Introduction by Reidar Kvam, Coordinator of Social Analysis
In this session, we would like to focus on new directions in poverty reduction and social development, with an emphasis on potential partnerships with external institutions, areas of collaboration regarding analytical work, research and capacity building.
One important dimension of this is how we can support building local knowledge societies, as Rune Nilsen suggested in this morning's discussion. From our side, we certainly see great benefits to stronger direct collaboration with Norwegian institutions, but also more indirectly, in working together to build capacity on the ground, support local social science and economists' networks and institutions, and have the developing countries take on more of a lead and responsibility in ensuring that the focus on sound fiscal policies and institutions is balanced with attention to marginal and vulnerable groups, issues of distribution, and gender dimensions. Shanta's point this morning about empowerment of local communities and enabling them to hold institutions accountable -- while at the same time working with those institions to strengthen their responsiveness and transparency -- is an area where we feel there is much more potential for getting real progress and results.
In order to help us discuss these and related issues, we are fortunate to have four excellent speakers:
Steen Jorgensen is the Director of the Social Development Department. He will start off, focusing on the new Social Development strategy, areas of engagement for social development, and potential for partnerships and collaboration.
Linda Van Gelder, Senior Economist in the PREM Poverty group, will then talk about key priorites from an the perspective of poverty analysis and economics.
Mia Harbitz, Social Development adviser in the Inter-American Development Bank, will talk about the work of the IADB in these areas.
Baard Anders Andreassen, Norwegian Center for Human Rights, will present a perspective on development from a human rights perspective, and I hope he will also be able to reflect a bit on how the Bank's priorities and approach fit with a Norwegian research and capacity building perspective in these areas.
We will take very short questions only for clarification after each speaker, so please keep your comments, suggestions and criticism for the discussion when we open the floor after the four speakers have finished.
Material:
Social Development in the World Bank: Strategy, Approaches, and Opportunities (PowerPoint)
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