FOCUS A QUARTERLY PUBLISHED BY THE COLOMBO PLAN SECRETARIAT. Republic of Korea contributes to the Colombo Plan

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1 THE COLOMBO PLAN FOCUS A QUARTERLY PUBLISHED BY THE COLOMBO PLAN SECRETARIAT ISSUE 36 - July 2006 Republic of Korea contributes to the Colombo Plan As part of the Korean Government s continued support to the Colombo Plan s for Private Sector Development (PPSD), H.E. Mr LIM Jae-Hong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka handed over a cheque for US$ 100,000 to Mr Kittipan Kanjanapipatkul, Secretary-General of the Colombo Plan at a brief ceremony held on 28 March 2006 at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. These voluntary funds would be utilised by the for Private Sector Development to conduct several international and regional training programmes/workshops in areas of trade & WTO, and SMEs Capacity building & Development for the socio-economic development in Asia and the Pacific region. Mr Jin Hae KIM, First Secretary of the Embassy of Korea and Mr Tae Hyung KIM, Director of the for Private Sector Development of the Colombo Plan Secretariat were also present at this H.E. Lim Jae-hong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Sri Lanka, handing over the cheque to Mr. Kittipan Kanjanapipatkul, Secretary-General of the Colombo Plan Secretariat. Maldives Customs Service Receives Equipment From Colombo Plan With support of the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US Department of State, the Colombo Plan through its Drug Advisory (CPDAP) handed over office equipment worth over US$15,000 to the Maldives Customs Service for the use of the Maldives Customs Training Academy. occasion. Mr Kittipan Kanjanapipatkul thanked the Government of the Republic of Korea and Ambassador of the Embassy of Korea for their strong support and commitment towards economic growth in Asia and the Pacific region. THE COLOMBO PLAN for Cooperative Economic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific The Maldives Customs Service has collaborated with the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory (CPDAP) in conducting a number of regional training programmes to train law enforcement personnel from eight South Asian countries, namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Seen in photograph is H.E. Dr. Mohamed Asim, High Commissioner for Maldives receiving 1 the equipment on behalf of the Maldives Customs Service from Mr. Kittipan Kanjanapipatkul, Secretary-General, Colombo Plan at the Colombo Plan Secretariat, Colombo on 5 May 2006.

2 The Colombo Plan pays a glowing tribute to the Hardy Technical College, Sri Lanka NEW COLOMBO PLAN COUNCIL MEMBER H.E. Mr. Satchaphand Atthakor arrived in Sri Lanka on 12 April 2006 and subsequently presented a letter of credentials to Sri Lanka's President, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa on 15 May Born in 1947, he received his B.A. (Political Science) from Chiang Mai University, and his M.A. (Diplomacy) from Thamasat University,. H.E. Mr. Atthakor began his diplomatic career by joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of in 1974 as an Attaché in Department New Ambassador - of Protocol. He was later posted to Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa, Canada in As a career diplomat, he was assigned to work at many Thai Missions abroad including Royal Thai Consulate- General in Kota Bharu, Malaysia, Royal Thai Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal, Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam and Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia respectively. Prior to his post in Colombo, he served as Deputy Director-General in Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of. H.E. Mr. Atthakor is married to Mrs. Patrawimon and has two children. Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Hands Over IT Equipment Worth US$ 100,000 to the Colombo Plan Secretariat The Embassy of the Republic of Korea with the support of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) handed over IT equipment worth over US$ 100,000 to the Colombo Plan Secretariat for the improvement of the E-Service Network System in the Colombo Plan Secretariat. The Government of the Republic of Korea has strong collaboration with the Colombo Plan Secretariat in conducting a number of regional training programmes for the improvement of the private sector development such as trade and SMEs development in the developing countries of Asia and the Pacific region. H.E. Lim Jae Hong, Ambassador for the Republic of Korea wished at the ceremony that the performance of Colombo Plan Secretariat will be enhanced through the improvement of IT facility. Mr. Kittipan Kanjanapipatkul expressed thanks to the Government of the Republic of Korea and the KOICA for the contribution of equipment to the Colombo Plan Secretariat. Seen in the photograph is H.E. Lim Jae Hong, Ambassador for the Republic of Korea handing over the list of equipments on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea to Mr. Kittipan Kanjanapipatkul, Secretary-General of the Colombo Plan at the Colombo Plan Secretariat, Colombo, on 30 May

3 -Colombo Plan Long-Term Fellowship The Royal Thai Government represented by the International Development Cooperation Agency and the Colombo Plan Secretariat have for the second consecutive academic year jointly offered long-term scholarships for higher degrees for scholars from Colombo Plan developing member countries. Compared to the previous academic year, the number of scholarships has increased significantly. For academic year 2006/2007, a total of 13 scholarships were offered in different disciplines, out of which one awardee from Philippines declined her fellowship due to pregnancy. The Colombo Plan Secretariat wishes to express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Royal Thai Government and the universities concerned for their continued cooperation. Long-term scholarships were awarded to the following: Ms. Naw Mar Lar (Myanmar) was selected for the Master of Arts in Sustainable Development at Chiang Mai University. She holds a bachelor s degree in Geography and currently works as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Yangon. Ms. Fredylin P. Saclote (Philippines) has been accepted for the Master of Arts in Sustainable Development at Chiang Mai University. She has a bachelor s degree in Economics and at present is employed as a Project Evaluation Officer at the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Ms. Selenge Ulzhsukh (Mongolia) holds a bachelor s degree in Business Administration and currently is employed as Marketing Research & Foreign Relations Manager, Everyday International Company Limited. She was also selected for the Master of Business Administration at Asian University. Mr. J.B.C.K. Thilakarathne (Sri Lanka) who holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Economics is currently employed as a Planning Assistant at the Department of National Planning. He has been awarded a scholarship to follow the Master of Business Administration degree at Asian University. Ms. Gantugs Yundendorji (Mongolia) who is a Lecturer attached to the Department of Health Economics, Ulaanbaatar has a bachelor s degree in Business Administration and has been selected for the Master of Science in Health Economics at Chulalongkorn University. Mr. Quoc Anh Vuong (Vietnam) who is currently working as an Officer at the Department of Planning and Finance has been accepted for the Master of Science in Health Economics at Chulalongkorn University. Ms. Ni Ni Shein (Myanmar) has been accepted for the Master of Science in Horticulture at Maejo University. She possesses a degree in plant production and is a Deputy Supervisor at the Myanmar Agriculture Service. Mr. Khagendra Prasad Sharma (Nepal) a Horticulture Development Officer attached to the Department of Agriculture has been selected for the Master of Science in Horticulture at Maejo University. He has a bachelor s degree in horticulture. Mr. Dipak Jnawali (Nepal) has a degree in Forestry and is currently working as an Assistant Planning Officer at the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation. He will be following the Master of Science in Natural Resource Management at Mahidol University. Mr. Pricillo G. Barrameda (Philippines) has been accepted for the Master of Science in Natural Resource Management at Mahidol University. He holds a degree in Forestry and is currently employed as an Instructor at the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology. Ms. Catherine Iglesias (Philippines) holds a bachelor s degree in Forestry and has been selected for the Master of Science in Natural Resource Management at Mahidol University. She is an Instructor at the College of Forestry and Natural Resources. Mr. Dechen Dechen Tshering (Bhutan) is a Credit Officer at the National Pension and Provident Fund and has a degree in Economics. Mr. Tshering was selected for the Master of Business Administration at Asian University. 3

4 M.A. in Strategy and Diplomacy 2006/2007 Understanding the need and importance of providing long term scholarships to the developing member countries for higher degrees in the area of diplomacy, Colombo Plan collaborated with the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) of Malaysia for the second year to sponsor officials for the one-year Master s Degree in Strategy and Diplomacy, which is jointly conducted by the IDFR and the National University of Malaysia. The programme focuses on providing a broad understanding of the core issues relating to the theory and practice of modern diplomacy. It also aims at training government officers with the skills and knowledge to meet the challenges they face in the conduct of their professional duties. For the year 2006/2007, scholarships were offered to four candidates selected from Lao PDR, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Colombo Plan Secretariat wishes them every success in their studies. Ms. Shiruzimath Sameer (Maldives) - Currently attached to the National Centre for Information Technology, Maldives as a Project Officer. Ms. Sameer holds a bachelor s degree in international business. Mr. Mathivanan Jeyaraman (Sri Lanka) - is employed as an Assistant Commissioner in the Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka. He has a bachelor s degree in social science and a master s degree in Tamil. Mr. Muhammad Saleem (Pakistan) - Presently employed as a Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan, Mr. Saleem holds a bachelor s degree in science. Mr. Maythong Thammavongsa (Lao PDR) - Has a bachelor s degree in political science. Currently employed as the senior UN Desk Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lao PDR. IDFR/Colombo Plan Long-Term Fellowship First Student Graduates The Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), Malaysia and the Colombo Plan Secretariat has reached agreement to jointly sponsor participants for the Master Degree in Strategy and Diplomacy. Ms. Mon Zar Myo Aung from Myanmar was one among the awardees for the academic year 2005/2006. With strong perseverance, dedication and hard work, Ms. Aung has completed her one-year study and graduated with the M.A. in Strategy and Diplomacy. She was the first graduate, after the Colombo Plan has revived its long-term fellowship programme, which was a hallmark of the Colombo Plan in its early years. Before awarding the fellowship, Ms. Aung was serving as a Senior Assistant attached to the Political Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar. With a pride and new knowledge gained she will return to her motherland and pursue her career in the Foreign Service. The Colombo Plan Secretariat wishes Ms. Aung a successful future. Training on Tropical Wetlands Management In order to meet the needs of regional capacity building in tropical wetlands management and to contribute towards the long-term benefits of subsistent livelihoods, food and water security, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development of member countries of the Colombo Plan, the Second International Training on Tropical Wetlands Managements was successfully organised by the Royal Thai Government and the Colombo Plan Secretariat at Mahidol University,. The objectives of the training programme were: to introduce the concepts and principles of tropical wetland ecology and management; to provide intensive academic and practical training on the management of tropical wetland ecosystems; and to provide in-situ training and hands-on experience in designing and conducting wetland surveys, inventories, assessments in wetland conservation and management practices by means of field projects carried out by course participants. The programme was attended by participants from Indonesia, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. 4

5 New Director for Colombo Plan Drug Advisory The Colombo Plan Council at its 251 st Session held on 26 April 2006, appointed Mr. Y. Ratnayake of Sri Lanka as the new Director of the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory. Mr. Ratnayake joined the Colombo Plan Secretariat and commenced his two-year assignment on the first week of July Before joining the Colombo Plan, Mr. Ratnayake held the post of Executive Director of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board of the Government of Sri Lanka. Mr. Ratnayake comes with more than 16 years of experience in the field of drug demand reduction. He has served as a resource person at several conferences and training workshops organised by the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory. 3 rd Training Course on Precursor and Chemical Control for ASEAN Narcotics Law Enforcement Officers Countries in the ASEAN region have been experiencing an increase in the smuggling and trafficking of controlled substances such as precursor and essential chemicals being diverted for the production of illicit drugs, especially in the China-Myanmar and India-Myanmar borders. Realising the importance of capacity building of narcotics law enforcement officers to facilitate mutual cooperation in controlling these precursors and essential chemicals, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) of will collaborate with the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory (CPDAP) to organise the above training course from July 2006 in Bangkok,. A total of 28 participants from Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore,, Vietnam and two observers/resource persons from India and China will also attend. The CPDAP will meet the travel costs and allowances of the participants from member countries in the ASEAN region while the ONCB will bear major portion of the local training costs. The objectives of this training are: 1. to provide an overview of illicit traffic of precursors and essential chemicals in Southeast Asia, China and India, including investigation techniques and methods to conduct precursors and chemicals control; 2. to provide an opportunity for drug regulatory authorities and law enforcement officers from the ASEAN region, China and India to exchange views as well as share knowledge and experiences on the problems of illicit production and traffic of precursor and essential chemicals and control methods. The instructors/resource persons will be from UNODC, DEA, CPDAP, China, India, the Food and Drug Administration of and ONCB. On completion of the training, the participants will be able to apply the knowledge and skills gained in their work to curb the diversion of precursors and essential chemicals and thereby suppress the illicit production of narcotic drugs in the ASEAN region and surrounding areas. BOOK LAUNCH Proceedings of the International Faith-based Conference A publication titled The Drug Problem: Strengthening the Role of Islamic Religious Leaders containing in summary the report/proceedings of the International Conference of Faith-based Organisations/Islamic Scholars on Drug Policies and Strategies, held from 27 February to 1 March 2006 in Jakarta, Indonesia has been produced by the Colombo Plan Secretariat. The publication also contains the Jakarta Declaration on Strengthening the Roles of Faith-based Organisations/Islamic Scholars on Drug Policies and Strategies that provides guidelines and recommendations on Policy; Prevention; and Treatment and Rehabilitation. This is the latest publication among the several books produced by the Colombo Plan s Drug Advisory. 5

6 International Training Program on Export Promotion of SMEs April 2006, Republic of Korea The International Training on Export Promotion on Small & Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) was successfully conducted by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) from April 2006, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The programme was co-sponsored by the Republic of Korea and the Colombo Plan Secretariat, and 15 participants from the Colombo Plan member countries, who are involved in SMEs development and export promotion in their respective countries, attended the training programme. Despite much effort for SMEs development thrived by public & private sectors in the developing countries, which is essential for economic growth and employment generation, it is not an easy task to foster competitive & competent SMEs or establish appropriate SMEs development policy & strategies in developing countries because of the lack of human resources for the designing and implementation of SMEs development policy and strategies, appropriate financial support to SMEs, and institutional & legal framework. Against these backgrounds, the programme provided participants with the followings: Environmental changes in the world economy and economic development strategy Export promotion policy and its credit system Foreign currency exchange system SMEs development and export promotion policy Presentation of country report and discussion At the conclusion of the programme, Participants of the training programme at the KOICA International Cooperation Training Center whilst expressing their thanks to the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Colombo Plan Secretariat for organising this programme, the participants stated that they were enriched with innovative ideas and enhanced knowledge relevant to policy establishment for SME development and export promotion. International Training on Industrial Development Policy and Restructuring June 2006, Seoul, Korea The International Training on Industrial Development Policy and Restructuring was conducted by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and jointly sponsored by the Republic of Korea and the Colombo Plan Secretariat to provide participants with the opportunity to exchange information, knowledge and lessons on industrial development and restructuring policies in Asia and the Pacific region. Effective industrial development policy and industrial restructuring strategies to facilitate SMEs export promotion and FDI, are essential part of economic growth strategies. Participants had a chance to apply selected country cases and experiences to their own industrial policy, compare similarities and differences in industrial policy and industrial restructuring, and consider the viable options & alternative policies. At the conclusion of this programme, participants expressed thanks to the Republic of Korea and the Colombo Plan Secretariat for ongoing valuable training Participants of the training programme at the KOICA International Cooperation Training Center courses and providing a chance to exchange experiences and views of the industrial development policy. Training Course on International Negotiations 3-23 April 2006, Malaysia for Public Administration (PPA) collaborated with the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) of Malaysia, to conduct the Training Course on International Negotiations from 3 to 23 April The workshop was organized to provide the participants with skills in the art of negotiations and to meet the specific needs in negotiations of the developing countries. The main objectives of the training programme were: to provide understanding of concepts, principles, elements and techniques of principled negotiation to enhance awareness in cross-cultural approach for understanding the dynamics of negotiation across cultures to provide a forum for exchange of ideas and networking among participants Module of the workshop consisted of negotiating concepts, elements of negotiations, negotiation process, principled negotiations and positional bargaining, empowering negotiators from developing countries, cross cultural sensitivities and competence in the global area and simulation exercises on investment and trade negotiation. Teaching methods include lectures, exercises, group studies, field visits and practical case studies. The Colombo Plan sponsored six participants from Iran, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar for the training course. 6

7 International Training on Integrated Coastal Zone Management UPCOMING EVENTS Long Term Fellowship Master of Science in Horticulture Master of Science in Health Economics Master of Arts in Sustainable Development Master of Science in Natural Resource Management Master of Business Administration Two years (academic year , starting in June 2006) One year (academic year 2006, starting in June 2006) Two years (academic year , starting in June 2006) Two years (academic year , starting in June 2006) One and half years (academic year , starting in August 2006) on Environment 21st August - 22nd September 2006 for Public Administration (PPA) Maejo University, Faculty of Agricultural Production, Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Economics, Chiang Mai University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Mahidol University, Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Asian University, Faculty of Business, 6. Master of Public Policy (MPP) One year KDI School of Public Policy February - December 2007 and Management, Korea Walailak University, Training Course on Strategic Management 6th July - 4th August 2006 Training Course on Strategic Analysis 31st July - 20th August 2006 INTAN, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia IDFR, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for Private Sector Development (PPSD) 1. Training Course on Community-Based Micro-Finance and Income Generation Management for Poverty Alleviation 2. Training Course on Improvement of SMEs capacity for Export and Marketing in Agricultural Products 07th - 25th August nd - 28th October 2006 Drug Advisory (DAP) India th Asian Youth Congress 16th IFNGO ASEAN NGOs Workshop 24th - 27th October th -30th November 2006 Chiang Mai, Bangkok, 7

8 The Colombo Plan pays a glowing tribute to the Hardy Technical College, Sri Lanka The Hardy Technical Training Institute at Ampara, is celebrating its 50 years Anniversary Golden Jubilee celebrations this year. It was built and equipped with assistance from Canada under the Colombo Plan, FAO and Asia Foundation and operated by the River Valleys Development Board. Currently, the institute is conducting various technical and educational training courses including computer courses, electrical training, motor mechanic, metal and welding work, technical drawing, woodwork and footwear designs. In August 2005, The Colombo Plan Secretariat provided a sum of Rs 1 million to Hardy Technical College to meet their urgent needs for new equipments to support the college's training activities. Having completed 50 years of service to the nation, the Colombo Plan hopes that the Hardy College will continue to expand its training courses as well as undertake new initiatives to address the rapid changes in the global environment. The Colombo Plan takes this opportunity to wish the Hardy Technical College the very best in its future endeavours. H.E. Mr. Durga Prasad Bhattarai, President, Colombo Plan Council, is handing over the documents of the equipments to Mr. A. L. Badurdeen, Principal, Hardy Technical College. TO Mr./Mrs/Miss: The Colombo Plan Focus is published by THE COLOMBO PLAN SECRETARIAT P.O. Box 596, 13th Floor, BoC Merchant Tower, 28, St. Michael s Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka. Telephone: (94 11) (Auto), Fax: (94 11) info@colombo-plan.org Website: 8