Publications

Written by Mekong Institute

This Project Management Learning Program was co-designed and delivered by the GMS Phnom Penh Plan for Development Management(PPP) and the Mekong Institute (MI). The program was conducted from19-30 April 2010 at the Mekong Institute Residential Training Center, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Based on the lessons learned and recommendations from the 2009 Project Management Learning Program participants and with the concurrence of GMS PPP Team Leader, the curriculum was revised to focus more on the first two stages of Project management, i.e. Project Imitation and Mobilization. The objectives of this learning program were to expose participants to modern concepts and tools used in project design, planning and mobilization in the context of GMS cooperation and integration.

Sixteen government officials (four women and twelve men) from five GMS countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam) participated in the program. Participants came from junior to middle level positions from a wide variety of ministries.

The program was designed and taught by a team of four experienced trainers:2 PPP's commissioned project management experts and two MI faculty members. The results of evaluation show that the trainers were qualified, experienced and employed effective training delivery methods.

The learning program explored the fundamental nature of project management experts and two MI faculty members. The results of evaluation show that the trainers were qualified, experienced and employed effective training delivery methods.The overall results of program evaluation show that participants were highly satisfied with the learning contents and methodologies.

The learning program explored the fundamental nature of project and introduced a comprehensive project management framework. It also covered the definition and typologies of a project, the project cycle, componens of project management and the nature and the role of the project team. The development context within which project operates and special issues in project design, implementation and monitoring were deliberated. The overall results of program evaluation show that participants were highly satisfied with the learning contents and methodologies.

Integrated or Meta-curriculum was employed in designing and delivering the learning program. Salient features of this curriculum are tat project design and planning competencies are carefully selected project management concept is integrated with skill practice and essential knowledge is learned to support e performance of skills, and above all, the functional competencies like team and communication skills, information management and facilitation and networking) are integrated across the curriculum.

Written by Mekong Institute

The MI was commissioned by InWEnt-Capacity Building International, Germany to conduct an eight-day structured learning vsit program on "Income Generation and SME Models" in Danang City and Hoi An of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam from 23 to 30 May 2010 for twenty-seven government officials of Stung Treng Province in Cambodia. The structured Learning Visit aims to study Income Generation Models via Crop Production and Animal Raising as well as study SMEs and how to manage SME activities in Danang and Hoi An City, Vietnam.

Three MI facilitators were involved in organization the program, facilitating discussions and sharing experiences with the a participants. The participants visited six places in Danang City and 3 places in Hoi An City of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam to enhance their best practices learned during the entire visit. At the end of the SLV, the participants presented their reflections on the visit and developed individual/group action plans for their respective communities.

The results of the evaluation showed that the SLV was successful both in terms of program design and contents, and overall organization and management. However, recommendations for improvement were provided in order to meet the needs of participants in Stung Treng province. Specifically, the participants expressed the need to acquire advanced technical training on poultry raising, fish culture, integrated farming and food order to enhance and diversify their income sources and provide employment opportunities in their respective communities.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute was commissioned by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to organize a regional workshop and structured learning visits on "Community-based collaboration with Hue Tourism College, Lao National Tourism Administration , Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand.

Eighteen government officials, private sector and civil society personnel from Yunan Province of the People's Republic of China, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam attended the workshop.

The purpose of the workshop was to assess the challenges and opportunities in product development, planning, promotion and management of CBET. It aimed to enhance the capacity of provincial authorities in developing and managing CBET, raise awareness and promote the preservation of the sub-region's irreplaceable resources, and strengthen sub-regional cooperation and network.

Four officials designed by their respective counties and one resource person delivered lectures and facilitated discussions.

The program comprised of four inter-related modules. Module 1"Basic concept of CBET and Linkage to Poverty Reduction and Biodiversity Protection" introduced national polices, programs and action plans on CBET as well as related inernational and regional practices. Module 2"CBET Product Development" guided participants in the conduct of feasibility assessment effectively and efficiently. It likewise examined the degree and extent of involvement of local communities. Module 2 "CBET Planning and Promotion" discussed the supply and demand factors for CBET and introduced CBET tools. Module 4 "CBET Management" trained participants to monitor the impacts of CBET on local communities and the practices fro sustainable development. In this module, the participants shared knowledge on strengthening multi-sector cooperation among stakeholders involved in CBET.

Three structured leaning visits were organized in Vietnam, Lao PDR, and Thailand to enhance the participants' understanding and help them to apply the acquired knowledge.

The evaluations of the workshop show that the program accomplished its objectives and met the participants' expectations. Networking, gaining knowledge of CBEt trend in the GMS and practices, differences in managing CBET in the GMS, site visits, and a better understanding of the contribution of CBET to poverty alleviation were highlighted as the most significant learning in the workshop. Recommendations and suggestions were also made to improve the workshop.

Written by Mekong Institute

The two-day Round-table meeting marks the end of the Mekong Institute's GMS Based Research Cycle. The GMS-Based Research Cycle is a 10-month program offered by Mekong Institute to participants from 6 GMS countries on an annual bass. This program invites young GMS researchers for training on a research methodology and provides a modest grant for implementing sub-regional research in their respective countries. The program is designed to provide young GMS researchers/ professionals the knowledge and skills to undertake research independently or in collaboration with GMS researchers. Its main purpose is to improve the participants' competence on the key issues and concepts  of the research process and the actual implementation of applied research.

In 2009 GMS-based Research Cycle, 22 young GMS researchers were involved in five sub-regional research projects. These projects are: (1) Credit Accessibility of Small and Medium Enterprises  (SMEs) in the Greater Mekong Sub-region: A Case Study of Manufacturing Sectors in Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, (2) Trans-boundary Production n Agriculture: A Case Study of Maize Contract Farming in Cambodia and Lao PDR, (3) Rural Household's Accessibility to Public Health Care in Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand, (4) Impacts of Land and Forest Policies on Livelihood of Ethnic Minorities: A Case Study in the Uplands of Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, and Thailand, and (5) Labor Migration in East West Economic Corridor: A Case Study of Vietnam. All of the research projects were undertaken with financial support from New Zeland Agency for International Development.

The MIRAC Round-table meeting provides a platform for GMS researchers to share the results of their research projects. On this occasion, young researchers were given the opportunity to present their findings in a research forum, validate the research fndings with GMS stakeholders, obtain feedback and recommendations from experts, and discuss the utilization of research forum, validate the research findings with GMS stakeholders, obtain feedback and recommendations from programs. Several experts were invited to present an overview on the research topics in the context of the GMS. Discussants were likewise invited to provide feedback and suggestions on how to improve the research report.

Written by Mekong Institute

In WEnt and Mekong Institute join their respective experiences in the Mekong region, in particular in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam in an effort to promote capacity building in Integrated Rural Development through innovative Regional Management Programme. The ultimate aim of this cooperation is to enhance capacity of local government officials, members of local business associations, NGOs and people organizations in designing, implementing and monitoring local economc development in their region.

The Mekong Institute is an intergovernmenal organization institute chartered to provide capacity building activities for governemnt officials, members of private enterprises and civil society involved in the development of the Mekong Countries. MI works closely with the governments of the Mekong countires in designing and delivering high quality and relevant human resource development programs indentifies by the stakeholders. The mandate of the MI includes serving Mekong Region focused HRD needsm promoting regional cooperation, networking, and partnerships.

InWEnt- Capacity Building International, Germany, is a non-profit organization with worldwide operatons dedicated to human resource development, advanced training, and dialogue.Our capacity building programmes are directed at experts and executives from politics, administraton, the business community, and civil society. We are commissioned by the German Federal government to assist with the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals of the UN. In addition, we provide the German business sector wth support for public private partnership projects. Through exchange programmes, InWEnt also offers young people from Germany the opportunity to gain professional experience abroad.

This training-of-trainers course was designed and delivered as one of the REgional management Training module for "Trainers" of Regional Management Programme in Cambodia and Lao PDR. Twenty eight trainers of six InWEnt local partners and MI participated in the training programme held at the MI Residential Training Center, Khon Kaen Thailand on 21-25 June 2010. Dr. Blesilda Calub of the University of the Philippines, Lospanos, Mr. Jurgen Lehmann of Trainingtool, Germany, and Dr. Suchat Katima of MI co-facilitated the training course.

Written by Mekong Institute

The 5th Regional Research Development and Methodology Training Course was conducted at MI Residential Training Center, Mekong Institute, Khon Kaen, Thailand on 3 to 21 May 2010. The training course was designed and delivered using modular training approach where participants went through three progressive stages: a) Learn to do the participants were provided knowledge on concepts, techniques and tools to be employed; b) Do to learn the participants apply what they learn in their work assignments with proper coaching from assigned advisors; and c) Share to learn participants get an opportunity to present their group works/findings and share their learning experiences and lessons learned.

Upon completion of the three-week training course, all participants developed a research proposal that incorporates the knowledge and skills acquired on problem identification, defining research objectives, formulating research hypotheses and developing a conceptual/theoretical framework. A concrete research plan for the sub-regional research, with accompanying work plan and budgetary requirements, was also prepared.

Twenty government/non-government officers from five GMS countries attended the training course. Two external resource persons were invited to provide lectures and facilitate discussion, and guide the participants throughout the entire process of proposal development. One of the challenges was combining similar research ideas from different GMS countries to come up with a single research proposal. In the end, however, all the participants completed the training course successfully and came up with 9 sub-regional research proposals.

The results of the overall evaluation for this learning program revealed that the participants were highly satisfied with the program contents, resource persons, recreational activities as well as training management and delivery. The sessions of the program were rated as useful by the participants and that their acquired knowledge and skills could be applied in their work. Moreover, throughout the three-week intensive learning course, the participants developed friendships and established network among GMS researchers which is one of the objectives of MI in promoting regional cooperation.

Though the participants were highly satisfied with the learning program, several comments were provided by the participants for further program improvement. These include more hands-on training on SPSS, more time for discussion and proposal writing, and exposure to real-life interview through field work. It was also strongly suggested by the participants that a follow-up training, particularly on data analysis and report writing, should be conducted by MI to fully equip them with knowledge and skills on the entire research process.

Written by Mekong Institute

Project title: GMS SME BIZ Network

Implementing: Mekong Institute Secretariat, 123 Khon Kaen University,

Agency: Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Tel: 66 (0) 43-202411-2 Fax: 66 (0) 43343 131

Actual Participants: Thirty Thai SME Exporters and thirty SMEs of CLMV and Xouthwest China

Project Duration: 6-10 September 2010

The Mekong Institute was commissioned by the Office of SME Promotion of Thailand to design and facilitate a regonal forum on GMS SME BIZ Network that aimed to promote SME Export Network among Thai SME Exporters and SMEs and Key Persons of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Yunnan and Guang Xi Provinces of China (ClMV and SWC). The forum was held at the MI's Residential Training Center, Khon Kaen Uniersity from 6 to 10 September 2010. Seveny four entrepreneurs and concerned government officials participated in the forum.

This forum aimed to:

1. Promote closer working relationship, long-term business cooperaton and network between Thai SME Exporters and Logistic Providers and SMEs and Key Persons of CLMV and SC.

2. Facilitate the formulation of join business plans among the SMEs in the GMS

3. Add value to trade and investment of Thai SMEs

The participants are thirty Thai SMEs, 5 Chinese, 6 Cambodians, 9 Laos, 6 Myanmar, and 10 Vietnamese that are interested in the have capacity to establish strategic alliance with SME partners in the neighboring countries and ASEAN as a whole. This program targeted those SMEs in the Northeastern region of Thailand those SMEs of CLMV and YG along economic corridors.

Contents of the workshop included panel discussions, structured learning visits and plenary deliberation on:

a: Strategic Framwork of ASEAN Economic Community- by Dr. Pornchai Danvivathana Deputy Director General of ASEAN Department of MoFA

b: Developing Thailand and the Mekong Region as ASEAN SME Regional Gateway- by Mr. MK Dutta, MI Trade and Investment Facilitation program Manager

c: Global and Regional Trend of SME BIZ Network and Expor Consortia- by Dr Abe masato, Senior Economic Officer, UNESCAP

d: Country SME SWOT Analysis and country report on each country policies, rules and regulations related to trade, investment and export, investment and business development potentials, current SME situation and Business Development Services,

e. Multilateral and Bilateral Agreement, CBTA and logistics in the GMS- by Dr. Rattanatay Luangradbandth, ADB, Mr. oudet Suwannavong, GMS Business Forum, Ms. Tui Pakarat Rutten, Cambodian Fright Forwarder and Mr. Suraphol Thaveesangsakulthai, Khon Kean Chamber of Commerce

f. SME BIZ Network and Business Cluster- by Mr. Sorapob Chuadamrong, Vice President of Chaingmai Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Wichien Chedchutrakunthong, Former President of SMEs Chiangmai-Lampoon Association, and Mr. Masao Takagi, Business Matching Expert, Japan

g. Formulating Joint Business Plan - six joint business plans were developed at the forum. They are: 1) Decorating Brick Project, 2) Local Yogurt Products, 3) Regional Tourism, 4) GMS Silk Road, 5) Mobiled Training, and 6) Prae Pan Cotton Cluster.

h. Integrating Knowledge and experiences and way forward- SME BIZ Network on-line services, capacity building of Business Associatons and Community of Practices. A website portal has been created (wit linkage to MI website) to promote network among the participants.

Actual Outcomes:

1. Network of SME Exporters and Logistic Providers of Thailand and SMEs of CLMV and SWC. This includes established business relationship and trust among and between Thai Exporters and those SMEs from the GMS countries. Total of seventy five participants are now regiostered with the network.

2. Six joint Business Plans

3. Country reports which includes SWOT Analysis of SMEs in the context of ASEAN Economic Community and country trade and investment policies and institutional arrangements.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute was commissioned by Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency to conduct a four-week annual international training course on "Enhancing Entrepreneurship in SME Development and Export Consortia" from 9 August to September 2010 for twenty-one governemnt officiials and private sector peronnel from fourteen developing countries in Asa and Africa.

The course aimed to develop participants' appreciation of the importance andsignificance-and complexity- of sustainable enterprise development in a regional and national context. It sought to develop the capacity of participants to assess and consider more effective enterprise and private sector development strategies and actvties in their own countries.

Eleven external resource persons were invited to deliver lectures and facilitate discussions, and share experiences to participants. Nine structured learning visits in Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Bangkok were conducted to enhance the paricipants' understanding of the program contents and to apply the principles, process, structure, and stakeholders in planning nd implementing business from the visits.

The training course comprised firve inter-related modules. Module 1 "unleashing Entrepreneurship: Setting the Context" allowed the facilitators and participants to introduce themselves and provided an overview of te learning program, methodology, and process. Module 2 "The Essentials of Enterprse Deelopment: Why adn How"presented various approaches and tools to develop the enterprise sector. Module 3 "Ensuring Business Survval and Sustainable Grouwth" covered the concepts of "enabling enviornment" such as busness development and fnancial services, productivity and competitiveness, and value cahins to strengthen the enterprise sector. module 4 "Managing Enterprises" included study visits to enhance the participants' understanding on the contents through observation and interaction wth enterprises' management teams. Module 5 " Developing Cluster and Business-to Business Networks" introduced the concepts and described key steps and suggested tools and methods for developing business clusters and networks.

The results from a range of evaluaton methods showed high satisfaction rating by the participants. However, recommendations for improvement included providing more information on export consortia, SME policy and PPP, inviting guest speakers from senior management level, providing more case studies, and organizing discusson forum wth local entrepreneurs.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute was commissioned by Thailand International Development Agency to conduct a four-week annual international training course on "Income Generation and Poverty Reduction for Development" for eighteen goernment officials from fifteen developing countries. The course aims at enhancing particpants' knowledge and skils in addressing successful poverty reduction strategies. It provded a venue for senior and mid-level government officials from developing countries who are involved in rural development to share experiences and best practices on interventions that create lasting impacts and advance disadvantaged people' quality of life.

Specially the curriculum focuses on:

- Meaning and measurement of poverty;

- People-centered development;

- Participatory framework;

- Monitoring and evaluation of result framework; and

- Strategies and interventions for poerty reduction.

The training course was designed and delivered using modular trainign approach, of which, all particpants went through three progressstages; 1) "Learn to do"- training on concepts. techniques and tools to be employed; b) "Do to learn"- the paricipans are required to apply wat they learn to their group work assignment and exercise with proper coachng from assigned advisors; and c) "Share to learn"- paricipants will have an opportunit to present their group works/ findings and share their learning experience and new innovatons.

There were seven resource persons/subject experts who contributed to the design and delivery of the lectures, wokshops and structured learning visits namely (1) Dr Krailert Taweekul, (2) Assoc Prof Nongluck Suphanchamart, (3) Assoc Prof Suchint Simaraks, and (4) Assoc Prof Wongsa Laohasiriwong of Khon Kean Universty, (5) Mr Sansonthi Boonyothayan of Sakon Nakhon Provincal Agriculture and Cooperates Offce, and (6) Dr Suchat Katma, and 7)Ms Sanda Thant of the Mekong Institute. The results of evaluation show tat these resource persons were qualifed, experienced and employed effective training deliery methods.

The training ourse s comprised of four inter-related modules. Each module comprises three interrelated stages; Training on concepts and tools, study visit to observe related projects, and sharing session to reflect on the newly acquired knowledge and experience.

Integrated or Meta-currculum was employed in designing and delivering the learning program. Salient features of this currculum are that project design and planning competencies are carefully selected, project management concept is ntegrated wth skill pracitce and essential knowledge is learned to support the performance of skills, and above all, the functional competencies like team and communication skills, information management and facilitation and networking are integrated across the curriculum.

The evaluations conducted throughout the course showed that the learning program was successful.

Despite not achieving perfection, the learning program can still be considered "Highly successful" iin having provided concepts, tool and strategies to address poverty reducton and some concrete examples and best practices of income generaton and povert reducton initatives in Thailand.

Written by Mekong Institute

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Since May 2008 InWEnt implements the programme Regional rural development through Innovative regional management in South East Asia. Total programme duration is to last for 4 years. Programme activities cover the countries Cambodia and Laos and are operational in two provinces of each country (Siem Reap and Battambang in Cambodia and Sayaboury and Attapeu province in Laos). Since the Federal Republic of Germany has identified rural development as one of the focal area of support, the InWEnt programme closely cooperates with GTZ rural development programmes and DED (Battambang).

It aims at building up and strengthening regional management structures. The capacity building activities increase the competences of the participating organisations to actively design and coordinate a potential-oriented and participatory regional development of rural areas. The conceptual orientation is based on the LEADER-PLUS approach.

Three objectives should be reached by the end of four-year implementation period:

(A) The partners on local and regional level are knowledgeable in the principles, instruments and processes of integrated rural development, the regional management and the economic development on community and regional levels. They apply these to establish an equivalent development of their rural areas.

(B) Regional, national and cross-boarder networks of executives and decision-makers of partner organisations and institutions are strengthened. They contribute efficiently to a specialist exchange of experience on policies, strategies, promotion programmes and appropriate organisational structures for the development of rural areas and to regional integration.

(C) Selected governmental and/or non-governmental training organisations are qualified to independently carry out valuable capacity building in principles and tools of regional management for realizing an integrated rural development.