 As the world's largest development institution, the World Bank undertakes large research, analysis, and data gathering projects. Dissemination of this research is a necessary part of the Bank's objectives, because knowledge and information, to have value, must be shared. The World Bank attaches significant attention to liasing with general public through its depository and regional libraries. Well-organized libraries that serve numerous users are one of the most effective channels for sharing knowledge and information. Recently the Bank has intensified its work on establishing knowledge and information centers in the regions of Ukraine. Two Regional Depository Libraries were officially opened in the main centers of Southern and Eastern Ukraine during the last six months.
On March 22, 2007 the World Bank Regional Depository Library was officially opened under the signed Memorandum of Understanding between the World Bank and Kharkiv National University of Economics. This new WB Regional Library will cover East of Ukraine. The official opening of the WB Regional Library was attended by heads of the main Kharkiv and regional universities, foreign diplomats, representatives of Kharkiv City Administration, academia, students, private sector representatives, NGOs, directors of the state libraries, key regional media.
 Addressing the participants of the WB Regional Library at the opening ceremony, Paul Bermingham, World Bank Country Director for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, emphasized that the Depository and Regional Libraries Programs are key elements in the World Bank's overall publication and information disclosure strategy. "The new Regional Library is aimed at bringing the World Bank and its publications closer to the clients in Ukraine, to students and people of all ages looking for knowledge on social and economic development, environment, education, health, fighting corruption, European integration “. Vladimir Ponomarenko, Rector of Kharkiv National University of Economics, warmly welcomed the team of the World Bank and encouraged joint endeavors in the field of information, analytical and research work.
Kharkiv National University of Economics (KNUE) is the largest higher school of its field in Eastern Ukraine providing education of specialists in Economics, Computer Science and Publishing. KNUE is a permanent partner of active national, regional and corporate scientific programs and projects concerning economy management and antitrust regulation, development of competition, environment protection, facilitating stable functioning of enterprises under transition to market relations. Scientists working in the research laboratories of KNUE have developed an innovative concept of Kharkiv region economic development up to year 2010. The University expands international cooperation, participates in developing joint educational projects with the leading European Universities.
The official opening of the WB Regional Library was followed by the presentation of the World Development Report 2007. The Presentation of the Report was delivered by Paul Bermingham, World Bank Country Director for Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. It unleashed the discussion on the youth topic and Report`s relevance to Ukraine. It was comprehensive, interesting and involved the student/youth audience to the large extend.
In his closing remarks Paul Bermingham added: «I believe that we can work as real partners in the dissemination of Bank knowledge by promoting Bank publications and encouraging their use among different groups of readers. We are really proud to team up with Kharkiv National University of Economics in providing users in Kharkiv with free access to wealth of information on global development.”
 The official ceremony was followed by the public consultations on the new Partnership Strategy for Ukraine that took place at the premises of the newly opened WB Library during the afternoon session. Public consultations on the New Partnership Strategy for Ukraine, launched in February 2007, aim to obtain information and to take into account a wide range of views coming from various parts of the society. The main goal of the New Partnership Strategy for Ukraine is to develop a strategy that will guide the Bank`s efforts in assisting a country reach the goals of poverty reduction and economic well-being that it has set for itself.
The consultations were conducted in a format of round-tables on the issues of possible areas of the Bank assistance to the country, Ukraine`s education area, environmental challenges and opportunities, improvement of business climate, local government reform and local service delivery. |
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