Think Tanks & Capacity Building

Think Tanks and Capacity Building

Somewhere at the top of my “most rewarding experiences” in the area of international development has been the joy of setting up, nurturing and then handing over think tanks. At the outset it is usually one lone visionary in a donor organization who sees the need for sustainable change by building knowledge capabilities in the form of a think tank. Then it is someone with my experience in connecting various ideas who comes on board, to first do a triage of possible partners and then starts the set up and nurturing of freshly recruited talent…You know that things have worked out fine when established international organisations come knocking at your door for partnerships. This also signals that the time to handover and move on to the next worthwhile initiative has come.

Developing the initial project proposals, pitching them to donors, managing procurement, international networking, launching global events: I have had the privilege to lead the turnkey set up of two think tanks:

  • IHM-UNICEF Centre for Health Policy Management and Finance, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur
  • Centre for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, University of Skopje, fYROM

What ?

sector

Where ?

When ?

With whom ?

Teaching Global Health- through a practitioner’s lens+
Teaching Global Health- through a practitioner’s lens

Sector?

Capacity Building; Global Health; Humanitarian emergencies

What?

Strategic communications;

Where?

Switzerland

Why?

Geneva is the home of the UN, and with nearly 250 international and local NGOs, it is the global heart of the humanitarian action and multilateral diplomacy. Boston University, Boston MA, USA runs a Public Health program in Geneva. Students from BU and their partner universities such as Cornel, John’s Hopkins, Duke, Providence and LeHeigh come to Geneva to participate in the two courses- Principles of International Health and Controversies in International Health and simultaneously do an internship at an international organization.

When?

2015, 2016, 2017

What exactly?

I have designed the content of the two modules- Principles of International Health and Controversies in International Health and deliver them to students over four months. The course Principles of International Health is delivered at the premises of the University of Geneva.

With- whom?

Boston University

University of Geneva

What happened?

  1. Students are exposed to the making and shaping of global health policies
  2. Participants gain an appreciation for the wide circle of ‘actors’ involved in influencing health and health outcomes
  3. Students gain an understanding of the main drivers of health in the global south and how these are shaped

“ Dr. Sunoor Verma’s insatiable desire for critical and meaningful dialogue has profoundly influenced the format and content of the Geneva Health Forum, pushing us to consider new rules of engagement and new ways to frame and debate global health topics.”

Dr. Slim Slama

Formerly Program Director

Geneva Health Forum

Hospitals of the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Bringing together political adversaries on policy+
Bringing together political adversaries on policy

Sector?

Minority issues; Inter-ethnic relations

What?

Dialogue Management; Strategic partnerships; Capacity building;

Where?

Republic of Macedonia

Why?

The Ohrid Peace Agreement signed between the Republic of Macedonia and the Albanian armed groups in 2001 was meant to end the armed conflict in Macedonia. The peace negotiators felt that if the communities would not see rapid implementation of the agreement, it would have no meaning and violence would stage a comeback in the country.

When?

2004, 2005

What exactly?
I performed the needs assessment was to examine what intervention would lead to rapid results and de-escalation of ethnic tensions.This led to the design of a dialogue project in the Republic of Macedonia that provided politically influential persons with the opportunity to work together to create more sustainable and inclusive policies. A highly committed team led by Michael Szporluk implemented the project. I supervised the implementation and ensured support from all political parties and donors.

With- whom?
European Centre for Minority Issues, Germany
Ministry of External Affairs, Ireland

What happened?

Policy recommendations generated by the multi-ethnic, multi party working groups were channeled to policy and decision makers. This led to emergence of new policies, which contributed to making the peace agreement work for the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

The dialogue process led to the formation of expertise based working groups, which demonstrated to all involved parties that concerns of all ethnic groups are very similar and need to be tackled with professionalism and seriousness.
Experts of the “minor minorities” were engaged in mainstream policy and advocacy work, which opened new channels for their respective communities to express their concerns.

“ Sunoor Verma makes ideals work in practice by focusing on issues that successfully bring together parties, which in another context might be on opposite sides of a conflict. In so doing, he brings about action, which brings concrete benefits to all while making the potential lines of conflict gradually less relevant. ”

Dr. Eben Friedman
Regional Representative
European Centre for Minority Issues

The first global assessment of the needs of Macedonia’s Romani population+
The first global assessment of the needs of Macedonia’s Romani population

Sector?

Minority issues; Roma;

What?

Capacity Building; Fundraising; Project development; Dialogue Management

Where?

Macedonia

Why?

Roma remain the most marginalized group in many parts of Europe. Numerous programs have been implemented in the name of the Roma, however sustainability of these has been poor or non-existent. One of the main reasons of this failure has been the lack of consultations with the Roma in identifying their needs and understanding what interventions would be compatible with their aspirations and life style.

When?

2003

What exactly?

In his capacity as the Regional Representative for the European Centre for Minority Issues, Sunoor led the consultation with donors on the importance of launching this mapping. Sunoor also led the project design process and the building of necessary partnerships with Roma leaders. Fundraising and supervision of the project implementation was Sunoor’s responsibility too.

With- whom?

European Centre for Minority Issues ECMI

Sida Sweden

What happened?

The first global assessment of the needs of Macedonia’s Romani population was conducted. The project was implemented and led by Dr. Eben Friedman.

“ Sunoor Verma played the leading role in establishing ECMI as an organization, which conducts informed and relevant initiatives to further the integration of Romani populations in Europe. ”

Dr. Eben Friedman
Regional Representative
European Centre for Minority Issues

The integrated analysis of the needs of the Romani population in Serbia and Montenegro+
The integrated analysis of the needs of the Romani population in Serbia and Montenegro

Sector?

Minority issues; Roma;

What?

Capacity building; Fundraising; Project development; Dialogue management

Where?

Serbia, Montenegro

Why?

While there was widespread recognition among donors that a variety of initiatives should be launched to support the development of the Roma in Europe, no studies were available to tell us what the ground reality was.

When?

2003

What exactly?

Dr. Eben Friedman performed an integrated analysis of the needs of the Romani population in Serbia and Montenegro. Sunoor Verma led the fundraising and negotiations with donors and provided management support to the project through his teams based in Macedonia.

With- whom?

European Centre for Minority Issues

Sida Sweden

What happened?

A strategy for Swedish International Cooperation Agency ( Sida’s) work with Roms in Serbia and Montenegro was developed. This strategy was in turned used by Sida for their programming and funding decisions.

“ Being genuinely engaged and knowledgeable in the area of work makes Sunoor Verma a successful fundraiser. ”

Ulrika Lindberg-Labasauskas
Head of Development Cooperation
Embassy of Sweden in Skopje

Romani expert groups for Romani integration in the Republic of Macedonia+
Romani expert groups for Romani integration in the Republic of Macedonia

Sector?

Minority issues; Roma;

What?

Capacity Building; Fundraising; Project development; Dialogue Management

Where?

Macedonia

Why?

Until the launch of this initiative most initiatives aimed at the Romani population of Macedonia were being implemented by non-Roms. This often led to poor participation of the Roms and virtually no transfer of skills or know-how. Through my work with Roms in Macedonia and many Roma NGOs I could see that there is availability of talent and experience in the Roma community. The lack of formal education was a barrier to the advancement of these potential experts. The Romani experts project was launched to prepare a pool of Roma experts who have the skills, knowledge and commitment to work on Roma issues.

When?

2003, 2004

What exactly?

I think I played a key role in conceptualizing this initiative, developing the project proposal and getting donors on board. Dr. Eben Friedman, a leading authority on Roma issues, led this project. I was also responsible for monitoring the implementation of the project and fundraising.

With- whom?

European Centre for Minority Issues ECMI

Sida Sweden

What happened?

Four Expert Group organized around the core areas of education, health, civil rights, and employment were established.
The Expert Groups generated and compiled usable reports with the data necessary to provide a basis for the design of policy not only for Roms, but also by Roms.

The success of this initiative lies in three things that came together at the right time:

  1. Understanding through extensive fieldwork: for projects aimed at the Roma community to succeed, they need to be implemented by people who are part of the Roma community.
  2. Representatives of Sida Sweden who were committed to undertaking initiatives that other donor designate ‘risky’ if they saw long term value in them. Annika Palo and Peeter Kamaan of Sida Sweden were unique in their untiring quest for sustainable solutions for the people of Macedonia.
  3. Dr. Eben Friedman who led the project is not one of those first world experts for whom the Roma community is an exotic experiment from a distance. Eben has dear friends in the community with whom he has lived and has understood the challenges that they face. Eben’s commitment and dedication to the Roma cause ensured that the capacity of Roma experts in built to a level where they can take charge.

I salute the work done in Macedonia by Eben Friedman, Annika Palo and Peeter Kamaan.

I first met Dr. Verma in Skopje, Macedonia where he made an outstanding effort to bring together that country’s various ethnic groups by emphasizing common concerns, i.e., clean water, garbage collection and good education. Dr. Verma’s success in Macedonia is attributable not only to his practical approach to problems, but also to the fact that he concentrated on getting to know key individuals personally and he made an extraordinary effort to engage them in resolving the country’s ethnic tensions.

Dr. Gary F. Collins
Senior Adviser (Judicial Reform)
DANIDA, Bangladesh

Avian Influenza- risk communication & preparedness+
Avian Influenza- risk communication & preparedness

Sector?

Humanitarian emergency; Women; Child rights

What?

Strategic communication; Capacity building; Fundraising; Project development; Negotiations; Dialogue management;

Where?

Malaysia

Why?

The Avian Influenza epidemic in South East Asia prompted UNICEF and the Ministry of Health to look at areas where health communication with the citizens could be improved? Risk communication expertise was non-existent in the country.

When?

2006

What exactly?

Having worked closely helped withthe Ministry of Health and knowing UNICEF’s strength in communications identified the gap in risk communication expertise. I formulated a capacity building- quick implementation proposal and secured funding for it. I selected international consultants for conducting a series of workshops on risk communication. Along with Ministry of Health counterpart I supervised the implementation and evaluated the outcome.

With- whom?

Ministry of Health, Malaysia

UNICEF

What happened?

Following this workshop the Ministry of Health integrated Risk Communication in its strategic communications tool-box and used it in other emergency situations. Participation from all states of Malaysia in the workshop ensured that there is a nationwide utilization of the tool-box.

“ Through his extensive network of contacts, Sunoor Verma has built a keen understanding of the various concerns of potential donors and addresses them proactively in his project designs. Additionally, Sunoor Verma is quick to address new concerns as they arise. In this manner, Sunoor Verma maintains a high level of confidence on the part of potential donors, greatly facilitating budget negotiations in so doing. ”

Dr. Eben Friedman
Regional Representative
European Centre for Minority Issues

Minister level study trip on harm reduction+
Minister level study trip on harm reduction

Sector?

Harm Reduction; HIV AIDS; Women; Child rights

What?

Strategic partnerships; Dialogue management; Capacity building

Where?

Malaysia

Why?

Implementing harm reduction at a national level was a giant step and a political risk that the Minister of Health of Malaysia took. Before launching a pilot it was felt that a study visit to a successful implementation of a similar program around the world would be important.

When?

2005

What exactly?

I mapped the case studies of implementation of government funded harm reduction programs around the world to see what would be make a good study visit for a high level Malaysian delegation and also be acceptable in the political context of the country. I negotiated with the governments of Hong Kong and Malaysia the details of the study trip including protocol arrangements.

I made a reconnaissance visit to Hong Kong and with the support of the key actors there designed a study trip. I visited all the sites myself and met with the stakeholders briefing them on the objective of the visits and also making them aware of the challenges that Malaysia faces in addressing these issues. Meticulous planning of the visit was only possible because of my intimate knowledge of the gaps in the various programs on HIV AIDS in Malaysia. I ensured that the study visit is comprehensive and demonstrates the value of investing early in a holistic program. Prevention, Treatment, Care, Advocacy, Finance, were all covered in the visit. Along with UNICEF’s Representative Gaye Phillips, I accompanied the delegation for the study trip.

With- whom?

UNICEF

Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Honk Kong Health Authority

National AIDS Society, Hong Kong

Hong Kong AIDS Foundation

Red Ribbon Centre Hong Kong

What happened?

The study trip was a huge success. The Minister of Health H.E. Datuk Chua Soi Lek led the Malaysia delegation. The delegation was handpicked to ensure that this would indeed be the team charged with implementing the country’s HIV AIDS program. The Honk Kong government was wonderful hosts who appreciated the far-reaching consequences of this study trip. One of the outcomes of this trip was that the Malaysia model for the harm reduction program was simplified further to ensures effective implementation.

“ Dr. Verma tries to solve a problem from the perspective of the beneficiary and adapts the design of a project to meet their needs instead of recommending a preconceived one-size-fits-all formula. ”

Development Expert
USAID

Setting up a think tank on health policy with the government+
Setting up a think tank on health policy with the government

Sector?

Global Health; Child rights; Women

What?

Capacity building; Strategic partnerships; Fundraising; Assessments & Evaluations

Where?

Malaysia

Why?

Malaysia has a network of nine National Institutes of Health under the Ministry of Health. One of these is the Institute of Health Management in Kuala Lumpur. A joint review by the Prime Minister’s Office (EPU), Ministry of Health and UNICEF presented the need for a think tank in the area of healthy policy, finance and management.

When?

2006-2007

What exactly?

With- whom?

UNICEF

Institute of Health Management (National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

What happened?

Set up a UNICEF collaborating centre at the Institute of Health Management (National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The mission of this health policy centre is to provide accurate and timely information to health care decision-makers, analysts and providers, so that they can offer services, which are effective and efficient in improving the health of Malaysians.

“ Sunoor Verma’s work in the field of development stands out in its attention to detail, its constant innovation, its involvement of stakeholders at all stages of project design and implementation, and, most important, in its sustainability.”

Dr. Eben Friedman
Regional Representative
European Centre for Minority Issues