Bolivia – Fundación Milenio released its weekly economic analysis bulletin, featuring an analysis of the increasing influence of the internet and virtual communities in Bolivia. These economic analysis bulletins form part of CIPE’s and Milenio’s efforts to cultivate a more informed citizenship in the area of economic policy. They are available for download in Spanish on Milenio’s website.
Washington – Regional Director for Europe, Eurasia, and South Asia Andrew Wilson and Senior Knowledge Manager Kim Bettcher made an informal presentation on capacity building at United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Economic Growth, Education, and Environment. The presentation introduced capacity-building techniques based on local partnerships that strengthen voluntary business organizations and equip them to conduct policy advocacy.
Cambodia – Silaka, a first-time partner with whom CIPE is implementing a project on anti-corruption in local government, continues to strengthen and consolidate its network of non-governmental organizations and businesses interested in fighting corruption and promoting transparency in public procurement. Focusing on the province of Kampong Thom, Silaka assembled this coalition of local organizations and is building the capacity of this coalition to serve as an anti-corruption watchdog, good governance advocate and clearinghouse of information.
Nepal – Samriddhi, the Prosperity Foundation staffers Surath Giri and Pramod Rijal took part in a workshop on “Making Investment Competitiveness for Nepal a Reality,” which was organized by the Nepal Investment Board, the South Asia Enterprise Development Facility, and the International Finance Corporation. Samriddhi’s research for the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry focused on finding common ground for economic reform among the country’s many stakeholders, including ways to encourage foreign direct investment (FDI).
Bethlehem, PA – CIPE Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Greg Simpson gave a talk about Egypt this week at a session of the Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions series sponsored by the YWCA of Bethlehem, PA. Former chairman of the board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and CIPE’s first chairman Ed Donley invited Simpson to speak and introduced him at the beginning of the session. Simpson spoke about the status of Egypt’s transition and progress toward democracy two years after the January 25 revolution.
Mexico – The Center of Research for Development (CIDAC) published a new edition of “Semana Política” its weekly policy analysis brief. In this week’s brief, CIDAC discussed several topics: the problems surrounding the Federal Electoral Institute’s directorate, President Peña Nieto’s “Pact for Mexico” policy proposals, and the controversial “National Crusade against Hunger.” The publications are available in Spanish on CIDAC’s website.
Kyrgyzstan – The Development Policy Institute (DPI) held a press conference on local budget-making processes for 22 journalists from Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken regions. Following the event, journalists published three articles in regional media outlets.
Philippines – The Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) conducted a capacity-building workshop for senior officials from the city of San Fernando, La Union. The central topic of this two-day session, held in San Fernando’s city hall, was how the city can “cascade” its new local government strategy downward through the city bureaucracy. This city strategy was designed by a citizen consultative group and adopted by the city council. Now, ISA is helping the city communicate and implement the strategy.
Cote d’Ivoire – CIPE consultant Yao Ronsard conducted a working session with CIPE partner the Federation des Artisans de Cote d’Ivoire (FEDACI), one of Cote d’Ivoire’s largest and most representative business associations, whose members are predominantly micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The session focused on effective advocacy techniques for reforming business registration regulations.
