshop on Research Communication August 2009

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:45:10 +0000

Professor Mkumbukwa MA Mtambo of Soikoine Universtiy of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania comments on the workshop on Communication in North/South research partnerships for development organized by SUA, the Danish Development Research Network (DDRN) and the Danish Water Forum (DWF) with support from Euforic and CABI.

Localizing the MDGs

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:12:15 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Alan George, from the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Brussels, thinks that development plans and strategy should localised as much as possible; with the beneficiaries owing these plans and deciding what issues to prioritise and how to address them.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

"We don't new indicators or a new development paradigm: we just need results!"

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:58:17 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. jorge braga de macedo (IICT) reflects on the question: "After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". According to him, we need neither new indicators nor a new paradigm. What we need instead are results, and an effective way of communicating them.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

After 2015: What should governments of low and middle-income developing countries do differently?

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:40:33 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Joseph Assan (University of Liverpool) gives his personal take on the After 2015 Policy Forum. In particular, he shares the ideas that emerged during the discussion on what governments should be doing differently: improving citizenry participation and involvement of civil society; progressive inclusion of groups that are marginalized; addressing inequalities as a complementary to growth; knowledge creation and capacity development to enable local research that better identifies local needs; addressing unemployment.

See also the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

Putting wellbeign at the center of a new development paradigm

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:20:33 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Alfred Nhema of the Pan African Development Center reflects on the question: "After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". According to him, we need a new development paradigm based on the notion of wellbeign. We therefore have to discuss and agree on what constitute wellbeign, what are its prerequisites and fundations.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

Figuring out implementation mechanisms to deliver the MDGs in a specific context

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:38:58 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Michael Woolcock (University of Manchester) reflects on the question :"After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". According to him, we need to do more in understanding and explaining sub-national variation in the way that the MDGs have played out. It's good to have large aggregate and global targets, but the key thing to reach the MDGs is to figure out implementation mechanisms and how to deliver all of this things in a specific context. The MDGs as such are fine; the real investment in the future should not be done in changing the development paradigm, but in figuring out how to actually deliver resources and services to poor people.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

Returning to a developmental agenda

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:28:44 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Andrew Fisher (ISS) reflects on the question: "After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". According to Fisher, we should replace the MDGs with a different way of doing things. The targeting approach based on absolute indicators is biased and tends towards a de-politicization of the development agenda, which is now pretty much conformed with the mainstream agenda. So the question to address more directly is: How do we return to a much more developmental agenda? For Fisher this means allowing development countries to develop industrial capacities as well as social policies.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

"We need to find mechanisms to ensure that the MDGs are achieved"

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:15:38 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Salil Shetty (Director of the UN Millennium Campaign) reflects on the question:"After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". For him, it's not a question of new indicators neither new paradigm. f you ask to the poor, they will answer that they want the existing goals, before we start talking about new ones. Most of the benefit the MDGs are contributing to are not reaching the poorest people. So we need to find mechanisms to make sure that the goals are achieved. How can we achieve as much as possible for the poorest people and marginalised groups between now and 2015?

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

"We need to reach the MDGs and define a new development paradigm "

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:05:37 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. For Sakiko Fukuda-Parr (New School, New York) reflects on the question :"After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". In her view, it is important to focus the discussion on how to achieve the MDGs. However, it is also essential to add another goal: reducing global inequality, within and across different countries. This way we can see the MDGs as something broader. In the future, need a new paradigm, and the MDGs need to be pat of a vision of global society where everybody has an equal share and equal voice. The reason why people don't have that has to do with the way powers are structured.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at euforic.org/detail_p...

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

"We are starting to think differently about what we do and why we are doing it"

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:36:08 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Claire Melamed (ActionAid) reflects on the outcomes of the MDG Policy Forum. In her view, this event was"tremendously exciting" and it confirmed that there's a need and a will for new ideas and new discussions. All the different actors involved are keen to contribute to the debate and listen to each others. The challenge will be to translate these ideas into policy proposals and international agreements.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

Solving the contraddictions of the current system and entering into a new development era

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:26:16 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. For Charles Gore (UNCTAD) the current financial crisis has the deep meaning of concluding a sixty year development cycle. The end of this cycle shows its weaknesses and contraddictions.There's therefore the need to look much further than for short term solutions, and enter into a new delepoment era.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

"After the MDGs: A new paradigm based on redistributive justice"

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:58:55 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Claire Melamed (ActionAid) reflects on the question :"After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". In her view, we need a new paradigm for development. We have to admit that we haven't had it completely right so far. Reflecting on what we are learning from the MDGs, this new paradigm should be "based on the idea of redistributive justice; getting away from aid and towards a global welfare state."

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

Addressing power dinamycs to make progress on the MDGs

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:51:10 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. For Heather Grady (Realizing Rights), when we talk about the MDGs and the way forward, it is important not to forget the issue of power relations. Countries that are making progress on the MDGs are the ones where there are 'processes of citizens empowerment going on." Without that, and without a more leveled playing field between developed and developing countries, we won't get very far on the MDGs.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

After the MDGs: Refocusing development on a new paradigm

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:50:56 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Enrico Giovannini (OECD), reflects on the question :"After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". In his view, we do need a new paradigm, based on equitable and sustainable well being.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

Reaching the MDGs before looking into a post MDGs agenda

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:50:33 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. For Guy Collender (LIDC) it is important that, while talking about a post-MDGs agenda, we don't miss the opportunity to actually reach the MDGs and not draw back on the progresses achieved so far. He also highlights the importance of the local dimension and ownership of the MDGs if we want them to be successful.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

After the MDGs: Including new issues and looking for more evidence

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:50:06 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. According to Ester Asin (CONCORD) we need more evidence on what's working and what not in reaching the MDGs. Further, we need to move forward on some crucial issues such as inequality and access to wealth.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

Indicators and the MDGs

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:48:52 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. According to Enrico Giovannini (OECD) indicators are very important for advocacy, policy design and accountability. A lot of work needs to be done in regards to MDGs indicators, especially to improve the coherence between national and international indicators. However the key question is: Who will finance this statistical development? There's a clear lack of investment in this field. Further, this statistical development should also look into additional indicators such equity and inequality.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

"We need to be more effective in reaching the targets we already have"

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:48:12 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Alan George, from the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Brussels, reflects on the question :"After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". In his view, best option is to make sure that we reach the targets that are already in place. In other words, it's not so much about adding new goals, but be more effective in reaching what has been already agreed upon, so to translate this into tangible outcomes.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

Including new indicators in the MDGs

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:13:42 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Joseph Assan (University of Liverpool) reflects on the question :"After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". In his view, there is not a need for a complete new paradigm, as this could make us lose what has been achieved so far. Instead, he calls for an expansion of the current indicators to includes elements that acurrently are missing in the MDGs.

See also the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

The need for a broader development paradigm change

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:03:34 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Heather Grady (Realizing Rights) reflects on the question :"After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". In her view, we need a broader development paradigm change that includes also the issue of accountability.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

Putting the MDGs into a new development paradigm

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:32:13 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Charles Gore (UNCTAD) reflects on the question :"After the MDGs, what do we need: New indicators or a new paradigm?". In his view, the MDGs are currently embedded in a particular approach to international cooperation and to national policies. The current financial crisis demonstrates that we have reached the end of an era, and that a new development paradigm needs to be established, emphasizing global sustainable development. The MDGs should therefore be embedded into this new paradigm.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

What has the impact of the MDGs been? And what lessons can we learn so far?

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:13:25 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Lawrence Haddad (IDS) summarises the outcomes of the firts plenary session of the High Level Forum 'After 2015: promoting pro poor policy after the MDGs'.

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier - http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

Defining a post-MDGs agenda

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:50:45 +0000

Brussels, 23 June 2009. Andy Sumner (IDS) introduces the High Level Forum 'After 2015: promoting pro poor policy after the MDGs'. This event aims at discussing what issues should set the development agenda after 2015. This debate will start next year, with the MDGs+10 conference and the European Development Report focussing on the issue of the MDGs; however it is important to set already the ground for this debate. The policy forum in particular is framed around 3 key questions:

1. What has been the impact on poverty reduction of the MDG paradigm?

2. What are the major global processes shaping development up to 2015 and beyond?

3. How can we promote pro-poor policy after the MDGs and amidst global change?

See more on the After 2015 Policy Forum dossier at http://bit.ly/after2015

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission

Michel Wesseling on the IMWG 2009 meeting

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:18:27 +0000

Copenhagen, 12 June 2009. Michel Wesseling (ISS) appreciated the openness of the discussions and the opportunities for collaboration that developed during the Euforic/EADI IMWG 2009 meeting. He also valued the way the meeting was supported and covered, with twitter and blogging complementary to the face to face exchanges.

See more from the IMWG 2009 meeting.

Anna Wissmann (IFOAM) on the IMWG 2009 meeting

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:15:13 +0000

Copenhagen, 12 June 2009. Anna Wissmann from IFOAM liked the open space process that was used in the IMWG 2009 meeting. This allowed a great participation and the possibility to have good discussions in a short amount of time. She also liked the different perspective that the participants contributed with.

See more from the IMWG 2009 meeting.

"More attention for research communications"

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:12:54 +0000

Copenhagen, 12 June 2009. Michel Wesseling from ISS shares his impressions on the Euforic/EADI IMWG 2009 meeting. Research communications was the main topic addressed during the workshop. It is clear that research communications is a crucial part of the information management tasks. Research institutes have to better communicate their outputs so that they can be applied in policy in developing countries.

See more from the IMWG 2009 meeting.

Open access in development research

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:04:10 +0000

Copenhagen, 12 June 2009. Michel Wesseling from ISS explains the importance for European development research to publish its outputs in Open Access, so that they can available to researchers from developing countries. He urges EADI Directors to endorse the Berlin Declaration on Open Access in October 2009.

See more from the IMWG 2009 meeting.

Using blips to disseminate NIA lectures

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:50:00 +0000

Copenhagen, 11 June 2009. Brigitta Hellmark Lindgren from the Nordic Africa Institute participated in the open space on podcasting. She'd like to try and use blips to publicise and disseminate the lectures that NIA publishes on its site.

See more from the IMWG 2009 meeting.

The value of research communications

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 22:07:58 +0000

Copenhagen, 11 June 2009. During the IMWG 2009 meeting Clare Gorman from IDS reflects on the meaning and value of research communication. In her views, research communications should not be an afterthought but it should instead engage people from the beginning and consider research as a dialogue and a way of doing research.

Challenges in Communicating Research

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:53:23 +0000

Copenhagen June 2009.

Lea Santana from NEIM reflects on issues in communicating research.

Development Organisations and Social Media

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:56:55 +0000

Copenhagen June 2009. Volker Hauck of ECDPM reflects on why some development organisations restrict access to social media sites

Alan Stanley from IDS discusses their work on Climate Change

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:12:03 +0000

Alan Stanley, senior editor of Eldis discusses his experience in communicating climate change issues through hios work with three projects at the Institute of Development Studies in the UK.

Natasja Oerlemans (Partij voor de Dieren)

Mon, 18 May 2009 15:41:08 +0000

Tijdens de lancering van de Wereldstemwijzer op 13 mei in Den Haag in het kader van de Europese verkiezingen 2009, presenteert Natasja Oerlemans van de Partij voor de Dieren haar visie op ontwikkelingssamenwerking in Europees verband.

Louis Meuleman (Partij van de Arbeid)

Mon, 18 May 2009 15:38:20 +0000

Tijdens de lancering van de Wereldstemwijzer op 13 mei in Den Haag in het kader van de Europese verkiezingen 2009, presenteert Louis Meuleman van de Partij van de Arbeid zijn visie op ontwikkelingssamenwerking in Europees verband.

Marietje Schaake (D66)

Mon, 18 May 2009 15:28:51 +0000

Tijdens de lancering van de Wereldstemwijzer op 13 mei in Den Haag in het kader van de Europese verkiezingen 2009, presenteert Marietje Schaake van D66 haar visie op ontwikkelingssamenwerking in Europees verband.

Ruud van Eijle (Christen Unie /Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij)

Mon, 18 May 2009 15:10:06 +0000

Tijdens de lancering van de Wereldstemwijzer op 13 mei in Den Haag in het kader van de Europese verkiezingen 2009, presenteert Ruud van Eijle van de CU/SGP zijn visie op ontwikkelingssamenwerking in Europees verband.

Judith Sargentini (Groen Links)

Mon, 18 May 2009 15:05:00 +0000

Tijdens de lancering van de Wereldstemwijzer op 13 mei in Den Haag in het kader van de Europese verkiezingen 2009, presenteert Judith Sargentini van Groen Links haar visie op ontwikkelingssamenwerking in Europees verband.

Lancering Wereldstemwijzer: Kandidaat Europarlementariërs in debat

Fri, 15 May 2009 15:42:33 +0000

Evelijne Bruning (Vice Versa) die het debat leidde tijdens de lancering van de Wereldstemwijzer op 13 mei 2009 in Den Haag, geeft in kort bestek haar indruk van het debat en van de verschillende standpunten van de kandidaten voor het Europese Parlement.

Mayra Buvenic on the World Bank Gender Action Plan

Mon, 04 May 2009 15:55:51 +0000

Video of Mayra Buvenic taken in Brussels at the Concord lunch meeting of Gender Focal Point, the 4th of May 2009.

"Positive feelings about the Dgroups meeting, but a lot still needs to be done"

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:39:23 +0000

The Hague, 16 April 2009. For Riff Fullan from Helvetas, in spite of the limited amount of time availbale, the partnership meeting managed to get a lot done. The board has now some "concrete avenues to follow" and there's a lot of work to be done, but overall the feeling about this AGM is very positive.

The Dgroups AGM 2009 took place in The Hague, 15-16 April 2009. See more at: http://dgroups2.wordpress.com

"Dgroups is developing in the right direction"

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:20:37 +0000

The Hague, 16 June 2009. Sarah Kerr has been involved with Dgroups from its early days. She sees Dgroups as a 'teenager', with the discussion focusing now more on the partnership than on the platform. She also highlights the importance of keeping alive the original ideas behind Dgroups, while letting them evolve at the same time. For Sarah, this is happening, and we see now things solidifing and going in the right direction, with the establishment of the Foundation and the election of the Board.

The Dgroups AGM 2009 took place in The Hague, 15-16 April 2009. See more at: http://dgroups2.wordpress.com

Exploting the potential of Dgroups as a community of development experts

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:08:10 +0000

The Hague, 15 June 2009. For Christian Kreutz, IICD, it's important that Dgroups partners focus their discussion also on dgroups as a community of experts on development issues. There's huge potential to exploit this element and bring people together to share their knowledge.

The Dgroups AGM 2009 took place in The Hague, 15-16 April 2009. See more at: http://dgroups2.wordpress.com

Discussing Dgroups as a platform and a partnership

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:59:41 +0000

The Hague, 15 June 2009. Patrick Kalas for SDC highlights the difference between Dgroups as a platform and as a partnership. While there's more agreement on the first, the discussion on the partnership needs to be deepened in terms of it's vision and objectives.

The Dgroups AGM 2009 took place in The Hague, 15-16 April 2009. See more at: http://dgroups2.wordpress.com

What roles can migrant organisations play in remittances for development?

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:30:55 +0000

Utrecht 21st March 2009 - Chukwu-Emeka Chikezie of Afford UK explains the roles migrant organisations can play in providing remittances for development. He highlights the possibilities for microfinance organisations in transfers, the importance of financial literacy and the need to follow different models of development.

See more at http://www.cosutrecht.nl

How can remittances support development?

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:21:45 +0000

Utrecht 21st March 2009 - Pedro de Lima from the European Investment Bank discusses how remittances can play a more significant role in development through investment and savings. He also comments on the role the International Institutions can play in encouraging this process.

See more at http://www.cosutrecht.nl

What's the impact of the financial crisis on remittances?

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:48:20 +0000

Utrecht 21 March 2009 - Leila Rispens-Noel, INAFI International, speaks about the the effects of the financial crisis on remittances from Developed to developing countries. She explains that support to migrants and financial literacy training to ensure remittances are efficiently managed are essential to support the poor in developing countries.

See more about the conference at http://www.cosutrecht.nl

Aid allocation from international NGOs

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:27:26 +0000

Nijmegen, 26 February 2009 - Dirk-Jan Koch, civil servant at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presents the findings of his reasearch on aid allocation from international NGOs. In particular, he underlines international NGOs tend to cluster their aid, with many of them active in the same countries.

See some articles from his research at http://en.scientificcommons.org/dirk-jan_koch

What role for emerging powers in development cooperation?

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:17:14 +0000

Sachin Chaturvedi, RIS, India, highlights two main elements. Firstly,he underlines how emerging powers have to assume a proactive role in addressing issues which concern local government. Secondly, in terms of how to finance development at local level, lots of initiatives are going on: it's now a matter of pulling these initiative together and find new ways for development cooperation.

See more videos from the European Development Days at:
http://blip.tv/posts/?topic_name=eudevdays

About EDC2020
The project "European Development Cooperation to 2020" is coordinated by the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI).

More information at www.edc2020.eu

Issues of coordination among central and local authorities

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:59:30 +0000

Strasbourg, 16 November 2008. During the European Development Days 2008, the EDC2020 programme organised a parallel session on 'The Impact of “Emerging Powers” on Governance in Partner Countries'. Lerumo Morule from the Department of Provincial and Local Government, South AFrica, presented his experience on issues of coordination and harmonisation among different spheres of governance.

See more videos from the European Development Days at:
http://blip.tv/posts/?topic_name=eudevdays

About EDC2020
The project "European Development Cooperation to 2020" is coordinated by the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI).

More information at www.edc2020.eu

Femi Oke on which NGO stories are taken up by journalists

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:48:23 +0000

Femi Oke, previously with CNNs Inside Africa and now an independent journalist based in New York, discusses how NGOs need to change the way they present stories to journalists if they want those stories taken up. A human interest story with the purpose not to promote the NGO or their staff but to raise an issue which needs addressing.

Media in Africa: opportunities and challenges

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:31:14 +0000

Strasbourg, 16 November 2008 - Tumi Makgabo, independent broadcaster and producer, former CNN anchor, participated in the European Development Days 2008 where she spoke in the Deveopment Policy Forum 'Development: Does the media help or hinder?". After the session, she took some time to reflect with us on the situation and opportunities for the media in Africa. In particular, she recognises how in recent years Africans have had many more possibilities to tell their stories. Technology, and mobiles phones in particular, have made possible this 'leap frog', that allows to have 'true stories' from the continent. The question is now how to get these stories out there. We need to find platforms that can carry these messages, and therefore to allow people to get better understanding of what's happening in Africa. So the key issue is how to make information more accessible. She also reflects on the development of citizens' journalism and its interaction with traditional media.

See more videos from the European Development Days at:

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Bernard Petit introduces the European Development Days 2008

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:25:33 +0000

Strasbourg, 16 November 2008 - Bernard Petit, Deputy Director General of the Directorate General of Development in the European Commission, defines the backdrop against which the EDD 2008 are unfolding. In particular, he underlines the issue of the financial crisis and what that could mean for development cooperation.

See more videos from the European Development Days at:

http://blip.tv/posts/?topic_name=eudevdays

Young people's participation in local governance

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:48:30 +0000

Strasbourg, 16 November 2008. During the 2008 EDD, Plan International sponsored the participation of young people from developing as well as developed countries. They have been meeting for a Youth Forum entitled “Let your voice be heard: a forum by and for youth in local governance”.The conclusion of the forum will be presented in a roundtable discussion.

To know more, visit http://www.plan-international.org

See more videos from the European Development Days at:

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Young reporters at the European Development Days

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:46:58 +0000

Strasbourg, 16 November 2008. Two young reporters introduce themselves and explain the importance of the Plan International project on Media and Development.

See more videos from the European Development Days at:

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One Laptop Per Farmer

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:17:21 +0000

Strasbourg, 15 November 2008. During the European Development Days 2008, we caught up with Dr. Hansjörg Neun, CTA Director, who presented the CTA initiative called 'One Laptop Per Farmer'. This initiative has its origin in the One Laptop Per Child project and aims at using the OPLC laptops to provide agriculture information in rural areas.

See more videos from the European Development Days at:

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The value of the EDD: perspective from Cameroon

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:16:29 +0000

Strasbourg, 15 November 2008. The 2008 edition of the EDD has the issue of local governance and decentralised cooperation as its main theme. During the first day, we met with Johnny Agogho, Mayor in Cameroon, who reflects on the role and value of the event.

See more videos from the European Development Days at:

http://blip.tv/posts/?topic_name=eudevdays

InternetSansFrontieres

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 08:15:49 +0000

Strasbourg, 15 November 2008. During the European Development Days 2008, Archippe Yepemon presents the aims and activities of the association InternetSansFrontières.

See more videos from the European Development Days at:

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EU-Africa-China trialogue from a Chinese perspective

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:16:55 +0000

During the EDC2020 briefing session on "The EU, Africa and China: opportunities and challenges of a trilateral cooperation", which took place on 27 October 2008 in Brussels, Xuewu Gu (Ruhr-University Bochum) comments on the EC proposal for enhanced cooperation with China in Africa from a Chinese perspective. He concludes that such a cooperation might become very challenging due to diversities in the development approach of the EU and China and different interests.

About EDC2020

The project "European Development Cooperation to 2020" is coordinated by the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI). More information at www.edc2020.eu

EC Communication on a trilateral dialogue between the EU, China and Africa

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:40:47 +0000

During the EDC2020 briefing session on "The EU, Africa and China: opportunities and challenges of a trilateral cooperation", which took place on 27 October 2008 in Brussels, Uwe Wissenbach (European Commission) discribes the main features of the EC Communication: "The EU, Africa and China: towards trilateral dialogue and cooperation" (pdf). The communication looks for closer dialogue with China on key areas including agriculture, security and infrastracture.

About EDC2020

The project "European Development Cooperation to 2020" is coordinated by the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI). More information at www.edc2020.eu

The EU, Africa and China: opportunities and challenges of a trilateral cooperation

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:51:13 +0000

During the EDC2020 briefing session on "The EU, Africa and China: opportunities and challenges of a trilateral cooperation", which took place on 27 October 2008 in Brussels, Nadarajah Shanmugaratnam (NORAGRIC) reflected on the panel discussions.

While trialeral cooperation could be possible from a practical viewpoint it might be difficult to achieve this due to the different approaches towards development cooperation between the EU and China. On the one hand China sees its engagement in Africa in geopolitical terms which comes along with a policy of non-interference in internal issues on the other hand Europe focuses on ODA and conditionality of aid.

About EDC2020

The project "European Development Cooperation to 2020" is coordinated by the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI).

More information at www.edc2020.eu

China in Africa - economic aspects

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:39:07 +0000

During the EDC2020 briefing session on "The EU, Africa and China: opportunities and challenges of a trilateral cooperation", which took place on 27 October 2008 in Brussels, Helmut Reisen (OECD Development Centre) talks about the economic effects of China's engagement in Africa, which he sees has an overall positive for the African continent.

About EDC2020

The project "European Development Cooperation to 2020" is coordinated by the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI). More information at www.edc2020.eu

Windows of opportunity and risks for EU, China and Africa trilateral cooperation

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:50:11 +0000

During the EDC2020 briefing session on "The EU, Africa and China: opportunities and challenges of a trilateral cooperation", which took place on 27 October 2008 in Brussels, Charles Goerens (Chamber of Deputies, Luxembourg) stresses the opportunities for Africa of a Chinese engagement. However he shows his deep concern about the role of China in the Darfur Region as well as possible negative effects of Chinese engagement for local economies. He underlines the important European emphasis on Good Governance, Democracy and the Rule of Law.

About EDC2020

The project "European Development Cooperation to 2020" is coordinated by the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI). More information at www.edc2020.eu

How EU-China-Africa trilateral cooperation could work

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:56:24 +0000

During the EDC2020 briefing session on "The EU, Africa and China: opportunities and challenges of a trilateral cooperation", which took place on 27 October 2008 in Brussels, Alan E. George (Embassy of Sierra Leone) talks about the possibility of a functional EU, China and Africa Trialateral Cooperation. He opts for a practical division of labour were the EU could bring in expertise, China capital, and Africa provide necessary resources.

About EDC2020

The project "European Development Cooperation to 2020" is coordinated by the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI). More information at www.edc2020.eu

Innovation works - communication can help research lead to actions

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:24:41 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Patti Kristjanson, Leader of the ‘Innovation Works’ Initiative at the International Livestock Research Institute in Kenya reflects on some ways that communication can increase the probability that research will lead to actions. First, devise a communication strategy from the outset of a research project, second, use communication to help span the boundaries between different stakeholders, and third, communicate the 'so what' of the any results from the research. More on the Innovation Works initiative.

The Addis Ababa workshop was held 20-21 October 2008. It was organized by the Global Development Network (GDN) in partnership with the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), the World Bank Institute (WBI), and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), with support from the Information and Communications Technology – Knowledge Management (ICT-KM) program of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).

Photos from the workshop
Video interviews at the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Innovation works - increasing the probability that research leads to actions

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:22:39 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Patti Kristjanson, Leader of the ‘Innovation Works’ Initiative at the International Livestock Research Institute in Kenya introduces the initiative. It is about "how we do the research, more innovatively, with partners, to have more impact on sustainable poverty reduction." It looks at methods, approaches, tools, and strategies that will help build better research partnerships and make sure research is aimed at solutions that are driven by the needs of beneficiaries. How the research is done "absolutely matters" - some principles and strategies can "indeed increase the probability that the research will generate knowledge that leads to actions." More on the Innovation Works initiative.

Photos from the workshop
Video interviews at the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Knowledge sharing in research - bridging individuals essential to sustain impact

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:19:53 +0000

Speaking after the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Nadia Manning-Thomas of the CGIAR ICT-KM Program and IWMI shared one important lesson from the 'Knowledge Sharing in Research Project: The need to have "bridging individuals" with a variety of skills working within research, from the beginning to the end of the research cycle.

Photos from the workshop
Video interviews at the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Knowledge sharing in research - ways to achieve research objectives more effectively

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:14:44 +0000

Speaking after the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Nadia Manning-Thomas of the CGIAR ICT-KM Program and IWMI explains that the approach followed in the 'Knowledge Sharing in Research Project is based on improving the impact of research along the whole cycle. It shows how undertaking knowledge-sharing can help to achieve other research objectives, such as enhanced relevance; multi-stakeholder engagement; collaboration along the cycle, dissemination and uptake, and M&E.

Photos from the workshop
Video interviews at the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Knowledge sharing in research - not an add-on!

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:07:22 +0000

Speaking after the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Nadia Manning-Thomas of the CGIAR ICT-KM Program and IWMI introduces the 'Knowledge Sharing in Research Project' that she leads. Based around the traditional research cycle in the CGIAR, the idea is to integrate knowledge-sharing approaches into the different phases of the cycle instead of seeing it as an optional 'add-on.'

Photos from the workshop
Video interviews at the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Communication can improve quality at every stage of the research cycle

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:55:37 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Sylvester Dickson Baguma, Principal Research Officer in the Directorate of Quality Assurance at NARO in Uganda argues that effective communication can improve the quality of research at every stage of the research cycle.

Photos from the workshop
Video interviews at the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Research communicators need to understand their audiences

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:53:48 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Fletcher Tembo, a Research Fellow at ODI in London concludes that research communicators, above all, need to understand the various audiences and to engage at their levels.

Photos from the workshop
Video interviews at the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

The innovation systems approach in agriculture

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:50:36 +0000

David Spielman, Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute in Addis Ababa introduces the innovation systems approach in the agricultural sector. It is essentially about "bringing people together" - creating opportunities to create platforms where different actors can interact to achieve common goals.

Read his 2005 paper Innovation Systems Perspectives on Developing-Country Agriculture.

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

How an IFPRI scientist disseminates his research

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:47:16 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', David Spielman, Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute in Addis Ababa explains how he communicates his research; particularly how he uses a diversity of approaches for different purposes. He further elaborates on an interesting new project - a study of proven successes in global agriculture - where a wide variety of communication tools will be integrated.

Photos from the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Entrepreneurial services need to reinforce meaningful links between knowledge users and producers

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:33:44 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Hannington Odame, Executive Director, Centre for African Bio-Entrepreneurship, Nairobi explains the importance of meaningful links between users and producers of knowledge and the role of entrepreneurial services in improving these links.

Photos from the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

No single way to best communicate research

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:29:42 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Charles Lwanga-Ntale, Executive Director of Development Research and Training in Uganda concludes that there is no one way to communicate research.

Photos from the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Communication the key to research utilization

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:26:19 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Paul Kibwika of Makerere University in Uganda suggests that communication is key to the utilization of research.

Photos from the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Communication a prerequisite for policy impact

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:22:49 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Kwaw Andam,a Postdoctoral Fellow at IFPRI in Addis Ababa explains that effective communication is a pre-requisite for policy impact.

Photos from the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Communication the only way to maximise research impact

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:21:18 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Gloria Essilfie from the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) argues that communication is "about the only way you can maximise impact" from what has been researched.

Photos from the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Communicating research on insects at ICIPE, Africa

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:24:07 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', ICIPE's Brigitte Nyambo explains how her organization communicates its research. She highlights the important role of working with journalists.

Photos from the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Researchers need to see the benefits of communication

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:07:15 +0000

Speaking at the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Marina Joubert from South Africa argues that researchers need to see and experience the benefits [of communication], there should be incentives for them to share their research, and we need to pay more attention to the evaluation and 'peer review' of science communication.

Photos from the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Getting agricultural research off the shelf

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:55:00 +0000

Speaking after the the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa', Professor O. A. Omotesho, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Ilorin in Nigeria says that he has "always been bothered by the volume of research ... that ends up on the shelf." He sets out some follow up activities that he can promote in his Faculty.

Photos from the workshop

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Maximising the impact of research on policy or practice

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:54:27 +0000

Speaking during the the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa, ODI's John Young suggests ways to maximize the impact of research by: 1) knowing your policy objective, 2) understand the policy context, who's involved, what their positions are and how these match your evidence, and 3) generate the right kind of communication media to get messages across, especially working with other organisations and identfying champions who can influence their colleagues.

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

Organizing research to impact on policy or practice

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:44:27 +0000

Speaking during the the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa, ODI's John Young suggests ways that research organizations seeking to address policy need to change the way they work.

Interview by Peter Ballantyne

IFPRI research communication excellence recognized

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:31:29 +0000

Speaking during the the research communication workshop: 'Maximizing the Impact of Agricultural Research in Africa, Klaus Von Grebmer, Head of Communications at IFPRI explained why IFPRI was recenttly awarded the COM+ Communication Award “in recognition of its response to the food crisis.”

Interview by Peter Ballantyne