Progress Report 2004

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Integrated Capacity Building Programme

The MRC's Integrated Capacity Building Programme (ICB) is progressing well toward meeting its goal of raising the level of skill in the region through a systematic and modular training programme.

The ICB Programme was developed to ensure the availability of sufficient expertise in river basin management, to broaden the pool of expertise within the region, and to raise the level of competence among staff of MRC and Line Agencies in the riparian countries. The programme encompasses a Junior Riparian Professional (JRP) Programme and its ongoing training of local Lao support staff, both on-the-job and through external training courses.

The JRP programme provides an opportunity for young professionals to acquire hands-on experience on international river basin management.

In 2004:

• Three new JRPs from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam joined the Secretariat, as the third batch in the programme. All JRPs attended the in-house training programme on MRC Strategic Planning and Management and the MRC Logical Framework, conducted in Vientiane in September 2004.
  
• The JRPs from all three batches also undertook a regional study tour visiting National Mekong Committees and also different development projects and institutions. They met with local people to discuss various topics concerning developmental aspects at village level.
  
• The training programme for Lao support staff under the MRC HQ Relocation staff training project continued. The programme was implemented at the beginning of 2004 and will last to June 2005. This programme, which involves approximately 50 support staff members, has been funded by the UNDP and executed through the Lao National Mekong Committee.
  
• The recently completed AusAID-funded MRC Murray Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) Strategic Liaison Programme, boosted capacity building within both the MRC Secretariat, and the National Mekong Committees. An advanced hydrological modelling training course was delivered to support the early stages of the MRC's Water Utilisation Programme. Participants on this course now form the core of the MRC Modelling Team.
  
• The MDBC also delivered a Basin Planning Training Programme to the MRC to develop the skills and understanding of the basin development planners of tomorrow. The training took the form of four modules, including a study tour through the four member countries. MDBC funds have also been used to promote and expand the MRC's public participation policy internally and at national levels.
  

Improved information and communication services have supported all MRC programmes throughout the year. The MRC's communications function continued to promote the work of the MRC and disseminate information about its programmes and research through its ongoing production of newsletters and technical and development reports. It expanded the content of the website, engaged in regular liaison with the media, programme partners and stakeholders and met corporate information needs for visual displays and event management.

In 2005 the Integrated Capacity Building Programme will launch a new Gender Mainstreaming Project.