2005 Progress Report

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Integrated Capacity Building Programme

The Integrated Capacity Building Programme (ICBP) provides support to the Secretariat and National Mekong Committees in each country by improving the systems and expertise of administration, management and communications. The programme is built around a regional training programme involving a network of leading education and training institutions in the Mekong riparian countries, the region and worldwide.

The ICBP comprises several components:

• Training in Project Management
• Training in Information Management and Communication
• Training in Environmental Governance
• Junior Riparian Professional Project
• Strengthening Core Activities of MRC
• Research Coordination
• Gender Mainstreaming

The ICBP's Junior Riparian Professional (JRP) Project provides ongoing training of young riparian professionals, both on-the-job and through external training courses. The JRPs rotate through MRC's programmes gaining hands-on experience of the day-to-day planning and administration needed for effective river basin management. This training is also aimed at increasing regional cooperation and integration. Many MRC programmes are also involved in capacity building activities within their own spheres of expertise involving employees from the MRC Secretariat, NMCs and line agencies.

The following are some ICBP achievements of the past year.

• The first batch of JRPs completed the three-year programme and on-the-job training at the Secretariat in June 2005. One has returned to his home country to take up a professional position in a water-related field and two have obtained positions within the MRC Secretariat. The second batch will complete their three-year programme in March 2006 and the third batch will complete a two-year programme in June 2006 when Phase 1 of the project will come to an end.
• All three batches of JRPs have undertaken regional study tours, paying visits to National Mekong Committees, development projects, institutions, the Mekong Delta, the Tonle Sap Great Lake where they met local people to discuss development topics. They have also undertaken training courses in Integrated Water Resources Management as well as specific courses related to their programme work.
• The programme initiated a new Gender Mainstreaming Project which will run through 2007. Funded by NZAID, the project has now built up a communication network between national focal points and finalised preparation for implementing the project activities.
• A training programme for Lao support staff, funded by the UNDP, continued throughout 2005 and has now been extended until March 2006. All Lao support staff members were attached to programmes and activities in their related fields, and job transfer from their Cambodian counterparts was completed at the end of June 2005. The support staff have undertaken many training courses including office skills and administration, English language and technical skills related to their assignments.
• An evaluation of the current JRP project was held including input from all participants, programme mangers and national Mekong Committees. Work is now underway to plan phase 2 of the JRP project which will run from 2006-2010.

In 2006 a proposal to extend the JRP project will be completed and funds will be sought for its implementation.

The Gender Mainstreaming Project commenced operation in late 2005 and in 2006 plans to conduct a basin-wide gender workshop at the MRC Secretariat and gender sensitivity training in each riparian country, in addition to implementing various projects aimed at improving gender responsive water and related resources development programmes.

During 2005 the communications function worked to raise awareness and document MRC activities to member countries and the general public through information products and media relations.

Achievements this year included:

• The production of newsletters, annual reports, documents to support fundraising missions and several technical publications. The communications team undertook regular releases of press bulletins and maintained continual liaison with the media, researchers and tertiary institutions.
• The launch of a redesigned, more userfriendly MRC website (www.mrcmekong.org).
• Support for events. In 2005 the communications function was heavily involved in organising events to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Mekong River Commission, including a formal celebration held at the MRC Secretariat in Vientiane and the International Forum on Integrated Water Resources Management of the Mekong River Basin held in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It also supported the MRC's presence at the South East Asia Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia and World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden and provided media and supporting activities for the 3rd Annual Flood Forum in Vientiane.

During 2006 the communications team plans to increase public awareness of the MRC and its work through improved media contact. It also plans to expand the website's educational section.