Partnership between World Bank and Kingdom of Swaziland Receives Boost

The partners at the SDIC.

The new center is a partnership between the Bank and the University of Swaziland (UNISWA), which is hosting the center, the European Union, the Coordinating Assembly of Non-governmental Organizations (CANGO), the Central bank of Swaziland, the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS and the World Health Organization.

The Swaziland Development Information Center is aimed at enhancing knowledge and information sharing around development issues and challenges as well as consultation with all stakeholders through development dialogue.

The center located at UNISWA’s Kwaluseni Campus library is open to everyone, from the students attending the university to academics and policymakers. The center offers a range of facilities and services that stimulate development thinking through access to the latest knowledge and information. Partners consider the SDIC a one-stop-center for public access to information on development.

The launch followed World Bank board endorsement of the new Interim Strategy Note for Swaziland, the first in 14 years. The Interim Strategy is a product of joint discussion between the Bank and Swazi government and sets out the framework for strengthening the Bank group’s engagement with Swaziland over the next two years. The strategy builds on three particular areas for Bank assistance: HIV/AIDS, governance and competitiveness.

“The strategy underscores the Bank’s commitment to Swaziland and maps the way forward for our relationship,” noted World Bank acting Country Director for Swaziland Dirk Reinermann. “The launch today of the DIC is another indication of our growing partnership with the Swazi government and people.”

Minister of Education Themba Msibi noted the DIC is an invaluable resource to extend the frontiers of knowledge.

“It comes at a very opportune time when Swaziland is trying to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015,” he said. “This is a hub for information for the government and for all the Swazi people that can help us meet the goals we aspire to and develop our human capacity.”

Msibi urged other partners to join the DIC. “It is through partnerships such as these that development can be addressed. Development information is critical, especially cross-cutting information that expands knowledge.”

UNISWA Vice Chancellor Cisco Magagula noted the importance of information for development of a nation cannot be overemphasized.

UNISWA librarian Mrs. Mavuso with WB Public Information Associate Mmenyane Seoposengwe.

Magagula said countries with access to information and knowledge develop faster than those that do not. “Knowledge is power and this new center will provide knowledge through access to printed materials, electronic databases, and many publications.”

All partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing them to the development of the DIC. Reinermann welcomed the partnership as another sign of engagement.

“We know it is not always about projects, or lending money. Partnerships work because both sides believe the relationship has mutual benefits. In this case, it’s about sharing all our knowledge and progressing development. “

The World Bank regional office in South Africa has established similar centers in Lesotho, with the University of Lesotho in Roma, in Botswana with the Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis, in Namibia with the Polytechnic of Namibia and in Johannesburg with the South African Institute of International Affairs on the campus of the University of the Witwatersrand. Partners have included United Nations organizations, think tanks, tertiary institutions, NGOs and governments.

Article submitted by Mallory Saleson, World Bank. Photos submitted by Mmenyane Seoposengwe, World Bank.