Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Initiatives
Volume 13, No. 4, October – December 2003 ISSN 0 858-334 X
ESCAP
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific – Poverty and Development Division
T
he three-day inaugural session of UNESCAP’s Committee on Poverty Reduction took
place from 8 to 10 October in Bangkok. H.E. Chaturon Chaisaeng, Deputy Prime
Minister of Thailand, inaugurated the sessions.
Over 100 participants from Ministries of Finance, Planning, Rural Development, local
government officials, national statistical offices and UNESCAP experts in poverty reduction
attended the meeting. 24 member and associate members of ESCAP, 12 United Nations bodies
and specialized agencies, and four intergovernmental agencies were represented.
The aim of the Committee was to enable UNESCAP members to better design and
implement pro-poor policies to attain the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs), particularly the first goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger by half by the
year 2015. The sessions included a policy dialogue on resource mobilization for the
eradication of poverty, an assessment on the statistics needed for poverty measurement and
a review of poverty reduction practices by the secretariat.
The predicted down-turn in economic growth in the region and the lack of reliable data
about poverty levels emerged as major challenges for reducing poverty. In the final report the
Committee asked ESCAP to pool together the development experiences of countries in the
region and ensure greater cooperation and exchange of ideas and information. The secretariat
should also assist and facilitate the strengthening of government and civil society partnership
in poverty reduction efforts and help in sharing the experiences of countries that were taking
decentralization reforms.
Along with other multilateral institutions ESCAP should provide technical assistance to
countries reforming their budgetary system to implement zero-based budgeting for increasing
efficiency of resources spent by government. Such assistance could include provision of
technical support and consultation services on the projects on unit cost estimation of public
services and a regional adviser, if requested, on national budget reforms.
The Committee urged the secretariat to place especial emphasis on capacity building and
capability enhancement of the implementing agencies in the formulation and implementation
of poverty reduction programmes. In particular it drew the attention to the need to strengthen
the capacities of implementing agencies at the local level since it recognized that the most
effective interventions are at the micro level.
Regarding statistics, the Committee noted that The meeting had the chance to discuss the
sound poverty measurement at the country level resolution from the Civil Society Forum, held as a
depended on the national statistical system as a whole. parallel event (see page 4).
A regional action plan to improve poverty statistics and
support the MDG goals was needed and suggested that This was the first time that there was a civil
the Subcommittee on Statistics be given the mandate to society segment in ESCAP’s committee meetings and
endorse such a draft plan. the general feedback from member countries taking part
was that the event was useful and provided an additional
It was stated that good poverty analysis requires input into the success of the meeting.
good quality data and called for increased international
efforts to develop alternative measurements of poverty For more information, please check ESCAP’s
and to standardized concepts and methodology in this website www.escap.org or contact the Poverty and
field. Development Division at escap-pdd@un.org.
INSIDE:
ESCAP
ILO
PAI
● Key Role for Cooperatives in Poverty Reduction
Efforts
FAO
UNICEF
UNIFEM
WHO
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POVERTY ALLEVIATION INITIATIVES OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2003
O
n 17 October, with the occasion of the this day, as we recall the link between poverty and
International Day for the Eradication of hunger, let us also recall the link between development
Poverty, Secretary-General Kofi Annan noted and peace. And in that spirit, let rich and poor alike
the close links between poverty and hunger. rededicate themselves to achieving the Millennium
Development Goals.
Approximately 1.2 billion people struggle to
survive on less than a dollar a day. An estimated
840 million suffer the gnawing pain of hunger, and as This last issue of the year 2003 represents
many as 24,000 people, many of them children, die the end of a period for the Poverty Alleviation
every day as a result. People who are hungry are more Initiatives Newsletter. In 2004 ESCAP will review
susceptible to disease, and find their capacity to work its continuation in the current format and study the
diminished as well. Hunger also impairs children’s most effective ways of disseminating across the
ability to learn, with consequences that are felt long region initiatives in the area of poverty reduction.
after childhood is over. There is no time to lose if we
are to reach the Millennium Development Goal – agreed At the same time, the Poverty Reduction
by all the world’s countries – of halving by 2015 the Section of ESCAP is upgrading its web page, where
proportion of people who live on less than a dollar a day it will feature a description of their projects and
and the proportion of people who suffer from hunger. activities in both urban and rural development.
Readers of PAI are encouraged to turn to our web
The achievement of that goal – and all the other page for updated information on our initiatives in
Millennium Development Goals – depends on many this field, as well as to the respective websites of
things. But none is more vital than forging a truly the other organizations members of the thematic
global partnership for development – which is itself working group on poverty and food security. This
one of the Millennium Development Goals. Such working group is composed of the offices in
a partnership requires bold reforms from many Bangkok of UNICEF, UNDP, UNEP, UNFPA,
developing countries. But it also requires bold action UNIFEM, ILO, FAO, UNESCO and WHO.
from developed countries.
http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs
An essential component is a trading system that is
both free and equitable. The failure of the recent World
Trade Organization meeting in Cancún to reach
agreement on reducing and ultimately phasing out tariff
and non-tariff barriers is a source of great concern.
These barriers shut out many developing countries from
the markets of developed countries – stunting growth, PAI
stifling opportunity and starving millions of people who
want to trade their way out of poverty.
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ESCAP
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific – Poverty and Development Division
T
he Asia Pacific Civil advised to affirm and and responsive policies
Society Forum was operationalize rights and programs on poverty.
organized in Bangkok based approaches to
during 6-8 October 2003 as a poverty eradication. ❑ In order for participation
side event of ESCAP’s Committee Civil society organiza- to be meaningful and
on Poverty Reduction (8-10 tions have already genuine, responsibilities
October 2003). Representatives adopted this approach and roles in the fight
from a range of civil society in their fight against against poverty should
organizations (about 30 participants poverty. not be defined for civil
from 14 countries in the Asia and society and the poor.
Pacific region) participated in the ❑ The MDG itself formu- The current process
forum and discussed the MDGs and lates the problem of of formulating and
the eradication of extreme poverty poverty too narrowly in implementing poverty
and hunger. terms of vision, scope reduction policies has
and direction. It should not been successfully
The Forum provided critical not simply be just tackling the roots of
views on MDGs as well as a a numerical target to be poverty. This is due to
wide range of proposals and achieved by a certain the fact that the poor
recommendations aimed at date and by technical themselves are excluded
improving current poverty fixes. Durable and in the whole process.
eradication strategies and policies. sustainable solutions to The following principle
poverty will require the guidelines are recom-
Following are the Forum’s active involvement of the mended to be adopted by
concerns and recommendations, poor and civil society, UNESCAP and every
presented at a policy dialogue a more comprehensive individual government in
session of the Committee of understanding of the root the Asia-Pacific region.
Poverty Reduction: causes of poverty and its
multidimensional and ✦ At macro level, decisions
❑ In its opinion, the MDG diverse consequences of poverty reduction
sidelines the more criti- and the right policies. policies and projects
cal and important issue must seek the consulta-
of human rights. Certain ❑ In this respect, the prac- tion of the civil society
norms and standards are tice of measuring poverty and organization of
particularly pertinent in in terms of income and the poor prior to
addressing the problem consumption levels is their implementation.
of poverty, such as effec- inadequate. The Com- The consultation and
tive non-discrimination, mittee was urged to take selection of participants
the recognition of vulner- into consideration politi- must be transparent and
able groups, the right to cal, social, cultural and accountable.
an adequate standard of human rights dimen-
living, the right to be sions, determined by ✦ At micro level, poverty
free from hunger, the factors like class, gender, reduction projects must
right to economic race, geography and seek the majority of the
self-determination and ethnicity. This broader endorsement of the poor
the right to development. definition is necessary in in the affected areas prior
The Committee was designing more sensitive to approval.
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POVERTY ALLEVIATION INITIATIVES OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2003
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ILO
International Labour Organization
T
he importance of Cooperative enterprises have idea. Labour activist Junya
cooperatives in terms of provided the capacity to Yimprasert in a recent Bangkok
providing job opportunities transform marginalized and Post article described the
and socio-economic solutions poor communities, not just Samanchan Garment Coop as a
cannot be underestimated. through their ability to raise ‘landmark’ in the Thai labour
According to the International physical capital based on self-help, movement. “It’s an example of
Cooperative Alliance (ICA), but also because of their ability workers’ exercising their right to
cooperatives employ more than to build human and social choose,” she says. Certainly
100 million workers and boast capital through their emphasis challenges remain, not least in
760 million members worldwide, on education and training. As an terms of lack of funds and the
with 450 million members in Asia institution, a cooperative can play need to sharpen management,
and the Pacific alone. a vitally important role in reaching marketing and accounting skills,
poor communities, where social but as one faithful member
A new ILO Recommendation services are weak. describes, participation can be an
(No. 193) has advanced the enlightening experience. “It’s the
thinking on cooperatives even Countries within Asia and the feeling of pride and dignity which
further by advocating the need Pacific have seen both ups and this coop has given us.”
for governments to recognize downs in terms of cooperative
the global importance of policy development. Viet Nam Among the ILO’s efforts in
cooperatives in both economic and is actively involved in the Asia on poverty reduction through
social development, encourage transformation process of a number cooperatives, the Inter-regional
international cooperation, while of old model cooperatives, while Programme to Support Self
at the same time reaffirming this year the Philippines has Reliance of Indigenous and Tribal
the cooperative identity based developed a policy on prudential Communities through Cooperatives
on values and principles. It standards for credit cooperatives and other Self-Help Organizations,
underscores the equal treatment called COOP PESOS. An ICA known as INDISCO, has helped
of cooperatives vis-à-vis other report cites this as being an create employment opportunities
types of enterprises and social excellent instrument for credit for these marginalized groups in
organizations, and defines the cooperatives to empower the India, Laos, the Philippines,
government’s role in creating enterprising poor, since financial Thailand and Viet Nam.
a supportive policy and legal discipline helps mobilize and
framework, and in facilitating secure meager savings of poor From a regional perspective,
access to support services and members, as well as micro finance cooperatives are strongest in
finance without undue interference. clients they are reaching out to. In mobilizing savings from the lower
contrast, Cambodia has no income and poor communities
Cooperatives have a great cooperative legislation and the and in catering to their needs
tradition of helping the urban concept has a bad name due to for financial and other relevant
and rural poor to raise their social previous failures. Unfortunately, services. The resilience of
and economic conditions. With this means the rural poor are financial cooperatives, including
a membership of more than cautious, and therefore lack insurance cooperatives, was
200 million and working capital of motivation to form a cooperative demonstrated during the financial
US$ 57.9 billion, the cooperative organization. crisis that hit Asia in 1997.
sector in India is one of the largest Whereas banks were faced with
in the world. Cooperatives can In Thailand, labour activists a rush of withdrawals from their
be found in 99 per cent of the and officials introduced laid-off
country’s villages, where two out workers from the Bed & Bath
of three families hold membership. garment factory to the cooperative continued on page 7
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FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
N
otwithstanding the success perspective. Participants will The meeting is expected
many countries in Asia be high-level officials at the to identify the areas most amenable
and the Pacific have Departments of Agriculture/Food, for regional collaboration and
achieved in reducing poverty Rural Development and Planning to strengthen the partnership
and improving food security, the of national governments; Heads between the sub-regional economic
region remains home to the of the Sub-regional Economic organizations and development
majority of the world’s poor and Organizations such as ASEAN, banks, bilateral donors and other
hungry. At the same time the PIF-FIC and SAARC; high level institutions.
increasing interdependence of representatives of Regional
national economies asks for Development Banks/Agencies, and For more information please
regional and sub-regional representatives of international contact Mr. Saifullah Syed, FAO
approaches to supplement national development agencies, IFIs, Regional Office for Asia and the
efforts in this field. multi- and bilateral donors, selected Pacific, Saifullah.Syed@fao.org
regional civil society organizations,
ESCAP, FAO and ADB will women’s organizations and other
jointly organize a regional relevant institutions. It will be held
roundtable to discuss food security in the United Nations Conference
and poverty reduction in the Asian Centre in Bangkok on 23 and 24 PAI
region from the sub-regional February 2004.
customers, financial cooperatives solutions in relation to decent work Mr Huseyin Polat, Senior
in Thailand, Korea and Indonesia, and the development of Poverty Cooperative Devlopment
all hit hard by the crisis, have Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) Specialist, International Labour
continued to generate savings since in the region. Office (ILO), www.ilo.org
1998 in an unprecedented way.
Cooperatives clearly provide
Cooperatives offer a a unique entry point when
meaningful and reliable access addressing the needs of people
point to the urban and rural poor, living in poverty and therefore
and dialogue between government must rise to the challenges posed
representatives of ILO member by poverty in the context of decent
States, apex cooperatives from the work, bringing the voices and PAI
region and the ILO at a joint needs of their members, especially
ILO-ICA Regional Workshop in the poor, to the table of public
Bangkok this week provides policy reform.
a useful opportunity to share
experiences and lessons learned,
while identifying pro-poor
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UNICEF
United Nations Children’s Fund
M
ya Thidar Aung had The ECCD programme in nutrition and psychosocial care and
a rough beginning. Myanmar is aimed at changing stimulation. Every day, the
Born to a mother in this situation by mobilizing local children also receive a nutritious
conflict with the law she suffered communities particularly for the 500 calorie meal as supplementary
many growth problems as a result: poorest children, Parent Teacher feeding. To further help child
she was born underweight and Associations and newly established growth, the children are also
even after 3 years remained ECCD support groups. de-wormed every six months and
undernourished, unkempt and learn the basics of hygiene and
poorly clothed when her mother In one particular location, sanitation.
finally brought her to the Barma UNICEF and a national non-
Aye nursery school located within governmental organization (NGO), To ensure local sustainability
the State High School 15 in have collaborated with the of the educational components,
Dawbon Township, near Yangon, Department of Educational community support groups have
the capital of Myanmar. She was Planning and Training (DEPT) been set up to teach other parents
sullen, quiet and withdrawn. But to provide home-based early about the basics of hygiene and
six months later, it is difficult to childhood care and development sanitation and the importance of
believe that this is the same child. activities for the most deprived play and stimulation for their
Now Mya Thidar Aung has gained children with emphasis on the children.
weight and she comes to the 0-3 age group; classes annexed to
nursery school clean and neatly schools were also set up to care for UNICEF Plans to expand this
dressed. The scabies is gone and those in the 3-5 yrs age bracket. successful programme further into
Mya Thidar Aung plays happily other areas to benefit many more
with the other children. In practical terms, the vulnerable children.
home-based approach consists of
Hers is only one of the many “mother’s circles”, each comprising For further Information contact
success stories from the UNICEF- groups of mothers and ten under-3 Maurice James Apted
supported integrated early children, with support from local UNICEF Myanmar
childhood care and development teachers trained in ECCD to mapted@unicef.org
(ECCD) programme in Myanmar. encourage better health care,
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UNIFEM
The United Nations Development Fund for Women
T
he beautiful form and Thai Jok weaving and developing into only two weeks in each district
function of Thai traditional a community of weavers. – but still the Timorese women
weaving has always been Currently, the Centre helps picked up the skill and could weave
appreciated by visitors from generate an income of around on their own by the end. The
abroad. Less well known is that US$ 100,000 yearly for its products of the training attracted
Thai weavers have proven willing members. The Centre also immediate attention, and the local
to share their knowledge and skills provides training in weaving skills government in one of the districts
with others. to home-workers, and students in was so impressed they offered to
schools and colleges in Ratchburi contract the weavers to make
In early 2003, the United province. uniforms for employees in the
Nations Development Fund for future.
Women (UNIFEM) sent Thai The Centre’s director, Udom
weavers from the Ratchburi Jok Somporn, was enthusiastic about Like in Thailand, weaving in
Weaving Centre to East Timor to the project. In the end, a team of East Timor is traditionally the work
conduct training in three rural four weavers left Ratchburi to of women. UNIFEM runs many
districts. The Timorese women spend six weeks in three remote development projects that seek
had no experience with vertical district in East Timor. The training to improve women’s economic
looms, as they had only used very was conducted with the help of position – but the work in East
slow and cumbersome backstrap Timor Aid. In each district, three Timor had an importance beyond
looms – literally using their backs carpenters were trained to make raising women’s incomes. The
as a brace. UNIFEM saw an looms, and at least six weavers, all carpenters building the looms were
opportunity to give Timorese women, were trained in how to all men – so the project benefited
women a new way to earn income, prepare the yarn and use the them as well.
and they worked with the NGO vertical loom. Many other weavers
Timor Aid to organize the training. observed the training. In one East Timor society is still
Timor Aid project officer Antonio district, three looms were bears the scars of war, and there is
Coelho is now looking to expand completed as planned and one rampant unemployment among
the pilot into a formal training 60-meter cloth was completed men. The social problems this can
centre. “It normally takes women during the training. The trainees cause make any effort to bring
one month to weave only two continued to complete the cloth on women and men together a positive
metres of cloth”, Coelho says, the other two looms after the force. “It’s too soon to know the
“whereas with the Thai looms they training. social impact of this project”,
can get the same result in half a day Coelho says, “but we see benefits
or less”. As there was no translator for both women and men”. Coelho
available, and the Thai weavers was surprised at first to see the
UNIFEM’s East and spoke little English, the biggest village men were interested in
Southeast Asia regional office – obstacle was language. Some help weaving. Clearly, they could see
based in Bangkok – has been came from a nearby Thai military the potential offered by the new
working to support women in East battalion, but for the most part the looms. “We could change the
Timor’s nation building process. trainers and their students coped by traditional division of labour a bit
When weaving appeared as a writing ideas and instructions on because the looms were something
good means of raising incomes, paper, and repeating lessons again new”, Coelho says. As carpenters
UNIFEM contacted the Ratchburi when needed. “The Thai weavers building the looms, the men will
Jok Weaving Centre and asked if were very patient and had a great also need to learn how to act as
they could teach their skills abroad. capacity to teach”, Timor Aid’s technicians, to maintain the devices
The Ratchburi Jok Weaving Coelho says. and help load the yarn. Coelho
Centre was established in 1987 as says this means they must
a non-government organization The normal three-month understand the entire weaving
aimed at conserving the traditional learning programme was packed process – something they’ve never
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POVERTY ALLEVIATION INITIATIVES OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2003
PAI
10
WHO
World Health Organization
A
new Regional Framework
on Macroeconomics and
Health states the direct and
indirect costs associated with
ill-health, such as loss of personal
and national income or under-
investment in children’s education.
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POVERTY ALLEVIATION INITIATIVES OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2003
Poverty Alleviation Initiatives (PAI) is published quarterly, as an interagency endeavour to provide United Nations
initiatives on poverty alleviation in Asia and the Pacific region. The inputs for the newsletter are provided by the members of
the Thematic Working Group on Poverty Alleviation, Rural Development and Food Security.
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this newsletter do not imply the expression of any
opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city
or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
Present membership of RCM, includes ESCAP, UNICEF, UNEP, UNFPA, UNDP, and FAO, ILO, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNIFEM, and WHO.
Newsletters are issued without formal editing.
For information please contact:
Mr Yap Kioe Sheng
Chief, Poverty Reduction Section
Poverty and Development Division
ESCAP, United Nations Building
Rajdamnern Avenue
Bangkok 10200 Thailand
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