Our excuses if you receive this email more than once

Dear friend,

The Poverty and Growth Program of the World Bank Institute is 
organizing
an 8-week Internet course on Economic Literacy for Civil Society.

The goal of this introductory course is to give civil society
organizations an exposure to economic issues and to the linkages 
between
economic policies, growth and poverty to enhance their ability to
participate in the design and implementation of poverty reduction
strategies.

I am attaching a detailed course announcement which includes 
instructions
on how to apply.

You can apply directly using this link:

http://info.worldbank.org/etools/wbi_learning/
browse_tpc_results.cfm?tpc=Poverty%20Reduction


Deadline to apply is October 24th.

Please contact Ignacio Hernandez directly (ihernandez@worldbank.org) if
you have any questions regarding this course.

Sincerely,
Raj Nallari
Team Leader
Poverty and Growth Program
World Bank Institute PREM
202-458-4448

############################################

Economic Literacy for Civil Society:  Introductory E-Learning course
Global course delivered via Internet  29 October to 22 December, 2006

Course Description
This eight-week Internet-based course provides an introduction to
development economics, focusing on economic policies and their linkages
with growth and poverty reduction. After describing basic poverty and
national account relationships and the relationship between growth
and poverty, the course turns to individual policy areas. These include
the various roles of government, including providing a backdrop for the
effective operation of a market economy, and conducting fiscal policy.
Policies covering monetary and exchange rate issues, the financial
sector, trade, and institutional development are also covered in the
course.

Audience
The goal of this course is to give civil society organizations an 
exposure
to economic issues and to the linkages between economic policies, 
growth
and poverty to enhance their ability to participate in the design and
implementation of poverty reduction strategies. In addition to members 
of
civil society the course will be useful for students and particulars 
who
want to get an introduction or to refresh their knowledge of 
development
economics.  Participants from around the world are encouraged to 
register.
 Please note that this is an introductory course. It is not designed 
for
members of the academia or
people with a strong background in economics.

Course structure
We will be using materials specifically prepared for this course and
additional suggested readings related to the topics being discussed 
each
week.  The course will be structured via 8 week-long modules. We will 
post
the reading materials for each week at the end of the previous week
(Fridays). Participants will be expected to read the course materials
during the week-end and at the beginning of the week. During the week
there will be an online discussion (not in real time) among 
participants,
guided by the course moderators. Participants can also ask questions 
about
the materials, which will be answered by
the moderators during the week or by the authors of the course manual 
at
the end of the week.  There will be no tests or assignments at the end 
of
the course.  Participants will not be awarded a certificate.  Total 
time
commitment for participants is expected to range from 6 - 8 hours per
week.

Fee
Participants will not be charged a fee for this course.

Requirements
The course will be conducted in English over the Internet, so Internet
connection and the ability to participate in the online discussion are 
key
pre-requisites for participants.

Details on how to access WebCT, the e-learning platform that will be 
used
for the course, will be sent via email.

Application
To apply for this course, please go to:
http://info.worldbank.org/etools/wbi_learning/
browse_tpc_results.cfm?tpc=Poverty%20Reduction

1) Click the Apply button
2) Complete the application form
3) Click Submit
4) A confirmation with instructions on how to access the web site for 
the
course will be sent to those selected shortly after the
deadline to submit applications.
Last day to submit registration: October 24th, 2006

Agenda
1st week What is poverty and how we measure it 29 Oct. - 3 Nov.

2nd week National Income Accounts 5 - 10 Nov.

3rd week Economic Growth and Poverty 12 - 17 Nov.

4th week Government in the economy, Fiscal policy and the Poor
19 - 24 Nov.

5th week Monetary and Exchange Rate Policies and the Poor 26 Nov. - 1 
Dec.

6th week Financial Development and Poverty 3 - 8 Dec.

7th week Trade Policy and the Poor 10 - 15 Dec.

8th week Institutions and Growth 17 – 22 Dec. 4

Development Gateway Foundation
dgCommunities: Poverty
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty?intcmp=923 
October 16, 2006

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1. NEW HIGHLIGHT AND DISCUSSION FORUM: International Day of the 
Eradication of Poverty: October 17th        
2. RESOURCES
3. dgCommunities Member Survey, Fall 2006
4. NEW dgSURVEY FOR SPECIAL REPORT ABOUT YOUTH          
5. PARTNERSHIPS: Become a dgPOVERTY COOPERATING ORGANIZATION!              
6. BECOME A dgTRADE GUIDE!    
7. MEMBER DIRECTORY: Update Your Profile for Networking & Collaboration        
8. DISTRIBUTE YOUR CONTENT        
9. VIRTUAL CONSULTATION FOR INTER-AMERICAN MINISTERIAL MEETING ON 
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT        
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Dear dgPoverty Member,

Welcome to your newsletter from the Poverty Community of the 
Development Gateway.

Emmanuel Asomba
dgPoverty Guide

Carmen V. Caballero
dgPoverty Content Coordinator
ccaballero@dgfoundation.org


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1. NEW HIGHLIGHT AnD DISCUSSION FORUM: International Day of the 
Eradication of Poverty: October 17th
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
On October 17th 2006, we conmemorate the International Day of the 
Eradication of Poverty and the end of the first Decade of the Eradication of 
Poverty proclamed by the United Nations on 1996. The main objective of 
this first UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty was "to achieve the 
goal of eradicating absolute poverty and reducing overall poverty 
substantially in the world through decisive national actions and 
international cooperation in implementing fully and effectively the relevant 
resolutions and decisions of the United Nations".

On this past year the UN has conducted a survey to measure the impact 
of the decade on governments and UN Agencies activities against poverty. 
Obviuosly the main objective of this iniciative has not been achieved 
but this kind of manifestation is undoubtely necessary if we want to 
raise global awareness about the importance of poverty eradication.

Furthermore, and based partially on the Survey results, the Division of 
Social Policy, in collaboration with United Nations agencies and civil 
society, is organising an international forum to mark the end of this 
first UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty. As the closing event, 
the Forum will address the key developments in policy and practice of the 
last ten years. However, the organizers declare that the main purpose 
of the Forum won't be to reflect on the past but to look forward "in 
order to identify the main challenges ahead and the concrete and 
sustainable strategies to combat poverty in its various dimensions over the next 
ten years."

Read this highlight visiting:
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty/highlights/
viewHighlight.do~activeHighlightId=111063?intcmp=923 

Discussion Forum: Give your Comments!
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty/discussion/default/
showDiscussion.do~id=2711?intcmp=923 


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2. RESOURCES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Official Website of the International Day for the Eradication of 
Poverty 2006
  
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty/rc/ItemDetail.do~1076553?intcmp=923 

- International Forum on the Eradication of Poverty
  
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty/calendar/
showCalendarItemDetails.do~activeCalendarItem=15018139?intcmp=923 

- About the International Decade for the Eradication of Poverty
  
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty/rc/ItemDetail.do~1076551?intcmp=923 

- Review of the international day for the eradication of poverty
  
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty/rc/ItemDetail.do~1076555?intcmp=923 

- Give your opinion on our dgPoverty Forum related to this Event
  
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty/discussion/default/
showDiscussion.do?id=2711&intcmp=923 

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3. dgCommunities Member Survey, Fall 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
You're invited to participate in our first survey of the entire 
dgCommunities membership! Our aim is to obtain invaluable feedback from the 
community as a whole. You are part of a worldwide practitioner community 
that is well over 36,000 strong - won't you add your voice by taking 
just a few minutes to complete our multiple choice survey questions at 
(http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=458122624514)? We know there is 
much more we can do to provide a platform that facilitates your work and 
assists you in achieving a greater impact. With this survey, you can 
play an integral role in the decision making process regarding 
enhancements to the dgCommunities platform going forward. This is your platform 
and your community. We look forward to your advice, guidance, and 
suggestions! Please access the survey at 
(http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=458122624514).


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4.  NEW dgSURVEY FOR SPECIAL REPORT ABOUT YOUTH
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

More than 1.3 billion young people between the ages of 12 and 24 years 
old now live in the developing world.  "Empowering the Next Generation: 
Youth in the Developing World" is a Development Gateway Special Report 
will take a look at the prospects for youth from developing countries 
in four sectors: governance, employment, healthcare, and ICT.

Be part of the Report! Tell us your stories about how youth are 
changing the developing world.  Please take our survey by November 6, 2006, to 
make sure your answers are considered for featuring in the Special 
Report to be launched on December 4, 2006.  

To take the survey "Empowering the Next Generation," click here 
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=42292693415


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5. PARTNERSHIPS: Become a dgPOVERTY COOPERATING ORGANIZATION!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Members,

Are you looking for a way to increase your organization s or your own 
web presence and leverage the Internet for greater development impact?
Would you like to play a leading role in facilitating online knowledge 
exchange & collaboration among development practitioners?

If so, we invite you to consider becoming a Cooperating Organization 
Guide on the Development Gateway! If interested in knowing more about 
this collaborative opportunity with the Development Gateway, please 
contact us at ccaballero@dgfoundation.org



----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. BECOME A POVERTY GUIDE!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Members,

Are you looking for a way to increase your organization s or your own 
web presence and leverage the Internet for greater development impact?
Would you like to play a leading role in facilitating online knowledge 
exchange & collaboration among development practitioners?

If so, we invite you to consider becoming a volunteer topic Guide on 
the Development Gateway!

In an effort to widely distribute rich content and diverse perspectives 
through our portal, the Development Gateway has established many 
exciting partnerships. Guides play a key role in this regard, and collaborate 
with us to bring high value content to dgCommunities, and to stimulate 
discussion and collaboration among our members.

What are the benefits of being a Guide?

-Online visibility and international exposure: The Development 
Gateway's total membership exceeds 180,000 registered users worldwide; more 
than half reside in developing countries; Guide organization logos are 
prominently featured on dgCommunities homepages with links to Guide 
profiles and homepage; Guide authorship of feature articles and newsletters 
will be acknowledged and include links to Guide homepage

-Free training in online knowledge/content management, marketing, 
community building, and development communications: we'll provide expert 
training in our content management system and in operational best 
practices we've learned during 6 years of experience

-Networking through service to our community of over 35,000 registered 
dgCommunities members and 200 partner organizations from 150 countries: 
Proactive Guides have the opportunity to form many useful connections 
and relationships in the dgCommunities they serve and with the 
Development Gateway community as a whole

What are the "tools of the trade" for serving as a topic Guide?

Organizations or individuals interested in the Guide opportunity should 
have access to a computer with high-speed internet connection. Guides 
should be able to commit a minimum of 2 hours a week for 6 months-1 
year, post  10 resources per week, approve / reject other contents and 
provide a brief highlight. They can also recruit new cooperating 
organizations and advisors.

The Guide or the point of contact within the Guide organization who 
will operate the dgCommunities platform should have the following 
skillset:
-Strong commitment to development issues and minimum 3 years of 
relevant experience
-Excellent research and writing skills
-Proficiency in English
-Ability to work independently
-Good computer and Internet skills

Interested in becoming a dgPoverty Guide? Simply send an email and 
request a dgPoverty Guide Candidate form to ccaballero@dgfoundation.org.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.  NEW MEMBER DIRECTORY - UPDATE YOUR MEMBER PROFILE!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

With over 30,000 registered dgCommunities members, the Member Directory 
provides a one-stop shop for key contacts and collaboration worldwide. 
We invite you to take advantage of this unprecedented collaborative 
tool and add your profile today!

Our new Member Directory enables you to more easily contact fellow 
professionals in the international development community for expert advice, 
information, and collaboration. You will be able to find development 
practitioners from over 200 countries, with interests and expertise in 
dozens of areas, including your own!  We invite you to update your member 
profile to let your colleagues in development know more about your 
interests and expertise. You'll find the profiles very useful when using 
the Member Directory to communicate and collaborate with fellow members 
on your next program or project. From 
http://www.developmentgateway.org?intcmp=923  simply click on "My 
Gateway" in the upper right corner, log in, scroll down to "My Member 
Profile" and click "edit this information."

Quick Start - 4 Easy Steps:

-ESTABLISH YOUR PROFILE
 
Let your colleagues in development know more about your interests and 
expertise through your dgCommunities profile. Simply log in, go to My 
Gateway, scroll down to "My Member Profile", and click "Edit this 
information".
http://www.developmentgateway.org/topics/um/user/showUserAccount.do?intcmp=923 

-SEARCH FOR MEMBERS

Log in to the Development Gateway, and click the Member Directory link 
located in the right column on any dgCommunity home page. You can 
search by: name, country, interest, expertise, organization, organization 
type, or by keywords in member bios. Search Results will show you a list 
of members with a link to their profiles. You can also reach the Member 
Directory when you log in, go to My Gateway and click on "Add Members 
to My Contacts". 
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/um~user/showMemberDirectory.do?intcmp=923 

-COMMUNICATE WITH MEMBERS 

When viewing a member's profile, click "Contact this user". This will 
open a message box in which you can type and send a message through our 
message forwarding system. 

-CREATE OWN CONTACT LIST OF MEMBERS

You can build a list of key contacts and form your own network of 
members. Searching for members will produce a results list; you can then 
select members to be added to your "My Contacts" list by clicking on the 
plus sign under "Status" for each desired contact. Or, when viewing a 
particular member's profile, click "Add this member to My Contacts". Your 
full "My Contacts" list can be viewed when you log in, go to My 
Gateway, scroll down to "My Contacts" and click "View My Contacts." 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. DISTRIBUTE YOUR CONTENT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have knowledge resources you want to share with the community, such as 
websites, reports or presentations? Want to raise awareness AND drive 
traffic to your website? You can accomplish both of them by adding 
content to the Development Gateway in dgCommunities. It's easy: simply go to 
http://topics.developmentgateway.org?intcmp=923  , click on the topic 
most related to your content, and click "Add Content Here" located in 
the middle of the page. Links to approved content are sent by e-mail 
alerts to registered members--an effective way to share knowledge and 
direct traffic to your website! 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. VIRTUAL CONSULTATION FOR INTER-AMERICAN MINISTERIAL MEETING ON 
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

dgCommunities members are invited to share their views in a virtual 
consultation forum with civil society and indigenous peoples sponsored by 
the Government of Bolivia and the Organization of American States, and 
in cooperation with the Development Gateway Foundation. The forum will 
address sustainable development issues. A summary of comments will be 
presented by the OAS to the First Inter-American Meeting of Ministers 
and High-Level Authorities on Sustainable Development, to be held in 
Bolivia on October 5-6. 

To participate in the consultation in English: 
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/environment/discussion/
showDiscussion.do~id=1441?intcmp=923 

To participate in the consultation in Spanish: 
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/environment/discussion/
showDiscussion.do~id=1461?intcmp=923 

To explore similar collaborative opportunities with the Development 
Gateway, please contact us at partners@dgfoundation.org

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DID YOU KNOW??
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

As a member of the dgCommunity on Poverty you can share your knowledge 
resources (e.g., websites, papers, reports, presentations, images, 
news, events, etc) in just about any format including streaming audio and 
video. Each resource will be described on a unique interactive page that 
will acknowledge you as the contributor and link to your profile. To 
view full text of knowledge resources, users will follow links to host 
websites, which will benefit from increased traffic from the Development 
Gateway community!

Simply click on the "Add content here" hyperlink at:  
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty/rc/
Contribute.do~flag=url~from=SampleLayout?intcmp=923 

Thank you!
Camen Caballero, Managing Editor
Email: poverty@dgfoundation.org
http://topics.developmentgateway.org/poverty?intcmp=923