Capacity Development
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
Sector?
Women, Global Health, Child Rights
What?
Capacity Development, Assessments And Evaluation, Strategic Partnerships
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, 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.
Dr. Eben Friedman
Regional Representative , European Centre for Minority Issues
Sector?
Women, Child Rights, Harm Reduction
What?
Capacity Development, Dialogue Management, Strategic Partnerships
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, Institute Of Health Management
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.
Development Expert
USAID
Sector?
Women, Humanitarian Emergencies, Child Rights
What?
Negotiations, Capacity Development, Dialogue Management, Strategic Communication
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?
Institute Of Health Management, Malaysia
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.
Regional Representative
European Centre for Minority Issues
Sector?
Minority Issues
What?
Project Development, Capacity Development, Dialogue Management
Where?
Republic of 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?
ECMI, Sida
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.
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.
Senior Adviser (Judicial Reform)
DANIDA, Bangladesh
Sector?
Minority Issues
What?
Project Development, Capacity Development, Dialogue Management
Where?
Republic of 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?
ECMI, Sida
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.
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.
Senior Adviser (Judicial Reform)
DANIDA, Bangladesh