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LAOS - "If people ask me how I got this job, I just say that I chose the right training”.
Athor, 19 year-old waiter at Amantaka Resortfrom Chomphet District.
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Sectors
- 2020
- 7 January
- By
- LAO/031
- Governance
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LAOS – “Law and Development from the Lao PDR’s Perspective”Second Annual Legal Research Forum held at the Faculty of Law and Political Science
The second Annual Legal Research Forum took place on 19 December 2019 at the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLP) of the National University of Laos (NUoL), with the support of the Support Programme for Legal Teaching and Training and to the Promotion of the Rule of Law Concept in Laos (Project LAO/031) and the University of Luxembourg.
The forum was attended by Prof. Dr. Somsy Gnophanxay, President of NUoL, and Assoc. Prof. Viengvilay Thiengchanxay, Dean of the FLP, as well as a number of legal practitioners, academics, students and members from various organisations and the public.
This year’s edition was held under the theme of “Law and Development from the Lao PDR’s Perspective” and included presentations on topics such as tax law, administrative responsibility for water pollution, minimum flows of rivers, labour laws, and the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Lao PDR. The majority of presenters were faculty members of the FLP, with the event providing an open space for the discussion of ideas and recommendations on how the rule of law can contribute towards the development of the Lao PDR. Additionally, it allowed FLP researchers, some of whom have recently completed their doctoral studies abroad, to present the results of their research.
The forum was the result of the collaboration between the FLP, Project LAO/031 and the University of Luxembourg. The University of Luxembourg specifically provided its expertise at the event by sending doctoral researcher Mr. Andrii Hubai to present on the investment protection system and the mechanism of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS).
The forum complemented a recent conference on different perspectives on good governance and the rule of law, organised by the EU and UNDP. Both initiatives also served as a platform to revisit the progress made under the Legal Sector Master Plan (LSMP), which was adopted in 2009 with the goal of establishing a rule of law state by 2020.
↑ To the top- 7 January
- By
- MYA/002
- Socio-economic development
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MYANMAR - Nearly 15,000 people in rural areas will have access to information and telecommunication technology
On Friday 13 December 2019, LuxDev, the bilateral development agency of the Government of Luxembourg (via Eastern Shan State Rural Development and Inclusion Project, MYA/002), and Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), a Myanmar government entity (as “Service Provider”), signed an agreement for the purchase, turnkey building, installation and future operation of three Telecom towers in the Township of Keng Tung.
The agreement, which lists required services in the form of basic data and voice communications, is part of a series of parallel interventions adopting a holistic approach towards rural development and inclusion in three designated target areas in Eastern Shan Stage. The area where the services will be delivered from mid-2020 onwards includes almost 15,000 beneficiaries and is situated to the south-west of Keng Tung city (Nam Khat, Nam Inn, Nar Paw, Ming Inn and Naung Taun – commonly referred to as the “5 Tracts”).
The counterpart agency assigned to the project is the Department of Rural Development (DRD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation. The other ministries and/or organisations involved are the General Administration, Rural Roads, Agriculture, Livestock and Education departments.
The two objectives of the Eastern Shan State Rural Development and Inclusion Project - MYA/002 are to improve the means and resources for legal livelihood activities of the local communities and to promote interaction, interdependence, cooperation and capacity in the community's development of participatory governance.
Project MYA/002, now at the end of its second year, has a 5-year duration and a total budget of 10 million EUR from the government of Luxembourg (in addition to a range of alternative Myanmar contributions).
Since development prospers with cooperation and interdependence, first and foremost the initiative aims to involve and serve villagers in need of food, water, electricity, better productive/agricultural activities, mobility and communications. These necessities all require consistent cooperation and interdependence, which is to be gradually formalised in committees at Township, Tract, Village and Community levels.
The delivery of communications represents the promotion of innovation and will strengthen the information network, specifically in the 5 Tracts, and this will thus enable more people to appreciate common interests and the need to cooperate in change, to gain shared knowledge, and to learn by themselves.
The project sought a cost-sharing agreement with MPT for the provision of hardware and subsequent communications services, with the latter falling under the full responsibility of MPT. Earlier in 2019, MPT already built a tower and started operations; thereby reaching the 5 Tracts target area.
In consultation with the community, the project will support the provision of phones, radio and internet access for key persons. High priority actors and key beneficiaries are hence a few thousand learners in some 20 schools, between 40-50 teachers, approximately 100 village elders in literacy and information, an estimated 200 village committee members in different technical areas, some 500 leading female and male farmers, some 1500 following farmers (wetland, upland, livestock and post-harvest technologies), possibly some 1000 short-term workers (some with repeat assignments) on tracks and roads and about 100 Myanmar Government staff from six different sectors who will gain knowledge and skills from implementing their responsibilities in planning, execution, maintenance, monitoring and reporting.
Communications will be closely monitored so as to learn from the uptake and the developmental effects of this intervention in this area, compared with an unconnected “control area” in another Township or District of Eastern Shan State.
↑ To the top- 2019
- 26 December
- By
- Kosovo Office KSV/019
- Governance
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KOSOVO - Human Capacity Development Facility (HCDF)
In the framework of their donor assistance programmes, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Kingdom of Norway are supporting the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo to meet the requirements of the Stability and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union (EU).
As the implementation of the Facility has been delegated to the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, the Ministry of European Integration (MEI), is appointed to implement the Facility in the name of the Government. HCDF brought together all line ministries, national-level institutions and agencies that are involved in implementing the EU law in Kosovo.
In order to meet its SAA obligations, Kosovo needs to engage in further democratic reforms, achieve social and economic development, and progressively align with EU legislation and standards, so that it is able to fully implement the EU acquis upon accession. These beneficiary institutions have all committed to use HCDF as an added value and tool to achieve their institution’s goals towards fulfilling their obligations deriving from the SAA.
Starting from specific trainings of different departments and agencies, to technical assistance in writing legislation that Kosovo has had no previous experience on, HCDF is supporting the increase of capacities of all officials involved in 18 EU Aquis Chapters, on Public Administration Reform and communication efforts on the implementation of the SAA.
The main coordinating institution, MEI, together with the beneficiary institutions have planned all activities to be implemented throughout 2019.
HCDF has already started with some activities which affect the horizontal theme on Public Administration Reform, EU Chapter Aquis on Judiciary and fundamental rights, Intellectual property law, while the other planned activities will be implemented until the end of year. In parallel, MEI and beneficiary institutions are planning the activities for the next year of HCDF.
↑ To the top- 26 December
- By
- Kosovo Office KSV/017
- Health
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KOSOVO - Public hospitals network set to work with internationally recognized quality standards
Kosovo hospitals continue having weak reputation due to their inability to deliver quality healthcare services to population. The reform initiated in 2011 aimed to improve the quality, adequacy and efficiency of healthcare services. The redesign of the organizational structure of healthcare institutions, including the establishment of the Kosovo Hospital and University Clinical Services (KHUCS) was one of the major pillars of the healthcare reform. KHUCS was designed as a unitary health institution composed of all secondary and tertiary healthcare institutions aiming to contribute to the integration and improvement of the quality of healthcare services.
During 2018 and 2019, the project team led by the Chief Technical Adviser, key international and national experts, supported both General Hospitals (GH) of Prizren and Gjilan in initiating improvement of the healthcare quality activities, which are integral part of KHUCS. In GH Gjilan, the team worked with the staff of internal medicine department, while in GH in Prizren with the surgery department. Gjilan Hospital was supported to develop standards of operation and patient information sheets for stroke, heart insufficiency and COPD while Prizren Hospital produced standards of operations and patient information sheets for appendectomy, cholecystectomy and abdominal hernia repair.
The standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by health care institutions to help its staff to carry out complex routine procedures, while Patient Information Sheet (PIS) provides sufficient information for the patients for their health problems. SOPs and PISs aim to achieve efficiency, quality output and uniformity of performance, while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with professional standards. SOPs help to bridge the gap between evidence-based medicine, clinical practice guidelines, and the local realities at the point-of-care. They are necessary to remind clinicians of the need for medical evaluations and to monitor medication compliance. The use of SOPs has the added advantages, such are:
- Utilizing an optimized process for care;
- Implementation of best evidence-based medicine;
- Cost-effectiveness;
- Improved continuing medical education;
- Improved induction of new hospital staff;
- Integrated quality control;
- Transparency; and
- Enhanced protection from malpractice.
These achievements drawn interest by the leadership of KHUCS. Above mentioned quality standards gain application among all seven units of their public hospitals network. This may be first real step, toward longer term goal of international accreditation.
On 4th of July 2019, the board of KHUCS with an official decree approved six Standards of Operation (SOP), Patient Information Sheets (PIS), and informed consent sheet for clinical conditions of Appendicitis, Cholecystectomy, Hernia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Stroke and Heart Attack. This means that all public hospitals of Kosovo that are part of KHUCS network will be aiming to perform these procedures at international level standards. This is major progress considering that the use of clinical guidelines and a protocols for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and managing selected conditions was not enforced by legislation, and their use was left to individual initiative of medical staff.
This decision marks a peak of achievement for the General Hospital of Gjilan and Prizren, hospitals that have been supported through the “Health support Programme in Kosovo - KSV/017”.
When all these SOPs will be in place, the quality of patient care in Kosovo public hospitals will substantially improve. Hence approval of the first set of SOPs by KHUCS and their extension of implementation in Kosovo hospitals is a major step forward in improving the quality of care. This first step provides momentum to further development and extension of these quality assurance measures in other departments and clinical units of public hospitals in Kosovo.
↑ To the top- 16 December
- By
- Senegal Office
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LuxDev Sénégal : une équipe sensibilisée au genre
Assistants techniques, Représentant Résident, équipe administrative et financière, chauffeurs… tous les collègues de LuxDev au Sénégal se sont retrouvés mi-novembre pour une formation - sensibilisation sur le genre et sur la politique RH de LuxDev pour l’égalité homme-femme. La session animée par Mme Meyers (Chargée de ressources humaines et experte genre), M. Sene (Expert analyste et formateur Genre national) et Mlle Caroline de Boisset (Assistante technique junior au Sénégal) s’est déroulée en 3 étapes pendant 1,5 jours, pour l’ensemble des collaborateurs.
Dans un premier temps, la sensibilisation a été l’occasion de reprendre les fondamentaux de l’égalité homme-femme et de l’engagement de la Coopération luxembourgeoise et du Sénégal pour l’atteinte de cet objectif. À travers des ateliers interactifs, les collègues de LuxDev Sénégal ont pu apprécier les différences culturelles et traditionnelles d’éducation des hommes et des femmes au Sénégal.
« la question du genre est étroitement liée à la culture et ce n’est pas parce que c’est lié à la culture qu’on ne peut pas remettre certains points en question. Remettre en question un aspect lié à la culture nécessite une réflexion adaptée, prudente … mais ce n’est pas interdit ! »
Remarque d’un participant
« Il n’est de genre que de contextes »
C’est sous ces mots que les collaborateurs ont pu aborder l’analyse des relations entre hommes et femmes au Sénégal, la répartition du travail dans les ménages, l’agriculture, la santé, l’éducation…
Cette maxime générale a permis de comprendre l’aspect culturel et social du genre qui influence les relations de travail mais également l’efficacité des programmes. De ces constats découlent les 3 grands principes du genre dans le développement :
- la participation est fondamentale ;
- les rôles dévolues sont déterminants ; et
- les catégories défavorisées sont prioritaires.
Enfin, l’’exercice a surtout fait remonter de nombreux questionnements et déconstruit plusieurs préjugés sur le genre en tant que concept.
« En fait le genre c’est corriger les disparités entre les hommes et les femmes dans la distribution des ressources, contrairement aux idées reçues »
Remarque d’un participant
La sensibilisation a aussi pris le temps de faire réagir et débattre sur les bonnes pratiques pour combattre le sexisme et les situations de harcèlement en entreprise en se basant sur la politique RH et plus particulièrement le code de conduite et la charte contre le harcèlement et la violence au travail de LuxDev.
« Suite à cet atelier, j’ai réalisé que les hommes et les femmes ne vivent pas forcément les mêmes réalités dans le monde du travail et que des démarches doivent être entreprises pour faire valoir l’équité, l’égalité et surtout pour sensibiliser sur les comportements à avoir ! »
Commentaire d’un participant.
Enfin un atelier de travail a rassemblé les différents assistants techniques pour découvrir les principes et outils d’intégration du genre dans les programmes (outils issus du guide opérationnel d’intégration de l’égalité du genre, en cours de développement au siège de LuxDev).
Cette opération de sensibilisation – formation en plusieurs étapes est une première pour l’agence et vise à répondre aux engagements de LuxDev contribuer à l’atteinte des objectifs de développement durable n°5 d’égalité entre les sexes et l’intégration des thématiques transversales dans les programmes.
↑ To the topMYANMAR - The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism made a technical visit to Manila.
From 10-16 November 2019, a delegation from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MoHT), composed of the Director General U Maung Maung Kyaw, Deputy Director General U Aung Aye Han and nine senior leaders of different departments of MOHT, undertook a technical visit to the Republic of the Philippines with the support of the Human Resources Development in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Project, MYA/001.
The aim of the technical visit was to provide an unique opportunity to MoHT senior leaders to observe, discuss and experience the work and progress achieved by the Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines, the Civil Servant Commission (CSC) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), focusing mainly on the outstanding collaboration between the public and private sector, as well as the past civil service reform, aimed at institutionalizing meritocracy and excellence in human resource management.
During the technical visit, the delegation from MoHT also had the opportunity to visit private schools offering tourism/hospitality programs as well as their partner hotels. They were able to visit all the different facilities to gain a better understanding of the importance of Public-Private Partnerships.
↑ To the topMYANMAR - More than 5,200 young people trained and graduated in tourism and hospitality
The Fourth Steering Committee Meeting of the Project "Human Resources Development in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector (MAY/001)" took place at the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MoHT) in Naypyitaw on 5 November 2019. A specific focus was put on ensuring sustainable outcomes and successful handover to local stakeholders and government counterparts by the end of the project.
The Project Steering Committee endorsed the work of the project over the past 12 months, with Monitoring & Evaluation data showing that most of the 21 performance indicator targets were reached or on track to be achieved by the end of the project. Results over the four years of the project demonstrate that 50% of all MoHT personnel in headquarters and regions have received training with support by the project, with over 70% improving their capacity and skills. More than 1,000 young people completed a 3-9 month certificate course in hospitality, travel or tourism in government training schools supported by the project. A further 1,700 young people completed entry-level front-line training courses in hospitality and almost 2,500 supervisors and managers were trained across all 14 states and regions.
From 2015 up to the end of 2019, almost 6.4 million EUR has either been committed or disbursed and the remaining amount of the 8.5 million EUR has been allocated to the final phase of project activities, which includes a revision of the Myanmar Tourism Master Plan. Twenty civil servants from MoHT will be assigned to the Centre for Tourism Development and trained and coached by project trainers in order to take over the full operations, administration, finance and teaching in the renovated Ministry building in downtown Yangon.
Approval for an 18-month extension until mid-2021 was agreed by all relevant ministries and the Attorney General’s Office, so that a smooth handover will ensure and all project funds are disbursed according to the workplan and budget.
During this fourth Project Steering Committee meeting, the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was represented by the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism, Education, Labour, Immigration & Population, Planning & Finance, Border Affairs, as well as representatives from the private sector, tourism associations, educational institutions, and others. The Luxembourg Chargé d’Affaires from the Lao PDR, Mr. Sam Schreiner, the LuxDev Resident Representative, Mr. Quentin Bourdeaux, along with Project staff, also attended the meeting.
The MYA/001 project is financed by the Luxembourg Development Cooperation and implemented by LuxDev.
↑ To the top- 5 December
- By
- VIE/032
- Inclusive and innovative finance
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VIETNAM - New Securities Law passed by the National Assembly, officially taking effect in 2021
On 26 November, the National Assembly officially gave the green light to the new Securities Law after it was voted by elected deputies. The amended Law on Securities will replace the previous version and take effect from the 1st January 2021. It consists of 10 chapters and 135 articles regulating securities and securities market activities, the rights and obligations of institutions and individuals operating in this field and the organization of the stock market
Delegates of the National Assembly vote on the amended Securities Law at the eighth session of the 14th National Assembly on 26 November 2019. © Finance Magazine of VietnamThe approval of the new law comes after years of hard work that the local authorities put into the revision of the old law, taking into account both the recommendations of both local and foreign experts and the lessons learnt from other international capital markets.
It is also important to acknowledge the contributions of international experts mobilized within the framework of the Support Vietnam’s Securities Market Consolidation and Improve Training Capacities Project, VIE/032, as well as the support received from financial institutions based in Luxembourg and other European countries.
Project VIE/032 in particular, has provided the State Securities Commission (SSC) with appropriate advice and recommendations on the new Securities Law including on key policy areas such as public offering and private placement, securities intermediaries, information disclosure, and corporate governance. This will ultimately help Vietnam to build financial sector capacity by upgrading the stock market’s legal and governance framework.
The National Assembly decided that there shall be only one stock exchange responsible for the administration and risk management of the stock market and the organization of securities transactions. However, as the restructuring and merging of the two exchanges will not happen immediately, the government will progressively redefine the functions and tasks of the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) and the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HSX). For now, both stock exchanges will be managed and operated separately in a bid to strengthen their operational efficiency prior to a future merger.
Accordingly, all bond and derivative securities transactions will now be conducted at HNX, while all stock transactions will be handled by HSX, which will subsequently help to establish a single index across the system.
↑ To the top- 5 December
- By
- LAO/031
- Governance
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LAOS - 2019 accomplishments are ratified and 2020 plan is approved.
During the Steering Committee of the Support Programme for Legal Teaching and Training and to the Promotion of the Rule of Law Concept in Laos, LAO/031, chaired by Mrs. Khanthaly Siriphongphanh, Vice Minister of Education and Sports, Mr. Bounsavard Boupha, Vice Minister of Justice, and co-chaired by Mr. Sam Schreiner, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg in Lao PDR, it was noted that the LAO/031 project had made great progress over the course of 2019.
The meeting took place on 28 November 2019 at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Vientiane, Lao PDR.Its most notable achievements are:
- the establishment of four (4) legal aid offices in various provinces; and
- the project contribution towards increasing awareness on legal issues and the rule of law via the production of technical guides and the dissemination of the newly established Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Law for legal practitioners.
Mr. Boupha stated that these accomplishments put the project’s activities in the right direction and that these are aligned with the priorities of the Ministry of Justice and the Lao PDR’s efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16.
The Project Steering Committee also:
- considered strategic decisions with regard to the implementation of the project;
- reviewed project performance; and
- validated and endorsed the annual work plan as well as other resolutions required for the smooth running of the project.
For the next year, the PSC stated that Project LAO/031 will continue with the activities carried out in 2019, but will put further emphasis on the Faculty of Law and Political Science’s target to attain ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) standards by the end of the project in 2022.
With the project’s Mid-Term Evaluation planned for early 2020, both Mrs. Siriphongphanh and Mr. Schreiner commended the project for its work and the high number of beneficiaries that have already benefitted from the numerous capacity building workshops organised by the project.
The LAO/031 project is financed by the Luxembourg Cooperation and implemented by LuxDev the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.
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