Engaging Civil Society Organizations (CSOs):

Focus on ICT

Presented by: Suzanne Nazal

Asian Development Bank

NGO Connection Day

Asian Development Bank Our vision - an Asia and Pacific Free of Poverty

• an international development finance institution whose mission is to help its developing member countries reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of their people.

• owned and financed by its 67 members, of which 48 are from the region and 19 are from other parts of the globe.

• main instruments comprise loans, technical assistance, grants, advice, and knowledge.

ADB works with CSOs “…(to strengthen) the effectiveness, sustainability, and

quality of services that ADB provides”

Why CSOs?

•Innovation

•Accountability

•Responsiveness

•Participation

•Sustainability

1987 NGO Cooperation

1998 NGO Cooperation

Policy

ADB’s Strategy 2020

• Our vision: "Eradicating Poverty"

• “ADB will engage in partnerships with a more diverse group of institutions. Partnerships with international development agencies, multilateral and bilateral institutions, the private sector, NGOs, community-based organizations, and foundations will become central to planning, financing, and implementing ADB operations.”

Integrating ICT in NGO Operations

ICT is a development enabler and tool in the fight against poverty. It is critical for economic and human development, as it:

• enables access to almost limitless information • facilitates different modes of communication • connects economies and communities • aids in the fast and cost-effective delivery of public services - ADB ICT Strategy

ICT as a tool to fight poverty

ADB assists developing member countries to

have “increased access to information and allow

the less privileged in society, and the less-

developed parts of the region to have wider

options and a greater role in determining their

future.”

ADB’s ICT Strategy, 2003

ADB-NGO partnership in ICT Some examples…

Samoa SchoolNet: Connecting Remote Pacific Islands and Providing Community Access

ADB-NGO partnership in ICT Some examples…

Health Education: Reaching Remote Ethnic Minorities in the Greater Mekong Subregion Using Information and Communication Technology

Access to ICT alone will not result in significant, lasting change. It is the adoption of appropriate technology, paralleled with an enabling policy environment, a responsive and needs-based

approach, improved individual and institutional capacity, nurtured partnerships with key

stakeholders, leadership by local champions, effectively managed change, and sustained

support that make the difference.

-ADB, 2010

Thank you! NGO & Civil Society Center Asian Development Bank

ngocoordinator@adb.org

http://www.adb.org/ngos