46207 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized October 2006.

All rights reserved. The findings, interpretations, judgments and conclusions expressed in this newsletter are those of the author(s) and should not be attributed to the World Bank, its affiliated organizations, or members of the Board of Executive Direc- tors or the governments they represent. Guararé is a Global Development Learning Network Americas publication, with the support of the Latin America and Caribbean Region Knowledge Management Team of the World Bank.

Special Thanks to:

Ana Paula Amaya Gutierrez - World Bank Brazil

Alexandra Klopfer - Communications Officer WBI

Ileana Orozco - GDLN Nicaragua Center Director

For more information:

For more information about Guararé or Global Network activities, please contact Mariana del Hierro ([email protected]) Dear reader,

Welcome to this, the 10th edition of Guararé. This issue has been timed to appear on the occasion of the first GDLN World Forum occuring in Washington D.C. from October 10-13. This event is bringing GDLN Affiliates from around the World together with international partners and GDLN clients, notably World Bank colleagues. As well as an opportunity for the Affiliates and regional groups to interact and share many years of hard-won experience, the World Forum will be a celebration of what has been achieved since 2000. Even those of us involved in the early days could never have predicted the growth of this unprecedented global learning com- munity, the emergence of new technological opportunities and imaginative governance structures. Little by little, GDLN is changing the way development is occuring, bringing dialogue, partnership and knowledge to the fore. It has truly been a privilege to have been a part of this continuing success story and a member of the family that is the GDLN.

This edition of Guararé, the first published in both English and Spanish, highlights the ongoing de- velopment of GDLN Americas, as the GDLN is now known in the Latin America and the Caribbean. Huge strides have been made, not least in establishing a governance structure and a strategy for the way forward. As well as collective progress, this edition highlights some of the activities carried out over the last few months reflecting some of the local developments that are strengthening the network in countries such as Brasil. We hope you enjoy it.

David Gray Knowledge Management Coordinator Latin America and the Caribbean Region World Bank

In this edition of Guararé: Delivering on a Partnership: Scaling-up Healthcare Programs in Latin America via Advanced Networks 4

How Effective is Development Policy Lending? 5

Fiscal Decentralization – Nicaragua Learns from the Americas 5

Advancing of our Network – GDLN Americas Inaugurates its Secretariat at the UAG 6

Moving to the Next Level – A New National Coordination 6

UK Supports Microfinance Technical Assistance Program for Andean Countries 8

Creating National Connections for the Environment - Brazil 8

From Global to Local - GDLN Americas Sixth Annual Workshop in San Jose, Costa Rica 9

GDLN Americas gives INDES a Virtual Tour of its Centers – Conversations towards a future collaboration 10

ENDES – Building National Strategies with Regional Knowledge 10

3 Delivering on a Partnership : Scaling-up Healthcare Programs to Latin America via Advanced Networks Ed Johanson - California Orthopedic Reaserch Network

s reported in a previous issue of “Guararé” (Issue No. 8, December 2005), in July of 2005 David Gray, Coordinator of GDLN Americas and Floren- cio Utreras, the Executive Director of RedCLARA Athe organization charged with promoting cooperation within Latin America on Advanced Networks signed a Letter of Understanding. The aim of the agreement was to actively seek synergies between the work of the GDLN and RedCLARA and so advance utilization of the emerging technical capacity for development purposes. It was little surprise that Health emerged as the first sector to take advantage of the partnership and in November of 2005, Internet2, RedCLARA, CLARA and GDLN formed the e-Healthcare Task Force. (see http://www. redclara.net, http:// www.internet2.edu)

The work of the task force has centered on mobilizing centers of excellence within the US and LAC to utilize the capacity of National Library of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Internet 2 / CLARA to share knowledge and build relationships. Columbia University, University of Toronto, REUNA’s Office Such is the pace of change within the medical community, that in Santiago, Hilton Hotel in Buenos Aires through RETINA’s this type of relationship is essential to share advances and to Office in Buenos Aires and the World Bank offices in Washing- construct consortia of like-minded individuals and institutions ton, DC. This event marked the launch Orthopaedic Research who can come together around various initiatives. and Education Network of the Americas . The first program of the series was delivered on March 22, 2006 On August 31, 2006 the fifth program of the series was a ses- in a session entitled “Delivering Healthcare Programs to Latin sion, entitled “Central American Network of Disaster Health America and the Caribbean Region via Internet2, CLARA and Information (CANDHI) International Technical Collaboration GDLN,” that was presented at the First Mile Spring Conference meeting.” Participating sites included World Bank offices in in San Diego. Participating United States institutions included Washington, DC, Guatemala City, Managua in Nicaragua, UCSD, Stanford University, UCLA, USC, OHSU (Oregon), UNED in Costa Rica, Tegucigalpa in Honduras, Universidad IUPUI (Indiana), the National Library of Medicine and the Tecnologica de Honduras, San Pedro Sula in Honduras, El World Bank offices in Washington, DC. Salvador, Panama and the National Library of Medicine.

On June 23, 2006 a second program was offered to the GDLN These programs, which unashamed- partner in Costa Rica (UNED) from the National Library of ly set out to test new ideas and bring Medicine in Bethesda on the subject of disaster prepared- in new participants for demonstra- ness. tion effect, have led to considerable excitement. The opportunities now On August 9th, 2006 a third program entitled “Forum on available to the medical community MRI Applications to Orthopaedic Surgery” was delivered both in the US and LAC are sig- Participating institutions included Stanford University, UCLA, nificant and can range from joint re- IUPUI (Indiana), National Library of Medicine, Johns Hopkins search, sharing of the diverse digital Medical Institute, University of Toronto, REUNA’s Office in libraries and other resources, notably imaging, 3-D simulation Santiago, the University of Buenos Aires, ENSTINET in Cairo and surgical procedures, through live surgical demonstrations and the World Bank offices in Washington, DC. and consultations. The costs of these events, which are centered around high–resolution videoconferencing, is negligible. On August 24, 2006 the fourth program of the series was a session entitled “Forum on Infusing Information Technology The team is currently evaluating the first series and identifying into Orthopaedic Surgery,” at SICOT/SIROT’s Fourth Annual ways to focus forthcoming events. A Program Advisory Com- International Conference in Buenos Aires. Participating insti- mittee has been formed to accept proposals – which can come tutions included Stanford University, UCLA, IUPUI (Indiana), from any Internet 2 or CLARA member. This committee will

4 assist each member with implementing its proposed program amples where development policy lending has shown positive in terms of scope, definition of the appropriate audience and results. New priorities in infrastructure regulation, defined by bandwidth at selected Latin American GDLN Centers. All of stakeholder groups in El Salvador, resulted in more effective these programs will be carried over the Internet2 Commons public policies. Participants in Nicaragua found that public and – which “bridges” the participants together. Other GDLN private sector investments are now channeled in more resource- Centers in Latin America can participate via a web-cast. ful ways. This was also consistent with prior discussions among stakeholders in these countries, who had been convened by their A number of programs are already identified for the coming local GDLN Centers to prepare for the consultations. months. These include: •IUPUI (Indiana) Operation Walk. •OHSU - Cardiology and MRI to connect with Mexico City and others •Stanford’s SUMMIT/Columbia University - Santiago, Chile among others •Stanford’s SUMMIT - Digital Anatomy - Lima among others •Columbia University – Shoulder Surgery – to Buenos Aires, These and other findings have been incorporated in the devel- Cairo and Chicago opment policy lending stocktaking that will feed discussions around the mid-term International Development Association The program is likely to expand to reach South Asia and the replenishments this fall. Says Mr. Walliser: “We recognize that Middle East and North Africa Region in the coming months. we are engaged in complicated, long-term policies that need space and flexibility.” The process seems to be paying off nicely. How effective is Development Policy Lending? Fiscal Decentralization: Nicaragua Learns from Mariana del Hierro - LCSKM the Americas Alexandra Klopfer - Communications Officer, WBI Ileana Orozco - GDLN Nicaragua Center Director ne size doesn’t fit all. That’s why since 2004, he path towards fiscal decentralization is a long and the World Bank and borrowing governments in at times difficult one for any country. It requires developing countries are taking a new approach changing old habits and old political practices, typi- to loans supporting policy and reform programs. cally involving few participants, to new innovative OBeyond negotiations between the Bank and national govern- Tpractices that involve the participation of many stakeholders. ments, development policy lending draws on feedback from Nicaragua is using GDLN to aid its journey down this path. governments, civil society, academia and the private sector. The idea, says Stefan Koeberle, director of the World Bank’s opera- Committed since the early 90´s to decentralize under the “Re- tions services department for Latin America and the Caribbean, inforced Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy” is to ensure that loans are customized to local contexts. But is (ERCERP), the Ministry it working? On May 25, 2006, connecting via videoconference of Public Funds and from their local GDLN Centers, government representatives Public Credit (MHCP) of five Latin American countries met with World Bank coun- of Nicaragua, is aiming terparts in Washington to answer this question. The conference to ensure that this leads was part of the consultations undertaken for the retrospective to strengthened local of development policy lending, which is managed by Jan Wal- delivery, efficiency and liser from the Bank’s Operations Policy and Country Services effectiveness of public Vice Presidency. services. To promote the ex- The news from the region is good: governments and local orga- change of experiences nizations, along with the general population, value development and knowledge concern- policy lending as a useful instrument to support their policy ing fiscal decentraliza- programs. Participants in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, El tion in Latin America Salvador, Guatemala and Peru noted their strong ownership and later apply the knowledge gained to the reality of Nicaragua, of the programs, reflecting their increased responsibility in the Distance Learning Center based in Managua and the World defining programs and priorities. They cited a number of ex- Bank, along with MHCP developed a series of global dialogs

5 examining Fiscal Decentraliza- tion in the Latin American re- gion in October and November of 2005.

This series of global dialogues informed participants, mainly Nicaraguans, about the ratio- nale of the process recently initiated in the country, within an economic, social, institutional and legal perspective. The event brought together experts in fiscal decentralization from various countries in Latin America, including Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, and the World Bank in Washington, DC. up communications and promotional activities.” Referring to the selection of the UAG, David Gray stated, GDLN Americas Thanks to this exchange of knowledge, local decision makers is growing rapidly and the time is right to launch a focal point in changed their way of approaching the issue. Before, the MHCP Latin America. We’re delighted that UAG has been selected,” was largely considered an adversary by municipal government. explained Gray. “Their long-standing tradition of innovation Following the dialogues there is now a far better comprehen- and public-private partnerships provides the dynamic environ- sion of the role of the Public Funds Ministry and of the Fiscal ment a Network like GDLN requires.” Decentralization unit, and the MHCP is no longer perceived as a threat but rather as a means of support. Terence Karran, Director of the UAG Virtual Campus stated, “This is a sign of confidence from the Network in the man- There is every reason to believe that the path towards Fiscal agement of the Virtual Campus and marks a new and exciting Decentralization for Nicaragua will produce effective and last- stage in its development.” ing outcomes. The knowledge gained from this short series of dialogues, and the trust established between the participants The GDLN Americas Sec- will undoubtedly have long-term benefits for the country and retariat will assume various the entire region. responsibilities related to the daily management of logistics and communication within the Advancing of our Network. It is expected to de- GDLN Americas velop a full range of functions Network: and potentially become an in- Inaugurates its new Secretariat dependent legal body that will at the Autonomous University of be able to support member- ship and generate revenue. Guadalajara Mariana del Hierro - GDLN Americas Secretariat Moving to the Next uly 27, 2006, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico – On July A New National 7th, 2006 yet another goal was reached by the Global Level: JDevelopment Learning Network of the Americas (GDLN Coordination Center for GDLN Americas). The inauguration of a regional Secretariat hosted by the Autonomous University of Guadalajara (UAG) marked Brazil a first step towards the development of an independent entity Fernando Felix - GDLN Brazil Coordinator that can assist in the growth of the regional Network. he National Coordination Center (NCC) for GDLN Americas in Washington was responsible for organizing GDLN’s Brazil operations is moving to the Uni- the difficult selection process to decide which GDLN Center versity of Brasilia (UnB). At a ceremony held on could best host the Secretariat. UAG was selected based on August 31st, 2006, GDLN Brazil and the UnB technical and financial capabilities supplemented by a final vote Tformalized an alliance and officially initiated the transfer of by GDLN Americas Board Members. the NCC from the World Bank’s Office to the CEAD, UnB’s Distance Education Center based on their campus on the “This represents a major step forward for GDLN Americas,” outskirts of Brasilia. The event, which featured inputs from explains David Gray, Regional Coordinator. “The Secretariat officials of the World Bank, GDLN Brazil and UnB, culmi- can support the important work of the Board and help us scale nated with the signing of the GDLN Network Agreement by

6 David Gray, Coordinator of GDLN Americas and Timothy Director of GDLN Mulholland, Director of the UnB. The transfer is expected to Americas, stressed be completed by mid-December the importance of technology and stra- The transition from the current situation, where GDLN is tegic partnership in coordinated from the World Bank’s offices in Brasilia repre- the success of the sents a new phase of development for the GDLN in Brazil. Network. “Tech- The UnB has now joined a global community of partners nology is providing dedicated to the use of open, distance education and informa- the veins and arteries tion and communications technology for development. The that allow GDLN to partners, over forty across Latin America, are typically based thrive. The advent in universities and are working together to promote dialogue of advanced commu- and international sharing of online and videoconference-based nication networks, learning opportunities. mainly research and education networks, and their supporting organizations is al- lowing us to rapidly scale up our activities and increase the flow of knowledge from where it exists to where it can best be used”, said Gray.

In its role as NCC for Brazil, UnB will coordinate the work of the many governmental and non-governmental institutions that work with GDLN on a regular basis. Since its inception five years ago, these partnerships have had a dramatic impact in Brazil, allowing a diverse set of agencies to scale up their Fernando Félix, Coordinator of GDLN Brazil activities and make the best use of their resources. This point Recognized nationally for its quality, the Distance Education was recognized by Timothy Mulholland, the Director of UnB Center (CEAD) of the University of Brasilia (UnB) will soon in his comments, “While the GDLN may not necessarily invest be able to promote its courses beyond the borders of Brazil. in the development of much of the learning content available Commenting on this, Bernardo Kipnis, Director of CEAD on the network, its processes and technical linkages facilitates noted, “GDLN gives the University the opportunity to make its flow. The movement of knowledge, the development of our courses available to a global audience. We will now have awareness and common understanding is essential for the social access to the new tools of knowledge dissemination, and be able and economic development of Brazil”. to act as a window for Brazilian stakeholders to participate in discussions on topics related to development”. The Coordina- As well as developing activities and partnerships within Brazil, tor of the GDLN in Brazil, Fernando Félix, noted that it is the the new Center at UnB will continue the engagement of GDLN energy and enthusiasm of the universities that is the driving Brazil in the Regional and Global community of the GDLN. force behind the growth of the GDLN in the Americas, “Ter- Not least of these connections will be the development of tiary education is clearly going through a period of profound closer ties between the lusophone countries of the World, change across the World, universities are redefining their role notably Portugal, Angola and Timor Leste. in society and facing an emerging reality where technology and new educational opportunities are allowing students and adults to define what, where and when they study. GDLN has a key role to play in ensuring that new approaches to learning and all the associated processes that go along with this are de- veloped collaboratively and put to work for the development of this Region.”

Not surprisingly, technology continues to play a key role in the success of GDLN Brazil. As in many Latin America countries, the rapid advent of high speed communications networks is providing the essential backbone for GDLN activities. Hun- dreds of cities, towns and institutions in Brazil are connected by high speed fibre optics developed under the programs of the National Research Network (RNP). David Gray, Regional Bernardo Kipnis, Director of CEAD

7 pating MFI networks. Based on these local and international UK supports a experts will be mobilized to provide insight into new theory and best practices. The contents provided by the experts will microfinance technical be published at the end of the program in response to the lack of publications produced in Spanish related to new products assistance program for and microfinance processes.

Andean Countries This program is currently in its preparation phase. It is expected Daniel de la Morena - LCSKM to be launched in October/November of 2006.

t is estimated that close to 10% of the resources of the finance sector in many Latin American countries are in the hands of microfinance institutions (MFI). Transpar- ent and efficient MFI play a vital role in the development Iof micro and small business in the region. These businesses play a key role in providing economic opportunities to segments of society commonly identified as most in need. Women, for example, represent typically 65 to 80% of MFI clients. Nev- ertheless, even with the large number of existing MFI´s, very few of them develop to their full potential and typically face constraints which affect their growth and the number of clients Creating National they can support. As a result, growth rates have diminished, mainly due to the lack of diversification of new products and Connections to Benefit the improvement of internal procedures. Brazil’s Environment Aiming to provide the necessary knowledge and to strengthen financial institutions within the region, the Knowledge Manage- Ana Paula Amaya Gutierrez - World Bank Brazil ment Team and the Finance, Private Sector and Infrastructure Department jointly presented a proposal to a Trust Fund estab- razil’s National Environmental System (SISNAMA) lished by the United Kingdom´s Department for International provides a critical framework for ensuring integrated Development (DFID). This proposal consists of a technical environmental policy. A major conference organized assistance program for the MFI in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru in November of 2003 by Brazil’s Environment and Bolivia, countries selected on the basis of the importance BMinistry (MMA) identified the importance of strengthening of the microfinance industry in these countries. the system, notably through capacity building.

The program offers a space for debate and the exchange of ex- This was subsequently developed into the National Program periences around a series of presentations via videoconference for the Training of SISNAMA Managers and Advisors (PNC). – through the GDLN network – directed towards managers and The Program aims to establish a complementary relationship other MFI representatives. This project is based on the success between the Federal, State and Municipal Governments, al- of an earlier initiative currently carried out with REDCAMIF, lowing environmental managers to create institutional training the Central American Microfinance Network, from May 2005 that responds, in a qualified and consistent manner, to changes to the present, in which Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, in environmental legislation that reflect, in turn, the growing Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama are connected. The six top- demands of society for public policies that protect the environ- ics that have been addressed so far, selected by REDCAMIF, ment and promote of sustainable development. focused on the development of new microinsurance products, such as credit for progressive housing, and microleasing or To support the work of PNC, a series of thematic seminars micropensions. were organized, coordinated by Cary Anne Cadman of the World Bank Institute (WBI). These aimed to: i). address im- The new program will also include interactive dialogues explor- portant aspects of environmental management not covered by ing new processes, sustainability, impact measurement, and legal the PNC, notably issues relating to management, as opposed to and regulatory frameworks. The specific topics to be discussed technical matter, and ii) to bring together municipalities due to will be agreed upon between the World Bank and the partici- receive training under the PNC to foster increased interaction between the diverse actors involved. These types of interac- tions can play an important supplementary role to traditional training by building on-going support networks and channels for problem-solving.

8 These gatherings were carried out via videoconferences, fol- lowed by online discussions. GDLN Brasil, in alliance with From Global to Local: the Amazonia Bank, the National Confederation of Industries, the Anisio Teixeira Institute and the Federal University of GDLN Americas the State of Espiritu Santo, uses the latest communications technologies to deliver knowledge to 12 states in the country, David Gray - GDLN americas Regional Coordinator connecting close to 30 cities, and facilitates the transmission of internet web-streaming, made possible through an agree- ment with EMBRATEL, the Brazilian Telecommunications uly 26, 2006, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico – This year, Company. Thanks to this technology, 851 municipalities can the Sixth Annual GDLN Americas Workshop (GDLN be reached, allowing, in this case, the training of 3,314 man- JAmericas) was held in San Jose, Costa Rica (July 10th agers. It is expected that by 2009, the program will reach 24 through 14th) in collaboration with the State Distance Learn- states, around 50% of the countries municipalities, and close ing University (UNED) of Costa Rica , the Inter-American to 12,000 people. Institute for Agricultural Cooperation of Costa Rica (IICA) and the Regional Unity of Technical Assistance of Costa Rica (RUTA). This year’s workshop was based on the central theme “From Global to Local” with the aim being to bring the considerable capacities of the GDLN to bear on national and local development issues. In the Latin America and the Caribbean Region, GDLN is active in 22 countries and in 40 affiliated institutions. How can these partners, largely universi- ties, interact better with other stakeholders to mobilize global knowledge for local solutions?

The Workshop used a case study approach with participants being assigned fictional roles based on the profiles of real- world actors in the development community (e.g government, civil society, donor). The case study aimed to demonstrate, in In the original series, topics were defined through collabora- simulation, the interactions at the heart of the development tion with the State of Espiritu Santo. This semester, a more process in their countries and to allow participants to see these participatory approach has been used, involving consultations from different perspectives to those they were familiar with. with the municipalities, leading to an program that addresses From these new perspectives, participants went on to create a diverse set of thematic priorities. “The conferences are proposals that addressed a range of real-world social problems. awakening a growing interest for actors in the process, with the Participants were asked to think about how they could best exchange of experiences and visions directly addressing specific apply the GDLN and other knowledge-sharing approaches to topics that concern us all. They also provide opportunities for effect change. It is hoped that the exercise helped the GDLN broadening participation, “democratization” if you like, and Affiliates better understand the development process, the actors make use full use of tools that increase information flow and involved and their motivations. The Affiliates should now be in allow the development of a support-based network, in which a better position to explain how GDLN can facilitate the work those who often feel isolated in their day-to-day jobs can come of these agencies and be able to reach out to them in familiar to depend on the knowledge and experiences of their colleagues terms once they returned home to their countries. in other states,” stated Virginia Muzell, spokeswoman for the Environmental Ministry. Through this case-based activity, participants also saw how GDLN assists in the collaboration between countries. Monica The program runs until the end of this year and includes topics Torres Leon, Director of the GDLN Center at the Polytechnic such as the Fiscalization and Licensing within the Municipal National Institute (IPN) in Mexico, stated, “For the countries of Environmental Management field (October); the use of Per- the Region, GDLN represents a window through which we can manent Preservation Areas (November); and Environmental Education (December). The continuity of these gatherings is allowing exploration and convergence around a number of key topics among the various levels of government. These include the decentralization of environmental licensing, the creation of socio-environmental funds and the development of the National Environmental Reporting System (SINIMA) that provides data for the creation of national indicators to accompany, evaluate, and support the emergence of revised public policy.

9 get exposure to best that other videoconference programs can’t offer. Referring to practice, new meth- how GDLN has contributed to widening the subject matters odologies and prac- offered by the institutions and in turn diversifying its audiences, tical results… but the centers cited the access to resources offered to them by the windows also allow network as the main contribution. The network allows them those those outside to easily communicate with the entire Latin American region to look in. Thanks and with the World Bank. to the window that GDLN provides we INDES representatives expressed their aspirations to make a can promote our own move towards a network much like GDLN, that is more pro- development and highlight solutions that have worked, identify gram based rather than individual-based. These representatives synergies and develop networks to support future collabora- also mentioned that they would like to combine their experi- tion”. ences with those of GDLN for the purpose of expanding an informational network and to better carry out development Following the Workshop, the GDLN LAC Board met for two projects within Latin America. days to review progress on a number of issues relating to the institutional development of the Network. These included the Finding itself in an expansion phase, GDLN LAC is interested development of the Business Plan and the legal review which in teaming up with organizations like INDES to better address will underpin formalization of the Network. As part of a reso- the region’s development needs. A pilot program between both lution that agreed a new mission statement, Board Members organizations will soon be launched within Latin America. agreed a new name for the Network in the Latin America and We would like to thank the following for their participation in the Caribbean, GDLN Americas. the videoconference: GDLN in Washington; Fernando Felix, Director of GDLN Brazil; Claudia Rojas, Director of GDLN Colombia; Terence Karran, Director of GDLN Mexico; Mario GDLN Americas Sosa, Director of GDLN Guatemala; and INDES representa- gives INDES a Virtual tives. tour of its Centers: ENDE-Building Conversations towards a Future Collaboration national strategies with regional knowledge Mariana del Hierro - LCSKM Jorge Gamarra, Mariana del Hierro - LCSKM n May 10, 2006, GDLN LAC met with the In- ter-American Institute for Social Development ringing together producers and users of statistical in- (INDES), part of the Inter-American Develop- formation to improve the quality of this information ment Bank, for a videoconference that served as within the region is the central goal of the National Oa virtual tour of GDLN LAC Centers. Directors from GDLN Strategies for Statistical Development (ENDE) proj- Centers in Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico delivered Bect. Through the use of GDLN, ENDE brought together users presentations of their Center’s accomplishments and future and producers from the Central American countries through goals and the advantages of a future collaboration between global dialogues to create new regional statistical strategies. As GDLN LAC and INDES regarding development projects part of the Improvement of Household Questionnaires and within the region. the Measurement of Living Conditions (MECOVI) program, ENDE has held 6 virtual meetings and one course with Guate- Each center conveyed the advantages of being part of the mala aimed at improving the quality, relevance, and availability GDLN network in their country. The centers were asked: of the information from household questionnaires concerning What are the pedagogic methodologies on which you base living conditions and poverty. your GDLN Center’s public offering? The majority of the centers cited joint projects between universities and GDLN. Since its inception, the MECOVI program has sought to ad- These joint projects allow for a great variety of dialogues, dress the common situation where the producers of statisti- videoconferences, and permit access to a larger number of cal information lack the resources needed to provide viable people, partners, students, etc. Terence Karran, Director of information to policy makers and where the users of this GDLN Mexico at the Autonomous University in Guadalajara information did not trust the results. MECOVI, through the (UAG) mentioned that GDLN allows UAG to offer programs ENDE project, looked to escape this vicious cycle within the

10 region with the support of regional and national institutions. ENDE has been launched in 6 Central American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Recent Developments Panama; and in 7 South American countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. • Building Capacity in Procurement : GDLN Americas is exploring a partnership with Jose Molinas Vega, MECOVI CEDDET and the Bank’s Procurement spe- Program Coordinator for the cialists to produce a series of online modules World Bank, highlighted the to build the capacity of governnment and advantage of using GDLN project implementation units (PIUs) in the Americas to reach its goal through ENDE. “GDLN Region. This program will use a “blend” of facilitated and sped up the pedagogical approaches, including interactive preparation process of Na- videoconferencing, e-learning and commu- tional Strategies for Statisti- nity-building collaborative tools. The aim is to cal Development (ENDE) provide individuals charged with procurement, within the 6 Central Ameri- access to the knowledge they need to make can countries by giving each informed decisions. This program is expected country the opportunity to to contribute significantly to new efforts to advance simultaneously by counter corruption. discussing diagnoses, strategies and action plans with the other • Transfering video bridging to the heart of participating countries related to the document.” With this the Americas: In an effort to decentrailze es- experience, Molinas Vega expects to collaborate with GDLN sential services out of Wasshington, a series of once again to promote ENDE in the Andean and Southern Cone regions. tests are underway to determine if videoconfer- ence bridging can be successfully transferred to Simultaneous strategic planning within the region, combined PUCP GDLN-Peru. Signs are promising that with constant interaction between producers and users via this transition can occur in October, result- videoconferences, allowed the 6 statistical offices of each ing not only in increased capacity within the country to work independently but in a coordinated manner GDLN Americas affiliates but also reduced with a regional vision. Together, the countries will be able costs of doing business. It is estimated that the to create strategies that will improve the quality, coverage, transfer, which makes full use of RedCLARA equality, efficiency, accessibility and sustainability of statistics. connections and a concessionary deal with Due to the positive results achieved by ENDE in Central a major telecommunications company, will America using GDLN, an additional 10 videoconferences and reduce the cost a typically GDLN event by 3 courses are programmed to run from October 2006 until over 50%. October 2007 in Central America, the Andean Region, and the Southern Cone. • Leveraging funds to build capacity: The LCR Knowledge Team identified and –together with LCSFR- successfully secured Trust Funds from DFID’s Latin America Markets and International Trade Program. These Funds are making it possible to scale up on a first microfinance distance learning series offered to Central America. The Funds will allow LCSFR to offer this series to microfinance institutions For more information concerning the ENDE project, please and government financial sector authorities in contact Monica Peñuela at [email protected] . the Andean region. The program will build capacity through technical information and south-to-south knowledge exchange, with the objective of strengthening the capacity of South American microfinance institutions and mainstream them into national financial markets.

11 National Coordination Centers Latin America and the Caribbean

País Institución Información para Contacto Argentina Universidad de Buenos Aires Jorge Cortiñas [email protected] Bolivia Servicio Nacional de Administración José Luis Ramírez de Personal (SNAP) [email protected] Brasil Representación del Banco Mundial en Fernando Félix de Oliveira Brasil [email protected] Chile Universidad de Chile Mauricio Olavarría-Gambi [email protected] Colombia Universidad de los Andes Claudia Rojas [email protected] Costa Rica Universidad de Estatal a Distancia Xinia Zeledón - (UNED) [email protected] Ecuador Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja José Franco - UTPL [email protected] El Salvador Asociación Infocentros Ethel de Kuri [email protected] España Fundación CEDDET Miguel Ángel Feito Hernández [email protected] Guatemala Universidad Rafael Landívar Mario Sosa [email protected] Honduras Universidad Tecnologica de Honduras Allan Aplicano [email protected] Jamaica University of Technology (UTech) Jeanette M. Bartley [email protected] México Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara José Morales [email protected] Instituto Politécnico Nacional Mónica Torres [email protected] Nicaragua Representación del Banco Mundial en Ileana Orozco Nicaragua [email protected] Panamá Fundación Ciudad del Saber Rodrigo García [email protected] Paraguay Universidad Católica “Nuestra Señora Pedro Caballero Galoppo la Asunción” [email protected] Perú Pontificia Universidad Católica del Milagros Montenegro Perú [email protected] República Domini- Instituto Nacional de Administración Rafael Bello cana Pública (INAP) [email protected] Uruguay Universidad ORT Uruguay Julio Fernández [email protected] Venezuela Representación del Banco Mundial en Teresita Ramírez de Leonardi Venezuela - Club de Universidades [email protected]