World Bank and United Nations ESCAP Organize Seminar for Managers on Monitoring and Evaluation of Poverty Reduction Programmes and Millennium Development Goals in Bangkok

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- The World Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific, together with the Asia Development Bank and the National Statistics Office of Thailand will organize a regional seminar for senior officials on monitoring and evaluation of Poverty Reduction Programmes and Millennium Development Goals from 9 to 11 October 2002, at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. The officials will represent National Planning Commission, National Statistical Offices (NSO), Research Institutions and Non-governmental Organizations (NGO). More than a hundred participants from 30 countries plus several multi-lateral and UN Specialized Agencies are expected to attend the seminar. The focal point for the seminar is Mr. Aynul Hasan, Coordinator, LDCCU/Poverty Centre of UNESCAP (hasan.unescap@un.org).

The programme is divided into plenary sessions and group discussions around three key themes: (1) an overview of poverty reduction strategies, their linkages with the MDGs and the demands for statistical data; (2) overview of the organization and management of national statistical systems, and (3) a review of data producing systems for poverty reduction strategies that support PRSPs and MDGs, and improving data availability and quality. Presentations on six country-studies will the main feature of the seminar.

The group discussion segment will provide an opportunity to debate the main points raised in the different case studies by the respective authors. The participants will discuss these from the perspective of the participants, identifying to what extent these issues are important in their countries and what types of responses and actions may be needed.

"It is hoped that the seminar will allow each participant to gain insight into the overall picture of poverty reduction strategies and statistical data demands and to discuss with colleagues from other countries as well as key representatives from the user community on how to respond to these new challenges," said a UNESCAP officer.

By the end of the seminar, the participants should have a deeper understanding of the demands and limitations of statistical agencies in generating quality data to support the PRSP, MDGs and other similar initiatives. The seminar is expected to assist senior managers in identifying how to engage effectively in the PRSPs and MDG processes and to use available resources both to meet immediate demands for data and to enhance sustained capacity in the medium term.

Officials from NSOs may acquire a better understanding of the new statistical data demands from the users. Government policy makers may be able to increase their understanding on the limitations and resource requirements of a well-functioning statistical system. Participants from research institutions and NGOs would be able to appreciate the underlying mechanisms and the limitations of the government policy making and the data produced by national statistical agencies.

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