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Dear colleagues,
This is the electronic news bulletin of the Mobility desk within the Social Development Division of SDC. We are sending this message to people we believe are involved or interested in transport related subjects and initiatives. Subscription issues for this half-yearly mailing are handled at http://www.trans-web.ch/news.htm.
This medium lives through interaction. You are invited to send us your articles, requests and information flashes to mailto:transweb@skat.ch. The editors are grateful for any contributions received!
Translation assistance / Aide à la traduction / Ayuda de la traducción: http://babelfish.altavista.com
Contents:
| NEWS |
IFRTD and SDC sign new four-year core agreement
The International Forum for Rural Transport and Development (IFRTD) is a unique and southern driven network of rural transport specialists that is lobbying at all levels to make transport more focused on and accountable to poor people’s needs, thus perfectly in line with the rural transport strategy and the overall goals of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). At the network’s Executive Committee meeting 2007, the basis was laid for a new core contribution to IFRTD. The agreement is for four years (2008-2011) and totals 1.2 million CHF.
Having been involved with the IFRTD
from its inception in the nineties, this new agreement is proof of SDC's
commitment not only to the Secretariat and the network but also to the issue of
pro-poor transport policies and practices. The IFRTD is, beside the relatively
small support mandate with Skat (Swiss Resource centre and Consultancies for
Development), SDC’s only resource centre for mobility and transport and a
perfect vehicle for SDC to share experiences in this area and to bring its
recognized experiences into play widely. The strategic “triangular” partnership
(SDC-IFRTD-Skat) has proven to be highly pertinent and effective throughout the
past. In absence of in-house capacities, SDC projects and programs in the sector
are cost-effectively backed, the relevant knowledge managed and the expertise
fed back into the international debate. For further information, see http://www.trans-web.ch/mobility/desk.htm
and http://www.ifrtd.org.
11th TransNet event held on December 7, 2007 in Bern
Aligned with IFRTD’s Executive Committee meeting (see article below), TransNet – the Swiss community of practice in the field of transport for development – organized its 11th networking and knowledge exchange event on December 7, 2007, at SDC’s head office in Bern. The main objective of the event was to share the preliminary conclusions and recommendations of the International Networked Research Programme on Mobility & Health. Researchers from Burkina Faso, Mexico and Pakistan presented their findings, one of which was the lack of good coordination between the health and transport sectors. Representatives from SDC and Sida responded to the findings by sharing some of their ideas on how those sectors should be working more closely together. The main session ended by sharing a practical example from the Azerbaijan Highway II project where the transport and health sector are effectively collaborating strongly.
In addition to sharing the results
of the Mobility & Health work, SDC seized the opportunity to present some
evidence regarding the role and potentials of transport infrastructure in
pro-poor growth, as developed by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of
the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2006.
Finally, the achievements of a recently conducted SDC workshop in Chad on
“Mobility and Rural Roads in West Africa” were shared by the facilitator and a
participant in the initiative. Beyond the various inputs and discussions, the
event also allowed time for bilateral exchanges and informal networking among
participants. The agenda of the event and the various inputs presented can be
downloaded at http://www.trans-web.ch/transnet/events.htm
SDC hosted the IFRTD Executive Committee Meeting 2007
Each year IFRTD’s Executive Committee meets as the network’s highest governing body to discuss future plans as well as to reflect and report on the past year. The most recent such meeting was held in Berne from December 5-7, 2007, hosted by SDC (Social Development Division, Thomas Zeller, Senior Advisor). A wide number of participants from various bodies attended the meeting: besides the entire Secretariat, 2 National Forum Group representatives per region (eight in total), representatives from DFID, Sida, SDC, Practical Action, ILO, GATNET and Skat, as well as IFRTD’s co-opted members and chairman. This broad based participatory approach helped to ensure that a wide variety of views informed the EC’s decisions that will guide IFRTD’s work for the next year as well providing an essential mechanism for accountability.
The first day of the EC Meeting was set aside for governance issues. Each of the four regions as well as the Secretariat reported on activities and programmes of 2007 as well as shared and agreed on work plans for 2008. The second day was dedicated to strategy aspects and in particular for sharing the results of the network’s capacity assessment, looking at the capacities needed to implement the strategy and in particular to prepare IFRTD for independence. The last day was reserved for organisational learning, networking and sharing information with Skat organising a TransNet event (see article above). Further information on the ECM 2007 are available at http://www.ifrtd.org/new/news/full.php?view=250
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| CURRENT ISSUES & TRENDS |
Evaluer les effets des infrastructures sur la promotion d’une croissance pro-pauvres
Dans sa publication "Vers une croissance pro-pauvres – les infrastructures" (2006), l’OCDE (Organisation de Coopération et de Développement Economiques) recommande que les donneurs favorisent, pour chaque secteur infrastructurel, le recours plus systématique aux systèmes informatisés de gestion, aux appréciations préalables de l’impact sur la pauvreté, aux dispositifs de suivi et autres. Les appréciations préalables augmentent en effet les chances de voir les projets favoriser une croissance pro-pauvres, tandis que le suivi est indispensable pour s’assurer que le calendrier des travaux est respecté et corriger les défauts de conception identifiés. Enfin, la phase d’évaluation permet de tirer des enseignements utiles pour l’avenir et de rendre compte aux investisseurs et aux parties prenantes des actions menées. La situation actuelle est loin d’être parfaite: on note une hétérogénéité des méthodes et instruments utilisés pour accomplir les mêmes tâches, les donneurs ont de multiples exigences vis-à-vis des pays partenaires et, enfin, les ressources manquent pour la gestion et l’analyse des données.
L’impact des investissements dans le secteur du transport est reconnu de toutes parts. De manière globale, il ne fait aucun doute que la création de mobilité contribue à la lutte contre la pauvreté, à la dynamisation de l’économie locale et finalement à la cohésion sociale. Mais quels sont les changements spécifiques apportés par la mobilité? Quant est-il des impacts mesurables à proprement dit? Quels secteurs et sous-secteurs englobent-ils? Quel poids ont-ils dans le quotidien des populations désenclavées? Ces impacts sont-ils positifs ou négatifs? Ces impacts sont-ils pérennes? Autant de questionnements qui nécessitent un suivi rigoureux de l’évolution de la situation socio-économique et environnementale des villages nouvellement desservis par une voie. Sur cette trame, la DDC a appuyé le développement et le test d’une méthodologie d’étude de l’impact socio-économique et environnemental des pistes rurales dans le cadre du programme PrEst (Pistes Rurales – Désenclavement à l’Est) mis en œuvre par l’ONG suisse Helvetas au Burkina Faso. La méthodologie, développée selon une approche interactive, itérative et interdisciplinaire, permet d’obtenir une information fiable au moyen d’outils modulables en fonction du contexte et des objectifs de l’étude. Une liste d’indicateurs à choix couvrant l’ensemble des secteurs d’impact ainsi que des guides d’entretien et d’analyse des données assurent une mesure flexible et précise des changements induits par l’action.
La portée d’une telle méthodologie ne se confine pas à révéler l’impact, l’efficacité ou les effets négatifs d’une action de développement dans son contexte d’application mais, constitue un outil de travail permettant le suivi des objectifs et la réorientation des actions dans le but d’atténuer les effets ou l’impact négatif décelé, un outil de communication pour les programmes ou bailleurs, et un outil de sensibilisation des partenaires et bénéficiaires pour une gestion durable de l’action menée. Et la capitalisation de la démarche de conception de la méthodologie dans le cadre des pistes rurales permet son application à d’autres secteurs d’intervention. Et finalement, la conduite et la réalisation d’études d’impacts peuvent assurer un transfert de compétences efficace et nécessaire à travers la formation d’acteurs locaux.
L’atelier d’échange d’expérience de la DDC à N’Djamena en septembre 2007 (voir article ci-dessous) a permis aux représentants du PrEst de présenter la méthodologie et ses applications tests. L’intervention a suscité un vif intérêt auprès des participants. Un groupe de travail en réseau ainsi qu’un plan d’action ont alors été défini afin de prévoir la finalisation de la méthodologie au début 2008, la conduite des premières études d’impacts sur les programmes de pistes rurales financés par la DDC au Tchad et au Burkina Faso courant 2008 et enfin l’organisation d’un atelier de diffusion de la méthodologie et de l’impact mesuré pour fin 2008. Cet atelier sera aussi l’occasion de définir une stratégie de diffusion avec les partenaires clés du secteur. Pour plus d’information sur la méthodologie (et son application actuelle), veuillez contacter l’auteur mailto:jost.christel@gmail.com ou Helvetas (mailto:helvetas@fasonet.bf) / la DDC (mailto:ouagadougou@sdc.net) au Burkina.
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| PROJECT MILESTONES |
"Mobilité et Pistes rurales en Afrique de l'Ouest" – les retombées d’un atelier de la DDC à N'Djamena
La Direction du Développement et de la Coopération (DDC), intervient depuis 1964 dans le domaine de la mobilité et du transport en milieu rural, particulièrement dans les zones reculées. Ici l’accès inadéquat des populations aux services de base, aux ressources et aux opportunités mène à la privation et à l’exclusion. A l’instar du Bhutan / Népal, et de la Tanzanie auparavant, l’Afrique de l’Ouest représente aujourd’hui pour la DDC un pôle d’interventions en croissance en ce qui concerne la mobilité et le transport rural. Ces longues années d’expériences ont permis à la DDC d’établir une excellence reconnue en approches participatives et respectueuses de l’environnement, dans la planification stratégique de l’accessibilité, ainsi que dans la maintenance des systèmes de transport. Une évaluation récente du mandat d’appui de la DDC en matière de mobilité a conclu qu’une gestion renforcée de ce capital de savoir est vitale pour l’institution afin de revitaliser la mémoire institutionnelle et de démontrer comment la mobilité et le transport contribuent à l’atteinte des OMD. Pour y parvenir, le Bureau de la Coopération suisse au Tchad, la DDC (Berne) et Skat ont organisé, du 17-21 septembre 2007 à N’Djamena, un atelier d'échange d'expériences et de réflexions.
L'atelier a regroupé 21 personnes, des responsables opérationnels et gestionnaires de projets / programmes de transport rural et développement local issus de la DDC, Helvetas, Intercooperation et leurs partenaires, ainsi que des personnes ressources de l'IFRTD et de Skat. Placé sous la thématique du "Désenclavement et Développement Socioéconomique du Monde Rural", l’atelier s’est basé sur le savoir des participants et pays présents (Tchad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Népal). Après identification des défis, les travaux en sous-groupes ont permis d’approfondir des questions clés. Une visite sur le terrain a permis de mieux appréhender les aspects de : i) Gestion et financement de la maintenance/entretien des pistes rurales ; ii) Renforcement des capacités des acteurs émergeants ; iii) Impacts de la réhabilitation des pistes rurales.
Les travaux ont abouti à faire un inventaire des connaissances et des pratiques des différentes interventions, tirer les leçons et identifier les lacunes des actions passées, identifier des actions à poursuivre et susciter plus d’engagement des parties prenantes pour l’opérationnalisation des actions à venir. Des actions à mettre en œuvre ont été identifiées, comme points culminants des travaux, sur la base des défis clés émergeantes, en vue d’une synergie conjointe. Entre autre, les actions suivantes ont été définies et planifiées:
La synthèse et le rapport de
l’atelier sont disponibles à http://www.trans-web.ch/mobility/countries.htm#Regional
Update on the International Networked Research on Mobility & Health
IFRTD, in collaboration SDC, Skat and the Swiss Centre for International Health (part of the Swiss Tropical Institute) started beginning 2006 a two-year networked research programme on the links between Mobility and Health. The program aims to increase the understanding of the impacts of mobility constraints on the health, well-being and issues of poor people in different developing country contexts, to develop tools enabling transport professionals to include holistic health impact assessments and mitigation measures in transport interventions and to elaborate an advocacy programme to sensitise the health sector to mobility issues. The 24 case studies (9 from Africa, 8 from Asia and 7 from Latin America) of the local researchers, looking at the theme from a variety of angles and aimed at demonstrating the existing and potential links between mobility and health, especially in rural areas, are now in their final stages. The final reports are expected to be submitted, reviewed and edited in a synthesis book with references to the webpage containing the full studies throughout the 1st semester 2008.
On October 27-29, 2007, the researchers gathered in Beijing in an international symposium to share their initial research findings. The symposium gave all the researchers the opportunity to reflect on their first findings before their final reports are submitted in early 2008. They were also able to identify common issues and worked together through exercises to translate their research evidence into policy recommendations. The outcomes of the symposium then fed directly into the Forum 11 of the Global Forum for Health Research (Beijing, October 29 – November 1, 2007), an international event attracting a cross section of participants from the health sector. The Mobility & Health team exhibited at the event and hosted 2 sessions; an international panel discussion and a participative workshop to develop a strategy for change. To access a collection of the first research findings see http://www.mobilityandhealth.org/etc/first_findings.php and for further information visit http://www.mobilityandhealth.org
Visit http://www.trans-web.ch/mobility/countries.htm
for further information about SDC’s in-country activities.
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| RECOMMENDED READING |
“Rural Road Maintenance – Sustaining the Benefits of Improved Access” (ILO, 2007)
With the careful choice of implementation arrangements, including key issues such as choice of technology, decentralised management, involvement of the local construction industry, it is possible to establish efficient maintenance arrangements clearly demonstrating the effectiveness of allocating sufficient resources to the maintenance of rural roads. Investments in rural roads, incl. maintenance works, have significant potential for the use of local resources, supporting the local economy by creating increased employment opportunities and strengthening local commerce. Moreover, a constructed road merely creates access, maintenance sustains it. See http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/recon/eiip/download/setp/setp19.pdf (pdf, 2.7MB).
“Trail Bridge Building in the Himalayas – Enhanced Access, Improved Livelihoods” (Helvetas, 2007)
This publication describes Helvetas’ experience in trail bridge building in the two countries of Nepal and Bhutan. Four decades of involvement have yielded 4’000 trail bridges that provide safe and all time access to 10 million people, transforming their lives and livelihoods for posterity. Trail bridge building in these two countries is regarded as one of the most important and most successful Helvetas programmes anywhere in the world. Experiences and learning gained over time have evolved the science and art of pedestrian trail bridge building in Nepal to the extent where the country can claim to be a global leader in this sector. See http://www.helvetas.ch/global/pdf/english/Professional_competences/Documented_experiences/infrastructure/070314_TBBH_final_text_and_cover_to_CH.pdf (pdf, 1.8MB).
“A Networked Research Approach – a guide to conducting research in a network setting” (IFRTD, 2006)
Despite the rhetoric of bottom-up development, the international development agenda remains dominated by the economic interests and institutional priorities of the North, supported by knowledge generated through northern universities, resource centres and think tanks. One means of addressing this imbalance is to ensure that the research used to determine and justify development priorities is both southern-driven and accessible to southern-based policymakers and development practitioners. IFRTD has pioneered and tested (e.g. in “Women, Gender and Transport”, “Waterways & Livelihoods”, “Mobility & Health”) a Networked Research Approach and the hands on guide to conducting research in a network setting is available for download in English, French or Spanish at http://www.ifrtd.org/new/res/networked_research_manual.htm
“Increased Application of Labour-Based Methods through appropriate engineering standards” (ILO, 2006)
This guideline provides information, guidance and instructions on quality assurance procedures and specifi¬cations applicable for road works executed using labour-based methods. The text covers aspects relating to the uniqueness of labour-based technology including problems that make conventional approval methods inappropriate. The Guideline is limited to the construction of roads and related structures and is aimed at improving efficiency of the approval of labour-based road works. It was produced with a view to promoting method specification based quality assurance which, in turn, makes approval of works more efficient and less complicated. http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/recon/eiip/download/engineering.pdf (pdf, 1.6MB).
Further selected links to online
publications are provided at http://www.trans-web.ch/links/links.htm
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| UPCOMING EVENTS |
SEMINAR: PIARC International Seminar on Road Asset Management
The overall objective of
this seminar is to identify and review methods aiming at a coordinated
management of all road assets taking into account expectations of various
stakeholders. Chandigarh, India, 19-21 March 2008. http://www.piarc.org/en/congresses-seminars/piarc-seminars
TRAINING: Senior Road Executives Programme (University of Birmingham)
Designed for senior road
executives, members of roads boards, government officials dealing with the road
sector, staff from international donor organisations, and consultants. The
topics are: i) road financing and road fund management , ii) restructuring road
management, and iii) road maintenance management. Birmingham, UK, April 27-May
16, 2008. http://www.iem.bham.ac.uk/infrastructure/roads/srep
CONFERENCE: 1st International Transport Forum on “Transport & Energy”
A dynamic platform for diverse and divergent views and opinions regarding "Transport and Energy: the Challenge of Climate Change", expressed and heard by decision-makers from government, business, industry and trade. Leipzig, Germany, 28-30 May 2008. http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/forum2008.html
CONFERENCE: 23rd ARRB Conference on “Research – Partnering with Practitioners”
The conference will discuss - through invited speaker sessions, technical sessions and workshop - local and international research and case studies which provide innovative and practical solutions to current and emerging issues. Adelaide, Australia, 30 July - 1 August 2008. http://www.arrb.com.au/23Conf/
For further events or
event agendas you may visit
http://www.trans-web.ch/links/events.htm
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| LINKS TIPS |
Nepal Trail Bridge Forum (NTBF): http://www.nepaltrailbridgeforum.org
The NTBF is a platform where the
“Public”, meets “Providers” in order to address their concerns regarding the
construction technology and education of foot trails, mule tracks and trail
bridges.
Performance-based Road Management and Maintenance: http://www.performance-based-road-contracts.com
The website provides an overview of
the development of Performance-based Management and Maintenance of Roads (PMMR)
worldwide to assist practitioners to develop and implement PMMR in their
countries.
Newly updated website of the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP): http://www.itdp.org
The ITDP promotes environmentally sustainable and socially equitable transportation worldwide since 1985. Their website newly includes in-depth program developments and technical information and project pages.
Further selected links are
available at http://www.trans-web.ch/links/links.htm
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-- DISCLAIMER --
The content of “FOCUS ON MOBILITY” does not necessarily reflect the official policies of SDC. Information contained may be freely used for non-commercial purposes, as long as SDC is duly acknowledged. For further information, please visit http://www.trans-web.ch/news.htm
The “FOCUS ON MOBILITY” team are:
- Thomas Zeller (SDC), mailto:thomas.zeller@deza.admin.ch,
+41 31 322 34 42
- Roger
Schmid / Juerg Christen (Skat), mailto:transweb@skat.ch, +41 71 228 54
54
“FOCUS ON MOBILITY” is a service
provided by Skat within the “SDC Support Mandate in Mobility”. More information
at http://www.trans-web.ch
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