Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

TDLC Staffer Reports On MFTOT6—Part II

Reporting by TDLC Staffer Mirei Nishimura

The currently ongoing course marks the sixth delivery of the program, initiated in 2005. Trends have been showing an increasing number of participants in Japan, and this sixth course offering has had the highest level of student enrollment in Tokyo to date. Click here for more details on the MFTOT course.

During the course, participants meet face-to-face with their classmates and tutor at four video conference sessions. A guest speaker makes a presentation either here at TDLC or at an overseas site, and all students are linked by video connection and have a chance to ask questions and exchange ideas. These live conferences are followed by local sessions where assignments and country-specific topics are discussed in depth. The MFTOT course is a unique blend of these interactive learning methods. Students who might be a bit shy to speak up during their local sessions can also do so through a secure virtual space called Moodle, where messages can be posted 24/7. Once a participant satisfies all the course requirements and passes a final examination, he or she can become accredited as a microfinance course trainer. Students who opt not to take the final exam can receive a course completion certificate.

I’m taking part in this course as I work for TDLC. Here’s my first entry on the first video conference for MFTOT 6. I sent on this URL to my parents, who currently live abroad. Their response came with a tinge of sarcasm; “Good for you — you get to go to a seminar in the middle of work!” Well yes, but it doesn’t really overlap that much with my duties here…

Though there is plenty of homework in this “self-paced study”. I’ve been struggling a bit with the weekly assignments. But our tutor’s words to the class sounded like music to my ears: “let me know in advance, and I can give you an extension.”

I’ve wondered if I was the only one struggling with the course, and asked fellow participants how they felt – to discover that I was not alone. One student grinned and said, “I spend all my weekends on the assignments.” Another was worried about her English language skills, although our tutor had repeatedly assured us that everyone’s English skills were fine. Then of course, there was a person who’d been involved in microfinance in her line of work, and beamed with confidence; “I just sit down in front of the computer an hour before the assignment’s due and really concentrate hard!”

The learning materials are well-designed, and I think they help students to learn efficiently, in a fun way. The provided CD-ROM equips students with the fundamental concepts of the course. Each of its modules consists of 30 or so minutes of presentation, which, for my limited attention span on a weekday evening, is the perfect length and volume. Sometimes taking quite a bit of research, the assignments can be tough to complete on time. Our tutor called out to us as the second MFTOT 6 local session was drawing to a close; “If you aren’t happy with the work you provided, you can submit it again, and I’ll be more than happy to re-grade it!”

“So this is what self-paced study is all about!” I felt my stiff shoulders starting to relax, and began making some mental notes on how to go about tackling the next assignment.

Video Conference Held on ‘Fundamentals of Structural Dynamics’

Dr. Yuji Ishiyama is seen on a screen in Pakistan, live from Tokyo August 17, 2009. Photo courtesy of NWFP University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar/TDLC

South Asia has been hit by powerful earthquakes since ancient times. In recent years, Pakistan has been struck by strong earthquakes which have killed and injured hundreds and left thousands homeless.

The video lecture by Dr. Yuji Ishiyama, professor emeritus of Hokkaido University and the National University of Engineering, Peru, had initially been proposed by NWFP University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar (UET Peshawar) for technical officials of the Pakistan government, its engineers, and graduate students. Seeing broad interest in the region, the conference was opened to Pakistan’s neighbors – Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal—to prompt knowledge-sharing and exchange on a wider scale. The goal was to reach out to both academicians and practitioners in disaster preparedness.

Supported by the International Recovery Platform (IRP) which disseminates knowledge on recovery from natural disaster, the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC) organized the video lecture as part of an Earthquake Risk Reduction and Recovery Preparedness Programme (ERRP) for the South Asian Region, to share knowledge on structural assessment for earthquake-safe building.

Video lecture participants in Pakistan August 17, 2009. Photo courtesy of NWFP University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar/TDLC

Connection tests with local sites were arranged by TDLC coordinators and completed days in advance. And on August 17, participants assembled at their sites, and the video lecture was underway.

Video lecture participants in Pakistan August 17, 2009. Photo courtesy of NWFP University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar/TDLC

Sohel Khan, United Nations Development Programme Regional Coordinator in Kathmandu, took charge from Nepal as overall moderator of the three-hour session. Each country venue also had ready its own local moderator and a designated note-taker with technical knowledge on the subject, in order to make the best use of the video lecture.

The lecturer of this vide lecture Dr. Ishiyama, specializes in structural engineering, earthquake engineering and building construction, and has been researcher for Japan’s Ministry of Construction.

Video lecture participants in Pakistan August 17, 2009. Photo courtesy of NWFP University of Engineering & Technology, Peshawar/TDLC

An active session of questions and discussion followed the lecture, as both academics and field practitioners continued to show their strong enthusiasm throughout the duration of the lecture.
“It was a very useful lecture considering the project (ERRP) that we are currently implementing in five South Asian countries,” says lecture moderator Mr. Khan.

“The lecture helped our participants to enhance their knowledge on topics which can be applied for earthquake-safe construction practice at the country level. Participants commented that the lecture highlighted a key issue which was essential to understand critical aspects of earthquake-safe building.”

Comments have been received that the participating government engineers, university faculty, PhD fellows, and project team had greatly benefited from the video lecture. “Japan has a very high level of expertise on Disaster Risk Reduction, particularly on earthquake, landslide, and cyclones,” says Khan. “A series of lectures on hazard and risk assessment, safe construction practices, building codes, community preparedness and contingency, etc…...would be highly beneficial for disaster management practitioners and academics from South Asian countries.”

The success of this event has been encouraging for the IRP (International Recovery Platform) and TDLC, who are in discussion over the establishment of technical courses to benefit academics and practitioners in Asia. Further joint efforts are being planned to involve more Japanese experts in a structured manner, such as cooperation with universities.

Happy Mothers, Happy Children Program: Behind the Scenes

A newborn infant is asleep at a hospital in Ulaanbaatar March 28, 2008.

It all began with a query from Kitasato University School of Nursing lecturer Yae Yoshino.

The mother and child health care specialist was concerned about improving the state of continued training for nurses in Mongolia, and contacted TDLC Assistant Coordinator Yuka Yabashi to inquire about utilizing video conferencing to address the situation.

Moved by Yoshino’s passion, Yabashi wrote a proposal outlining a distance learning program which focused on maternal and child health care. She got the go-ahead and began organizing a program for the World Bank East Asia Pacific ‘Youth Innovation Fund’, and thus a joint effort began: TDLC managed the distance learning and instructional design, and Kitasato University provided the latest knowledge, based on its experience in Japan.

Hundreds of Mongolian nurses turned up to participate. As targeted, the course reached people not only in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, but also in remote areas of the country. Most Mongolian nurses seldom get a chance to come in contact with the latest information abroad.“By offering up-to-date knowledge from Japan without the burden of transportation and lodging costs, continued training in nursing and empowerment has been realized,” says Yabashi.

Mongolian nurses are busy at a study session ahead of the first Distance Learning course in Ulaanbaatar March 26, 2008.

“It’s not possible to get instant results after one or two courses, but I hope they will gradually make an impact, and specialist knowledge be utilized.”
Here are some comments from people who’ve taken the course:

—“(It’s) helped mothers on how to feed infants through breast milk”
—“(It’s helped physicians and nurses on) diagnosis of mental, social, and daily lives of pregnant women”
—“Many nurses had an opportunity to update their professional knowledge straight from highly qualified professors from a developed country, and improved knowledge professionally.”

“What is needed to improve health care conditions in a country like Mongolia, with high maternal and infant mortality rates? It’s great to build hospitals or to donate equipment, but the idea here was to link people—those in Japan who have the expertise—with others in different parts of the world needing that expertise, using the distance learning network of the World Bank. It’s been a gratifying experience observing the capacity-building process.”

TDLC Assistant Coordinator Yuka Yabashi 　　 TDLC/Eriko Sugita

In March 2009, the Mongolian Nurses Association presented TDLC with a certificate, recognizing its contribution to mother and child care improvement in their country. Yabashi says a third round session of the course is currently being planned for the coming autumn. As participants build upon their expertise, Yabashi hopes they will eventually be able to expand on the distance learning program with additions of their own courses.

Following the 2008 Mongolia program, a new Disaster Nursing Course was held in Indonesia and Timor Leste in February 2009. Over 700 local nurses participated in the two-day distance learning course.

Bright-eyed and eager, Yabashi hopes to continue to work on distance learning training programs for nurses to meet the needs of developing countries.

TDLC Staffer Reports On MFTOT6

Reporting by TDLC Staffer Mirei Nishimura

As a new member of TDLC, I learned that TDLC offers a blended-learning course on microfinance. My first contact with the concept of microfinance was in the late 1990’s while studying International Relations, and I was intrigued by and attracted to the empowerment potential of such financial services. My interest in microfinance did not bloom into a professional career, but it’s been maintained throughout my life after graduation.

My gut reaction to the MFTOT course offering was; “This is great! We can actually learn about microfinance in English, right here in Tokyo, have international colleagues through the video conference connection, AND get certified for it!”

After I joined TDLC, in one of my casual conversations with my boss, I revealed my personal interest in microfinance, and to my surprise, he replied, “Well, if you’re interested in micro-finance, then, you should enroll yourself in the MFTOT course!”
So, this is how I came to join the MFTOT course.

Mirei Nishimura joins group discussions during the first videoconference for MFTOT6 in Tokyo July 16, 2009. TDLC/KK

Yesterday, July 16, 2009 was the first MFTOT video conference class. It was very exciting to be back in a “classroom”-like environment! The diversity of the participants was impressive; there was quite a good mix of young, fresh-out-of-college types, mid-career professionals, and mature-age students. Some have careers in the private sector and others are in the middle of a career change. Most are professionals in the field of development and want to apply the concept of microfinance to their professional activities. What a great networking opportunity for people with a keen interest in microfinance!

After opening words, microfinance expert Stuart Rutherford shared his experiences in running SafeSave, a financial services cooperative in Bangladesh, and held a Q&A session with all students connected via VC; Tokyo, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, and Afghanistan.

To tell the truth, I’d never heard of SafeSave before, so Mr. Rutherford’s talk of his pilot project was a one-of-a-kind, rewarding and eye-opening experience; I realized that my knowledge of “microfinance” was a bit outdated (all the more reason to take the MFTOT course!).

The other students in remote locations related his lecture to their own country experiences. Had it not been for the live VC connection, I would not have had the chance to hear their points of view.

All in all, the afternoon was intellectually stimulating; exactly what I was craving!

For more text and pictures on the MFTOT kick-off, please read our Feature on the launch of MFTOT 6.

Microfinance Training of Trainers (MFTOT) 6 Kicks Off

Microfinance Training of Trainers 6 is now underway. Participants in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, and Japan gathered at their local connection sites for the first session on Thursday, as they were welcomed and introduced by moderator John West, Asian Development Bank Institute, at Tokyo Development Learning Center.

ADBI’s John West kicks off the opening of MFTOT6 at TDLC as participants are linked from six overseas sites as shown on screen July 16, 2009. TDLC/KK

MFTOT6 participants get down to work at TDLC July 16, 2009. TDLC/KK

A record 47 Japanese participants have registered in Tokyo this year from government, private sector, and NGOs. An unprecedented 150 participants are are participating in the course from Africa—Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda.

Four video conferences are to be held through October. Participants were told to follow the provided roadmap for a schedule of learning and to use their workbooks and CD‐ROMs, and that their tutors would be assigned in the coming week. They were instructed to use Moodle in order to access and submit assignments, and to take advantage of the opportunity for networking through the trainer community.

Manupipatpong Worapot(2nd/L), ADBI speaks at the start of MFTOT6 July 16, 2009. TDLC/KK

Dr. Manupipatpong Worapot, ADBI Tokyo Director of Capacity Building and Training, gave opening remarks, mentioning the advance of information technology, web, and high-tech tools in today’s world, and how mobile banking was taking off thanks to expanding use of mobile phones, and stressed the need to develop best practices.

ADBI’s Manupipatpong Worapot, flanked by TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui(L) and microfinance expert Stuart Rutherford, addresses participants at MFTOT6 at TDLC July 16, 2009. TDLC/KK

ADBI’s Manupipatpong Worapot addresses MFTOT6 participants at TDLC July 16, 2009. On Worapot’s left is microfinance expert Stuart Rutherford. TDLC/KK

Tokyo Development Learning Center Manager Ryu Fukui welcomed participants to the program, explaining that more than 500 registrations were received from 48 countries. He expressed hopes that participants would enjoy the blended learning course, a combination of different medium tools used to achieve high-quality learning, and to exploit the opportunity to form potential human networks.

TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui speaks as ADBI moderator John West looks on at the start of MFTOT6 at TDLC July 16, 2009. TDLC/KK

Ryu Fukui is seen behind the TDLC logo. TDLC/KK

MFTOT6 coordinator Naomi Koike has been managing the program in cooperation with Senior Distance Learning Consultant Ziping Zhang. Koike explained the blended Distance Learning approach and rules of study for the course, and briefed participants on Moodle and other administrative issues.

MFTOT coordinator Naomi Koike explains the course at TDLC July 16, 2009. TDLC/KK

Microfinance specialist Stuart Rutherford, an independent researcher and consultant in financial services for the poor, specializing in south and southeast Asia, provided an introduction of the general purpose of microfinance. The international expert described his financial services cooperative SafeSave, which pioneers ultra-flexible savings and loans services for the urban and rural poor.

Microfinance expert Stuart Rutherford speaks at TDLC July 16, 2009. TDLC/KK

Microfinance expert Stuart Rutherford makes a slide presenation at MFTOT6 in Tokyo July 16, 2009. TDLC/KK

Active discussions were held at the first MFTOT6 session in Tokyo July 16, 2009. TDLC/KK

Participants focus during the first MFTOT6 session in Tokyo July 16, 2009. TDLC/KK

TDLC Business Highlight

Tokyo Development Learning Center（TDLC） is a member of the World Bank’s Global Development Learning Network(GDLN), a partnership of approximately 120 recognized global institutions collaborating in the design and delivery of a range of learning solutions for people working in development.

Our technical services:

—videoconferencing, video content management and technical support services for all Distance Learning Centers in the East Asia Pacific region

—live video-streaming, multimedia, and post-production services, video on demand

—facilitation and support for programs covering a wide range of development issues through the use of our technical hub resources

Our goal:

—to help disseminate Japanese expertise to the Asia Pacific region and Africa, Latin America and the rest of the globe through blended distance learning (a mix of different learning approaches, synonymous with the integration of digital learning technologies)

—to connect at least 80 percent of GDLN videoconferences held in the East Asia Pacific region

Our role as a GDLN Regional Technology Hub:

Our regional hub was launched in March 2009. An average of 10 conferences are currently being connected each month—20 percent of all conferences held in the East Asia Pacific region. Our goal is to raise this connection percentage to at least 80 percent.

The World Bank’s network operation center in Washington, DC has connected all GDLN Asia Pacific conferences to date. With the new TDLC regional hub service, GDLN centers will be able to take advantage of a hub in their own time zone, offering further convenience, flexibility, and real-time technical support.

The hub service has been gearing up since its spring launch, and is looking forward to some busy months ahead.

TDLC supports the regional GDLN organization, GLDN Asia Pacific, cooperating with other Distance Learning Centers to improve services for the benefit of our partners.

By using TDLC/GDLN services, our partners enjoy the capability to enhance their activities in a cost-effective, convenient way, from the comfort of their nearest GDLN offices or designated venues.

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Gathering in Mongolia

Participants concentrate during a general meeting session、where back-to-back presentations were made all week. TDLC/Pictures courtesy of Michael Foley

Tokyo Development Learning Center staff joined fellow Global Development Learning Network Asia Pacific (GDLN AP) colleagues for a week-long general meeting in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia June 9 through July 3, 2009, discussing ways to boost the exchange of knowledge and to build capacity through GDLN.

Blessed with clear skies, the meeting opened with a keynote speech by Mongolian Education, Culture and Science Minister Yo. Otgonbayar, emphasizing the importance of sharing knowledge. Participants were updated on GDLN AP, reviewed program successes to date, discussed the integration of South Asia and GDLN Asia Pacific, and were hooked up by video link with difference venues throughout the Asia Pacific, including a TDLC hub presentation made jointly from Ulaanbaatar and Tokyo.

The meeting was wrapped up on Friday with a training workshop “Writing Winning Proposals: Tips and Techniques for Getting Results,” splitting up participants and encouraging cooperation, teamwork, and competition.

For more reports from the session and pdf files of the presentation slides, please look to the GDLN Asia Pacific general meeting page

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Impact Highlight (MFToT): Nergui Sandagjav spreads microfinance know-how to Mongolia

What is MFTOT?

Microfinance Training of Trainers (MFTOT) is a distance learning course launched in 2005 by the Asian Development Bank Institute, the World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center—a member of GDLN Asia Pacific, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund.

MFTOT makes quality training in microfinance accessible to more decision-makers, professionals and practitioners in the Asia Pacific region and beyond, through blended learning. Accredited trainers and countries covered continue to rise in number as efforts continue in a pursuit to strengthen the institutional capacity of microfinance—in the region and around the world.

On to Nergui’s story…

Mongolia, home of Genghis Khan, the Gobi desert, and mountains and plains, is in a state of poverty. One in three people is described as being poor. Studies in recent years have shown that over a fifth of the population lives below an international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.

Nergui Sandagjav, MFTOT’s first certified tutor in Mongolia, poses for a picture at her newly-launched NGO TERI’s office in Ulaanbaatar June 3, 2009. TDLC/Photo courtesy of Nergui Sandagjav

Nergui Sandagjav began working as a microcredit specialist for the National Poverty Alleviation Program of Mongolia, funded by the World Bank, in 1996. Since then, she has been active in credit policy development and has trained government officials, central bank and commercial bank practitioners on microcredit policy and program implementation, and assessed client needs and feedback. Having also worked on the design and development of new products and services, she’s monitored development fund projects in the renovation of schools, rural hospitals, and water supply systems. “My work has guided me on a journey of learning. It was very interesting to combine the financial issues with social orientation. I’ve never left the field.”

“Unemployment among the economically active population is 30 percent in 2007, according to the National Statistics Office of Mongolia. With minimum wages equaling $80 per month, the difference between the rich and poor is widening more, year by year,” Nergui explains. “About 50 percent of the population in the capital live in very poor housing conditions, where there is limited access to clean drinking water and bathrooms.”

Nergui’s Journey with MFTOT

With professional experience abroad as microcredit and rural development specialist for a United Nations development program in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, Nergui was hungry for more. Aspiring to expand her knowledge in microfinance, she took an MFTOT course in 2005 and became the course’s first certified trainer in Mongolia. She now tutors with 13 fellow trainers who have, since then, also become certified in her country. “I am so glad to have taken this course. It met my expectation, and it was my first experience with online education. This is a course for practitioners to expand and expand their theoretical skills.”

Nergui Sandagjav (L) smiles with fellow MFTOT tutor Minh Thai from Vietnam during a break while attending a conference “Building Inclusive Financial Sectors for Development” organized by the United Nations Capital Development Fund in New York November 7, 2005. TDLC/Photo courtesy of Nergui Sandagjav

For Nergui, the most valued impact that MFTOT has made has been an extension of her professional network worldwide, and the increased opportunities it provides for cooperation on various microfinance initiatives.

She also says that MFTOT has helped to expand her knowledge of distance learning and blended teaching. “These training skills are not only applicable for microfinance training; they are applicable to any other development-oriented training.” The soft-spoken tutor says that while helping her students to increase their knowledge on microfinance, the course has enabled them to understand the online education system, very new in developing countries. “The MFTOT course has helped to build technical capacity in microfinance.”

NGO Launch

This February, Nergui launched an NGO, together with colleagues. It’s called TERI: Training, Evaluation, Research Institute, powered by the marriage of her experience and the expertise of her colleagues, armed with strong field experience in low income areas, poor communities and crucial issues such as water sanitation.

Nergui Sandagjav attends a two-day United Nations Capital Development Fund conference in New York November 7, 2005. TDLC/Photo courtesy of Nergui Sandagjav

“We need high quality training, evaluation and research in the areas of poverty reduction and sustainable development,” she stresses. “We need to contribute to deeper understanding of the causes of inequality and poverty, and disseminate knowledge on successful strategies.”

Still new and small and struggling with funding, TERI is now busy at work localizing the MFTOT course material into Mongolian. Final efforts are being made on voice recordings for an interactive CD-ROM, aimed for completion before the next course, MFTOT6, scheduled for later this month.

“I hope we can reach out to more people in the local language, to microfinance practitioners and academic students, and enable them to study the learning material in their own language.”

Once the learning package is prepared and ready, TERI is planning to promote it as an elective course for universities.

Nergui is the mother of adult children currently living in the United States. Because of her ongoing work in development, they moved several times, from school to school, while growing up. “They are very supportive; they understand my job now.”

Nergui’s husband, Erdene-ochir, has also been a steady rock of support. He returned to Mongolia last year after taking an English course in the United States and “has come to truly realize the issues of development”. The small business owner has taken on the NGO’s administration duties, and has now agreed to step in as CEO.

“Even my husband has agreed to join this NGO,” Nergui says brightly.

Her passion seems to be spreading.

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Impact Highlight (MFToT): Muhammad Hassan talks about poverty and microfinance in Pakistan

What is MFTOT?

On to Hassan’s story…

Poverty breaks people, says 29-year-old Muhammad Hassan. He’s seen people in his hometown in rural Pakistan sell their honor and their dignity—their children.

“A daughter, age 16 to 28, for one night. A child, six months to two years old, is sold to a couple without child. It depends on the situation of the family. Poverty is poison for hope.”

The former college basketball player first discovered microfinance after joining Khushhali Bank Limited in June 2004. The bank was founded in 2000 as part of Pakistan’s poverty reduction strategy and its microfinance development program.

Hassan began his career as a customer service officer, and as he sought ways to expand his knowledge on microfinance, heard from friends about the Microfinance Training of Trainers (MFTOT) course conducted jointly by Tokyo Development Learning Center and the Asian Development Bank Institute. He applied for the course in 2007 while working as a credit specialist, experiencing difficulties back then to come up with the $50 course fee, due to a still “limited salary”.

Once the problem had been sorted with sponsorship, books and CD’s soon arrived, and Hassan got to work.

Hassan now earns more. He has no more difficulties in paying $50 course fees, he says with a smile.

After becoming the first at his bank to complete the MFTOT course, Hassan was promoted. His current position is Branch Relationship Manager, with a rough 30 percent salary increase.

Hassan also became the first from a branch office of the bank to train new officers. 30 people in their 20’s and 30’s have been trained by Hassan in microfinance; its methods, and its product features. These officers are posted at the front lines of different branches, and are responsible for all field-related activities. Steadily, Hassan has been disseminating the knowledge and skills that he has earnestly achieved from the MFTOT course.

“Every person holds a dream. Sometimes, poor people just want a meal. Sometimes they dream for a home, and if someone has a little skill, he will dream of having a small business.” Hassan wants to reach out to people like that.

His own grandfather, who had passed away before Hassan was born, had been a poor farmer in a village in Punjab province, who sowed wheat with the help of his wife. “I could have helped my grandfather with microfinance expertise, if he had been alive today.”

“I want to help small farmers, shopkeepers, and skilled people with no businesses, willing to try, for their families.” He believes that concern for their families drives people to succeed. Hassan strives to help these people to help themselves, in reaching for dreams that may never even have been conceivable.
“Different microfinance products address different needs – they can all be helped by microfinance,” he says with confidence.

Continuing to Disseminate Knowledge—to Make a Difference

Hassan has also taught microfinance to MBA students. He has provided training on the role of microfinance in entrepreneur development at different business schools, and coached officers of financial institutions on microfinance products and policies in training programs organized by the State Bank of Pakistan, the country’s regulatory authority.

Utilizing the knowledge and techniques he has acquired from the course and various discussion forums, he is always thankful to the MFTOT course team for the guidance and encouragement it has provided. “I am proud to be a certified trainer and member of the Trainer community.”

“I want to do as much as I can to distribute this knowledge. I want it to play a vital role in the alleviation of poverty. Microfinance changes people’s lives. There are millions of very poor people in Pakistan, and millions living on a dollar a day. Microfinance has great effects on living standards, to move up. I try to create a product especially for the very poor, without interest.”

With the help of MFTOT, Hassan has helped people to reach for their dreams, and to make better lives for themselves and their families. The avid reader, with a passion for research, innovation, and new ideas, is continuing to study microfinance—hoping to make a difference.

Links from this Story

Friday, May 8th, 2009

ASEAN +3 on A/H1N1 Crisis

Ministers of ASEAN + 3 countries assembled in Bangkok on Friday in an emergency meeting to discuss the current situation of the A/H1N1 crisis, part of a two-day session that linked together Bangkok, Washington, Geneva, and Atlanta by video, through technical support provided by Tokyo Development Learning Center.

Dr. Toomas Palu, World Bank Lead Health Specialist, speaks at a special ASEAN + 3 meeting on Influenza A(H1N1) in Bangkok May 7, 2009.

Through state-of-the-art technology, different time zones in Asia, North America and Europe were brought together in real time, as experts from the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank shared updates and expertise with ASEAN leaders to address mounting concern over a pandemic.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, acting Deputy Director of the CDC, on Thursday updated the session on the situation in the United States, providing comparisons with Mexico. She identified assessment as being an important and serious ongoing problem, though the “severity is not as grave as what was originally reported from colleagues in Mexico”.

Dr.Schuchat said that although some media have characterized the situation as “finished”, “it is an active issue that merits our highest priority”.

In answer to a question from a Philippine official, she said that one of the current issues being looked at is clarifying modes of transmission. She said there has been no evidence of airborne transmission so far, but that “we don’t know all that we need to know about this,” and active investigation is being continued.

Characteristics of the Illness

“We may see an increase in percentage as we have a little more time,” she said. “There’s an average of nine days from the onset of illness to death. We may not have seen the full impact of what we have. Case counts are increasing every day as cases are increasing.”

The illness is generally prominent in younger people below 60 years of age. The overall median age is somewhere in the 20’s. Males and females seem equally affected; the spectrum of the disease itself ranges from mild to fatal. There’s a development of symptoms such as fever, cough, muscle ache, diahrea…

Upward Revision to Phase 6 – What It Means

“There’s a great deal of confusion on what going to phase 6 from the current pandemic alert, phase 5, might mean,” WHO flu chief Dr. Keiji Fukuda said during the session.. “In essence, the difference is more extensive geographic spread of this infection. It does not mean that the disease is becoming more severe. We’re really looking at a geographic spread of the disease. It’s an evolving situation, countries should look very closely.”

ASEAN + 3 health officials assemble in Bangkok for an emergency meeting on Influenza A(H1N1). The meeting was part of a two-day session linking Bangkok with Washington, Geneva and Atlanta, through technical support provided by TDLC.

Is Pork Safe?

Dr. Fukuda also addressed our fears on eating pork. “There’s also a great deal of confusion about the role of pigs, and the safety of eating pork. When pork is handled properly and cooked properly, we feel there is no danger of transmitting to people.”

World Bank Ready to Assist on Economic Concerns

From World Bank headquarters in Washington, officials pointed out concern over the grave economic consequences of a spread of a pandemic, noting previous experiences with SARS.

Cutting down contact with others would affect the services industry, like tourism and entertainment, which are already in the midst of a deep global recession. It could end up prolonging the current recession, as governments may not have many resources left to further tackle the economy., they said, adding that the bank would stand ready to assist all of the countries involved.

Working Together

The world now faces a new emerging threat.

“The U.S. is committed to doing whatever we can to help you and other global partners mitigate the threat,” Dr. Richard Besser, Acting Director-General of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, told ASEAN + 3 ministers via video conference on Friday. “We must work together with trust, transparency, and mutual respect.”

“Today we’ve shared the virus with China, Japan, and South Korea for research.”

“Planning is essential. We have a global influenza surveillance network. The CDC began shipping influenza AN1H1 to all national research centers including all ASEAN countries with research facilities.”

And this information was shared today among the sites linked by video, using technology that would not have been available decades ago.

Message from Mexico

Mexican Minister of Health Jose Cordova also sent a special videotaped message to the conference. With 44 lives currently taken by the influenza virus in Mexico, he cited the peak of the epidemic as having been between April 23rd and April 28th.

Analyses have shown a decline in the transmission of the virus, but the surveillance system must continue in alert, he said. “It is important that we now take actions that do not unnecessarily alarm the population of our nations.”

“The WHO has strongly reiterated, recommended, not closing the borders or establishing travel restrictions.” Dr. Cordova stressed the importance for health representatives to ensure that discriminatory actions did not take place “because these measures damage more than the virus itself. They are against human rights and human dignity. ”

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

MFToT With a Local Touch

7-Country Translation Project to Boost Microfinance Training Capacity in Asia

Participants in 7 countries will now be able to study the Microfinance Training of Trainers (MFToT) Course in their own language. By popular demand, the World Bank/Tokyo Development Learning Center, Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), Planet Finance Japan and course “graduates” have collaborated to implement an ambitious localization plan in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Mongolia. The workbook and interactive computer-based instruction CD-ROM for participants are being translated into each language, and will be available for trial use in the current MFToT 5 course.

Since 2005, MFToT has accredited 224 trainers in 28 countries through 4 course deliveries. It takes a unique blended learning approach, combining workbook, CD-ROM, videoconference, on-line tutoring and local face-to-face sessions. From the start, demand for the course proved strong—and MFToT met expectations by adding new features to expand outreach quickly. Introducing webcasting, for example, made it possible for participants living in remote areas worldwide to have access. Moodle, a free open source learning management system (LMS) was incorporated to manage hundreds of participants from more than 30 countries..

With the success of the course came additional needs. The workbook and CD-ROM, originally developed by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), consistently received high marks from participants. All materials were in English, however, proving to be a barrier for non-native English speakers. In addition, the number of accredited tutors working to train professionals within their own countries grew, necessitating materials in local languages.

As the course matured, MFToT faced the need to improve accessibility within countries. Vietnam, for example, had an early start organizing translation of course material to use in local sessions. Other country teams started translation of text and multimedia contents in the CD-ROM, but the challenge was substantial – a 144 page workbook and an interactive self - study CD-ROM of over 7 hours.

Course organizers Jiping Zhang of TDLC and Setboonsarng Sununtar of ADBI supervised the multi-country process; for the CD-ROM, the China team, consisting mainly of accredited participants, created the transcript for all audio files, and developed a procedure for making new audio files in local languages. Patrick Tse at the World Bank Institute’s Multimedia Center provided technical support for CD-ROM translation and reproduction, and guided the completion of CD-ROM in Chinese version. To reassemble thousands of translated files, Ron Bevacqua at PlanetFinance Japan, an international microfinance NGO based in Europe, identified and outsourced the work to 2 companies in Thailand and Lao.

The workbook and CD-ROM are complete in most countries, and will be used on a trial basis by participants of MFTOT 5, which will run from July to October 2008. Working with tutors and with feedback from users, localized learning packages will be produced for mass distribution in 2009 with the support of the TDLC and ADBI. It is hoped that this will help boost microfinance capacity building efforts within each country, eventually leading to the creation of a global community of microfinance practitioners.

Friday, June 6th, 2008

Responding to Today’s Inflationary Threat

Asia Pacific Policy Makers Hold In-depth Discussion in New WB GDLN AP Seminar

As inflation becomes an increasingly serious concern across Asia, economic managers are grappling with urgent questions on how best to formulate a response.

Which management tools can be deployed to address today’s inflation?

What economic interventions are required to mitigate adverse effects on lower income groups?

To meet this need for knowledge, the Global Development Learning Network in the Asia Pacific Region (GDLN AP) launched a distance learning seminar series on Economic Management in collaboration with the World Bank. The first session, “Today’s Inflation: Global Context and Local Solutions” targeting economic decision makers in the Asia Pacific region, was held on June 5 and 6, 2008 with a total of 15 sites in 11 countries connecting over 2 days.

Meeting Knowledge Needs

The session was notable for its timeliness: conscious of the demand within the region for information sharing to combat inflation, GDLN AP coordinators approached the Bank’s Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Sector Unit (EASPR), which designated.Deepak Bhattasali (Lead Economist) to propel the program forward, applying his deep understanding of the issues confronting the region. Bhattasali participated in the seminar, but also enlisted world-class experts from the World bank, IMF and Central Bank of Chile for a comprehensive, highly relevant discussion.

The response was overwhelming. More than 700 participants including senior government officials, representatives from the donor community, financial institutions, academia as well as the private sector took part in the 3-hour session, with many others observing over the real-time webcast. Issues ranging from fiscal and monetary policy, currency appreciation, wages, India and China, as well as measures to protect the vulnerable were laid on the table in the Q & A session, with ample time for an in-depth discussion with speakers.

Grappling with a ‘Column of Smoke’

World Bank Senior Communications Officer Stanley Grant opened the seminar quoting former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating, who once compared battling inflation to tackling a column of smoke; once you get hold of it, it simply changes shape and moves.

“This session is for you”, said Grant, moderating the session from the Tokyo Development Learning Center. “We hope you’re able to walk away at the end of it, with a greater understanding of the forces that are driving inflationary pressures now throughout the world, and also some of the policy responses that will be necessary as we grapple with this column of smoke today”.

Setting the stage for discussions, World Bank Development Prospects Group Manager Hans Timmer took the floor from Washington DC and identified the “inflationary threat” as the most important and topical issue in the global economy today, more dangerous than the slowdown in the US economy with high oil prices posing a major threat to developing countries. Timmer gave a historical perspective, touching on the current inflationary threat as well as expectations for the future and explained why it was important to act quickly to prevent a situation in which higher inflation rates prevail as in the 1980’s and 90’s.

Focus on Policy Responses

“So what can countries do?” asked International Monetary Fund Senior Economist Romuald Semblat, focusing on policy responses after reviewing the characteristics of inflation, attributing it to the recent increase in commodity prices as demand for energy and commodities remain robust. “Advanced, emerging and developing economies can contribute in ensuring that demand and supply responds”.

In the near-term, Semblat emphasized the critical role of macroeconomic policies. “Monetary policies are the main instrument to deal with rising inflationary pressures and dampen inflationary expectations”. He added that in certain cases, greater exchange rate flexibility and currency appreciation could provide support to monetary policy.

The Latin American Experience

To learn from other regions, Igal Magendzo, Adviser to the Central Bank of Chile, gave a presentation on the Latin American experience. “You cannot turn bad news into good news. Countries must face the shock” he said on managing inflationary expectations. “It is better to target inflation in tranquil times, but if you have not, you must act aggressively, tightening fiscal and monetary policy to show that you will not let inflation get out of control”.

World Bank East Asia Pacific Lead Economist Deepak Bhattasali summarized the discussions, stressing the importance of a coordinated policy response at the domestic level. “Subsidies to compensate vulnerable groups for the transitional effects of inflation must be targeted….making sure that they do not undermine longer term fiscal stability, inflationary expectations and economic management”, he emphasized. “This is not easy, as there are consequences in domestic economies that are quite serious, but it is important to keep in mind that short term solutions may not be best in the long term”.

*The following GDLN Centers participated in this event.

June 5th
Australian National University (Canberra); Asian Institute of Management – WB Development Resource Center (Manila); Chongqing Distance Learning Center,
Shanghai National Accounting Institute, Shanxxi Distance Learning Center;
Vietnam Development Information Center (Hanoi), Ho Chi Minh City Development Learning Center; Tokyo Development Learning Center; World Bank GDLN Studio (Washington DC)

June 6th
Udayana University (Denpasar), University of Indonesia (Jakarta); Dili Distance Learning Center; Mongolia Development Learning Center (Ulaanbaatar);
Papua New Guinea Development Cooperation Center (Port Moresby) ; Chulalongkorn University – Center of Academic Resources (Bangkok) ; Tokyo Development Learning Center ; World Bank GDLN Studio (Washington DC)

For more information about the program, see “Today’s Inflation: Global Context and Local Solutions” program page.

Monday, May 26th, 2008

Learning from Each Other for a Vibrant Africa

African and Asian Youths Speak Out in Dialgue for TICAD IV

We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity

We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, creativity and inclusion

—- message from Tanzania—-

Youths from Africa and Asia “gathered” via GDLN videoconference on May 26, 2008 to share knowledge and exchange views on achieving a vibrant Africa. On the occasion of TICAD IV (Tokyo International Conference on African Development), the session was organized by the TDLC, World Bank Tokyo Office and UNICEF to provide a platform for future leaders to voice their opinions. UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour made a special appearance at the TDLC and pushed the younger generation to take an active role in the decision making process.

Participating in the 3-hour session were groups representing youths from Africa (Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania) and Asia (Japan, South Korea, Vietnam). An audience of nearly 100 joined the session at the TDLC.

“You bring energy, creativity and hope” said World Bank Acting Senior Vice President Edith Grace Ssempala, addressing beaming faces in the audience and on screen.

“I want to encourage you to be active and vigilant to make sure your voice is heard loud and clear, so you are equipped and prepared to face the challenges of the future”.
Groups representing each country, many from the local chapters of the Youth Development & Peace (YDP) network launched by the World Bank, gave a presentation on a topic of their choice relating to TICAD priority issues.
Part 1, moderated by UNICEF Tokyo Office for Japan and the Republic of Korea Director Dan Rohrmann featured presentations from Ghana (Ensuring Human Security Assistance to help Achieve MDGs), Senegal (non-formal education in Senegal), Japan (Human Security in Africa- World wide youth partners is fundamental) and Vietnam (Youth’s active involvement in SRRH and HIV/AIDS).

Senegal stressed the importance of non-formal education; “Youth are development actors” said the presenter, “but because of the precarious socioeconomic conditions, over 32% of children between the ages of 10-15 work, many becoming street children”. Support for non-formal education would offer a way to reduce the illiteracy rate, and provide out-of school children with skills that would facilitate social integration.

Part 2, led by World Bank Director of Operations and Strategy, Africa Region, Hartwig Schafer, focused on economic development. South Africa, Tanzania and South Korea reported on their own country’s experience.

“Investment for whom?” asked the presenter from the YDP Chapter in Tanzania. In a Powerpoint presentation, the service industry, finance and banking, tourism and supermarkets were identified as major areas of investment, praised as good economic practice. “A conducive environment for investment is the song we all need to echo without understanding its meaning. Our priorities are agriculture, promotion of the industrial sector, education and health.”

Youssou N’Dour had a message for Japan as host of TICAD IV: “We have come to say, reduce the distance between the people from Africa and your country…The world is one little planet, and kids have to be thinking at the same time, from Africa, from Asia”.

He also asked the group to envision Africa moving forward, with solidarity and riches.

Following an active question and answer session on a broad range of issues, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Western and Central Africa, Esther Guluma highlighted key messages from the session:

This Dialogue between Africa and Asia must be continued on a regular basis to gain more knowledge about Africa’s diversity
The voice of young people is the voice that must be raised and heard for the future
Capacity building is needed to ensure that youth are part of strategic decision making

These views will be conveyed to TICAD IV.

The Dialogue was webcast live to raise awareness of concerns held by youth groups in Africa and Asia, and to gain support for continuous dialogue. An archived version is available for view.

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

Teachers Training Course Highlights Interest in ICTs for Education

In a training course developed by the TDLC, teachers and instructors across Asia sat in a virtual classroom to learn how ICTs can be incorporated to enhance multicultural education. Designed to accompany Kids Initiative, a program that enables school children to conduct exchanges with counterparts in other countries through GDLN videoconference, teachers across borders showed a strong interest in new methods of education to prepare children to meet the challenges of globalization.

The Kids Initiative Teachers Training Course was conducted from December 2007 to April 2008, covering 4 modules over 5 sessions. The TDLC connected to sites in Vietnam, Mongolia, the Philippines (Manila and Davao), as well as Sri Lanka, with 80-100 practitioners and experts participating per session.

The course covered global collaboration through “Theme-based Sharing” and “Project-based Learning”, the two main types of sessions under Kids Initiative, offering theory and practice through lectures, discussions, and a mock session enlisting the participation of children in Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The lecturer, Dr. Christopher Tan, is an international expert on the use of technology in education.

With an audience of experts from diverse locations, the sessions proved to be an interesting opportunity to share knowledge about education in the region. Teachers seemed to agree on the need for project-based learning, and many asked how to incorporate new methods into the established school curriculum.

Teachers also had questions based on their experience: What do you do about different learning levels within the group, especially when children who do well start losing interest? How do you instruct children who resort to “cut & paste” when compiling presentations? In project-based learning, do you grade the process, or the result? Dr.Tan provided insight based on his experience conducting project-based learning projects in Hong Kong, China and other countries.

After completion of the training course, participants have started discussing Kids Initiative activities in their respective countries. Mongolia has identified 4 junior high schools who plan to hold sessions on environment with their counterparts in Japan. Sri Lanka is also looking into various exchanges. Teachers exchanged information on the school calendar in their countries so that exchange sessions can be timed better. In the future, some suggested organizing a seminar for education ministry officials to mainstream their activities into the school curriculum.

For more information, please see the following program pages:
KIDS INITIATIVE
KIDS INITIATIVE Teachers Training Course

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Mongolian Nurses Inspire Collaboration

TDLC, Kitasato University Develop New Mother and Child Health Care Training Program

When Yae Yoshino, Lecturer at Kitasato University’s School of Nursing, visited Mongolia, she was struck by the textbooks that young nurses were using. They weren’t really “books” at all, but thin booklets translated from Russian, imported from the former Soviet Union. Not much was up to date – including nursing education.

All the issues common to developing countries were apparent – poor infrastructure, poverty, malnutrition – as well as circumstances unique to Mongolia. The older generation spoke Russian, but not English, and without computers, gaining access to new information was difficult. 40 % of the population is nomadic, without adequate access to hospitals.

Since 2002, Yoshino, a mother and child health care specialist, visited Mongolia numerous times on behalf of the Japan Nursing Association. As her understanding of the local situation grew, she began to see the potential to make a difference. The nurses and midwives she met were highly motivated. The literacy rate was high. Yoshino contacted the World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC)’s Yuka Yabashi to inquire about distance learning opportunities, and a partnership was born.

Momentum is building to boost maternal and child healthcare training: the reduction of child mortality and improvement of maternal health are both included in the Millennium Development Goals, while the Japanese government has made a commitment to promote international health cooperation as host of this year’s G8 Summit.

The two collaborated quickly to develop a new training program, with the TDLC providing technical and program design support and Kitasato contributing subject expertise.

Yoshino, who has broad international experience, touts the value of technology and distance learning services: she sees it as a new way to provide development assistance that is actually more sustainable on a long-term basis. “Specialists and consultants who live and work in developing countries face enormous difficulties, very often left without access to knowledge resources. Hi-tech makes it so much easier, allowing us to save time and money and overcome the problems of international cooperation.”

Expanding scale and impact lies at the center of its design: by connecting from the TDLC to 5 sites in Mongolia via the World Bank’s videoconference network (GDLN), more than 200 young practitioners working at universities, hospitals and medical care centers will have the opportunity to receive a university-level lecture. Upon completion, each is expected to teach the course to at least 10 colleagues. This will enable the latest knowledge from Japan to reach more than 2000 health care workers.

Another unique feature is its effort to make nursing education sustainable. With the cooperation of the Mongolian Nursing Association, participants will use course material to create a new Mongolian textbook, ensuring that it is fully compatible with local conditions. A Mongolian version of the mother and child handbooks that are popularly used in Japan to monitor health conditions will be developed and distributed for general use.

In March, the two coordinators gave a presentation at the Mongolian Nursing Association’s National Congress held in Ulan Bator attended by more than 800. They were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response among local nurses, and their eagerness to try distance learning. International organizations working in Mongolia also expressed an interest in collaboration. Results of a needs-assessment survey and interviews conducted during the Congress will be reflected in the final syllabus to guarantee the satisfaction of Mongolian participants.

Visiting hospitals in Ulan Bator and staying at gers gave Yabashi a close look at local conditions. “The lack of medicine, equipment and textbooks was very serious. Many nurses told me that they have no opportunity to learn and update their knowledge”. The experience has inspired Yabashi to seek out other partners to further enhance the program for delivery to other countries in need.

For details about the program, see the Mongolia Mother and Child Healthcare Training Program page.

Friday, November 9th, 2007

Kenya Joins the GDLN Family

New Opportunities for Cross-regional Knowledge Sharing with Asia

The Kenya Development Learning Centre (KDLC) was launched on November 9, 2007, becoming the 12th member of the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) in Africa. Amidst the excitement in the global community, hopes were high in Asia for greater cross regional knowledge sharing opportunities.

The launch ceremony was held at the KDLC’s host institution, the Kenya Institute of Administration, connecting to Senegal, Tanzania, and Washington, DC via videoconference. In a display of the country’s strong support for the KDLC, the Vice President of Kenya, the Minister of State for Public Service, the Kenyan Ambassador to the United States and other dignitaries attended the event.

“Welcome Kenya”. TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui joined GDLN representatives worldwide in congratulating the new Center by video. “There is a big geographical difference between Asia and Africa, so distance learning by use of ICTs has a big advantage compared to traditional methods”

Africa ranks high on the agenda of the Japanese development community in anticipation of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) due to take place in Yokohama in May 2008.

Kenya is one of the key recipients of Japan’s Official Development Aid (ODA), generating demand for knowledge sharing activities to improve the effectiveness of ODA operations and related private businesses.

The new Center in Kenya and the TDLC can capitalize on the need for Asia-Africa cooperation in both the public and private sectors. “In my view, human resources development, capacity building in the private sector, and health are some of the areas on which the GDLN should focus. Japan has accumulated experience in these sectors, and can make a meaningful contribution “, says Fukui.

The TDLC has facilitated numerous events which explore new approaches to accelerating development in Africa. In collaboration with JICA, the TDLC has disseminated 29 JICA-Net seminars to African GDLN Centers in English and more recently, in French as well. The popular blended learning course “Microfinance Training of Trainers” organized by the TDLC and Asian Development Bank Institute has accepted many participants from African countries, made accessible through the use of webcasting and on-line tutoring.

As part of GDLN in Africa, the Kenya Development Learning Centre also joins the Association of African Distance Learning Centres (AADLC), established in 2002 to unify and coordinate the activities of learning centers across the continent. The KDLC will bring new expertise and knowledge to this group and will contribute to the work of GDLN Affiliates in Africa, who reach over 5,000 participants a year through learning and dialogue-based activities.

The Kenya Center launch and the welcome video displayed at the beginning of the event is available for view on the GDLN website.

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

JICA-Net Seminars in French

Francophone Africa tunes into KAIZEN, One Village One Product via GDLN

Francophone countries in Africa have now begun receiving JICA-Net seminars in French via the GDLN. The inaugural sessions conducted in October 2007 both focused on principles that Japan has become famous for - the first on “KAIZEN – Small steps to Improve Productivity”, given to GDLN Centers in Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal and Mauritania on October 2, and the second on “One Village One Product in Japan” on October 9, connecting to Benin, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.

The TDLC first began disseminating JICA-Net seminars to Asia following the November 2004 cooperation agreement between the two development learning networks – GDLN and JICA-Net. Beginning in October 2005, the seminars were also delivered to GDLN Centers in Anglophone Africa: to date, a total of 28 seminars have been delivered in English to GDLN Centers in Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana and Uganda amounting to 80 sessions. In three years, a total of 37 seminars have been delivered to Asia and Africa combined, numbering 126 sessions in total.

Meanwhile, there was a demand for the seminars in Francophone countries as well – Mauritania, for instance, hired an English- French simultaneous interpreter to receive a seminar in 2006.

Following up on this need, JICA-Net and the TDLC discussed details to bring the seminars to Africa in French. Fortunately, JICA-Net was also looking to expand its outreach to French as well as Spanish speaking countries.

Overall, feedback received from Managers at participating GDLN Centers has been positive. Based on a survey conducted after the sessions, the contents and marketing value of the JICA-Net seminars received high marks, while numerous requests were made for simultaneous interpretation. The first two sessions were delivered with consecutive translation from English to French.

Friday, July 27th, 2007

APO to Train Over 900 in 16 Countries via GDLN

E-Learning is Embraced as Effective and Environmentally Friendly Method

The Asian Productivity Organization (APO） embraces e-learning on an unprecedented scale this summer, providing 3 training programs in 9 phases for more than 900 participants in 16 countries via the GDLN. Amounting to roughly 40% of the total number trained by the organization annually in face-to-face sessions, the APO hopes to intensify its focus on e-learning as a cost-effective, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional training methods.

One of the TDLC’s earliest partners, the APO has steadily expanded its e-learning ventures, running 2 programs in 5 phases for 12 countries in 2006 at a considerable savings in cost. Compared to a typical face-to-face program, the APO was able to deliver these programs last year through the GDLN at an average cost of approximately US$130.00 per person per day, a 60-70% reduction.
Cooperation has expanded on a regional scale too, with National Productivity Organizations exploring ways to collaborate with local GDLN Center counterparts. In the near future, the TDLC hopes to enhance the relationship by tapping into APO’s wealth of intellectual resources to coordinate new programs involving other regional partners.

“So far, the feedback has been very positive”, says APO Program Officer (Industry Department) K.D. Bhardwaj.

“The only difference between face-to-face sessions is that the lecturer is not right in front of you, but we send PowerPoints to participants in advance and ask them to send in questions by e-mail”.

To increase effectiveness, plenty of interactive activity is built into the sessions. A typical APO program lasts for 4 days: On the first 2 days, lectures are given via videoconference. The third day is reserved for local activities including group work on a case study with a local coordinator as well as a field visit. A final videoconference is held on the fourth day where participants give presentations to share their findings.

“Participants are more confident in a videoconference. They don’t feel shy because they are sitting in their own group, and ask more questions” observes Mr. Bhardwaj. When a select group of participants go on to receive further training in the conventional face-to-face method, they are better prepared because of their e-learning experience.

This year, the 3 topics on offer are “Green Productivity and Integrated Management Systems” (given in 3 phases to 15 countries), “Toyota Production System” (given in 3 phases to 15 countries), and “ISO22000” (given in 3 phases to 14 countries), running from July to October.

“We try to choose unique programs not offered by other organizations to draw interest”, says Mr. Bhardwaj. The Toyota Production System is always popular, and ISO22000 is of great significance to SMEs who need to implement it to remain competitive.

Mr. Bhardwaj points to an added bonus: “Videoconference is a good way to care for the environment”. This is an issue which the APO takes seriously in its efforts to minimize CO2 emissions to become carbon-neutral. “There are 130 participants in our current program. That’s 130 flights saved!”, stresses Industry Department Director Takuki Murayama.

Thursday, June 28th, 2007

Ho Chi Minh City Development Learning Center Celebrates Official Launch

New Opportunities for Knowledge Sharing as Vietnamese Economy Shifts Toward High-Tech

The Ho Chi Minh City Development Learning Center received an enthusiastic welcome from the GDLN community at its official launch on June 26, 2007. The second center to open in Vietnam after Hanoi, the new center will deliver knowledge initiatives connecting the world with Ho Chi Minh, a city known for its vibrant private sector and trade environment which plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economy.

In a digital-age “ribbon cutting” ceremony, the new center’s logo flashed on screen at the count of three. Center Manager Vo Cong Anh explained the Center's mission: “This center will coordinate closely with the VDIC to organize international conferences, help investors reduce cost, and assist government officials arrange meetings”.

On a recent visit to Tokyo, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Hoa, Vice Manger, said “For Vietnamese citizens, we would like to show them how they must think to develop. If they can understand from other countries’ examples, Vietnamese people can contribute”.

The Center brings an opportunity for the nearly 8 million people of Ho Chi Minh City to interact with the world through the GDLN.

With 9 sites connected, the ceremony opened with an address by Vietnam’s Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thien Nhan. Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Vice Chairperson Nguyen Thi Thu Ha emphasized the growing importance of hi-tech in the Vietnamese economy, and expressed appreciation to the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark and the World Bank for their assistance in making the Center a reality.

Mr. Laurent Msellati, Acting Country Director of the World Bank in Vietnam, said “These Centers reflect our commitment to fostering knowledge sharing and development, by facilitating exchanges between Vietnamese policy makers, academics and experts and their international counterparts, even if they are half way around the world.”

Representatives of the World Bank Institute in Washington D.C., ANU, CDDLN (China), AIM (Manila), TDLC, Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok) and others “gathered” via videoconference to celebrate.

“The launch of your Center is timely and awaited” said TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui, speaking from Tokyo. “Your Center represents a fast-growing Vietnam…We all want to know the secret of your excellent performance, so you are in a position to disseminate information to the world, not only to receive.”

Following the ceremony, youths in Vietnam and Japan held a dialog on “Youth Contributions to Sustainable Development – Consultations towards the G8 in Japan 2009” demonstrating one of the many ways in which the GDLN can help expand exchanges of ideas.

Mr. Nguyen Van Nien, Counselｌor of Education at the Embassy of Vietnam in Japan joined the session in Tokyo and congratulated the new center’s successful launch. “It is very symbolic that the first event held is for future leaders…you are the source of future prosperity. I hope this is just the beginning of your dialogs across countries, and that you will further expand networking through the power of the Global Development Learning Network”.

Students at the 2 sites in Vietnam, the Australian National University in Canberra, as well as 4 sites in Japan—Yamaguchi University, Kwansei Gakuin University in Nishinomiya, Hokkaido University and the TDLC—participated, with student groups each giving a presentation on their efforts regarding water, garbage, and other development issues. The presenter in Hanoi suggested a “Green Hanoi” campaign to tackle garbage in public, and law students in Ho Chi Minh proposed solutions for water resource management, including making the law strict and clear, setting up an education program, and rearranging the system of bridges and dams.

Thursday, June 21st, 2007

First GDLN AP General Meeting

Affiliates and Partners Discuss Future of Network and Deepening Collaboration

The first GDLN Asia Pacific General Meeting hosted by the TDLC was held June 19 - 21, 2007 for intensive discussions on the future of the network and deepening collaboration among partners.
The meeting provided an opportunity for members to measure progress, assess current needs, confirm future direction, and lay the foundations for increasingly reciprocal relationships that will support further growth.

Marking another first for the Association, representatives from South Asia attended the Meeting to expand collaboration across Asia. In addition to GDLN centers in Beijing, Mongolia and Indonesia, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire were also connected to tune into the discussion.

Featured as keynote speaker was Founder and CEO of management consultancy Quantum Leaps Mr. Nobuyuki Idei, former CEO of Sony Corporation. Mr.Idei set the scene for the meeting, emphasizing the need for innovation and cooperation in Asia. This was followed by a panel discussion on technology and education by University of Southern Queensland (Australia) Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Jim Taylor and other experts.

The Meeting opened with an address from ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong, connecting from Mongolia via videoconference. Speaking on the potential for greater collaboration between the GDLN AP and ASEAN, Mr. Ong said, “Yes, we can do more. One thing we are working on is the use of technology like your network….we are keen to work with the World Bank to find innovative packages that we can deliver to our citizens.”

Mr. Osamu Yoshida, Deputy Director, Development Institutions Division, International Bureau, Ministry of Finance, Japan, welcomed participants to Tokyo and highlighted the importance that the Government of Japan places on human resource development, as is reflected in Japan being the largest single donor to the GDLN in the region.

Madam Guying Dai, Director General of the Department of Human Resource Development and Regulations, Office of the Leading Groups for Western Region Development, State Council, China, joined from Beijing via videoconference, and invited GDLN AP members to hold its next meeting at the Chongqing distance learning center.

“We are willing to work with all of you to turn the GDLN AP into the most dynamic member of this distance learning network,” said Madam Dai.

Prof. Dr. Ir. Satry Soemantri Brodjonegoro, Director General of Higher Education, Ministry of National Education, Indonesia, also addressed the meeting with a presentation on the expanding network within his country.
The meeting concluded with a session on future governance objectives for the network.

Total participation numbered nearly 130 from Japan and abroad.

For full coverage of the Meeting including video clips of key sessions, see the GDLN AP General Meeting Tokyo 2007 page.

Thursday, May 10th, 2007

New Guide: Effective Blended Learning for Development

Learning Binder Available Now to Guide GDLN Activities

A comprehensive guide with all you need to know to conduct effective blended learning sessions using the GDLN has been completed with the support of the TDLC. Titled “Effective Blended Learning for Development – Harnessing the Power of the Global Development Learning Network”, the guide takes the form of an accessible “Learning Binder” consisting of 9 short papers that cover basic concepts, terminologies, program design and implementation.

The authors, TDLC Senior Instructional Designer Jiping Zhang and Education and Training Consultant Charles Maguire have drawn widely from the rich experience of the GDLN, which now spans over 80 countries, incorporating real-life examples illustrating innovative uses of the network.

See full story to download the Learning Binder.

Wednesday, February 28th, 2007

Disclosed: Our Mid-term Review

“The TDLC has achieved a great deal in a short timeframe, and it is likely that with continued focus, the original aims can be achieved…”

The TDLC is pleased to report that it has received high marks in a mid-term review conducted by a panel of experts to evaluate its performance in the first two and a half years of the 5-year project. The TDLC was initiated in October 2003 as the Japan/World Bank Distance Learning Partnership Project.The review is intended to guide the second half of the project and includes observations and suggestions for the future

The full report and a summary prepared by the TDLC is available on the Key Documents page.

Thursday, February 1st, 2007

Introducing Lester Dally, World Bank Acting Special Representative in Japan

“I am very excited about our work here and the challenges ahead.” Lester Dally, the World Bank’s Acting Special Representative in Japan, spoke enthusiastically of raising the Japan-World Bank partnership to new heights upon his arrival in Tokyo in January 2007.

Having served as Deputy Director of the Bank Tokyo office from 1997 to 2000, Mr.Dally is well versed in Japanese affairs. “I look forward to collaborating with many colleagues and friends in the Japanese development community”. Mr. Dally takes over from Yukio Yoshimura, who retired from the Bank earlier in the month.

As the Bank’s second largest shareholder after the U.S., Japan is an important Bank partner in many fields, including initiatives such as the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). Mr.Dally will lead efforts to deepen the relationship with the Japanese government as well as the development community at large. Mr Dally is a New Zealander and graduate of Auckland and Harvard Universities.

Prior to his arrival in Tokyo, Mr. Dally worked closely with the Tokyo Office as Senior External Affairs Counsellor based in Washington D.C. A strong supporter of the TDLC who played a key role in its inception, one of Mr.Dally’s goals here is to ensure closer cooperation between the Bank and the TDLC. The Bank’s Governance and Anticorruption (GAC) Strategy consultations,for example, were conducted collaboratively, with the TDLC connecting participants from government and civil society in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia,New Zealand Australia and Japan.

“I am convinced from our work together on recent initiatives that teamwork and collaboration with our partners produces better outcomes and enables us to reach a broader set of audiences and partners within Japan”, emphasized Mr. Dally.

“Using the TDLC, one of the most sophisticated global communications systems, enables us to achieve greater reach and impact for our government relations, communications and constituency outreach in Japan, the Asia region and beyond.”

Monday, May 1st, 2006

The Dili Distance Learning Center: Working to Rebuild Timor-Leste

Training Programs Bring Much-Needed Expertise to New Nation

A street scene in downtown Dili. Photo: Alex Baluyut, World Bank Photo Library

The Dili Distance Learning Center (DDLC), the Global Development Learning Network affiliate in Timor-Leste, has become instrumental in providing much-needed knowledge and expertise for the region’s newest nation.

The force behind it is its manager, João Loução. Together with his training coordinator, Ildefonso da Silva, Joao has brought amazing energy to the Center to make it a hive of activity. Its utilization rate has averaged 40-45%, reaching 74% in March 2006—not an easy task under difficult circumstances.

Here, information and communication technology has brought hope through invaluable training programs. The DDLC was established in March 2002 with funding from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Portugal. 90% of its activities focus on training programs, 5% on operational support, and the remainder on experience sharing and communications. The DDLC has succeeded in working with bi-lateral and multi-lateral agencies, governments, civil society and church groups. Specifically, João has initiated collaborative activities with JICA, Japan’s International Cooperation Agency, and looks forward to taking the relationship to a new level.

With goals of raising the effectiveness of development programs and capacity building, a vital function of the DDLC has been to strengthen public administration institutions through targeted training courses for civil servants.

Two GDLN programs have been particularly successful. A 6-month training course on legal drafting for Timorese officials, part of a UNDP supported project “Strengthening the Justice System in Timor-Leste” will run until July 2006, following up on the first series which ran from May to November 2005. Its content was developed by the Portuguese National Administration Institute and combines videoconferencing as well as local classroom training sessions facilitated by a UNDP legal expert.

Another series underway is a 200 hour course on performance management of public sector organizations which will conclude in June 2006. Funded by the Portuguese Cooperation Agency, 25 officials from Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will participate, taking advantage of distance learning technologies to acquire knowledge and expertise from experts in Portugal.

Looking to other projects, João pins his hopes on JICA, as he believes that JICA’s experience gives it the potential to provide contents relevant to Timor-Leste. João has worked with the JICA-Net Center in Kuala Lumpur to facilitate the launch of a Research Report on the Security Sector in Timor-Leste by a Timorese expert in Malaysia for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.

Significantly, the DDLC has given extensive support to JICA’s operational meetings, totaling 12.5 hours, 25 hours, and 16 hours for fiscal years 2004, 2005 and 2006 respectively. João feels that JICA and the DDLC/GDLN could also cooperate on developing knowledge sharing activities to support the implementation of JICA projects on the ground. The DDLC has also hosted JICA-Net Seminars in an effort to advance collaboration in the future.

Compared to GDLN centers in the more established countries of Asia, the DDLC faces unique challenges. “We face different realities, different issues” notes João. Because of the special needs of a fledgling nation, tailor-made programs are crucial for Timor-Leste. João has identified tourism and infrastructure, especially roads and water supply, as areas which demand work. Finding the right partners to develop appropriate contents takes time, but João insists on quality. Recognizing the importance of interpretation and translation skills in a country where multiple languages are in use, João hosts a course once a year to train interpreters and facilitators.

These efforts have paid off. Attention to local needs and working in a consultative manner with local organizations has given the DDLC credibility with the government of Timor-Leste. This has led to enthusiastic support from donors, resulting in a steady flow of funded programs for the near future. João believes that these achievements have laid the foundation to make the DDLC a sustainable and highly effective institution.

Still, there are many issues that must be addressed in the long term. Strengthening local management capabilities and the perception of DDLC as a Timorese institution, supported by the World Bank and other institutions, is imperative.

With so much happening at the DDLC, “Our main problem has been promoting what we do”. This, says João, is important to acquire resources to maintain the level of activity that the Timorese have come to expect from their Center.

Saturday, April 1st, 2006

Vietnam Development Information Center to Accelerate Business Through TDLC

New Manager Visits Japan to Explore Opportunities

The Vietnam Development Information Center (VDIC), the GDLN affiliate in Hanoi, is ready for business — and its energetic new manager, Linh Hoai Nguyen, is exploring opportunities for collaboration with Japanese development agencies through the TDLC. Based on the cooperative relationship between the two centers, the TDLC invited Linh to visit Tokyo in April 2006 to accelerate business development between Japan and Vietnam.

Linh Hoai Nguyen

Together with TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui and Program Coordinator Eiko Wataya, Linh held meetings with TDLC partners such as JBIC, JICA and JETRO to jointly market GDLN services. “There was great interest in capacity building programs, providing training for counterparts and local staff” says Linh. WBI courses on sectors such as gender and environment were also in demand.

To follow up, the TDLC’s Ryu Fukui will visit Vietnam in May to facilitate specific programs with the VDIC. Linh has plans to host a “JICA Week” event at the VDIC, incorporating videoconferencing via JICA-Net and the TDLC to mutually promote JICA and GDLN activities to donors, government officials and Japanese business associations.

In booming Vietnam, opportunities abound for business - its economy continues to grow at a rate of 7-8%, creating huge demand for training and education activities. To meet these needs, a second GDLN center will open later this year in Ho Chi Minh City, which is expected to have a greater focus on business.

Linh has high hopes for the future of the VDIC, and believes that to succeed, activities need to be more demand-oriented. Of particular interest in Vietnam are issues with practical applications such as banking, finance, accounting, auditing, heath and education. In March 2006, the VDIC delivered a course on e-government provided by the government of Singapore, which was so popular that applicants had to be turned away for lack of space. “E-government may be one topic we can pursue with the Asian Development Banks’s Public Policy Training Center in Hanoi”. The Vietnamese government is also preparing to set up a network connecting core universities, which may provide another opportunity for the VDIC to provide its services.

“We need to demonstrate our capability and establish our credibility to become a bridge between providers and receivers of knowledge”. Linh is confident that in Vietnam, the time is right to do just that.

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

TDLC Staffer Reports On MFTOT6—Part II

Reporting by TDLC Staffer Mirei Nishimura

related links:

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Video Conference Held on ‘Fundamentals of Structural Dynamics’

related links:

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Happy Mothers, Happy Children Program: Behind the Scenes

Further Reading:

Friday, July 17th, 2009

TDLC Staffer Reports On MFTOT6

Reporting by TDLC Staffer Mirei Nishimura

Microfinance Training of Trainers (MFTOT) 6 Kicks Off

Further Reading:

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

TDLC Business Highlight

Our technical services:

Our goal:

Our role as a GDLN Regional Technology Hub:

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Gathering in Mongolia

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009

Impact Highlight (MFToT): Nergui Sandagjav spreads microfinance know-how to Mongolia

What is MFTOT?

On to Nergui’s story…

Nergui’s Journey with MFTOT

NGO Launch

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Impact Highlight (MFToT): Muhammad Hassan talks about poverty and microfinance in Pakistan

What is MFTOT?

On to Hassan’s story…

Continuing to Disseminate Knowledge—to Make a Difference

Links from this Story

Friday, May 8th, 2009

ASEAN +3 on A/H1N1 Crisis

Characteristics of the Illness

Upward Revision to Phase 6 – What It Means

Is Pork Safe?

World Bank Ready to Assist on Economic Concerns

Working Together

Message from Mexico

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

MFToT With a Local Touch

7-Country Translation Project to Boost Microfinance Training Capacity in Asia

Friday, June 6th, 2008

Responding to Today’s Inflationary Threat

Asia Pacific Policy Makers Hold In-depth Discussion in New WB GDLN AP Seminar

Meeting Knowledge Needs

Grappling with a ‘Column of Smoke’

Focus on Policy Responses

The Latin American Experience

Monday, May 26th, 2008

Learning from Each Other for a Vibrant Africa

African and Asian Youths Speak Out in Dialgue for TICAD IV

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

Teachers Training Course Highlights Interest in ICTs for Education

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Mongolian Nurses Inspire Collaboration

TDLC, Kitasato University Develop New Mother and Child Health Care Training Program

Friday, November 9th, 2007

Kenya Joins the GDLN Family

New Opportunities for Cross-regional Knowledge Sharing with Asia

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

JICA-Net Seminars in French

Francophone Africa tunes into KAIZEN, One Village One Product via GDLN

Friday, July 27th, 2007

APO to Train Over 900 in 16 Countries via GDLN

E-Learning is Embraced as Effective and Environmentally Friendly Method

Thursday, June 28th, 2007

Ho Chi Minh City Development Learning Center Celebrates Official Launch

New Opportunities for Knowledge Sharing as Vietnamese Economy Shifts Toward High-Tech

Thursday, June 21st, 2007

First GDLN AP General Meeting

Affiliates and Partners Discuss Future of Network and Deepening Collaboration

Thursday, May 10th, 2007

New Guide: Effective Blended Learning for Development

Learning Binder Available Now to Guide GDLN Activities

Wednesday, February 28th, 2007

Disclosed: Our Mid-term Review