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The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF)

Economic and Social Research Foundation NewsletterEconomic and Social Research Foundation Newsletter

VOLUME 10, NUMBER 1 ISSN 0856- 5791 JANUARY—JUNE 2011

Economic and Social Research Foundation Newsletter

ESRFESRF

The Foundation is currently preparing its fifth Medium Term Strategic Plan 2012 -2015 which

is refocusing the institution‘s vision. The new ESRF Strategic Plan (2012-2015) will be based on a thorough internal review of the organisational, operational and financial status of the Foundation and reflections on its challenges and prospects. The strategy will guide the Foundation in consolidating its reputation as a national centre of excellence and equally in its target of becoming a regional centre of excellence in capacity development for policy analysis, development management, policy research and policy dialogue by 2015.

The new Strategic Plan will focus on key thematic areas of research, capacity building, policy dialogue and information dissemination, in line with MKUKUTA-II and MKUZA-II. Under research the Foundation will focus on;

* Growth and poverty reduction,

* Social services and quality of life,

* Governance,

* Regional integration

* Globalisation

* Natural Resources and

Environment Management.

The Foundation will give a high priority to capacity development both for its staff and its stakeholders. Apart from the MDAs, the capacity development thrust will also address the needs of the general public, the private sector, civil society and the media. Additionally, the strategy aims to improve and broaden its work output dissemination and outreach. Thus, ESRF will continue to publish its research outputs as widely as possible as well as use the media accordingly and network with other institutions for information dissemination. Based on ESRF‘s track record, we are confident that the goals and objectives set forward in this strategic plan are attainable.

In February 2011 ESRF was commissioned by the World Food Program (WFP) to conduct a baseline

survey for the School Feeding Program. The program is jointly implemented by World food programme (WFP) and the Government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training .The programme was designed

to support primary education in drought prone and pastoral areas and is known as Food-For-Education (FFE). The programme is being implemented in 13 drought-prone food insecure districts in five regions -Arusha, Manyara, Shinyanga, Dodoma and Singida. Districts covered include Bahi, Kondoa, Kiteto, Monduli, Longido, Ngorongoro, Loliondo and

MEDIUM TERM STRATEGIC PLAN 2012 – 2015 UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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FINDINGS FROM SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM (SFP) IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

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EDITORIAL TEAM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ’ S NOTE...................2

STRATEGIC RESEARCH................................3

COMMISSIONED RESEARCH........................3

CAPACITY BUILDING.....................................4

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT........................6

IFP CELEBRATING 10 YEARS .......................6

TANZANIA POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA

IN POVERTY ANALYSIS.................................7

STAFF DEVELOPMENT.................................8

ESRF SHOWCASED ON ELEARNING

AFRICA........................................................9

BREAKING NEWS!.......................................10

MRS. MARGARETH NZUKI

MR. ABDALLAH HASSAN

MR. SENORINE LIBENA

MR. JOSEPH N NGONYANI

2 Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011

Welcome to our January to June 2011 Newsletter. In this edition we report

some of the work that ESRF has continued to undertake as a leading research institution in Tanzania as part of her mandate to inform and infl uence social and economic policies and management through researched evidence. The institution also continued to facilitate capacity building through policy dialogue and training and extended advisory services in the form of commissioned studies/consultancies, and knowledge management. As part of undertaking strategic research, ESRF completed fi ve projects between January and June 2011, in collaboration with other institutions such as the World Bank, UNESCO, Overseas Development Institute and CUTS international. These projects centered on the three pillars of Livelihood and Social Wellbeing, Institutions and Governance, as well as

Growth and Wealth Creation. Among the most outstanding commissioned research during the period was the Review of the Tanzania Development Vision 2025, which received widespread attention nationally due to its importance in shaping strategic planning for the next 15years. In addition, ESRF continued sharing national and regional policy-related knowledge through its dissemination dialogues. These seminars acted as platforms through which policy issues were discussed and policy recommendations channelled to government, civil society and the private sector for implementation. Through its Capacity Development Unit, ESRF continued to build capacity among young professionals who are still in higher learning institutions through its Mentoring/ Internship Programmes. A total of sixteen (16) young professionals, both local and international were mentored in various areas of expertise. The Knowledge Management Department continued to support the core functions of the Foundation by hosting the Foundation‘s Library, and online resources namely – Tanzania Online (www.tzonline.or.tz), Tanzania Development Gateway (www.tanzaniagateway.org) and Tanzania Knowledge Network (www.taknet.or.tz). The library subscribed for online journals and continues to receive online documents from different institutions. Tanzania Knowledge Network

(TAKNET) continued to provide a platform for exchange and sharing of information on various aspects of social and economic development. A total of fi ve topics were moderated during this period, and three policy briefs synthesized and published. The communication section worked closely with different partners in branding, promoting, marketing and sending across the messages about the Foundation, through exhibitions, websites, blogs, media and other marketing tools. As ESRF‘s Strategic Plan 2008-2011 draws to a close, is a time for us to refl ect on our activities, our achievements, as well as making a concerted effort to learn from our experiences and harness all aspects of what we have learned and integrate them into 2011 and beyond. The lessons learned will be fully integrated into the next Strategic Plan 2012 – 2015, refocusing on the institution‘s vision. This next Strategy will guide the Foundation in consolidating its reputation as a national centre of excellence and equally in its target of becoming a regional centre of excellence in capacity development for policy analysis, development management, and policy research and policy dialogue by 2015. Finally, let me take this opportunity on behalf of the Board of Trustees, Management Committee, and all ESRF staff to thank all stakeholders for their continued support to ESRF.

Karatu. The programme covers about 1,167 schools with a total enrolment in these schools reaching 600,000 children. The programme provides two daily meals. The Food for Education objectives include: contributing towards improvement of enrolment of boys and girls in the assisted schools, helping in stabilizing attendance at the assisted schools, reducing prolonged absenteeism and therefore reducing dropout rates, improving the attention (concentration) span and the learning capacity of the boys and girls in the assisted schools.

Findings from School feeding Program (SFP) Baseline Survey

The teachers said that Performance and attendances have improved (less dropouts,-student‘s health and love for school is encouraging). Understanding and concentration of the students have also greatly improved. School attendance, concentration, enrollment (especially in standard I) have increased while dodging and drop-out have decreased. Teachers gave an example to show that provision of food means a lot to pupils as some may forget their school text

books but not a cup for drinking porridge. Some teachers reported that even the pass rates have improved with SF Programme. Parents especially women said that their productivity has improved as they now have more time for working unlike before the programme when they had to cook for their kids during working hours.

Challenges of the programmeHowever, as with most of the donor funded projects

implemented in the country, a number of challenges were noted, in terms of social, political, cultural and economic aspects. Our assessment indicated that communities‘ participation in the project is weak. According to the project design, parents are supposed to contribute some money towards paying for the cook, security, fi rewood and water for cooking. This is not always the case as some parents seem to oppose this contribution and tend to believe that the project is fully funded by donors hence no need for them to dig into their pockets. Moreover some politicians have aggravated the problem by distorting the fact and misguiding the parents.

Dr. Hoseana Bohela Lunogelo

[ From page 1 ]

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ’ S NOTE

3 Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011

Commissioned studies sub unit is under the research and publication

unit. This unit focuses on demand driven

commissioned research from different stakeholders including the government, private sector, donor community, and the NGOs.

The most important study during the period, which helped to brand ESRF in a unique way, was the review of The Tanzania Development Vision 2025 (TDV 2025). Another equally important study is the on-going review of Programmed Activities of the Planning Commission, which recommend a better institutional arrangement and streamlining of its mandates. The ESRF team was also co-opted by the President‘s Office-Planning Commission to assist in the

completion of the preparation Of medium term plan, an assignment, which required a multi-skilled team of experts. In addition, the unit was able to secure big commissioned research including the Q2 Research in Support of 2010 Poverty reduction Review, Mining Investment Benefits Study (Ministry of Energy and Minerals) and Demand for and Barriers to Accessing Financial Services, Agra-Pass Value Chain Study, Climate Change Resilience in Agricultural Research and the Economic Transformation in Africa: Case of Tanzania. ESRF is also hosting the Evidence Based Policy in Development Network (EBPDN).

Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011

This casts doubt on the sustainability of the project when donor funding comes to an end. There were also shortages of facilities for the projects. Through contributions by parents each school needs to have a kitchen and a dining hall. During the survey, it was observed that more than 95% of the schools visited had neither a standard kitchen, nor a dining hall. Shortage of water for cooking and washing hands for pupils before and after meals was also found to be a major challenge in the project areas. Most schools visited had shortages of learning facilities and teachers also had a very poor learning environment whereby classes had no desks and buildings were without roofs.O

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Strategic Research is one of the two core units in the Research and Publication Department (RPD). The other core unit is Commissioned Studies (CS). Activities

under the Strategic Research are divided into five major pillars or areas of specialization. Focusing on the five pillars, the Department completed five projects between January and June 2011. These projects which were done in collaboration with other funding entities such as the World Bank, UNESCO, Overseas Development Institute and CUTS international are:

i. EAC Integration: Main Potential Benefits with funding from the World Bank

ii. The FEATS Project: Food Security and Rural Livelihoods in Tanzania which was done in collaboration with CUTS India

iii. Q2 Research in Support of 2010 Poverty reduction Review – i.e. Chronic Poverty which was done in collaboration with ODI based in UK

iv. Analysis of effectiveness of food security policy: A case of Ileje District in Tanzania with ODI based in UK

The use of research based evidence in Policy for science related ministries and research parastatals with funding from UNESCO Other ongoing projects the Research Department is implementing are:* Strengthening institutions to improve public expenditure accountability with funding from GDN

* Rising food prices and the coping mechanism among urban dwellers in Tanzania: The case of Kinondoni District

* Ethics, Payments and Maternal Survival in Tanzania Collaborative project with REPOA and Open University UK

A group photo after a discussion with stakeholders at Ilala District during review of the Tanzania Development Vision 2025

A group photo with stakeholders at Temeke District during review of the Tanzania Development Vision 2025

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STRATEGIC RESEARCH

COMMISSIONED RESEARCH

Hon. Cleopa David Msuya, retired Vice President and Prime Minister insisting a point during an interview with Dr. Lunogelo on review of the Tanzania Development Vision 2025.

4Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011 Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011

CAPACITY BUILDING

DISCUSSION ON THE NATIONAL BUDGET 2011/2012; ITS IMPLICATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TANZANIA DEVELOPMENT VISION 2025

The drive of Tanzania development plan since independence has been on economic growth and poverty

reduction. The prime objective being to ensure that the majority of Tanzanians enjoy the benefits of development. In line with the effort to speed up this plan the government of Tanzania had launch

its Tanzania Development Vision 2025 whose key pillars include high quality livelihood, good governance, peace stability and building a competitive

economy. Others are food security and basic education and health care for all. Following this therefore the national Budget 2011/2012, as it has been for the 2010/2011 has been developed taking into consideration among others, the objectives stipulated in Tanzania Development Vision (TDV 2025).

Being a policy think tank in the country, ESRF organized a workshop that will discuss, among other issues, the linkage between the national

budget and the implementation of TDV 2025. A paper titled ‗National Budget 2010/2011 in the context of Revised Tanzania Development Vision 2025” pre (Cont. from page 5) sented by ESRF‘s Executive Director; -Dr. H. Bohela Lunogelo provided insights on the 2011/2012 national budget in the context of the Revised Tanzania Developmevelopment Vision 2025. Conducted on 22nd June 2011, the workshop provided an opportunity for various stakeholders to share, discuss and understand the government budget 2011/2012 presented on 8th June 2012. Another paper discussed at the workshop was on ‗The Status of Maternal Health Care Provision in Tanzania’ by Mr. Emmanuel Mnzava, from the University of Dar es Salaam. This paper discussed the budget implication on the provision of maternal health from another perspective, not from how much was budgeted from the main Budget rather on how does the allocation being used to effect the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number five of reducing by 75% of maternal mortality rate by the year 2015.

Dr. H.Bohela Lunogelo, Executive Director ESRF presenting a paper on National Budget 2011/12 in the context of the revised Tanzania Development Vision (TDV 2025)

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The National Stakeholders’ Workshop On Access To And Barriers To Financial Services In Tanzania.

As a continuation of the FinScope Workshop series conducted in 2010, ESRF conducted three more

workshops between January and June 2011. Aiming at sharing the FinScope 2009 findings on the status of access to financial services in Tanzania, the workshops were also conducted in order to inform policy and decision makers on suggested recommendations that will help improve the situation for the policy actions. Conducted in Arusha, Kigoma and Dar es Salaam, these workshops were intended to present zonal status of the access and barriers to financial services in the Northern (Arusha and Kilimanjaro); Western (Kigoma, Rukwa and Tabora) and the Dar Es Salaam zone. Sponsored by the Financial Sector Deepening Trust (FSDT) Tanzania, the dissemination workshop in Kigoma was conducted on 27th January at TACARE Conference Centre, followed by the Northern one conducted on 8th February 2011 at the New Arusha Hotel and the third one on the 7th June, 2011 at the ESRF Conference Hall. The main participants were government officials, non-governmental organizations, civil societies, donor community, research institutions and other relevant stakeholders who had a stake in provision of financial services

within these zonal areas. The dissemination team comprised of Dr. Donatilla Kaino, Ms. Vivian Kazi, Ms. Dora Semkwiji, Ms. Goreth Kashasha and Mr. John Kajiba from ESRF and the team ofexperts from the East African Speakers Bureau (EASB) who managed the broadcasting and advertising of the workshops.

Participants of the workshop on Demand for and Barriers to Financial Service in Tanzania in a group photo.

5Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011 Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011

Importance Of ‗Universal Pension In Tanzania Hailed

Despite the fact that social protection is a right stipulated in the Constitution of the United

Republic of Tanzania; 96 per cent of older people in Tanzania do not have a secure income (ILO 2008). Following the declining health and continuing livelihood responsibilities, Tanzania‘s older people are particularly vulnerable to chronic poverty. Due to this recognition, the Government decided to address social protection for older people as one of the top priorities in the National Development. It is within this context that ESRF and HelpAge International under the ACBF support organized a national workshop which aimed at discussing the plight of old people in Tanzania. The One-Day Workshop conducted on 20th May 2011 at The Double Tree, Hotel provided an opportunity for participants from the government, private sector, CSOs as well as the donor communities to share and discuss the status and challenges of social protection faced by old people in Tanzania. Two main presentations were given, the first by Mr. David Kaali from the Ministry of Labour and Employment who gave

a general overview of the status of social protection in Tanzania; and Mr. Smart Daniel, the Social Protection Manager at the HelpAge International who discussed the status of old people‘ social protection and the importance of ‗Universal Pension‗ among old people in Tanzania. The workshop was attended by participants from the

government, development partners, various nongovernmental organizations including those dealing with affairs and wellbeing of theelderly, and the media. It ended with a number of resolutions identified as important towards a better approach for realizing the national goal of providing adequate protection to all Tanzanians, including the elderly.

Participants of the workshop on Social Protection in Tanzania in a group photo

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POLICY DIALOGUES: PLATFORM TO INFORM POLICY MAKING

ESRF Continues Building Young Professional’s Capacities In Research And Policy Analysis

The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) has continued sharing national and regional policy-relat-ed knowledge through its dissemination dialogues. These

seminars act as active platforms through which policy issues are discussed and policy recommendations are channelled to government, civil society and private sector for implementation and follow-up. During this period, the following papers were presented in the seminars;

1.Africa- China Poverty Reduction and Development: What can Tanzania learn from China? Some Lessons from Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference. By Dr. H. Bohela Lunogelo

2. Governance Breakdown in the Urban Malaria Control: Policy Reflections from the Outburst of Msimbazi Valley Mosquitoes, Dar es Salaam. By Dr. Francis Mwaijande.

3. Private Income Transfers and Poverty Reduction in Tanzania. By Mr. John Kajiba and Mr. Hussein Nassor.

4. The Use of Indigenous Climate/weather forecast on Food Production: the Case of Same Scheme. By Dr. Oswald Mashindano.

5. Building Climate Change Resilience in Africa’s Agricultural Research Programmes. ESRF in collaboration with FANRPAN.

6. The Use of Research Based Evidence to Inform Policy Processes in the East African Region with focus in Tanzania and Uganda. By Mr. Arthur Mwakapugi and Ms. Vivian Kazi.

7. Value chain Analysis and Assessment of Grapes Sub- Sector. A study funded by the Rural Livelihood Development Company (RLDC) in Dodoma.

As part of its mandate, ESRF through its Capacity Development Unit has continued to build capacity among young professionals who are still in higher learning education vlevels through its Mentoring/Internship Programmes. A total of sixteen (16)

young professionals i.e. 15 local and 1 international intern were mentored in various areas of expertise between March – Jun, 2011. These areas range from economics, social sciences, environmental sciences, library services and IT.

6Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011 Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011

The IFP Program was launched in 2000 and has been implemented for the past 10 years. IFP is now moving to its Final phase and will be closing its activities by

June 2013. In Tanzania, So far the program has recruited 128

students in total 100 Masters Fellows and 28 PhD Fellows. The Majority of PhDs Graduates are currently working with Higher learning Institutions, namely University of Dar es salaam( 2 PhDs), The University of Dodoma( 2 PhDs), Sokoine University of Agriculture( 1 PhD and 1 Masters) and The Open University of Tanzania (1PhD), St Augustine University ( 1 Masters), Tumaini University (1). The majority of masters‘ graduates are working with NGOs (50%) Local Government (20%) Central Government (25%) and Private Sector (5%). The last selected fellows (9th cohort) all of whom are at masters level, have been placed into various Universities including the US (12 fellows), UK (5 fellows) and The Netherlands (2 fellows). They have stared proceeding to the respective universities since June 2011. The last fellow will leave the country in September, 2011. Globally, the Ford Foundation has invested $340 million in order to finance higher education. IFP has the overall goal of strengthening democratic values, reducing poverty and social injustice, promoting international cooperation and advancing human achievement through the provision of access to higher education to potential leaders from groups and communities that are marginalized or disadvantaged.

HOSTED PROGRAMS

IFP CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF ITS OPERATIONS FROM 2001—2011

Executive Director for IFP DR Joan Dassin cutting 10yrs cake, the event gathered ESRF Executive Director, AHEAD Executive Director, FAWE Kenya Executive Director , The Minister of Higher Education in Kenya, Alumni and 57 Fellows from East African countries leaving for Masters Program in 2011/2012

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KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

In May 2011, 46 students from School of Library Archives and Documentation Studies (SLADS), Bagamoyo visited our department for a study visit and one of them later on

was attached to the department for a six weeks internship.The Department collected documents for TZonline database from universities and institutions of higher learning in Tabora, Mwanza, Kilimanjaro and Arusha. Jobseekers profiles and job vacancies were posted into the job and consultancies database. The KM projects were showcased at the 6th International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training ‗eLearning Africa 2011 Conference) in May 2011. On the other hand, Tanzania Knowledge Network (TAKNET) continued to provide a platform for exchange and sharing of information on various aspects of social and economic development. A total of five topics were moderated and three policy briefs synthesised. The moderated topics were;

• What Benefits exist for Tanzania within East African Common Market Arrangement?; Review of Tanzania Development Vision 2025 (TDV 2025); • Improving Public Service Delivery and Citizens Engagement through E-Government. • Time has come for Universal Social Pension in Tanzania: What is the Way Forward? And • 2011-Budget discussion

The communication section worked closely with different partners in branding, promoting, marketing and sending across the messages about the Foundation. This was achieved through exhibitions, websites, blog,media and other marketing tools. The ICT unit improved the operations and services by maintaining the system. The unit also provided support to researchers and other staff in the use of ICT resources. The unit was also involved into setting up the ICT infrastructure at UONGOZI institute and provide backup and storage of data from Presidential Trust Fund (PTF).

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7Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011 Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011 7

[ From page 6 ]

1. ObjectivesBroader access to quality Education Improve retention and education rates for underserved populations. Create capacity to generate new knowledge for social justice.

2. Achievements of IFP- Progam GloballyA total of 4,348 fellows have been selected and awarded the IFP scholarship in the 22 countries, where by 50% are Female and 50% Male.

i. Academic degree* PHD and similar Degree Programs 635 =16%* Masters and similar Related Degree 3,366= 84%

ii. Hosts Regions for Fellows StudiesIFP has been able to establish a strong link with strategic University partnership worldwide. IFP Fellows from the 22 countries have had the privilege of choosing the study region. Most of the fellow chose to study in the UK, US and Canada, the rest of Europe while some choose to study in their own countries. These universities have designed new programs to suite IFP Program goals and objectives. The fellows‘ university choice so far include:United Kingdom 784 = 20%Europe 498 = 12%US & Canada 1,280 = 32%Others 1,439 =36%

iii. Choices of Academic AreaSocial Science 589 = 13%Economic Business 206= 5%Environment, Health andApplied Sciences 1,203 = 30%Law, Governance and Human Rights 574= 14% Education and Communication 773= 19%Development Studies 401 = 10%Arts and Humanities

iv. Current Activities- Alumni Associations* All 22 countries have registered Alumni Associations. In Tanzania, it is called the Tanzania International Fellowship Association (TIFPA) * Social commitment in paid professor work 91% of Alumni* Voluntary Social Commitment. 66- 67% in voluntary.* Impact in Knowledge and the new skills has reached 83- 85%

IFP program has yield similarly results in the 22 countries of operations and can be summarized as follows:* Fellowship targeted individuals working with marginalized communities especially the rural minority.* Academic success due to good preparations, in high quality Education. (Enabling conditions) IFP fellows are strongly motivated to return home and address social problems.Even though the fellowships are targeted to individuals, but the knowledge and skills obtained from the studies have greatly benefitted the institutions in which the alumni are working.

IFP Tanzania last cohort in group photo before leaving for Masters Programs in USA, UK and the Netherlands.

TANZANIA POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN POVERTY ANALYSIS.

During this period the 6th intake (2010/2011) of the Post Graduate Diploma course attended the second intensive workshop that focused on Conceptualization

of Poverty and Research Methodology. This workshop was held from 10th to 15th January 2011 at ESRF conference hall. Resource persons for this workshop included Professor Marc Wuyts (Convenor of the PGD Programme), Dr. Auma Okwany (ISS), Dr. Tausi Kida ( ESRF/ Coordinator PGD Programme), Dr. Beatrice Mkenda (UDSM), Dr. Flora Kessy (Mzumbe University)

Dr. Donatilla Kaino (ESRF), Dr. Godius Kahyarara (UDSM), Dr. Michael Ndanshau (UDSM), Dr. Paula Tibandebage (ESRF) and Dr. Oswald Mashindano (ESRF). Besides the course delivery of the 6th intake of PGD, preparations were underway for the beginning of the 7th Intake (2011/2012). The request for applications for the 7th intake was announced in the local newspapers, ESRF and REPOA websites. The selection committee will be formed and planned to meet in the third week of July 2011.

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8Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011

During the first half of the year, ESRF was invited to various local and International events aimed at addressing common interests to ESRF in particular and the Nation in general. Among the outstanding meetings were;

* Mrs. G. Kashasha, Ms. Jacqueline Mwijage andMr. Yasser Manu attended a short training on Advanced Office Management &

Administration Skills in Johannesburg, South Africa from 10th to 16th April 2011.

* Ms. Consolata Mkoba and Ms. Jenifer Badi attended National Secretarial Day held in Arusha from 20th to 22nd May, 2011

* Mr. Deodatus Sagamiko and Japhet Maginga attended Government Employees Provident Fund (GEPF) Annual General Meeting held in Arusha from 12th to 13th May, 2011

Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

THREE STAFF ATTEND TRAINING IN COMMUNICATION

In its efforts to provide strategic direction for every stakeholder involved in smooth communications and set out procedures for doing communication within the

Foundation and outside, the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) sent three staff Mrs. Margareth Nzuki, Mr. Senorine Libena from Knowledge Management Department & Mrs. Dora Semkwiji from Capacity Building Department to attend communications strategy and skills training course held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The three day course which was designed to help participants to take practical snapshot of communication strategy and skills was very fruitful since it

catered all segments pertaining to communications activities performed by the Foundation in its day to day operations. The course equipped the participants with the understanding of the need of communication in marketing, craft and present model of communication strategies, grasp the role of communications and identification of tools of communicators and their effectiveness. The Communication Strategy and Skills course is among the communications courses organized by the institute of the Advancement of Journalism in Parktown, Johannesburg.

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STAFF APPRAISED ON THEIR PERFORMANCE

The Management Committee evaluated performance of thirteen (13) employees who were due for annual increments. It is worth noting that five employees who were rated excellent were awarded double increments; while six who scored good‘ were awarded one increment each and two i.e. Ms. Monica Hangi and Mr. Abdallah Hassan were promoted to the next scale. Mr. Hassan and Ms. Monica were congratulated by Management and colleagues for the great achievement and were urged to

keep up the same spirit.

DR. TAUSI KIDA APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMESESRF appointed Dr. Tausi Kida as the new Director of Programmes. Dr. Tausi Kida has the requisite qualifications and experience and she remains as Coordinator of Post Graduate Diploma in Poverty Analysis.Dr. Tausi takes over from Dr. Salatiel Moyo Simon, who on his own volition tendered a resignation and joined the Local Government Training Institute, Hombolo Dodoma to take up position as the Deputy Rector. ESRF wishes them all the best in their new endeavors.

THE BOARD APPROVES STAFF MANUALThe Management has completed review of staff regulations which were last updated in July, 2001. Among reasons that compelled a review included the fact that the former staff regulations had too many amendments and to conform with the major review of Labour Laws on Tanzania, which culminated in enactment of employment and Labour Relations Act, 2004. The new development Staff Manual was finally approved by the Sub-Committee Board for use on trial for one year effective from 27th May 2011 and the decision was ratified by the Board at its 60th meeting held on 20th June 2011.

Visits, Meetings And Workshops

Mrs. G. Kashasha, Ms. Jacqueline Mwijage and Mr. Yasser Manu with collegues in South Africa

9Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011 Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011 9

DR. TAUSI KIDA APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMES

ESRF Showcased On Elearning Africa

The Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) was among 1,702 participants from over 90 countries from Africa and overseas assembled at the 6th

International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training‗eLearning Africa 2011 Conference). The continent‘s leading event for ICT-supported education was held at Mlimani City Conference Center, Dar es Salaam from May 25th to 27th 2011. The colorful eLearning Africa 2011 Conference was officiated by the Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon, Dr. Mohamed Ghalib Bilal. In the 6th International Conference on ICT of eLearning which Tanzania was honored to host, the Economic and Social Research

Foundation was represented by Knowledge Management Department, whereby elibrary (TzOnline), Discussion forum (Taknet), PGD (Post Graduate Diploma Course) and Platform of sharing (TzGateway) were exhibited. The visitors to our booth were comprehensively informed how these e initiatives work and how to register in order to get the services offered. This year eLearning conference drew 25 ministers and deputy ministers and more than 50 high-level government officials from 21 countries throughout Africa attended the conference to discuss the future role of ICTs in African education.

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Mr. Abdallah Hassan briefs the visitor about ESRF initiatives during the exhibition.

Having arrived on Saturday and participated in endless meetings since Sunday, I told myself “this morning let me lock myself in and finalize my discussant‘s note for

tomorrow‘ s session; and also -check emails and clear some pending technical assignments” before I join the afternoon‘ s plenary on the role of private sector in LDC development. I work until lunch time, having developed only 5 slides of my presentation for tomorrows as a discussant on ‗How should the LDCs engage with the G-20‗. Imagine a beggar strategizing on how to get the most of you! The only consolation is that the person you are begging from has some sort of guilt that he is partially responsible for your state of affairs. Since I have run out of steam, I go for my lunch within the Double Tree Hotel just to break the monotony of boarding school type of food offered by the conference organizers. I think they decided to remind us that coming from LDCs we deserve only the very basic meal consisting of a cup of rice and chicken or meat stew with 3-4 tiny pieces of meat. Yesterday a young lady tried to protest, but they refused to change the menu—and when we offered to simply buy our food instead of using the lunch coupons, they agreed to serve only the protesting lady.

Back to today: After taking a very delicious lunch, I realize that I don‘t have enough of local currency (TL 1.5=1 dollar) to settle the bill. I go to the reception to change my Euro 50 note. The lady at the reception advises me its better I went to the bank, which was just around the corner, a few meters after you turn right outside the hotel‗. But the few meters away‗,

turned out to be half a kilometer. I get to the nearest bank. They tell me they only change if I have an account with them or I can use my credit card! At that juncture I remember the CRDB advert back home of the young suitor who is denied the hand of a fiancée despite having a good job, a house and a car, simply because he lacked CRDB Tembo Master-Card! I am directed, in very broken English, to where I should find the nearest bureau de change, some 400 meters away, which is not far if it weren‘t for the cold weather. Before I left Dar, my blackberry google had advisedforecast temperature of about 180C, therefore saw no need to carry a heavy jacket. But today it‘s about 140C.

As I approach the Bank, a woman beggar approaches me saying (in signs) that she is hungry. I give her TL5. She keeps on complaining, suggesting she needed somethingto eat. She follows me to the bureau. I get my change, and decide to take her to the nearest bakery where I buy her some donnats worth TL3, and give her another TL5. But alas! I have unintentionally created a temporary ‗fund for street women beggars!‗ Two other ladies appear, one in late pregnancy. The latter refused to take cash and directs me to a supermarket while pointing at her 7 months preg tummy, complaining as if I was responsible for it, onlookers watch us, as if suspecting that I have been found by this lady I abandoned some months ago! I cross-check my passport (just in case it is needed to prove that it‘s my first visit to Istanbul!). We enter the shop she had directed me to and she picks a detergent packet, resembling our EAC

Breaking News! My 15 minutes into one of the short streets of Asian side of Istanbul, Story filed 10 minutes after event. Date: 12 May 2011, Time: 3pm, Place: Istanbul, Story by ESRF Special Reporter

[Continued on page 10 ]

10 Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011

‗Omo‗, worth ten dollars (TL14). as we proceed to the counter, the other beggar I had already bought some donnats and cash also appears with a packet of her pick of “omo”. I summon the bad side of myself and tell her to go away since she had already accepted the food and money. She murmurs some words in dejection; an old man tries to save me, but she shouts back at him. I have no idea what she told that man because he looked shocked and walked away! The expectant lady thanks me (so I guess) for the ‗omo‗ packet, and so I give her additional TL2. She parts as the other one keeps on following me until when she sees a policeman approaching is when she suddenly disappears! I am free at last. I rush back to the hotel while thinking aloud ‗Is this similar to the experience G-8 leaders face when listening to the endless complaints from LDCs?‗. I am interrupted from continuing with this somewhat misplaced question by the hotel staff who welcomes me back to the hotel and asks if I succeeded getting the change. My mobile phone and a book I had left on the dining table hoping I will be back in 3 minutes, which dragged on to 15 minutes, are intact. I apologize, pay my bill and leave the restaurant. But then I decide to crosscheck at the reception their hotel exchange rate? It is TL 2.215 per 1 Euro, sir! I check the receipt from the bureau de change from the street: it is 2.225 per Euro. So my whole adventure was to save 0.010 points of exchange rate! And what about the temporary charity I created and lasted for 10 minutes? I console myself that since I skipped Sunday mass service in favour of workshop proceedings here in Istanbul, the charity was worth it! As I prepare myself for the afternoon session I start thinking how the travel back to Tanzania will be in two days time. When coming I spent 9 hours via Cairo to reach Istanbul, and another 5 hours navigating through the 10 million population city to reach this 5 star hotel. I console myself that it won‘t be as daunting since the flight will leave in the evening and arrive in Dar in the early hours of Sunday—so my hope is that there won‘t be traffic jams either side. For thisafternoon I will have to cross the sea by ferry, taking 25 minutes, from this Asia part of Istanbul to the European side. Yesterday I took the wrong ferry which landed me a bit far from Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel, where I presented a paper on‗ Enhancing LDCs Trade Capacities‗. I shared a taxi with an English speaking Turkish lady who helped translate the

many questions from the taxi driver who wanted to know where I come from and also shared his frustration that he had to resort to taxi driving after graduating some 10 years ago without finding a job. He thought his government was favouring foreign investors-‗look even mobile telephone companies are foreign! For sure such business we could easily own and do ourselves!‗. ‗Most of our educated people who have connections overseas have migrated!‗. This afternoon I will be more careful so that I don‘t miss the afternoon sessions and also get hold of some discounted special food supplements for poultry, which the manufacturers claim they boost egg production by 30 percent. Only drop of 20mls in 200 litres (1litre=1000mls) of water is needed per day.I think aloud ‗hii itakuwa kama kikombe cha Babu wa Loliondo, special kwa kuku‗. The salesman for the Turkish manufacturer is a Tanzanian from Chakechake, who claims he has got a large farm in Morogoro. He trained in agriculture, went sailing in Green ships for 10 years, and now back to agricultural extension services. I wonder if that line of business can be useful to our ESRF Staff Welfare Association as an income generating venture. On the other hand I wonder if it might not be a better idea to simply advise the Tanzanian delegation at booth no 189 where the international exhibition is supposed to take place to also help the Turkish company to market this wonderful food supplement for other Tanzanians who will be visiting the booth. When I visited it yesterday, the kibanda was literally empty, with few books from the TIC on opportunities for investment. I regretted why I shouldn‘t have requested Mrs. Nzuki to give me more of the TANAPA state of the art calendars and CDs. The one CD I was given I offered to one of the hotel staff who had a degree in tourism and marketing serving at the lounge bar! Perhaps sensing that they had nothing to display they allowed this lady with a few vitenge dresses (no visitor approached to inquire about them during the 20 minutes I was at the booth). She complained that ESRF has lost touch with former experts like her who had worked very closely with ESRF researchers who are now Permanent Secretaries, Directors at the EAC, etc (during Prof.Wangwe‘s time and the early years of Prof.Amani). I apologized for the omission of her name in the circulation list and promised to let Mrs. Margareth Nzuki and Abdallah Hassan know about it. Her sentiments was echoed

[ From page 9 ]

10

UN CIVIL SOCIETY FORUM INSTANBUL TURKEY 9TH—13TH MAY 2011

The fourth UN conference on the Least Developed Countries was held in Turkey. The event was

attended by UN country members and braced by invited diplomats and other international dignitaries. The meeting was a result of follow up after the Brussels Plan of Action Issued on the previous meeting in 2001. A general consensus of the meeting however is that the Brussels Plan of Action had failed substantially in reducing the number of Least Developed Countries, instead the number increased from 42 to 48 countries. In this important UN event the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) presented a paper on Growth and Poverty Reduction

in Tanzania: Where has growth worked for the poor and what can we learn from this? By Festo Maro. The paper was presented in Uskdar 3 hall in which the theme was on ‗Straategies for Eradicating Poverty in Least Developed Countries. The presentation used findings from the project jointly implemented by Overseas Development Institute, Sokoine University of Agriculture, and REPOA. The main message of the presentation was that impressive economic growth in Tanzania had not translated into poverty reduction, building human assets and reducing structural vulnerabilities. These are important criteria determining the status of Least Developed Countries.

Festo Maro presenting a paper at UN Civil Society Forum, Instanbul Turkey.

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11 Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011Volume 10, Number 1 January—June 2011

[ From page 10 ]

Economic and Social Research Foundation in collaboration with Oxford Policy Management

disseminated fi ndings from the study on Mining Investment benefi ts. The study was commissioned by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals under the Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project funded also by the World Bank. The event was held at Nyumbani Hotel Mwanza City. Three presentations were made including Tanzania Investment Benefi t study by Mark Essex, Perception of Communities on Mining Investment by Festo Maro and Partnership for Development by John Kajiba. These presentations

revealed that mining investment benefi ts in the economy resemble an inverted pyramid in which macro benefi ts is the base and micro benefi ts is the pointed end. This means that due to huge capital investments, benefi ts are mostly observedat the macro level with limited backward linkages to the communities in which the mines are situated including limited employment opportunities. These communities therefore perceive that large scale mining investments are of Limited benefi t to the economy. In this scenario building sustainable partnership in mining sector is unachievable,unless the government and local authority

improves transparency and distribution mechanisms of revenues and any proceeds from the mining companies. The event was well attended by mining stakeholders including Members of Parliament, District Commissioners and Local Authority representatives from Geita, Kahama, Kishapu, and Mwadui. Mining companies representatives were from Barrick Gold Tanzania, Petra Diamond, and Geita Gold Mine companies. Community member representatives from the four mines – Geita Gold Mine, Petra Diamond, Bulyanhulu Gold Mine, and Buzwagi Gold Mine were also invited at the event.

PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT IN MINING WORKSHOP

11

by a senior offi cial from Zanzibar who also told me I don‘t particularly blame you Dr. Lunogelo for losing touch with former researchers like me who used to work closely with ESRF. I thought that was a highly diplomatic statement of driving your point home that the chief executive offi cer is not delivering in the area of effective network! Who has never heard the common statement Mkuu wetu mwenyewe ni mtu mzuri sana, isipokuwa tatizo ni watu wanaomzunguka!‗? This means for effective institutional running, it‘s important to have either no wall surrounding you, or if you want, then create walls with some windows to allow you to see what is happening outside! As I go to the afternoon sessions of the forum I keep on hoping that there will be less crowding given that the Youth Forum ended yesterday. A less crowded gathering might give me a second change to meet my ESRF colleague, who is also attending some parallel sessions and main events. I have met him only once since we came, relying on emails to communicate since his service provider, Tigo, doesn‘t have roaming facility for sending messages like Voda and Airtel. It‘s unfortunate since meetings such as these are dominated by the youth, most of whom are loyal customers of Tigo, and yet are barred from communicating back home when they travel outside Tanzania. My colleague from ESRF had to borrow someone‘s

phone twice: fi rst to invite me to his session where results from the Chronic Poverty project with ODI was being presented (which I failed to attend as it coincided with my session on trade enhancement among LDCs); and the second one when requesting me to stand for a Head of a Tanzanian institution who couldn‘t make it to the conference (which I happily did, and that is when we met). While inside the conference venues the organization was superbly done, perhaps knowing that the hundreds of policemen and women and volunteer guides stationed at different locations were of less help if asked in English. Its like one in ten who could understand or attempt to speak English. They reminded me back home where we also expect everyone to know Kiswahili. The only difference is that their literacy rate is higher, compared to Tanzania‘s and have a much more advanced industrial and manufacturing sector, Turkish economy being the 16th largest in the world. They still suffer from electric outages (three times rescued by the hotel generator in the last 2 hours), and yesterday evening the whole night was on generator. No wonder I saw state of the art Turkish-made generators, of all sizes, at the LDC-IV Exhibition fl oor. Have an energized, wall-free and boundless communication error!

ESRF would like to thank the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and following organisations for their support

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* Full Air Conditioned

* Over 100 pax seating capacity

* PA System

* Projector

For reservation contact:THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (ESRF)

Tel: +255 22 2760260/ 2760758/ 2760751-52

Fax: +255 22 2760062

Email: esrf@esrf.or.tz Website: http://www.esrftz.org

ESRF CONFERENCE HALL