Mois : avril 2006

Linked with our presentation Sakhibakhon Irgasheva – Uzbekistan.

UNDP efforts on developing microfinance in Uzbekistan: UNDP efforts on developing microfinance in Uzbekistan
The United Nations proclaimed 2005 the International Year of Microcredit. The year offers to scale up efforts for making financial services more accessible to poor and low-income people. It will aim to raise public awareness about microcredit and microfinance, and promote innovative partnerships among governments, donors, international organizations, non-governmental organizations the private sector, academia, and microfinance clients.

UNDP, as one of the important development programs in the world actively involved in supporting successful achieving goals of International year of microcredit.

UNDP Uzbekistan has developed a national participation Strategy and action plan for the Year of Microcredit. The strategy includes conducting number of events and activities aimed at strengthening capacity of government of Uzbekistan in building sustainable microfinance sector.

Continuer la lecture de « Microfinance in Uzbekistan »

Linked with our presentation of Sakhibakhon Irgasheva – Uzbekistan.

Women Economic Empowerment – Presentation of the partners: The Business Women Association (BWA) of Uzbekistan is one of the first Non-Governmental Organizations in Uzbekistan which was founded in 1991 by 12 women entrepreneurs that had their own business activity.

During the first years of its activity, BWA faced a lot of problems, such as the lack of understanding of what a non-governmental organization is and the negative attitude towards entrepreneurship. In 1991-1992 there were absolutely no woman organizations where women could address their problems and ideas. That was a very complicated instable time (transition period, USSR collapse, all economic links broke-up, industry development problems, etc.). All those problems had an impact mostly on women. They were fired in case of staff reduction. BWA felt that women needed assistance and it had to undertake some measures.

Thus, BWA started providing vocational education towards women entrepreneurs, with its own resources. Women were taught the basics of market economy, marketing, accounting and taxation. There was no other place, where women could learn about these topics, since in the former USSR there was no knowledge about private entrepreneurship. For three years BWA used only its own resources to train women on entrepreneurship. BWA’s Chairperson published her first book « Learning to pay taxes ».

Continuer la lecture de « Business Women Association BWA -Uzbekistan »

Linked with our presentation of Probir Sikdar – Bangladesh.

Despite pledges by authorities to uphold the freedom of the press, journalists are frequently targets of attacks, intimidation and harassment. Dozens of journalists have been assaulted with impunity either by the police when covering demonstrations or by armed gangs affiliated to various political parties. In addition, several journalists have been arrested and accused of a range of politically motivated charges including sedition. They have been taken into custody for weeks or sometimes months and many of them have been tortured or ill-treated whilst being held.

Amnesty International has started the Human Rights Defenders Project aiming to increase protection and seeking justice for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Bangladesh. The twelve month project hopes to initiate systemic change in the treatment of violence against Human Rights Defenders and public appeals will be a mechanism to help this process by raising international scrutiny and making the Government of Bangladesh more accountable to ensuring justice for these abuses. We will keep updating the project monthly, so stay tuned. Below is the case of Tipu Sultan and AI’s recommendations. Take Action Now to ensure his safety! (To read more, especially on the cases, go to this page of Amnesty International).

‘Legislative’ leadership distinguishes nonprofits from businesses, author says.

March 8, 2006

Nonprofits operate differently from businesses and so must be led differently, says Jim Collins, author of « Good to Great ».

An interview with Collins in the February issue of Bridgestar’s « Leadership Matters » publication focused on his recently-published booklet, « Good to Great and the Social Sectors. »

The booklet discusses distinctions between the types of leadership needed in the business and social sectors.

While businesses have more « executive » leadership, with decision-making power held by one or a few individuals, the social sector has « legislative » leadership, Collins says.

« In the social sectors, composed of a much more complicated governance and power structure, » he says, « rarely do we find a single individual…with enough concentrated power to make the big decisions by himself or herself. »

He says nonprofit leaders must use tools such as language, coalitions and persuasion to cultivate conditions for the right decisions to happen.

A factor the business and social sectors share, he says, is the importance of collaboration and the resulting development of discipline among leaders.

In both types of organizations, « under the right conditions and with the right mechanisms, » he says, « collaboration increases discipline, as you will be held accountable for high standards by your peers and colleagues. »

While businesses can easily measure their success in terms of profit, nonprofits must measure their success using other standards, Collins says.

He says nonprofits might measure success in terms of time donated by volunteers or board members, sustained cash flow, and the organization’s ability to cultivate emotional good will and shared ideas among supporters.

Collins also says nonprofits should be able to identify strong individuals as potential leaders and study leaders of successful nonprofits to better understand what it takes to be led well in the social sectors.
(Read more on Philanthropy Journal).

On April 19-29, 2006 in the Philippines – Mabuhay! My name is Dave G. Saceda, Chair and Founder of the Saceda Youth Lead, A Youth Serving Institution of the Philippines under the auspices of the National Youth Commission of the Philippines. Saceda Youth Lead, registered as a foundation under the Securities Exchange Commission, member of the Philippine Society for Training and Development, awaiting consultative status with the United Nations and awarded as 2004 Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations of the Philippines for Visayas, builds leadership through education and action.

It continues empowering elementary, high school and college students and even professionals to become most effective citizens of my country by providing them opportunities in leadership, community service and exchange. I am purposely writing to ask for your solidarity and support. May I invite outstanding youth of your community (youth ranging from 10-25 years old) to come to the Philippines to participate in the 2006 Asia Pacific Summer Leadership Camp which will be held on April 19-29, 2006 at Avila Kiosk, Balugo, Dumaguete City, Philippines.

Here, delegates will have fun discovering their own leadership talents. They meet, question and interact
with outstanding leaders in business, education, government and the professions. This is a way of putting Asia Pacific region forward with the help of our regional brothers and sisters. It is essential that we look into our neighbors for mutual understanding and peace, and it is just well that our young people will start forging strong relations and friendships as we go through many challenges under One People, One Geographical Division of the World- the Asians

Registration fee is P4,000 per participant includes food and accommodation, uniforms, seminar kits, Island Escapade, and other related expense. Domestic tickets from your place to the Summer Camp 2006 venue and back shall be borne by the participants.

Please take note that there will be a cultural presentation. Kindly inform your delegates to bring national costumes, brochure and souvenir items for exchange. This is a camp, and everyone will be sleeping on tents. Your representation will truly mean a lot to the future of our young people and our nations. Attached is the official program of the Summer Camp 2006. I truly hope that you will be able to send delegates to the program.

I am looking forward to your most favorable response. Thank you very much. Very truly yours, Dave G. Saceda, Chair, Saceda Youth Lead. (Read more about this event on this site).