This Community Update can be downloaded at http://www.solutionexchange-un. net.in/decn/comm_update/decn-update-21-150308.pdf (Size: 123 KB)
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DecentralizationCommunity
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Community Update
No. 21: 15 March 2008
In this Issue
From the Resource Team | Network Activities | Members’ Postings | Community News
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Dear friends,
We are with you again with the community’s monthly update no. 21. The Decentralization Community has touched a frontier – of discussing one hundred queries and your resource team has issued a century of Consolidated Replies. It’s time for us to look back at our progress! While over a hundred queries (and CRs) is certainly a ‘svelte’ figure – with fairly high number of contributions per query – there a couple of points that we would like to present before you. Let us take this opportunity to congratulate the community and hope we will be able to reach greater and more significant milestones in the future.
The Community has mostly discussed issues and topics related to panchayats and rural governance. Urban management and municipal governance issues have not taken their rightful place in its scheme of things. A reason for this is the existence of fewer practitioners from urban local governance in the membership base. We are trying to correct this asymmetry by targeting members from the urban background. We also solicit help from existing members to provide us with details of such prospective members. We hope such a move would help correct the skewed query pattern and bring an equal focus on urban issues as well.
The Hindi translation service goes on without much participation from Hindi readers. As a result, we neither get the benefit of responses and views of members from the Hindi-speaking areas, nor any feedback about the quality and efficacy of our Hindi service. May I, therefore, request members to send us responses in Hindi, and feedback about the service.
In another significant development, members from Kerala led by Dr. Jos Chathukulam (of CRM, Kottayam) and Dr. Joy Elamon (of SDC-CapDecK) have been instrumental in establishing discussion forums to discuss important queries and issues emanating from the community. These forums have provided rich and succinct responses and inputs. Such forums are desirable civil society initiatives which provide healthy inputs for the growth and progress of decentralization (Read more about this initiative here). We shall be happy to receive feedback from members about how to encourage and assist such forums.
We think that a milestone should tell us not just about the achievement, but also the path trodden to reach that milestone. It should also spur us on to think whether we could have adopted a different path and done better. Your reactions, comments and feedback are always helpful in staying on course and applying mid-course corrections.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
With warm regards and best wishes for the festive season!
Alok Srivastava & Tina Mathur Resource Team Decentralization Community
Completed Queries (from 15 February 2008 up to 14 March 2008)
Discussion: Optimum Size of Gram Panchayat for Effective Decentralization. Posted on 01 February 2008. Discussion completed. Discussion Summary to be issued Invites views and suggestions on optimum size of Gram Panchayats for effective resource generation and local planning
FOR COMMENTS: Decentralized Planning in Kerala. Posted on 19 February 2008. Query completed. Consolidated Reply to be issued Seeks suggestions on progress of decentralization and decentralized planning in Kerala to present to Government Expert Review Group for the purpose
Send your replies to se-decn@solutionexchange-un.net.in
Training Programme for e-governance - Examples. Posted on 03 March 2008, Reply by 17 March 2008 Seeks examples of training modules for government functionaries on e-governance for effective administration and improved service delivery
Participation of Children and Youth in Local Governance Experiences, Advice. Posted on 12 March 2008, Reply by 26 March 2008 Seeks experiences and suggestions for engaging children and youth in bringing issues concerning them in the agenda of local governments
Consolidated Replies Issued
Gender Budgeting in Municipal Bodies (Examples, Experiences) from Pam Rajput, Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (Cross posted with Gender Community). Consolidated Reply issued on 29 February 2008. Download PDF version (Size: 156 KB) Seeks examples of gender budgeting and incorporating gender concerns in local body budgets, including funding to schemes impacting women
FOR COMMENTS: Study Report on Nyaya Panchayats and Domestic Violence Law, from Subhash Mendhapurkar, SUTRA, Solan (Cross posted with Gender Community). Consolidated Reply issued on 06 March 2008. Download PDF version (Size: 93.1 KB) Elicits comments and suggestions on recommendations of report covering issues of using Nyaya Panchayats in implementing Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005
Strengthening Panchayat Finances- Examples, Experiences. Consolidated Reply issued on 07 March 2008. Download PDF version (Size: 123 KB) Seeks suggestions on strengthening financial systems, improving fund flow , monitoring and resource mobilization of panchayats through use of technology and process changes and the role of conditionalities in fund allocations under BRGF
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Community News
Action Group Progress Three Action Groups were identified by the Community at the 2nd Annual Forum in Bhopal in October 2007. We are pleased to share progress with members:
Capacity Assessment for Decentralized Planning, Amitabh Singh, Debate, Bhopal Reports have been submitted and a follow-up workshop is proposed to prepare District Vision Plans for Sehore (M.P.)
Mobile Technology for e-Governance, A.K. Banerjee, Government of West Bengal, Kolkata See Project document. Send comments to Anindya Kumar Banerjee.
Resource Mobilization Options for Panchayats, J. Chathukulam, CRM, Kottayam Concept paper is being developed by the Convenor
From other SE Communities
Upcoming Events
3rd Annual Forum of the Maternal and Child Health Community Hotel India International, Udaipur; 17–18 March 2008, Click here for more information or write to Meghendra Banerjee or Deeksha Sharma for details
Recently Held Solution Exchange Regional Outreach Meeting - West Zone for the FNS Community and Water Community, 12 March 2008; Pune, Maharastra A meeting of various development practitioners from West Zone; Contact Gopi Ghosh or T.N Anuradha for details
Resource Group Meeting of the Maternal and Child Health Community, 15 February 2008, New Delhi; write to Meghendra Banerjee or Deeksha Sharma for details
Disaster Management Community Visioning Workshop, 13-14 February 2008, New Delhi A Workshop to strategize the future course of action for the Disaster Management Community Click here for the report
Annual Forum of Work and Employment Community The Work and Employment Community held its Annual Forum in Patna from 21-22 February 2008 Contact details on this event
“Decentralization Community is a nice platform where I not only enrich my knowledge but also come in contact with intellectuals who are working on rural development and other related topics. Thank you for posting my comments” Manju Panwar, SICI, New Delhi
“The field based experiences shared in the Decentralization Community are very rich and useful for a reader like me to understand ground realities in the area of local governance.” Sampurnananda Mahapatra, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi |
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From Jos Chathukulam, Centre for Rural Management, Kottayam
Workshop on Local Governance, 08 March, 2008, Kottayam Organized by Kottayam School of Decentralization, the workshop discussed various aspects of the Sixth Report of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) with the aim of strengthening decentralisation exercises in Kerala. View Agenda and Workshop Report
From Bidyut Mohanty, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi
Workshop on Role of Panchayats and Child Rights, 10-11 March, New Delhi Organized by ISS in collaboration with NCPR, workshop saw grassroots workers from India sharing their experiences on strengths and weaknesses of local governments in protecting child rights. Contact Bidyut Mohanty for more details
· Readings
From K. Rajasekharan, Kerala Institute of Local Governance, Thrissur
Summary of Sixth Report of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission, ‘Local Governance and Inspiring Journey into the Future’, 2007 By K. Rajasekharan, KILA, Thrissur http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/decn/comm_update/res-21-150308-06.pdf (Size: 90 KB) Summary providing overview of the issues related to rural and urban local governance as discussed in the Sixth Report of Second Administrative Reforms Commission
Emerging Issues in Panchayati Raj in Kerala- A Study Report, 2003 By Centre for Socio-economic and Environmental Studies, Centre for Rural Management and SDC-CapDecK Discusses issues like changing roles of elected representatives, peoples participation, accountability, transparency, gender concerns and role of non-government bodies in panchayat functioning. Read more
From Subhash Raina , Surya Pharmaceuticals, Jammu
Decentralization and Sub-National Thematic Group- The World Bank Aims to share information and deepen knowledge among a wide range of practitioners -- macro, sectoral, urban, and rural - to bring about a more informed, consistent and comprehensive approach to decentralization. Visit www.worldbank.org
From Ananya S. Guha, IGNOU, New Delhi
E-Learning : The Latest Spectrum In Open And Distance Learning By A.S Guha and S. Maji Discusses the changing face of distance education through e-learning including the environment, tools, delivery media and technology for e-learning, Read more
From Alok Srivastava, UNDP, New Delhi
IFC unveils Municipal Energy Manual for India In iGovernment Newsletter, 05 March 2008 Article discusses Manual developed by IFC to help municipalities, energy service companies and financial institution that provides a step by step methodology for developing a municipal efficiency project for performance contracting. Read more
From Tina Mathur, UNDP, New Delhi
Introduction to Project on Improving Governance in India (Rural Based) http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/decn/comm_update/res-21-150308-07.pdf Information on a project of Transparency International for empowering the rural poor. Comments may be sent to Col. K.R Dharmadhikary at projectstiindia@gmail.com
· Training/Course/Survey Opportunities
From, Rahul Banerjee, Amity University, Lucknow
Post Graduate Diploma course in NGO Management, Amity University Distance learning course for 10+2 and graduates in NGO management including papers on basic management and project work. Forms available from 16th March.
From, Anup Kumar Das, UNESCO, New Delhi
International training on Sustainable Urban Water and Sanitation, Lund University, Sweden, October 2008
Training programme on Urban Transport, Lund University, Sweden, October 2008
Programme on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Lund University, Sweden, October 2008
From Alok Srivastava, UNDP, New Delhi
Organized by Parivartan, programme is aimed at developing individual and institutional capacities in building collectives of micro and small entrepreneurs to enhance negotiating capabilities and fostering linkages. Read more
From Ruchi Kukreti, Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), Dehradun
50% reservation for women in Uttarakhand Panchayats Government of Uttarakhand has decided to reserve 50% seats in Panchayats for women, formal announcement will be made in the on going budget session of the Vidhan Sabha.This has been the result of advocacy by PRAGATI (Panchayat Rule and Gender Awareness Training Institute
From Ramit Basu, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, New Delhi
Sarojini Naidu Prize 2008, The Hunger Project Prize would be for writings on the themes of Women in Panchayati Raj - Bringing Education to Every Child and Women in Panchayati Raj- Ensuring Primary Health for All; Last date for application is 15 July; For details see www.thp.org or Email: thp@airtelmail.in
From Alok Srivastava, UNDP, New Delhi
Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Rome Closing date: 19 March 2008
UNDP, Orissa Closing date:19 March 2008
From Tina Mathur, UNDP, New Delhi
Programme Associate (State Programme Support) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), New Delhi Closing date: 31 March 2008
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), New Delhi Closing date: 21 March 2008
Previous Updates
Decentralization Community Update # 20; Issued 21 February 2008 Decentralization Community Update # 19; Issued 14 January 2008 Decentralization Community Update # 18; Issued 18 December 2007 Decentralization Community Update # 17; Issued 14 November 2007 Decentralization Community Update # 16; Issued 17 September 2007 Decentralization Community Update # 15; Issued 14 August 2007 Decentralization Community Update # 14; Issued 13 July 2007 Decentralization Community Update # 13; Issued 23 June 2007 Decentralization Community Update # 12; Issued 02 May 2007 Decentralization Community Update # 11; Issued 15 March 2007 Decentralization Community Update # 10; Issued 19 February 2007 Decentralization Community Update # 9; Issued 21 January 2007 Decentralization Community Update # 8; Issued 31 December 2006 Decentralization Community Update # 7; Issued 30 November 2006 Decentralization Community Update # 6; Issued 31 October 2006 Decentralization Community Update # 5; Issued 31August 2006 Decentralization Community Update # 4; Issued 30 May 2006 Decentralization Community Update # 3; Issued 24 April 2006 Decentralization Community Update # 2; Issued 10 February 2006 Decentralization Community Update # 1; Issued 7 January 2006 |
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Many thanks to all who contributed to this issue! If you have items to feature in the Updates, please send it to Solution Exchange for the Decentralization Community at se-decn@solutionexchange-un.net.in
Disclaimer: In posting messages or incorporating these messages into synthesized responses, the UN accepts no responsibility for their veracity or authenticity. Members intending to use or transmit the information contained in these messages should be aware that they are relying on their own judgment.
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