July-August 2007


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DGF Newsletter


July/August 2007

From the Foundation:
Events: Country Gateway Network News: Success Story:

FROM THE FOUNDATION

Vietnam Launches Local dgMarket
Vietnam launched the 20th local implementation of dgMarket, the online platform for government tenders. The government of Australia provided much of the funding. The government of Luxembourg gave additional support. dgMarket publishes information on public sector contracts, valued at $540 billion, in 23 languages. These include government contracts in 150 countries funded by international agencies, such as the World Bank, and the public procurement listings from 37 countries. Read the press release or visit dgMarket Vietnam.

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Exclusive Interview with German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development on Female Genital Cutting
As part of an exclusive interview with the Development Gateway Foundation, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul discusses the central challenges facing those who wish to eradicate the practice of female genital cutting. The minister highlights the importance of addressing educational, social, cultural, and economic issues underlying the tradition. Read the complete interview as part of our special collection on female genital cutting.
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Upload Your Pictures for the Photo Contest
We are now accepting photographs that show compelling images of socio-economic development in developing countries. The contest is open to all photographers at least 18 years of age. The winner will receive a $500.00 cash prize. Photographs must be received by September 21, 2007. The winner will be announced on October 9. All visitors to the foundation's Web site will have the opportunity to vote for the winner out of the top ten finalists. All submitted photographs may be used in promotion of the foundation in various marketing materials. Visit the photo contest Web site to view submissions requirements and to upload your photos.

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Launch of AMP Bolivia Pilot
In close collaboration with the government of Bolivia and other partners, the Development Gateway Foundation is preparing to pilot the new Bolivia Aid Management Platform. This represents the first Aid Management Platform in Spanish and includes new features that facilitate monitoring and evaluation at both the project and strategic levels. The customized platform will help the government track and report on aid flows by integrating data from its current systems into a comprehensive Web portal, and enabling more detailed analysis. During the pilot, the foundation's technical specialists will work closely with staff from the Ministry of Planning to make further modifications to the prototype system and support capacity building. In the coming months, work will continue to finalize the platform for full implementation.

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EVENTS

Staff Participates in Forum on Geographical Information Systems
Denise Senmartin, a staff member of the foundation, gave a presentation to participants of the Vespucci Summer Institute highlighting the work of the Development Gateway Foundation. The event, held in Italy, was organized by the EU Joint Research Center, ESRI, and others. The goal of the institute was to analyze new trends in geographical information systems and discuss the compilation and management of mapped data. Geographical information systems are an integral part of the foundation’s e-government project in Mozambique. Learn more about the foundation’s work in Mozambique.


COUNTRY GATEWAY NETWORK NEWS

India Country Gateway Launches First Portal
The new India Country Gateway has launched the first version of its portal. India Development Gateway is an online platform that will act as a catalyst for facilitating investment in the businesses which take into account the social and cultural, as well as financial, aspects of business. It will enhance the exchange of information, ideas, and capital among key stakeholders developing socially responsible businesses. The platform will help expand market-based solutions and promote economic opportunities for emerging enterprises in India.

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Mauritanian Gateway Receives World Bank Award
The Mauritanian Gateway has received the World Bank Award of Excellency for its Local Portfolio Performance Monitoring System. The system is designed for the local World Bank office in Mauritania to aid in its Monitoring and Evaluation project. Visit the site.

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Burkina Faso Country Gateway in Planning
The Yam Pukri association in Burkina Faso has been selected to implement the national Country Gateway. A grant of $80,000 has been awarded to the association for this implementation.


SUCCESS STORY

Colombia
While many young people are just interested in iPods, bars, and the latest fashions, youth in Colombia are getting involved in more substantive issues. They are showing what their generation can do to increase accountability in government. Ocasa, a nonprofit organization located in Bogota, has generated a large network of young people who are engaged in strengthening democratic institutions in their country. The nonprofit develops programs on transparency in public institutions and civic participation. Ocasa has trained more than 100 people, ages 16 to 30, in anti-corruption courses.

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The Development Gateway Foundation provides Web-based tools to make aid and development efforts more effective. It offers innovative solutions that increase access to critical information, building local capacity and bringing partners together for positive change. The Development Gateway Foundation is a nonprofit organization with activities around the world.

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