Friday, April 21st, 2006
World Bank, JANARD Hold Community Driven Development Workshop
Japanese NGOs, Asia Foundation Representatives Discuss Differing Approaches
"Mobilizing Rural Community and Stakeholders", a workshop on Community Driven Development (CDD) organized by the World Bank Tokyo Office and JANARD was held at the TDLC on April 21,2006. The third session in the series brought together Japanese NGOs and representatives from the Asia Foundation to exchange views on their experience in community development projects.
The session began with a presentation by the 21st Century Association's Mr. Yuta Morikawa regarding an educational assistance project in rural Mindoro, the Philippines. Mr. Masaharu Saito of Peace Winds Japan talked about their efforts in Afghanistan, including community based projects on water supply, the empowerment of women, and agriculture.
From the Asia Foundation, Country Representative for Indonesia Mr. Douglas Ramage gave a report on the impact of political changes on CDD projects. With rapid de-centralization of government, the Foundation focuses on capacity building for local NGOs on advising local governments on budget allocation and monitoring them on spending to reduce corruption. Country Representative for Afghanistan Mr.Jon Summers explained that in Afghanistan, emphasis was on the re-established center of government, highlighting the need to work with partners through the constitutional process.
To summarize, Mr.Andrew Parker, Senior Rural Development Officer from the World Bank Manila Office joined the session via videoconference, and pointed out that CDD "is a way to bridge the broader agenda that organizations like the Asia Foundation and the World Bank focus on, with local efforts by NGOs". Mr. Parker also emphasized the difference between community based development and community driven development, the latter referring to the community as the actual force which drives the process.
Reflecting on the session, TDLC Manager Ryu Fukui noted that videoconferencing made it possible for NGOs and policymakers to convene regardless of distance and space, and introduced the Asia Foundation and their human trafficking program as one innovative example.
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