Posted February 1998
| Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | United Nations Capital Development Fund | International Fund for Agricultural Development | German Agency for Technical Cooperation | Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation | World Bank |
Rome
16-18 December 1997
Technical Consultation on Decentralization
Documentation
THE IDEA of holding a meeting on the opportunities that decentralization may bring about for rural development was launched slightly more than a year ago. It was well received by a number of actors from the "development arena" who immediately decided to join hands in the effort. As a result, the co-sponsors of the meeting include the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the World Bank (WB).
While strongly supported by top-management from the respective agencies, the meeting was also viewed as the founding block for initiating a new era of partnership among mid-level managers. These managers are, indeed, responsible for both the normative and the operational dimensions of the implementation of decentralization programmes in developing countries. We made a great effort to, first, gather top specialists from around the world, and, second, to design the meeting in such a way that it would foster synergies among participants. The size of this Technical Consultation, more than 140 participants, is a testimony to the wide interest that this event has generated.
Last, before detailing the organization of the TCD, we would like to thank the tireless efforts of those who have born the brunt of the logistical organization. Without them, this event would not have been possible. We thank Luciana Aquilar, Pauline Gouyou, Paolo Toselli, Christianna Johnnides and Melissa Williams.
Module II consists of three consecutive sessions, A, B, and C, of 4-5 parallel working groups each. The working groups in session A will address conceptual and global problems, while session B will handle operational aspects, and session C will discuss proposals for the future through case studies. The modules have been designed so as to promote cross-fertilization among participants and an active debate.
To guide the discussion of each working group, the chairperson will use the questions outlined in the Agenda; Resource Persons will contribute with paper presentations; A Rapporteur will be assigned to each working group, as well. After the session, the Chairperson, the Resource Persons and the Rapporteur (and willing participants) will meet as a team and synthesize the outcome of the working group. The Rapporteurs will present the results of their working group (including a brief summary of the Resource Persons' presentations) to the plenary session. Their presentation should not exceed 10 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of discussion.
In addition, Rapporteurs will be responsible for writing a four-page note summarizing the work of their group. The note must arrive at the TCD Secretariat before January 10, 1998. Rapporteurs are also expected to include in their written report a "hot list" of ten key words/concepts that will be developed into a glossary on decentralization. The written reports, along with papers' abstracts, will be included in the proceedings of the conference.
Oral and written reporting can be done either in English, French or Spanish, but will have to use consistently one language only.
List of priority themes to be considered by Rapporteurs:
Other activities. The TCD will feature a number of other activities, described in the Program, including:
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