This Community Update can be downloaded at:
http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/decn/comm_update/decn-update-43-02021001.pdf (Size: 130 KB)
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DecentralizationCommunity
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Community Update
No. 43: 02 February 2010
In this Issue
From the Resource Team | Network Activities | Members’ Postings | Community News | Your Testimonials and Feedback
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Dear Friends,
In January, the Community gave inputs to two important topics – In the first one, members shared examples of governance interventions for effective implementation of PESA, Forest Rights Act and innovative use of Special Central Assistance under Tribal Sub-Plan for Fifth and Sixth Schedule areas. This was to inform a National Consultation on Best Practices in Tribal Areas to be held in Bhopal. During the month, we also completed the discussion on People’s Mid-term appraisal of the Eleventh Five Year Plan. This would serve as inputs to the deliberations on the topic to be held on 4th and 5th February 2010. We also had a discussion on the role (both mandated and actual) of Panchayats in executing government programmes and the constraints they face in the process.
The Action Group on Performance Indicators for States on Devolution has become active again once our members from IIPA came out with the draft questionnaire for data collection.
We are happy to note that many of our members could take part in the ‘PRI CB&T Business Meet Building Capacity of Elected Representatives and Functionaries of PRIs: Exploring Public Private Partnership (PPP) option’ through the information we shared on the Community. We would also like to get your feedback and suggestions on the follow up to the concept.
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the new members who joined the Community in the new year. We encourage them to engage with the Community and respond to the queries and discussions. With your participation and support we aim to take the discussions to a more vibrant level. We thank all our members for their support.
There is a long queue of queries from our members. In order to have focused and quality responses, we usually take up only two queries at a time. We know that the ‘waiting query posers’ might be a little anxious and unhappy that their queries get delayed for discussion. We are sorry for this and thanks for understanding the situation.
This time we bring to you a paper entitled “Participation, Equity and Accountability: Perspectives on Decentralized Education in Madhya Pradesh”. Members may find this relevant in the context of service delivery by local governments. In this context you may also refer to the recently released Annual Status of Education (ASER) report.
Thank you once again for all your support. We look forward to another year of activities to strengthen local governance in the country.
Let us think together, work together!
With warm regards,
Joy Elamon and Tina Mathur Resource Team Decentralization Community
Participation, Equity and Accountability: Perspectives on Decentralized Education in Madhya Pradesh
From Tina Mathur, UNDP, New Delhi This paper considers the challenge of improving service delivery for pro-poor outcomes focusing on the Education sector. Drawing upon case material from the Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS) in Madhya Pradesh (M.P), India, it shows that whereas decentralized service delivery has had some positive outcomes in public participation and to some extent, government accountability, its ability to address inequity has been modest in comparison. Taking pro-poor outcomes to imply the increased ability of the poor to participate in managing their own resources, their increased voice in decision-making, their social inclusion and political representation, the study of EGS shows that the results have been mixed. The effectiveness of decentralized systems depends to a large extent on local contexts. In overcoming the constraints in decentralized service delivery and in addressing the inequity that remains, extensive effort is required at institutional strengthening and building sustainable relationships of accountability at all governance levels. Read complete Paper
Open Queries and Discussion
Send your replies to se-decn@solutionexchange-un.net.in
Initiatives of Panchayat leaders in development and service delivery- Examples; Experiences. Posted on 25 January 2010 Seeks examples and experiences where Panchayat leaders have taken initiative/used innovative methods for development and service delivery in their jurisdiction
Completed Queries
Role of Panchayats in planning, implementing, monitoring programmes- Experiences; Advice. Posted on 08 January 2010. Query completed. Consolidated Reply to be issued. Seeks inputs on the role (both mandated and actual) of Panchayats and Gram Sabha in executing government programmes and the constraints they face in the process
Best Governance Practices in Tribal Areas- Examples; Experiences. Posted on 14 January 2010. Query completed. Consolidated Reply to be issued. Seeks governance interventions for implementation of PESA, Forest Rights Act, use of Special Central Assistance under Tribal Sub-Plan for Vth and VIth Schedule areas
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Community News
Action Group Progress Action Group on Performance Indicators for States The Group on developing Performance Indicators for States has shared a preliminary ‘work in progress’ report. To join the e-group on this topic please write to se-decn@solutionexchange-un.net.in
From Other SE Communities
Forthcoming Events
Resource Group Meeting of the Maternal and Child Health Community, New Delhi, 18 February 2010. For details please write to se-mch@solutionexchange-un.net.in
Knowledge Management for the North East, 15-17 March, Shillong. For details please write to se-food@solutionexchange-un.net.in
Your Testimonials and Feedback
“The Decentralization Community has provided its valuable solutions to me in true sense. So many times, I have found myself in a state of confusion on how to apply a particular idea in field. The Decentralization Community has helped me at every particular step when required. In other words, it has helped to widen my perspectives, broaden my viewpoint, giving me bright and practical ideas and providing me with lots of materials for documentation and various readings”. -Varsha Tanu, Birla Institute of Technology, Jaipur
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For the Bookworms
· Readings
From Mandakini Devasher Surie, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi Accountability Initiative has recently launched a three part series of policy briefs on decentralisation in India. The Panchayat Briefs series examines the impact of the 73rd and 74th Amendments in the context of new research on decentralisation in India. The first brief examines the ability of decentralization to promote inclusive governance through a focus on research on the impact of Gram Sabhas and Reservations on people’s participation. The second brief in this series examines the state of administrative decentralisation in India and the extent to which states have devolved the 3F’s (functions, funds and functionaries) to Panchayats.
From Joy Elamon, UNDP, New Delhi
The 5th Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) was released in Delhi on January 15 2010. The entire report and the state reports are available on the website www.asercentre.org.
From Sarah Figge, United Nations, New Delhi
A New Resource: UN-HABITAT: "Gender in Local Government: A Sourcebook for Trainers" Local governments are increasingly realizing the importance and benefits of addressing gender equality and equity in their decision making, policies, programmes and services. Many are rising to the challenge. This source book is intended to help improve understanding of the problems involved. Read more
From Tina Mathur, UNDP, New Delhi
A User’s Guide for Measuring Public Administration PerformanceUNDP Oslo Governance Centre, 2009Provides guidance on the multiplicity of tools and methods that are being used to measure, assess and monitor the performance of public administration. Guidebook available online at http://content.undp.org/go/cms-service/download/asset/?asset_id=2086208
News and NewsmakersNew!
From Joy Elamon, UNDP, New Delhi
Society for Sustainable Development, Karauli wins the Commendable Water NGO - Revival Of rural Water Resources Award The Society for Sustainable Development, Karauli won the above award in January 2010 at New Delhi. Our heartiest congratulations to Shri Arun Jindal, our member and Executive Director of the organization
Announcements
Training/Call for Papers/Survey Opportunities/Fellowships
From Yatindra Singh Sisodia, Madhya Pradesh Institute of Social Science Research, Ujjain
Training Course on Research Methodology in Social Sciences, March 10-19, 2010 The objectives of this course are to help participants acquire intensive knowledge and understanding appertaining to the research methodology in social sciences about the following: formation, selection and delimitation of a research problem, design of research, sampling, survey tools of research, content analysis, statistical analysis, interpretation and discussion of results and report writing; to enable the participants to select and employ suitable research methods. Read More
From Hemanth Madegowda, India Urban Space Foundation, Gurgaon
Innovations in Services for the Urban Poor Awards Social entrepreneurs are taking on new challenges in leading path-breaking social innovations. As a befitting tribute to the spirit of such leadership, India Urban Space Foundation launches ‘Innovations in Services for Urban Poor Awards Program’. If your organisation is one amongst these pioneers, this program seeks out for you! Read More
From Bidyut Mohanty, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi Nominations invited for Outstanding Women Panchayat Leaders Awards Nominations are invited for Outstanding Women Panchayat Leaders Awards -WPEDC-2010. Please send in the nominations by 30 March 2010. For details please contact Dr. Bidyut Mohanty.
From Meenkashi Aggarwal, United Nations, New Delhi
Engaging, Enabling & Empowering Communities-Six-day Residential Workshop; February 26 – March 3, 2010, Telegaon, Maharashtra The workshop is open to participants from CBOs, NGOs, Government departments, theatre groups and educational institutions. The workshop will most benefit participants working on community empowerment issues, with an interest/experience in exploring theatre. Read More
From Sarah Figge, United Nations, New Delhi
Opportunities in Challenging Times- A Workshop for NGOs, Chennai, 11-12 February 2010 The workshop will help in identifying challenges and opportunities where domain experts will deliberate on fund raising, good governance, retail donations, communication, volunteer management, human resources, social investment and other relevant topics. You will have the opportunity of consulting with these experts on a one-on-one basis to make organization specific assessment and plan. See Brochure
Job Opportunities
From Neha Bhatia, Third Sector Partners, Mumbai
FXB India Suraksha Location: NOIDA Closing: 05 February 2010
From Poulumee Ghosh, Third Sector Partners, Mumbai
Location: Mumbai Closing: Not given
From Gabriela, IT for Change, Bangalore
Research Associate and Research Assistant (Governance) IT for Change Location: Bangalore Closing: 15 February 2010
Previous Updates
Decentralization Community Update # 42; Issued 05 January 2010 Decentralization Community Update # 41; Issued 30 November 2009 Decentralization Community Update # 40; Issued 29 October 2009 Decentralization Community Update # 39; Issued 05 October 2009 Decentralization Community Update # 38; Issued 31 August 2009 Decentralization Community Update # 37; Issued 31 July 2009 Decentralization Community Update # 36; Issued 30 June 2009 Decentralization Community Update # 35; Issued 29 May 2009 Decentralization Community Update # 34; Issued 30 April 2009 Decentralization Community Update # 33; Issued 31 March 2009 Decentralization Community Update # 32; Issued 27 February 2009 Decentralization Community Update # 31; Issued 21 January 2009 Decentralization Community Update # 30; Issued 18 December 2008 Decentralization Community Update # 29; Issued 20 November 2008 Decentralization Community Update # 28; Issued 30 October 2008 Decentralization Community Update # 27; Issued 30 September 2008 Decentralization Community Update # 26; Issued 14 August 2008 Decentralization Community Update # 25; Issued 22 July 2008 Decentralization Community Update # 24; Issued 18 June 2008 Decentralization Community Update # 23; Issued 12 May 2008 Decentralization Community Update # 22; Issued 28 April 2008 Decentralization Community Update # 21; Issued 18 March 2008 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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