LAOTIAN TRAINING CENTRE RECEIVES 2001 ESCAP HRD AWARD, US$30,000 PRIZE

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) - The 2001 ESCAP Human Resources Development Award - "Empowering the Rural Poor through HRD" - was presented today to The Participatory Development Training Center (PADETC) of Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Mr. Sombath Somphone, PADETC's Director, received the award and a US$30,000 prize contributed by the Government of Republic of Korea, from Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, as part of the Ministerial segment of ESCAP's 58th Commission Session.

"PADETC's clear-cut strategy of empowerment through capability building, especially among youth, was deemed an outstanding feature of its achievements," said Mr. Kim.

An indigenous training centre, PADETC was selected by a jury of regional experts in human resource development and poverty reduction, in recognition of its cutting edge impact on the empowerment of the rural poor in Lao PDR.

Mr. Sangkom Thongmee of Thailand was chosen as runner-up for his innovative work in using art education to foster the creativity of poor rural children and youth.

The jury selected for honourable mention the Institute of Rural Management, National Rural Support Programme, Pakistan, in recognition of its work in capacity building of the rural poor.

The Award is presented annually in recognition of exemplary work in the field of human resources development (HRD) and is open to all those in the region who have undertaken practical research, training or other innovative work in HRD.

For further information contact:
Human Resources Development Section, Social Development Division
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
Tel: (66-2) 288-1502; Fax: (66-2) 288-3031
E-mail: hrd-section.unescap@un.org
Website: www.escap-hrd.org

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