Development Information and Learning Center in Dalanzadgad, Southgobi aimag:

"Information is the currency of democracy" - Thomas Jefferson, US President.
The World Bank Mongolia office has opened its fourth Public Information Centre in Dalanzadgad, the aimag centre for South Gobi (Umnugobi).

Dalanzadgad is a town of about 14,000 and is 540 kilometers (336 miles) south of Mongolia's national capital city Ulaanbaatar.

Situated on the doorstep of the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine, expected to be Mongolia's most profitbale resource deposit, Dalanzadgad is set to grow significantly and be the base for considerable unplanned development to accompany that growth.

The World Bank therefore established a development learning centre in the town as the focal point for providing access to World Bank publications, reports and other development-related materials.
These centers support the World Bank's policy to be open about its activities and to explain its work to the widest possible audience.

 The Development Information and Learning Center aims to operate as a one-stop public access point for information on a wide range of socio-economic and development issues and a gathering place for public discussions on development topics.

It is envisaged government officials, researchers, journalists, students and the general public will be interested in obtaining information on the issues relevant to Mongolia's development from the PICs.

In partnership with the Dalanzadgad Public Library, the Open Society Forum and Educational Advising Resource Center, The World Bank's Resident Representative and Country Manager Arshad Sayed opened the site in front of scores of local school children.
He was joined by Layton Croft, from the Education Advising Resource Center and P. Erdenejargal of the Open Society Forum, both Ulaanbaatar-based.
Following the launch Mr Sayed delivered a talk on Mongolia's economic situation, while the World Bank's mining specialist in Mongolia, Graeme Hancock spoke about mining development.