UNDP Malawi Newsletter

Vol 3 Issue 2 April - June 2011

Communitiesbenefiting from

the villagesavings initiative

-P8

Ireland impressedwith disaster

reductioninitiatives

-P5

Volume 3, Issue 2 April-June 2011.........................................................................................................

Contents

2

CONTRIBUTIONSZainah LiwandaMizuho Yokoi

Clemence AlfazemaMiriam Matita

Busekese KilembeChikondi ChibwezaFletcher Chilumpha

GRAPHIC ARTPeter Gwazayani

0999557198/0888544645

EDITINGZainah Liwanda

Page 4 Page 14

Cover: UNDP Administrator Helen

Clark launched the agenda fororganisational change-Photo UNDP

intranet

Communitiesbenefiting from

the Villagesavings initiative

-P8

Irelandimpressed with

disaster reductioninitiatives

-P6

About UNDPUNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting

countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in166 countries

In Malawi, UNDP sees its role as supporting the Government to use development resources effectively andaccountably to achieve the objectives of the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy and attain the

Millennium Development Goals.

Message from RR p3

UNDP embarks on organisational change p4

Ireland impressed with disaster reduction initiatives p5

Highlights of the UNDP-Malawi Country Programme (2012 – 2016) p6

Communities benefiting from the Village savings initiative p8

Financial Inclusion project takes banking services to the rural masses p9

UNDP par ticipates in the UNDAF (2012-2016) process p10

UNDP’s Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives give hope to communities p11

Gender key to MDGs achievement says UNDP/Government p12

Japan commends the Africa Adaptation Programme p14

Journalists sensitised on the Environmental Economic Report p15

UNDP programmes relevant- ADR Report p16

UNDP trains staff and Implementing Partners in communication p17

UNDP suppor ts budget seminar for Members of Parliament p18

Development partners support stakeholder workshop on integrated rural

development p19

Pictorial focus on the training for integrating communication into projects/

programmes p20

UN Staff Association donates to orphans p22

Pictorial focus on the visit by UN Staff Association members to Nyumba

Ya Chimwemwe Orphanage in Kawale in Lilongwe p23

Pictorial focus on the joint monitoring visit to Financial Inclusion in Malawi

(FIMA) project by UNDP and Ministry of Finance officials p24

UNDP funds study to strengthen intra-party democracy p26

It’s a piece of Cake! : IPSAS Training Day in UNDP Malawi p27

Pictorial focus on the IPSAS training day at UNDP-Malawi Country Office p28

UNDP Communications Officers meet, share experiences p30

UNDP hosts a luncheon for Business Leaders p31

Pictorial focus on the visit to disaster risk reduction initiatives in

Chikhwawa and Nsanje Districts by UNDP, Embassy of Ireland and

Government officials p32

Women earn a living from Batiks p34

UNDP’s Young Professional elected in ECAMA Board p35

UNDP suppor ts irrigation farming in Chikhwawa district p36

Irrigation farming is the way to go - Chikhwawa farmers p37

Updates p38

3

Message from the Resident RepresentativeDear Readers,I am happy to present to youour second quarter Nwsletter.

In April, UNDPAdministrator Helen Clarklaunched an Agenda forOrganization Change aimedat “Lifting UNDP Performancefrom Good to Great” tomeet the developmentchallenges of the rapidlychanging environment in the21st Century.

UNDP’s mission is to bewidely acknowledged as aworld class, knowledge-based developmentorganisation which helpsdeveloping countries maketransformational change andenhances the strengths of theentire UN developmentsystem.

We, however, will not becomplacent with the pastsuccess and now renew ourcommitment to harness theenergy at all levels to buildan even better, stronger, andgreater UNDP.

The reform agenda is builtaround three pillars, namely(i) internal governance (ii)organization effectiveness,and (iii) leadership, cultureand behaviours.

To determine a practicaland effective course of actionfor organisational change, theGlobal ManagementMeeting was held in NewYork in June. I participatedin this meeting with UNDP’sheadquarter seniormanagement, the UNResident Coordinators/UNDPResident Representatives,Country Directors and Headof Liaison Offices in 167Countries and territories.

I am pleased to informyou that the meeting was verysuccessful and constructive,identifying a set of issues thatwill enable us to moreeffectively support ourcountry offices to delivervisible and consistent impacton the ground.

As part of theorg anisational changeinitiatives, the new tagline forUNDP “Empowered Lives .Resilient na tions” wasadopted in the ExecutiveBoard Meeting in June. Thetagline intends to explainUNDP’s approach in workingwith people to build theirskills and knowledge theyneed to improve their ownlives, as well as helpingnations withstand crisis anddrive and sustain the kind ofgrowth which improves thequality of life for everyone.

I believe that the taglinewill serve as a useful tool tocommunicate UNDP’smandate more effectivelywith various audiences andpartners in our dailyinteractions.

At country level, we havereached the f inal stage ofpreparation of our newprogramme cycle for 2012-2016.

In March, the Assessmentof Development Report(ADR), which summarizes thedevelopment impactsachieved during the past andcurrent UNDP programmecycle , was f inalized inconsultation with theGovernment of Malawi anddevelopment partners.

The final draft of theCountry ProgrammeDocument (CPD) for UNDPMalawi (2012-2016) wasproduced. It will bereviewed and approved bythe Executive Board inSeptember 2011. We arealso gearing up for closureof the current programmecycle.

UNDP Malawi hasexpanded its monitoring andevaluation exercise to assessthe projects, which willprovide a basis for design ofthe new project strategies.The project evaluation reporton Joint Programme Supportfor Strengthening National

Monitoring & Evaluation waswell appreciated by the keystakeholders.

Several monitoring visits,some with developmentpartners were conducted.Notable among the visits wasone conducted by UNDP,Embassy of Ireland and theGovernment of Malawi onDisaster Risk Reductioninitiatives in Nsanje andChikhwawa districts in June.The field monitoring visits onFinancial Inclusion project inSouthern and Central regionsis another example. Hearingstories of the beneficiaries inthe villages, was clear thattheir l ives have beentransformed. We are proudto be part of theirtransformation.

UNDP- Malawi continuesto support capacity

enhancement ofImplementation Partners (IPs)as well as our own staff. Forexample, we conductedtraining for staff and IPs onintegrating communicationinto project implementationto equip them with skills ofcommunicating results ofprojects more effectively.

We are also providing aseries of trainings for our staffto ensure a smooth transitionfrom United Nations SystemAccounting Standards(UNSAS) to InternationalPublic Sector AccountingSystem (IPSAS) effective 1stJanuary 2012 for morecomprehensive, transparentand systematic accounting.

Detailed stories on theseand many more areelaborated in this issue.


4

In a bid to lift UNDP’sperformance from good toa great, AdministratorHelen Clark in Aprillaunched the agenda fororganisational change inorder to meet developmentchallenges of the 21st

century.

The change agenda tobe implemented in aperiod of one year

targets clearly definedissues that will enable theorganisation to effectivelydeliver visible, consistentand impact on the groundin 166 countries across theglobe.

The agenda fororganisational changeseeks to uphold a state inwhich UNDP is strategicallypositioned, results driven,g lobal thought leader,nurtures and maintains astrong set of partnerships,provides high qualityservices and translatespolicy into solutions,delivers excellence incustomer focussed servicesand empowers staff.

“UNDP is a strong andeffective organisation, butwe cannot afford to becomplacent. The externalenvironment poses manychallenges; ourunderstanding of how bestwe can support countriesachieve their developmentambitions continues toevolve and there are highexpectations from ourpartners to demonstrateimpact and value formoney,”

“UNDP’s performance isgood and I have beenprivileged to see time andtime again the real impactwe can have on the livesof the poor in countriesacross the world. But weneed to lift ourperformance from good togreat if we are to stay

ahead of this rapidlyevolving agenda,” said theAdministrator.

The Administratoraffirmed it was essential forUNDP to operate as aforward organisation whichhas clear strategic prioritieswhere it can demonstrateimpact and continuouslyadapt to changingcircumstances and refine itspriorities accordingly.

She said the agenda fororganisational c hangeincludes review of thefunctional structures atheadquarters and regional

a strong base. I havepersonally witnessed thecommitment, the dedicationand the passion whichUNDP staff have for thisorganisation. Now, we willneed to harness thatenergy at all levels to moveforward and ensure we arestrongly positioned to meetthe developmentchallenges of the 21st

century. In doing so, we willcreate an organisation inwhich staff themselves feelsatisfied and areempowered to contributeeffectively,” commented the

countries pursue theirdevelopment goals. Thesepriorities will be developedfrom the knowledge ofwhat is needed on theground and understoodthroughout the organisation

Decisions at levels wouldbe driven by the sharedunderstanding of what ismost important. UNDPwould be able todemonstrate theachievement of specif icresults in the identifiedpriorities.

On the integratedbudget framework, UNDPwill develop an integratedbudget that enablesresources to be consideredcollectively, bringingtogether a unifiedframework of core and noncore resources for the firsttime, while continuing toreport as required to theboard.

This would enableinternal resource allocationsto be more tightly alignedwith agreed priorities.

Currently, UNDP deliversan average annual fivebillion dollar programme in166 countries through 135country offices. Theorganisation also has a keyrole in leading UNdevelopment co-ordination.

UNDP embarks on organisational change

UNDP-Malawi staff: The change agenda seeks to empower staff to contribute effectively

service centres to moreeffectively support countryoffices deliver results. Sheadded that the changeagenda would encompassprojects already underwayfrom the organisation’sAction Plan.

“We are building from

Administrator.Regarding clear

strategic objectives in thechange agenda, UNDP willwithin its broad humandevelopment mandateidentify strategic prioritiesin order to more effectivelycontribute to helping

“We are building from a strongbase. I have personally witnessed

the commitment, the dedicationand the passion which UNDP staff

have for this organisation.

5

The Government of Irelandhas commendedcommunities inChikhwawa and Nsanjedistricts for taking aleading role in disaster riskreduction activities aimedat reducing the effectscaused by flooding of theShire and Lalanje river, atributory of the Shire River.

The districts, which arelocated in the SouthernRegion of Malawi are

prone to flooding due totheir geographical locationnear the two rivers.

Head of Developmentat Irish Aid, Mr. VincentO’Neil commendedcommunities in Chikhwawaand Nsanje for their activeparticipation inimplementing the variousactivities such as dredgingof silt from the rivers,construction of dykes,planting of tress along riverbanks among others.

Mr. O’Neil was speakingafter touring the variousdisaster reduction initiativesimplemented by GoalMalawi, a local NonG o v e r n m e n t a lOrganisation working withcommunities in the twodistricts to reduce theeffects caused by flooding.

UNDP Malawi, withfunding from theGovernment of Irelandsupports Goal Malawi toimplement the variousdisaster risk reductioninitiatives in the two districts.

“We had a verysuccessful visit . It ’sencouraging to seeleadership from thecommunities. We learnt alot. Thank you for theinteresting experiences youhave shared with us,” Mr.O’Neil told communitiesafter touring the initiatives.

In his remarks,Traditional AuthorityMbenje, said his subjectsappreciate the assistancethey receive from theGovernment of Ireland

through UNDP.“We are very happy for

your coming. On behalf ofmy people, we want tothank you for the assistanceyou give us. On our ownwe had done something butwere facing a lot ofproblems. Lalanje river has

families to flee their homes,but with your assistance,families are now back totheir original places,” saidTraditional AuthorityMbenje.

The chief fur therexplained that during therainy season, water from the

Ireland impressed withdisaster reduction initiatives...commends communities for taking a lead

been a problem, but withyour assistance things havechanged. F loods forced

upstream areas washedaway homes, crops andlivestock, resulting in hunger.

He said the communitiesthen mobilised themselvesand started removing sandfrom Lalanje river anddirected its flow to the Shireriver, thereby reducingchances of f loodsdestroying property.

Goal Malawi AssistantCountry Director Mr. PettriSiikanen explained thatLalanje river is a perennialriver which f loods duringthe rainy season.

He said in collaborationwith the community, hisorganisation embarked onthe silt removal programmewhere communities werepaid a minimal fee of K300per day. He said thismotivated the community.

UNDP Malawi, with funding fromthe Government of Ireland supports

Goal Malawi to implement thevarious disaster risk reductioninitiatives in the two districts.

Head of Development at Irish Aid, Mr. Vincent O’Neil (far left)


6

In keeping with UNDP’smandate, comparativeadvantage anddevelopment experience,the new CountryProgramme for UNDP-Malawi is designed tosupport four strategic andinter-related priority areasnamely; sustainable andinclusive economic growth;climate change, energy,environment and disasterrisk mitigation; MDGsachievement (Gender andHIV/AIDS); democraticgovernance and publicsector management.

The draft ProgrammeDocument has beenfinalised and would be

discussed in the UNDPExecutive Board inSeptember 2011

The areas in the newprogramme correspond toUnited NationsDevelopment AssistanceFramework (UNDAF)Outcomes (1) sustainableeconomic growth, (3) HIV/AIDS and (4) Goodgovernance.

The Programmeestablishes synergiesbetween capacitydevelopment and resourcemanagement, as keyconstraints in MDGsachievement.

According to the draftCountry ProgrammeDoccument, support topublic administration reformwould be reinforced by anational results-basedmanagement practice,further support to aidmanagement andnegotiations, and evidence-based planning and policymaking.

In the new programme,UNDP will place strongemphasis on partnerships

with UN agencies and otherdevelopment partners forgreater effectiveness,efficiency and impact.

UNDP and other UNagencies will uphold theprinciples of gender

m a i n s t r e a m i n g ;environmental sustainabilityand rights-baseda pproaches with cleartargets and successindicators.

Under Component 1 on

Highlights of the UNDP-Malawi C

Sustainable and InclusiveGrowth, UNDP will providefinancial and technicalsupport for entrepreneurialinnovation, inclusive marketdevelopment, pro-poorbusiness models and financial

Construction of dykes on the Lalanje river in Nsanje District. The initiatives are in line with ComponentII, Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability

7

ountry Programme (2012 – 2016)

inclusion.This is in response to the

transformative growth focus

of the Malawi Growth andDevelopment Strategy(MGDS), and in an effort to

ensure inclusion of the poorin future prosperity.

On Component I I ,

Disaster Risk Management,Climate Change andE n v i r o n m e n t a lSustainabil ity UNDP’ssupport will focus onimproved coordination,investment planning,mainstreaming andknowledge management atthe national and district levelsto ensure a low emission andc l i m a t e - r e s i l i e n tdevelopment.

Component III on MDGsAchievement (Gender andHIV), says UNDP’s focus ingender revolves aroundthe national capacity toaddress gender issues- thenational gender machinery.Support in HIV will focus onproviding strategic policyadvice on the sustainabilityof the national responseboth in financial andinstitutional terms. With allgender indicators in theMDGs monitoringframework lagging behind,the UN is seeking to rapidlyamend the dynamicsthrough transformativeaction.

Regarding component IVon Governance, Publ icSector ManagementReform, UNDP will supportfree and credible nationalelections and furtherstrengthen the operational,accountability andmanagement capacities ofthe Malawi ElectoralCommission (MEC).

In line with the MGDS’sfocus on Human Rights,UNDP will support strategicand capacity developmentplans for the Malawi HumanRights Commission (MHRC)and the Ombudsperson,while expanding the reachand coverage of ongoingefforts in Human Rightsawareness and paralegalsupport.

UNDP and other UN agencies will uphold theprinciples of gender mainstreaming; environmental

sustainability and rights-based approaches with cleartargets and success indicators.


8

love one another) VillageSavings and Loans Club.She joined the club inDecember 2010 and hassince then taken loansamounting to K243, 000(Approximately US$ 1,620).

With the loan, Mrs.Mateyo has managed tostock up her shop with allbasic necessities such assoap, sugar, tea, flour, riceand other commodities suchas clothing and shoes. Shealso operates a tea roomwhere she serves tea,doughnuts and bread.

“The village savingsinitiative has pushed us tothis level. I run this retailshop with my husband. Heis the one who goes toBlantyre to purchase thecommodities, while I stayhere to sell the goods. Wemake an average profit ofK20,000 per week. Withthis we are able to payback the loans ,” she said

Communities benefiting fromthe village savings initiative

Mrs. Christina Mateyo, ofGroup Village HeadmanFeremu in Neno district(Southern Region ofMalawi) has all reasons tosmile following her successin effectively running aretail business.

Mrs. Mateyo owesher success to theVillage Savings

and Loan Associations(VSLAs) initiative by A SelfHelp Project (ASAP)Malawi which receivessupport from FinancialInclusion in Malawi (FIMA)Project.

The project is funded bythe United NationsDevelopment Programme(UNDP), the UN CapitalDevelopment Fund(UNCDF) and CatholicOrganisation forDevelopment Aid(CORDAID).

Mrs. Mateyo is a memberof the Tikondane 41 (Let’s

Mrs. Mateyo fur therexplained that from theretail business they are alsoable to pay school feesamounting to K10,000(ApproximatelyUS$ 60)per term for their Form Oneson at a private school.

ASAP Malawi trainscommunities in basicconcepts for running smallbusinesses, loanmanagement, savings,group dynamics, amongothers.

After completion of thetraining, each member of agroup contributes to thegroup fund. Members thentake loans at an interest rateof 20 percent. The loansare usually payable withinthree months. This gives anopportunity to othermembers of the club toborrow from the fund.

After a period of six totwelve months, the membersshare profits according toindividual shares invested in

the VSLA fund. This is donein the presence andguidance of ASAP officials.The activities of each clubare guided by a constitutionthat is developed andagreed upon by membersduring the formulationstage of the group.

Mr. Zakeyo Vintulla, isanother beneficiary of theVSLA Initiative. A residentof Feremu Village in Nenodistrict too, Mr. Vintulla is amember of Tikondane 12,Village Savings and LoansClub.

He runs a successfulmakeshift shop stocked withfish, tomatoes, onions andclothes.

Feremu vil lage issituated about 30kilometres from the maintrading centre. The retailbusinesses therefore,enables the communities toaccess basic commodities intheir localities, saving ontime and cost that they wouldhave used to travel to thetrading centre.

“Before I joined theVillage Savings Club, I usedto idle around a lot. Idepended on piece workand would drink all themoney I got. But now, I ama changed person. Thanksto ASAP which taught ushow to save money andventure into profitablebusinesses,” he said. “ I amnow able to provide for myfamily,”

According to Mr.Vintulla, at the time of themonitoring visit he hadK50,000 (ApproximatelyUS$ 330) worth of sharesin the savings club.

There are 590 VillageSavings and Loans clubsthat ASAP trained inChikhwawa, Blantyre rural,Neno and Mwanza districtsrespectively. Each VillageSavings club comprises ofan average of 7 members.

ASAP Coordinator saidthey select the districtswhere extension servicesby government arenonexistent especially poorhouseholds who cannot bereached.

Mrs. Mateyo: The village savings initiative has pushed us to this level.

9

Mrs. Amina, Amison, a47-year-old businesswoman from Salima districtin the Central Region ofMalawi is one of thehundreds of several otherwomen and men whohave benefited from aUnited NationsDevelopment Programme(UNDP), the UN CapitalDevelopment Fund(UNCDF) and CatholicOrganisation forDevelopment Aid(CORDAID) supportedFinancial Inclusion inMalawi (FIMA) project.

The project supportsFinancial Ser viceProviders (FSPs) with

resources and technicalexpertise to be able toprovide financial servicesin rural areas.

Mrs. Amison whopreviously walked over10km to Salima Boma toaccess f inancial servicesnow gets the services rightin her village, cur tsey of theMalawi Rural FinanceCompany (MRFC)’sintroduction of portableelectronic gadgets toconduct financialtransactions such as cashwithdraws, deposits,c hecking balance, tomention but a few.

MRFC received a totalof US$ 200,000(Approximately MWK30,000,000) from UNDPand UNCDF to purchaseportable electronicgadgets to conductfinancial transactions forcustomers in thecommunities.

The equipment is userfriendly especially for theilliterate as it identifies acustomer by use of fingerprints.

“The introduction of

these gadgets has helpedme to cut transport costs.Sometimes, I just wanted toknow my balance, but Icould pay K200(approximately 13 US$) togo to Salima Boma wherebanks are located. Now Ijust walk to this MRFC officewhich is very close to myhome to c heck mybalance,” said Mrs. Amison

She also said that thenew equipment hadreduced the risk of beinga ttacked by thieves;explaining that hercollea gue was onceattacked by thieves androbbed all the money shehad borrowed from thebank to conduct herbusiness.

“Apparently the thievesknew us as business womenand whenever we went tothe bank, they knew wehad cash. But now we arerelived because we nolonger carry hard cash allthe time, we have moneycards,’’ said a visibly jovialMrs. Amison.

Mrs. Amison runs arestaurant and fish business.She explained that she had

been a customer of theMRFC since 2001. She saidher monthly net prof it wasapproximately K15,000(About US$ 100). Her initialcapital was a loan she gotfrom MRFC. Since then, shehad been a regularcustomer. “I have neverdefaulted repayment ofloans,” she recalls.

Mrs. Amison has beenable to educate her sixchildren from the profits sherealises from her businesses.She also provides funds toher husband for his tailoringbusiness.

Director of Operations atMRFC Mr. Weston Kusaniearlier explained to ateam of UNDP and Ministryof Finance officials duringa monitoring visit to theiroffices that his institutionpurchased 148 gadgetsfrom funds provided byUNDP and UNCDF.

The equipment is placedat MRFC offices situated inall districts in the country.These are operated by theirportfolio officers who areusually on the ground, inthe communities to assistcustomers. The portfolio

officers are highly trainedpersonnel in ICT.

Mr. Kusani said theirservices reach a total ofabout 252,000 customers.

The Finacial Inclusion inMalawi project wasestablished in 2007 withinitial support from UNDPand UNCDF to create aninclusive financial sector inMalawi.

The project takes asectoral approach and hasspecific interventions atpolicy, retail and clientlevels of the financial sector.

It focuses on thefollowing strategic areas (a)support development ofpolicy and regulatoryframework that creates afavourable environment formicrofinance to flourish (b)support development ofindustry infrastructure thatcan improve coordination,establish standards, createincentives for investors,protect consumers, makeinformation available tostakeholders, improvetransparency and enhanceprocedures for comparingeffectiveness of FSPs (C)support innovations aimedat improving access tofinancial services byincreasing availability ofser vices, improvingefficiency and makingaccess more affordable (d)build capacity of FSPs inorder to enhanceperformance andsustainability (e) supportinitiatives in the financialsupport sector that cantranslate into affordableaccess to financial servicesby the poor and ru ralcommunities (f) increaseproduct choice, availabilityand reduce cost of accessfor the poor and ruralcommunities and (g)financial l iteracy andconsumer protection.

Financial Inclusion project takesbanking services to the rural masses

Mrs. Amison: The introduction of these gadgets has helped meto cut tr anspor t costs


10

UNDP just like other UNagencies have been busyworking on the new UnitedNations DevelopmentAssistance Framework forMalawi. The new UNDAFcycle covers the period2012-2016

The UNDAF is thecollective and strategicresponse of UN

agencies in Malawi–resident and non-resident –to the national prioritiesand the achievement of theMillennium DevelopmentGoals (MDGs).

In Malawi, these prioritieshave been reflected in theMalawi Growth andDevelopment Strategy(MGDS) II.

The UNDAF builds on theachievements and takes intoaccount implementationchallenges and lessons learntfrom Delivering as Oneduring the last UNDAF Cycle2008-2011.

The formulation of theUNDAF is the result of a UNand Government integratedsubstantive consultationprocess that used the UNMalawi Country Assessmentand the MGDS II as itsfoundation.

The Malawi CountryAssessment revealed threebinding constraints ondevelopment namelypopulation growth, capacityand resources.

The assessment alsoidentified five key strategicdevelopment priorities andrecommended ten strategicpolicy messages.

Implementation of theUNDAF will focus on fourkey priority areas:

Key Priority 1: Nationalpolicies, local and nationalinstitutions effectivelysupport equitable andsustainable economicgrowth and food securityby 2016.

Key Priority 2: Nationalinstitutions effectively

UNDP participates in the UNDAF (2012-2016) processA school boy carries a poster during Intrenational Human Rights Day celebrations in 2010

deliver equitable andquality basic social andprotection services by2016.

Key Priority 3: Nationalresponse to HIV and AIDSscaled up to ac hieveuniversal access to HIVprevention, treatment, careand support by 2016.

Key Priority 4: National

institutions effectivelysupport transparency,accountability, participatorydemocracy and humanrights by 2016.

The new UNDAF isfinalised and expected tobe launched soon afterGovernment launches theMalawi Growth andDevelopment Strategy II.

11

However, a majorityrefused citing fear of losingtheir identity and ancestralland, among other reasons.

The Disaster RiskReduction (DRR) projectaims at reducing thevulnerability of householdsthrough mainstreaming DRRand strengthening the co-ordination of floodpreparedness andmitigation in Chikhwawaand Nsanje districts as wellas nationally.

Before Goal Malawicame in to support theconstruction of dykes, thecommunities themselves,having realised the threatcaused by flooding hadinitially formed Area andVillage ProtectionCommittees whichmobilised manpower toremove silt from the rivers.

However the work wasnot effective since theywere using traditionalequipment such as hoes.Another challenge was thatpeople lacked motivationsince it was voluntary work.

Hence Goal Malawi,with UNDP support lastyear came in with technicalexpertise and offered cashfor work. A tractor was alsodeployed, dredging the siltwith ease

Goal Malawi AssistantCountry Director Mr. PettriSiikanen Director said theconstruction of dykes alongthe Lalanje river was doneby the communitiesthemselves.

About 420 householdsfrom Chikhwa wa andNsanje districts wereinvolved in the cash forwork exercise.

He said his organisationalso encouraged thecommunities to plant treesand elephant grass aroundthe river banks. Heexplained that the majorsource of silt isdeforestation and lack ofproper soil conservationmethods in the upstreamareas.

Mrs. Gloria Thole ofTraditional AuthorityMbenje in Nsanje districtand her family every rainyseason abandoned theirhome for fear of beingswept away by floods.

Nsanje andChikhwawa districts situated in

Southern region of Malawiare flood prone areas dueto their geographicallocation near the Shire river.For decades, communitieslost crops, property andfamilies were displaced dueto flooding.

“Every rainy season weleft our home to seek shelterfar from here. As you cansee the veranda of myhouse is gone. It waswashed away by floods .And during this time, wecould not grow crops.Hunger was the order of theday. The crops that wegrew were also washedaway by rain,” explainedMrs. Thole.

However, Mrs. Thole saidthe situation has changed.

This is because of thevarious disaster riskreduction initiatives beingimplemented in Nsanjedistrict. The initiatives aresupported by UNDP withfunding from the IrishGovernment andcoordinated by theDepartment of DisasterManagement Affairs in theOffice of the President andCabinet.

Some of the initiativesinclude construction ofdykes along the Lalanjeriver, a tributary of the Shireriver, construction of dams,river banks, to mention buta few. These activities arecoordinated by Goal-Malawi; a UNDP fundedlocal Non-GovernmentalOrganisation that workswith the communities.

“Things have changed.For the past two years, wehave not experiencedworse effects of theflooding as compared toprevious years. In fact forthe first time in our history,we never relocated duringthe last rainy season. This

to us is a greatachievement. We are nowable to grow crops,” shesaid.

Traditional AuthorityMbenje is another victim ofthe flooding of the Shireriver. Because of f loodingevery rainy season, hisheadquarters were shiftedfrom the original place,which was situated about10km from Lalanje river.

“My ancestors used to behere, but because offlooding the headquartersof Traditional AuthorityMbenje were shifted downnear the M1 road,” he said.

Lalanje Primary Schoolsituated about 13kilometres from Lalanjeriver was also abandoneddue to frequent flooding.All pupils were transferred.According to TraditionalAuthority Mbenje, there areplans to re -open the schoolsince the situation hasimproved.

The flooding promptedgovernment to ask allpeople near the Shire riverto relocate to upper areas.

UNDP’s Disaster Risk Reductioninitiatives give hope to communities

Mrs. Gloria Thole: Every rainy season, we abondoned our homes due to floods


UNDP ResidentRepresentative Mr. RichardDictus has pledged UNDP’scommitment to support thecapacity development ofall its par tners to adoptapproaches that advancewomen’s rights and takeaccount of theircontributions todevelopment as afoundation for MillenniumDevelopment Goals(MDGs) achievement.

The ResidentRepresentative madethe remarks during a

Gender Machinery WhitePaper validation workshopat Lilongwe Hotel on 26thMay 2011.

The Gender MachineryWhite Paper which wascommissioned by UNDPand the Ministry of Gender,Child and CommunityDevelopment makes acritical analysis of theexisting gender machineryand its capacity tomainstream gender inpolicies, plans andprogrammes. It alsoproposes mechanisms forstrengthening the gendermac hinery in order toimprove harmonization,coordination and impact ofgender initiatives in Malawi.

“UNDP is committed tocontinue its support forgender initiatives in Malawifocussing on the followingareas; strengthening thegender mac hinery bysupporting theimplementation of therecommendations from theWhite Paper , capacitybuilding of core institutionsconstituting the gender

machinery, development ofan MDG-breakthroughstrategy on gender in orderto fast track the MDGs thatare lagging behind andpolitical and economicempowerment of women,”he said.

He said drawing on avision where humandevelopment guides allpolicy making andapproaches todevelopment, UNDPsupports national partners toaccelerate progresstowards the MDGs byidentifying and respondingto gender equalitydimensions. He furtherexplained that the UN wasconvinced that abreakthrough strategyfocused on women wouldhave the highest impact onMDGs achievement.

According to Mr. Dictus,women hold the key toaccelerating povertyeradication, improvinginstitutional practices,ensuring chi ldren areeducated and healthy,among others. Hehowever said that if thewomen’s interests, concernsand issues are ignored in

girls’ enrolment andcompletion rates ineducation, women’s sharesof wage employment, HIVprevalence rates or the slowprogress in reducingmaternal deaths, thedifferentiated progress isindeed marked. The greatdifficulty with achievingMDG 3 is evidence of aconsistent policy andimplementation gap that anumber of consecutiveNational Plans of Actionhave not been able toaddress effectively,” hementioned.

The ResidentRepresentative explainedthat gender mainstreaminghad remained an aspirationand various approachesengaged had not impactedpolicies, plans andprogrammes as well asnational monitoring andevaluation systems.

He said there had alsobeen little success inbringing systematicmainstreaming of gender in Government’s planningprogrammes andimplementation mainly dueto lack of coordination,persistence and institutional

develop Gender and YouthSector Wide Approach(SWAp), adding thatgender requiresimplementation, monitoringand reporting mechanismsacross the broad spectrumof development issuescovered in the MalawiGrowth and DevelopmentStrategy (MGDS) that movefrom good intentions toactions.

The ResidentRepresentative furtherexplained that genderdoes not have sufficientpresence within ministries atcentral and district levels,adding that while projectoriented activities werebeing conducted in the

Gender key to MDGsachievement says UNDP/

Government

development plans andprogrammes, their potentialwould never get unleashed.

“Whether we look at

focus on gender andwomen issues.

According to Mr. Dictus,i t was not enough to

“Women hold the key toaccelerating poverty eradication,improving institutional practices,

ensuring children are educated andhealthy, among others”

12

area of gender-basedviolence and the “50/50”campaign, little was doneto develop a broadranging network, anadvocacy campaign and amonitoring and evaluationsystem to ensure capacitybuilding of mainstreamingof gender acrosssectors. ”The main constraintto advancing gender indevelopment planning andimplementation in Malawiis failure to ‘mainstream’gender in developmentprocesses. This meansmaking national, sectoraland district policies,

programmes and budgetsgender responsive andmaking sure that eachprogramme includesspecific actions to rectifyand prevent genderimbalances.”

In his remarks, PrincipalSecretary in the Ministry ofGender, Child andCommunity DevelopmentMr. Erick Ning’ang’a saidGovernment of Malawi inparticular his ministrywelcomed the White Paperon Gender Mac hinerybecause among others, itprovided a comprehensiveanalysis of gender

performances in terms ofthe country’s achievementsin gender equality,women’s empowerment,experiences withcoordination of genderinitiatives and challengesfaced by the machinery.

“This analysis gives us aclear picture of where andwhy the gender machineryin Malawi is facingchallenges. Second, thepaper places Malawi withinthe international context ofgender discourses. Itreminds all stakeholders oftheir roles, responsibilitiesand functions as called upon

by the internationalconventions on gender,”said Mr. Ning’ang’a.

The Principal Secretarysaid the Gender MachineryWhite Paper highlightedcritical issues that needed tobe reviewedcomprehensively by allstakeholders and all levelsof the Malawi society. Hesaid it was dishearteningthat the MDGs laggingbehind in Malawi relate togender issues.

He further explainedthat in order to improve thesocial and economic statusof women and achievegender-related MDGs by2015, it was important forall stakeholders to bea ware of issues thatGovernment faces in itseffor ts to achieve the settargets for gender.

The development of anational Gender Machineryin Malawi followed the1995 Beijing Platform ofAction and other nationaland internationalinstruments that called forthe establishment of aNational GenderMachinery to lead andguide country efforts inachieving gender equalityand women’sempowerment.

After committing itself tothe Beijing Platform ofAction and otherinternational conventions,the Government of Malawitook steps to create aGender Machinery.However , since theMachinery was notinstitutionalized andbac ked by legaldocuments, adequatefunding and humanresources, the structuresstarted to disintegrate.

Hence the links betweenthe gender coordinatingbody and stakeholdersbecame less stable andresulted in fragmentedsupport to genderprogrammes/projects.

Journalists from various media organisations interview Mr Dictus on the sidelines of a GenderMachinery White Paper valida tion workshop a t Lilongwe Hotel

13


The Government of Japansays it attaches greatimportance to the AfricaAdaptation Programme(AAP) because the successof the programme signifiesthe success of thedevelopment processunder the Fourth TokyoInternational Conferencefor African Development(TICADIV) of May 2008.

Japanese Ambassador toMalawi H.E. Mr. FujioSamukawa made the

remarks on Tuesday 24thMay 2011 at LivingstoniaHotel in Salima during theopening ceremony of theAAP Climate ActionIntelligence workshop.

“On the other hand, thesuccess of the AAP alsosignifies the success of theJapan-UNDP partnership inaddressing Climate Changein 20 African countries witha funding of US$ 92million. Fur thermore, thesuccess of the AAP gives theJapan-UNDP partnershipmomentum to step efforts,”said AmbassadorSamukawa.

He said apart from theAAP support, Japan hadalso stepped its ownmeasures and diversifiedassistance to other countries.He said for instance lastJune, Japan established the“Strategic Energy Plan”under which it hoped toreduce carbon dioxideemissions by 30 percent ormore by 2030.

The Ambassadorexplained that in line withits diplomatic agenda,Japan had disbursed a totalof US$ 7.23 billion dollarsfor Climate Change relatedprogrammes in developingcountries since September2009.

“Following thisassistance, o ver 367projects have beenimplemented in as many as82 countries up to date. Itwill further please you toknow that Japan intends to

disburse a total of aboutUS$ 15 billion for ClimateChange related projects bythe year 2012,” hementioned.

The Ambassador saidthat there was also the“Kyoto Initiative” throughwhich Japan cooperateswith developing countries totackle Climate Change andthat there was anotherinitiative called “Cool EarthPartnership” through whichJapan cooperates withdeveloping countries toreduce greenhouse gases.emissions.

He then commended theAAP workforce for theirdedication to theprogramme and for turningthe vision of the Japan-UNDP partnership intoreality.

In his remarks, UNDPResident Representative Mr.Richard Dictus said thatMalawi since five yearsago achieved nationalfood security. He howeversaid that thea c h i e v e m e n t w a svulnerable as Malawidepends on rain-fedagriculture, “hence there isneed to be on top ofclimate change initiatives in

order to sustain thisac hievement,” hementioned.

The ResidentRepresentative said UNDPappreciates the support itreceives from Japan for theAAP programme and otherprogrammes. He saidseveral activities had beeninitiated at national level toset a foundation for theprogramme.

The workshop was jointlyorganised by the AAPoffice in Dakar Senegaland UNDP- Malawi CountryOffice with participantsfrom Ethiopia, Kenya andthe host Malawi.

The AAP was signed inMay 2010, with theobjective to “enhanceMalawi’s existing climateinitiatives by strengtheningcapacity for long terminvestment in, andmanagement of climate-resil ient sustainabledevelopment”.

AAP Malawi is funded bya Japanese Governmentgrant amounting to US$ 3.9Million, implemented byUNDP and World FoodProgramme (WFP)and coordinated by theMinistry of Development

Planning and Cooperation.The programme is

executed by dif ferentImplementing Partners, suchas Environmental AffairsDepartment, Department ofForestry, Department ofClimate Change, Ministry ofAgriculture, etc.

AAP is operating insynergy andcomplementarity with theNational Programme forManaging Climate Changein Malawi.

Both programmes havecommon overall outcomesand objectives, namelyClimate Changeadaptation capacity-building through riskanalysis, policy andfinancial planning ands t a k e h o l d e r s ’empowerment. The maintheme of the nationalframework ismainstreaming ClimateChange in planning,policies and actions acrossmultiple sectors and levels,making sure that adaptationresponses are formulatedand integrated in acoherent manner throughthe support of robust ande v i d e n c e - b a s e dassessments.

Japan commends the AfricaAdaptation Programme

Participants to the AAP Climate Action Intelligence workshop pose for a group photograph withH.E Mr. Fujio Samukawa and Mr. Dictus

14

15

The Ministry ofDevelopment Planning andCo-operation through theUnited NationsDevelopment Programme(UNDP)-United NationsEnvironment Programme(UNEP) supported Povertyand Environment Initiative(PEI) on 13th May 2011disseminated results of theEconomic Analysis studyon sustainable naturalresource use in Malawi tojournalists during acapacity buildingworkshop at Ryalls Hotel inBlantyre.

The main objective ofthe study was toprovide evidence on

the costs and benefits ofsustainable andunsustainable naturalresource management inMalawi with focus on fourselected natural resourcesnamely; forestry, fisheries,wildlife and soils.

The study reviewed therelevant literature and usedavailable information toestablish the economicsignificance of naturalresources in Malawi.Further, the studyestablished linkagesbetween natural resourcesmanagement and povertyreduction, economicwellbeing anddevelopment.

Journalists sensitised on theEnvironmental Economic Report

Speaking during theofficial opening of theworkshop, Deputy Directorof Economic Planning in theMinistry of DevelopmentPlanning and Cooperation,Mr. Alex Namaona said thefindings of the studyrevealed interesting facts onthe significance ofenvironment and naturalresources for sustainableeconomic development ofthe country.

“This workshop is oneway of reaching out to themasses since it is aimed atcapacitating you membersof the press on how to usethe report to raiseawareness to the populace

Government of Malawi andthe nation stands to gain ifit uses its natural resourcessustainably,” said Mr.Namaona.

Mr. Namaona said thefindings were frugal to theattainment of Governmentaspirations as outlined in theMalawi Growth andDevelopment Strategy(MGDS), hence it wasimportant that the findingsof the report aredisseminated to the generalpublic through variousmedia outlets.

The Deputy Director thencommended the journalistsfor forming the Associationfor Environment Journalists

issues. Government looksforward to partnering withyou as we further thedevelopment agenda andadvocate for environmentalsustainability for economicdevelopment of Malawi,”

Among others, the studyrevealed that Malawi loses$ 191 million (5.3 percentof GDP) annually becauseof unsustainable use ofnatural resources.

PEI is a global UNDP-UNEP programme thathelps countries to integratepove r t y - e n v i r o nmen tlinkages into national andsub-national developmentplanning from policymaking to budgeting,implementation andmonitoring. It was launchedin 2005 and scaled up in2007.

In Malawi, the Initiativewas launched in 2008. TheInitiative works in Africa,Asia-Pacif ic, Eastern Europe,Central Asia and LatinAmerica-Caribbean. It’sfunded by the Governmentsof Belgium, Denmark,Ireland, Norway, Spain,Sweden, the UnitedKingdom and EuropeanCommission.

on the negative effects ofenvironmental and naturalresources degradation.

(AEJ). “Your commitmentshows the keen interest youhave to environmental

“Among others, the studyrevealed that Malawi loses $ 191

million (5.3 percent of GDP)annually because of unsustainable

use of natural resources”

A cross section of par ticipants to the dissemination workshop.


16

The Assessment ofDevelopment Results(ADR) repor t undertakenby the Evaluation Office ofUNDP shows that UNDP-Malawi programmes arerelevant to nationalpriorities and theorganisation’s overallmandate of promotingsustainable humancentered developmentunderpinned by pover tyreduction, equity, fairnessand justice.

The evaluation whic hwas conductedbetween June and

December 2010 seeks todetermine the degree towhich UNDP has effectivelyresponded to Malawi’snational development goalsand objectives. It evaluatesthe relevance, effectiveness ,efficiency and sustainabilityof UNDP’s work in Malawi.

It also assesses the wayUNDP strategicallypositioned itself and usedits comparative advantageto add value to nationaldevelopment priorities andresults.

A team of nationalconsultants led andconducted the evaluationwhich received guidancefrom in country referencegroup of government andother key stakeholders. Theevaluation also benefitedfrom independent reviewby international expertsand Center for SocialResearch at the Universityof Malawi.

U N D P - M a l a w iprogrammes and projectsfall under broad thematicareas of good governanceand empowerment, publicsector reform and servicedeli very, energy,environment, disaster riskreduction and poverty andgrowth and MDGs

“Analysis across theseprogrammes oneffectiveness, efficiencyand sustainability indicatesthat UNDP’s overallperformance is satisfactory.The evidence, however,shows variations in

performance on the qualitycriteria as well as byprogramme type,” readsthe evaluation report inpart.

According to the reportthe overall factors affectingUNDP’s performance areleadership on thegovernment side, stability inUNDP leadership atprogramme level, and inpartner institutionswillingness of the partnersand donors to engage,personal commitment ofvarious stakeholders andthe presence of otherpartners working in thesame area.

The programme area ofgood governance andempowerment is the largestin terms of resourceallocation and number ofactivities accounting forabout 80 percent of totalcountry office resources.The programme wasdesigned to achieve twooutcomes by 2011, namelyan informed public activelyclaiming good governanceand human rights andimproved national capacityto formulate policy,manage, monitor anddeliver services to protectthe rights of the vulnerable.The evaluation rates thegood governanceprogramme as highlyrelevant, implying that it’sfully aligned to the

development priorities ofthe country.

The Public SectorReform and Ser viceDelivery programme wasdesigned to supportgovernment addresscapacity constraints throughvarious programmes andprojects aimed atstrengthening capacity incentral and line ministries,departments and agenciesto improve efficiency in thedelivery of public services .

The assessment alsorated the Public SectorReform and Ser viceDelivery programme ashighly relevant, henceresponding to a number ofkey constraints affectingachievement ofdevelopment results in thecountry by among otherfactors enhancing thecapacity of the governmentto implement the MalawiGrowth and DevelopmentStrategy (MGDS),strengthening capacity ingovernment to coordinateand manage developmentassistance while embracingkey principles of the ParisDeclaration on aideffectiveness.

UNDP’s energy andenvironment programmesare intended to contributeto the enhancement ofconservation of natur alresources base by 2011.The evaluation rates the

programmes as highlyeffective. Fur ther, theevaluation says theprogramme activities haveenabled the developmentof long-term structures andregulatory frameworks aswell as regulatinginstitutions forenvironmental managementpolicies and activities.

Further, the developmentof a degree trainingprogramme in renewableenergy at Mzuzu Universityis advantageous for thesustainability of someprogramme activities.

Crisis prevention andrecovery interventions areaimed at contributing to thestrengthening of disaster riskreduction and emergencymanagement systems andpractices for efficientresponse at national andsub-national levels. Theevaluation rates theprogramme activitiesconducive to supportingnational systems in disasterreduction efforts withabove averageperformance score.

UNDP’s programmeactivities under the pro-poor economic growthprogramme area are ratedby the evaluation as highlyrelevant, addressing theprioritised focus areas ofgovernment. The approachused in intervention isparticipatory at communitylevel and there is also strongmainstreaming of genderissues.

Interventions in genderand women empowermentare aimed at contributing tothe enhancement of genderequality and women’sempowerment by 2011.The evaluation says UNDP’sresponse in making gendera substantive programmearea was in line with theeconomic empowermentand social developmentagenda and theachievement of the MDGs.The evaluation rates thisprogramme as highlyrelevant.

UNDP programmes relevant- ADR Report

Women in Mtandire in Lilongwe sort waste to make compostmanure. UNDP in partnership with Lilongwe City Council isimplementing the waste for wealth project aimed at ensuringthat the environment is clean.

17

UNDP-Malawi on 13th and14th June 2011 organiseda training for staff andImplementing Partners atLilongwe Hotel in order toenhance their skills toeffectively communicateresults on projects/programmes.

The training wasconducted by UNDPR e g i o n a l

Communications AdvisorMs. Maureen Mundea.

The topics coveredamong others includedchallenges incommunicating results, whyand how projects shouldcommunicate what they doat various stages of projectcycle, communicatingdevelopment results successstories, how projects canidentify and support successstories, joint branding andmessaging with partners),public speaking skills andpower point presentations

In her opening remarks,UNDP Senior AssistantResident RepresentativeMs. Mizuho Yokoi saidcommunication was animportnat aspect ofp r o j e c t / p r o g r a m m eimplementation.

She then thankedpartcipants for sparing timeto attend the training.

The following arequotes from differentparticipants

“I came to the trainingthinking that I would sneakout after some time tocheck mail at the office. Inever did because eachmoment of the trainingraised further curiositywithin me to learn furtherskills in communication. Thefacilitator was so lively anddown-to-earth in herpresentations and herillustrations so relevant toour work situation,”Clemence Alfazema,UNDP Programme Analyst(Governance)

“There is no doubt thatcommunications is takingcentre stage and priority inorganizations. The successof an organization rests

UNDP trains staff and ImplementingPartners in communication

highly on its ability tocommunicate. the trainingsession was very insightfulwith practical examplesgiven oh how best todevelop a communicationsculture and communicatefor a difference. I will mostdefinitely util ize theresources and knowledgegiven at the training sessionto enhance communicationsin and within the publicsector organization I workfor,” Mzithembi Mbekeani,Public Relations OfficerMinistry of DevelopmentPlanning and Cooperation

The training was good.First of all, training is acontinuous process toimprove self-awareness,knowledge and skills, whichare very important elementsof good communicationskills we require. To me, thattraining enhanced mypersonal style ofcommunication. Personally,I am glad I attended it torefresh my knowledge. Nomatter how much we thinkwe know, we should neverunderestimate the power oflearning. There is always alearning experience fromanyone and anywhere.

How much one learns, is thequestion. It all depends onone’s openness andwillingness to learn at thatparticular time. I think Ibenefited a lot and that isthe way to build mypersonal capacity. RaphaelArinaitwe, UNDP CapacityBuilding Specialist(attached to the Office ofthe President and Cabinet)

The training was wellequipping Sarah NaijaOffice of the Ombudsman

The training was verywell designed andpresented. It indeedaddressed the commonproblems being faced incommunications in the dailyrunning of a project and inmany other activitiesinvolved in projectmanagement. The practicaland interactive nature ofthe training meant thateveryone could provideinput on the challenges theyusually meet and also havea hands on feel of thea pproaches that werepresented to help inovercoming the challengesfaced. It was a very goodlearning experience andbeing a UN Volunteer this

was beneficial to my workexperience. This will go along way in enhancing myacquired work experienceskills which will benefit mycurrent assignment and alsoany other jobs I may takeup in the future EdmundMvula UNV Project OfficerWaste for Wealth Project

The workshop assistedus as a beneficiaryinstitution to acquire skillsand knowledge on howwe can facil itatecommunication with UNDPas well as increasingvisibility of UN fundedprojects which we areimplementing. The trainingalso gave us newconfidence andassertiveness on how wecan highlight locally andinternationally the benefitswe are getting from UNDPfunded Projects.

I have also learned howI can come out with criticalissues that matter to peoplewhen communicating inwriting as well as orallyabout UNDP projects, aswell as how I can prepareand make presentations.Miss Nkovole, MalawiElectoral Commission

UNDP Regional Communications Advisor Ms. Maureen Mundea stresses a point during groupdiscussions.


The United NationsDevelopment Programme(UNDP) in May co-financeda three-day seminar on therole of Members ofParliament in the budgetprocess at Par liamentbuilding in Lilongwe.

The main objective ofthe seminar held from18th to 20th May 2011

was to equip Members ofParliament (MPs) withrelevant skills to analyse,scrutinise and effectivelycontribute to theformulation, passing andimplementation of thenational budget.

The workshop wasconducted at an opportunetime before the NationalAssembly met to discuss the2011/2012 nationalbudget.

Clerk of Parliament Mrs.Matilda Katopola observedin her remarks that theworkshop was in line withthe objectives of theNational Assembly’s 2010-2015 Strategic Plan ofincreasing the institutionalcapacity of Parliamentthrough inducting andorienting MPs on relevantissues such as the budgetprocess.

The Strategic Plan wasdeveloped with financialand technical support fromUNDP through theStrengthening ParliamentProject.

The project aims atstrengthening the capacityof the National Assembly tomanage its affairseffectively and facilitatedeliberations in the NationalAssembly through StandingOrders and Code ofConduct.

In this regard, UNDPsupported the NationalAssembly to review itsStanding Orders andformulate the Code ofConduct for Members ofParliament.

Opening the seminar,Speaker of the National

UNDP supports budget seminarfor Members of ParliamentAssembly HonourableHenry Chimunthu Bandahighlighted the changingand evolving role of MPs visa vis the approval ofnational budgets functionand the shift in paradigm bygovernment to emphasise oneffective and efficientservice delivery.

He said Members ofParliament need to beresponsive to such changesand ensure effective budgetscrutiny.

Various speakers andpresenters includingGovernment officials, CivilSociety Organisations, andmembers of the private

by the Speaker, financialprocedure and budgetdebate – Mrs. MatildaKatopola, Clerk ofParliament; budget process– Dr Dalisto Kabambe,Director of Budget from theMinistry of Finance; genderbudgeting - Mr R. E. Phiriof Ministry of Gender, Childand CommunityDevelopment and Mrs.Martha Kwataine of MalawiHealth Equity Network; roleof the private sector in thebudget process by MrChancellor. Kaferapanjira ofthe Malawi Confederationof Chambers of Commerceand Industry (MCCCI), pro-

(MEJN); budget scrutiny byHonourable. Ralph Jooma,Chairperson of Budget andFinance Committee.

During plenary,participants made a numberof recommendations amongthem; that the NationalAssembly ensures that newlyelected Members ofParliament areappropriately trained; thecall for individualparliamentary committees toscrutinise thoroughly budgetsof their line governmentministry or entity and thepossibility of creating a fullyfledged ‘budgetdirectorate’ in the NationalAssembly to providetechnical assistance toMembers of Parliament andCommittees, and liaise withthe Ministry of Finance onbudget issues.

The seminar wasofficially closed by the FirstDeputy Speaker of theNational Assembly,Honourable Jones Chingolawho encouraged allparticipants to ensure theyput into practice the lessonslearnt during the seminar.

sector led discussions onseveral topics such asetiquette forparliamentarians facilitated

poor budgeting and publicexpectations by Mr Dalitso.Kubalasa of the MalawiEconomic Justice Network

“UNDP supported the NationalAssembly to review its Standing

Orders and formulate the Code ofConduct for Members of

Parliament”

A cross section of Members of Parliament who attended the workshop

18

The Ministry of LocalGovernment and Rura lDevelopment (MoLGRDwith financial and technicalsupport from the UnitedNations DevelopmentProgramme (UNDP) andother development par tners(GIZ, Irish Aid, EngineersWithout Boarders, andConcern Universal) held atwo-day workshop onintegrated ruraldevelopment at the MalawiInstitute of Management(MIM) in Lilongwe.

The main objective ofthe workshop whichwas held on 29th and

30th June 2011 was to solicitviews from variousstakeholders on ruraldevelopment issues.Recommendations from theworkshop are expected toinform the Integrated RuralDevelopment Strategy(IRDS) and institute theoperationalization of theIRD Sector Working Group(SWG).

The IRD strategy is amedium instrument toimplement and monitorpriority no.6 (IntegratedRural Development) of theMalawi Growth andDevelopment Strategy(MGDS) 11.

In her remarks, Ministerof Local Government andRural Development,Honourable Anna Kachikhosaid government intends toset a platform for exploitingopportunities of the ruralcommunities to ensure thatrural households haveimproved livelihoods, foodsecurity and are lessvulnerable to poverty.

“To achieve the nationaldevelopment policy theMGDS, we need to alignresources and collaboratefully to transform rurallivelihoods. Government iscommitted to address theplight of the poor with anambitious goal that is tolead rural areas to moreefficient ways of tapping

Development partners supportstakeholder workshop on

integrated rural developmentinto developmentopportunities for improvedstandards of living,” saidhonourable Kachikho.

Speaking on behalf ofdevelopment partners,Head of DevelopmentCooperation at the GermanEmbassy Mr. HanspeterSchwaer commendedGovernment anddevelopment partners fortheir commitment by aligningand harmonizing theircooperation through bi-monthly meetings of thegovernment anddevelopment partnersgroup on decentralization.

“The establishment of theIRD SWG will guaranteethe harmonization ofresources from allpractitioners in ruraldevelopment, particularly atsub-district level,” he said.

He said the SectorWorking Group wouldjumpstart the engine of ruraleconomies whereby livingstandards would beimproved throughstrengthened localgovernance systems coupledwith well coordinated locallevel planning andinvestment

The first day of theworkshop set the context tounderstand integrated ruraldevelopment and sharing ofexperiences throughpresentations fromGovernment, developmentpartners, the private sectorand civi l society. Thepresentations were dividedinto three sessions.

The f irst session wasSetting the Framework forMGDS II. Presentationsfocused on objectives and

process of the workshop andthe link betweendecentralization and IRD.

The second sessionfocused on Lessons Learnton Implementation of RuralDevelopment Activities.Participants were takenthrough a presentation ofthe outcomes of the studyon IRD; emerging issues forcritical reflection which wasfollowed by a presentationon the Millennium VillageConcept and Scale-upframework.

The final session dealtwith lessons learnt onfinancing rural development.

Presentations were madefrom Local Developmentfund, CUMO andOpportunity InternationalBank of Malawi (OIBM).These institutions providedevelopment funding,savings and micro-creditproducts to ruralcommunities.

The second day includedgroup and plenary

discussions that informed thecontent of the five pillars ofthe IRD strategy.

The pillars are localgovernance, localdevelopment planning,local economicdevelopment andinvestments, rural financingand capacity developmentfor IRD implementation.

At the end of theworkshop participantsendorsed the proposal tobase the IRD strategy andthe SWG establishment onthe 5 pillars that formed thebasis of the groupdiscussions.

Participants stressed theneed to collaborate andadopt an integratedapproach to ruraldevelopment in order torealize tangible results thatcan enable the ruralcommunities generateviable income and alleviatepoverty.

UNDP Assistant Resident Representative (Growth and MDGsAchievement) Agnes Chimbiri making a presentation on IRDIssues Paper

19


UNDP Staff listen to a presentation

UNDP staff in a group discussion

UNDP staff listen attentively

Implementing Partners in a group discussionUNDP staff in a group discussion

Implementing Partner s in a group exer cise

Implementing Partners in a group discussion

20

21

UNDP staff in a group discussion

UNDP MDGs Advisor PatrickKamwendo makes a contribution

UNV Programme Assistant SharonChalira makes a presentation

Implementing Partner s in a group discussion

Pictorial focus on the training for integratingcommunication into projects/programmes


22

In a bid to fulfil their socialresponsibility, members ofthe UN Staff Association on10th June 2011 took time offtheir busy schedules to visitNyumba Ya ChimwemweOrphanage in Kawale, asurburb in Lilongwe city tocheer the children.

They also donatedassor ted items whichinc luded soap,

powdered milk, cooking oil,diapers, rice, sugar andclothes worth K50,000(Approximately US$300).

The orphanage is run byTeresian sisters.

The orphanage’s mothersuperior in her briefing tothe UN staff membersexplained that theorphanage accommodateschildren between 1-5 yearswho were abandoned bytheir parents, those whoseparents may have died intheir early year or atchildbirth or whose parents

are too poor to take goodcare of the children.

“Once they are four orfive years of age, thechi ldren are usuallyreunited with their parentsor relatives. These effortshelp reduce infant mortalityin a way,” she said.

At the time of the visitthere were 73 children atthe orphanage.

During the visit, the UNstaff were taken to thechildren’s rooms wherethey cheered them bycarrying the very youngand singing and chattingwith the older ones.

The c hi ldren lookedvisibly happy and thosecarried on laps did not wantto let go of their temporaryfathers and mothers.

The older children latersang songs of joy andpraise for the visitors andsome showed their countingskills giving the visitors hopethat the future for the

children remains brightdespite the huddles met intheir infancy.

Although both the visitorsand the children seemed toenjoy every moment of thevisit, time to part still had tocome as both parties hadto continue with their dailyroutines of feeding,

UN Staff Association donates to orphansboth the institution’scaretakers and the staffassociation expressedgratitude for visiting andbeing allowed a chance tointeract with the children.

Some members of theassociation expressed thedesire to individually keepvisiting the institution as they

learning and working.Sorrowful faces marked

the parting ceremony and

were inspired by thecharitable work that thesisters were doing.

“The children lookedvisibly happy and thosecarried on laps did notwant to let go of theirtemporary fathers and

mothers”

President of the UN Staf f Association Hudson Kuphanga presents assor ted items to Nyumba Ya Chimwemwe Orphanage in Kawaleas other UN staff members cheer

23

Harloud Phiri

ClemenceAlfazema andKondwani Hara

Merina Samboand JuneKambalametore

Roy Ndechi, Joseph Kisavi andChisomo Kaufulu

Joseph Kisavi

UN staff pose for aphotograph withNyumba YaChimwemweOrphanage sisters

Pictorial focus on the visit by UN Staff Association members to NyumbaYa Chimwemwe Orphanage in Kawale in Lilongwe. The staff cheered

the babies and also donated assorted items. Others carried the babies toshow love and affection.


Beneficiaries of the Village Savings and LoansInitiative in Neno district pose for a group photographwith UNDP and Ministry of Finance officials

UNDP, Ministry of Finance and ASAP officials

Mr. Zakeyo Vintulla,a beneficiary of theVillage Savings andLaons Initiative in hismakeshift shop.

Beneficiaries of the Village Savings and LoanInitiative in Neno district listen to an address byUNDP and Ministry of Finance officials.

24

Ministry of FInance andUNDP officials pose for aphotograph after visitingFINCOOP offices.

UNDP, Ministry of FInance and MalawiRural Finance Company (MRFC)officials in a briefing meeting

A MRFCofficalassists acustomerto test hisnewlyacquiredMoneycardin Salimadistrict

UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Programme Officer BillChanza, Financial Inclusion in Malawi Project Manager FletcherChilumpha and an official from the Ministry of Finance in adiscussion during the visit to MRFC in Salima

Hastings Msiska ofMalawi Rural FinanceCompany (MRFC)helps a customer toopen an account inSalima district

Pictorial focus on thejoint monitoring visit toFinancial Inclusion in

Malawi (FIMA) projectsites by UNDP andMinistry of Finance

officials

25


The Centre for Multi-PartyDemocracy with fundingfrom the United NationsDevelopment Programme(UNDP) on 24th June 2011organized a workshop onthe study it conductedaimed at establishing corecapacities andcompetencies that politicalpar ties should have inorder for them to delivertheir core functions andmandates.

The workshop whichwas conducted atHippo View Lodge in

Liwonde district wasa ttended byrepresentatives from theDemocratic ProgressiveParty (DPP), PeoplesProgressive Movement(PPM), Malawi CongressParty (MCP), UnitedDemocratic Front (UDF),Alliance for Democracy(AFORD), New RepublicanParty (NRP), RepublicanParty (RP), MalawiDemocratic Party (MDP),Congress for Democrats(CODE), Malavi PeoplesParty (MPP), National UnityParty (NUP), Malawi Forumfor Unity and Development(MAFUNDE) and PeoplesTransformation Party(PETRA).

The workshop wasorganized to present to thepolitical parties preliminaryfindings of the study.

Specif ically, the studyexamined how the externaland internal environmentsaffect the functioning ofpolitical parties as catalystsfor fundamental andsustainable democratictransformation.

External environmentincluded the legal andadministrative framework,political, social, cultural andeconomic contexts. Thejustification for examiningthe external environmentfor political parties was thattheir performance reflectsto a great extent theprevailing social, cultural,economic and politicalcircumstances in which theparties operate.

Internal environment onthe other hand included theexamination of the internalfunctioning of politicalparties in relationship toleadership, control of partybureaucracy, the basis andextent of membership, thedegree of organizationalcentralization, the power ofleadership in relation torank and file, extent ofdisciplinary powers,participation in decisionmaking and policy

UNDP funds study to strengthenintra-party democracy

initiation.The study generally

affirms Malawi as ademocratic regime in whichpolitical parties exist as theprimary unit for politicalparticipation andengagement.

However, the studyestablished that whileparties exist, there are stillc hallenges to develop apluralistic, democratic,competitive andaccountable party system.

The study revealed thatthe functioning andperformance of politicalparties in the country areaffected by internal andexternal factors.

In terms of internalfactors, parties areessentially marred by intra-party feuds mostly aroundissues of leadership,organisational structures,class and ethnic interests.

The parties lack internaldemocracy, effectivelybeing associated with coreinterests of their funders andleaders. In other words,autocratic mentalities andpractices are the hallmarkof Malawi’s contemporaryparty system.

The external factors thatimpact on partyperformance include theweak legal and

administrative frameworkwhich great ly impedesrather than facilitates thefunctioning of politicalparties, the weak economicenvironment in which thestate is the dominant actorin so far as economicopportunities areconcerned and a lessconducive political, socialand cultural context thatemphasizes on excessivedeference to authoritywhich in turn undercuts aculture of dialogue, debateand discussion.

Further the studyrevealed that the overalleffect of the internal andexternal constraints wasfurther exacerbated by thelack of inter-partydialogue, this provides aplatform for relevant andconstructive information andpolicy options which allowsparties to forge together aconducive atmosphere formultiparty politics.

According to thefindings, there was urgentneed to developinterventions that wouldmake political parties moredemocratic and nationallyorientated as well asresponsive to the citizens,governance and the rule oflaw.

The findings would formthe basis for developing acomprehensive cross partystrategic plan that wouldcontribute towards thedevelopment of the corecapacities and competencesto bring them up to levelswhere political parties cansuccessfully perform theirfunction as catalysts forpropagation andinstitutionalization of ademocratic culture, traditionand practice

CMD is the UNDP’simplementing partner forthe Framework for PoliticalParties project. The projectaims at strengthening intraand inter party democracy.

Representatives of political par ties that attended the workshop pose for a group photograph

26

UNDP- Malawi staff onFriday 24th June 2011devoted the day to enrichtheir knowledge bycompleting the onlineInternational Public SectorAccounting System (IPSAS)course.

UNDP will change itsaccounting systemfrom United Nations

System AccountingStandards (UNSAS) toInternational Public SectorAccounting System (IPSAS)from 1 January 2012,following the decision bythe UN General Assemblyto adopt IPSAS in 2006.

IPSAS is a catalyst tomove towards having more

consist, transparent andcomprehensive financialinformation. The change inthe UNDP accounting systemrequires new or revisedprocesses and practices notonly on UNDP’s officeoperations but also onproject implementationmanagement, includingfinancial reporting by theimplementation partnersand donor reporting.

Since IPSAS is morecomplex and detail-oriented than UNSAS, thetransition from UNSAS toIPSAS requires that theorganisation providesenough support to staff tobe conversant with the newstandards.

Therefore, UNDP has set-up a roadmap for transitionto IPSAS and the milestonesfor preparation for IPSASimplementation in order todeliver new financialinformation standards.

A cake was speciallybaked to reward those whocompleted the course.

Those who completedcertifications for two IPSAScourses were rewardedwith one piece of cake andtwo chocolate candies. Staffwho completed all 5required UNDP IPSAScourses at the beginnerlevel earned two pieces ofcakes and more chocolatesfor their hard work.

Photos of staff’s proud

face were also taken withfreshly earnedcertifications. The office wasbuzzing with words like“IPSAS” “accruals” and“depreciation,” mixed withscreams of joy for passingthe assessments or moansover failed scores.

Some took a groupwork approach, puttingtheir brains together to gothrough the courses andanswer the assessmentquestions. Somedownloaded the coursetranscripts and studied wordby word to mark theperfect score.

At the end of the day,most staff completed allrequired UNDP IPSAScourses with crèame ontheir cheeks. The trainingday made it easy and funto learn about IPSAS. Staffare now looking forward tointermediate andadvanced courses.

It’s a piece of Cake! : IPSAStraining day in UNDP Malawi

Roselyn Sinemani, Priscila Chimwele, Janet Chikombole and Merina Sambo display their certifica tes

27


UNDP’s Roselyn Sinemani, Ruth Kantema andPriscilla Chimwele beam with happiness uponcompletion of the IPSAS courses.

Chisomo Chibwana Wonderful Teleka

Ethel Yabu

Programme Resources ManagementChiomba, Mizuho Yokoi, Lester Mal

Siphiwe Banda

June Kambalametore Marius Walter

28

Chisomo Kaufulu

Yamikani Msukuma

Hudson Kuphanga

DoreenKachapila

Joseph Kisavi ThierryRandrianarijaona

t Unit PRMU staff L-R Masaukoemia and Laureen Pirer rera

PatrickKamwendo

Pictorial focus on the IPSAS training day atUNDP-Malawi Country Office

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Communications officersfrom East and SouthernRegion met on June 23rd

and 24 th 2011 atWhitesands Hotel inMombasa, Kenya to shareexperiences and discusschallenges they face whencarrying out their duties .

Opening thec o n f e r e n c e ,R e s i d e n t

Representative for UNDPKenya Mr. Aeneas Chumaemphasized that UNDPshould to tell its story better,hence the need to makecommunication one of thepriorities in the CountryOffices.

Mr. Chuma explainedthat for UNDP to tell its storybetter there was need tointegrate communicationinto projects/programmes.

He also explained thatthere was need for focus ondeployment of multimediato show real achievementsand reach a wider

audience.On the second day,

UNDP Deputy Director ofCommunications Mr. Abdel–Rahaman Ghandouraddressed the meetingthrough skype. Heapologized to theparticipants on his inabilityto travel to Nairobi due toexigencies of work.

He however said he wasaware and supportive ofthe region’s communicationsefforts, having worked inthe region in the past.

Mr. Rahaman Ghadourexplained the newcommunication strategy forUNDP whose underlyingfoundation was to positionthe organisation to be resultoriented and allows fortransformation and change.

Regarding brandpositioning and brandpromotion, the DeputyDirector said the idea wasto ensure UNDP recognitionas lead in development.He said UNDP had

therefore revamped itsglobal website to make itmore interactive, and moreattractive to ordinarypeople.

He explained that whilethe initiative would berolled up in all nationaloffices, priority was givento India due to its size andthe emerging nation ofSouthern Sudan.

He called on CountryOffices to sign up with hisoffice and obtain thenecessary software toenable them revamp theirCountry Office websites.

On safeguarding theUNDP brand andstrengthening corporateidentity, he emphasizedwhat UNDP stands for andwhat it tries to achieve,adding that the new tagline‘Empowered lives, ResilientNa tions,’ would ensureuniformity in allcommunication materials.

On advocating messagesand use of Goodwill

Ambassadors, he askedCountry Offices to use theAmbassadors in theiractivities to create morevisibility for theorganisation. He informedparticipants that UNDP wasexploring possibilities ofsigning up Ambassadorsbeyond the footballspectrum.

Mr. Rahaman Ghandourfurther explained thatCampaigns would remain amajor strategy ofhighlighting developmentissues. UNDP wouldtherefore continue oncampaigns such as noncommunicable diseases,sustainable development,and MDGS. He alsoemphasized the need tofocus on impact.

The Director noted thatsocial media such asFacebooka nd Twitter wasgrowing at a fast pace,hence UNDP needed toutilize the medium to reachout a wider audience.

UNDP Communications officers meet, share experiencesCommunications officers from East and Southern Region pose for a group photograph

30

The United NationsDevelopment Programme(UNDP) on 27th April 2011hosted a luncheon meetingwith local business leadersat Ryalls Hotel in Blantyreto discuss strategies for anew Private SectorDevelopment Programme.

Chief ExecutiveOfficers and seniormanagers from the

banking, manufacturing, andprocessing sectors as wellas social entrepreneursattended the luncheon.

The meeting was one ofthe follow-up actionsproposed by participants atthe Inclusive MarketsDevelopment (IMD)Conference held last yearto foster dialogue amongthe Government of Malawi,private sector and UNDP forthe formulation of theprogramme.

In his remarks UNDPResident Representative, Mr.Richard Dictus stated thatthe new programme wouldoffer an innovative modelfor pro-poor business tonurture entrepreneurship tounmet demands in themarkets. He expressedhope that the meetingwould allow key businessleaders to review theprogramme and help UNDPdesign strategies to link thepoor to markets throughsustainable incentivemec hanisms and wellestablished value chains.

Principal Secretary in theMinistry of Industry andTrade Mr. NewbyKumwembe, emphasisedthe need for theGovernment and the privatesector to work together toexpand the manufacturingsector which can generatea driving force for economic growth in thecountry.

The programme isexpected to focus on a“missing middle”— smalland medium enterprisesfall ing between micro

UNDP hosts a luncheonfor Business Leaders

enterprises and largemultinationals, unleashing itsvast potential to driveM a l a w i ’ seconomy. Alongside withthe strategies to establish amore capable and

regulatory framework andprivate sector policies, theprogramme will put theprivate sector to play theleading role in exploitingnew markets for pro-poorbusinesses by providing

competitive private sectorthrough strengthening the

access to finance andenhancing entrepreneurship

skills.During the meeting, the

business leaders welcomedunderlining concepts anddiscussed strategies andpossib le mechanismsaddressed in the new

“The new programme would offer an innovativemodel for pro-poor business to nurture entrepreneurship

to unmet demands in the markets. He expressed hopethat the meeting would allow key business leaders toreview the programme and help UNDP design the

strategies to link the poor to markets throughsustainable incentive mechanisms and well established

value chains.”

Consultant Sunil makes a presentation during the luncheon.

programme on PrivateSector Development.

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1

4

5

6

1. Traditional Authority Mbenje, flanked by his cheifsbriefs the officials. To the far left is UNDP AssistantResident Representative (Environment and ClimateChange) Mr. Jan Rijpma

2. The officials walk through the dreged place of theLalanje river

3. The concrete constructed along the banks of Lalanjeriver

4. James Chiusiwa from the department of DisasterManagement Affiars explains his department’s rolein irrigation interventions in Chikhwawa district

5. Some of the farmers who have benefited fromirrigation farming

6. Community members in Nsanje district

Pictorial focus on the visit to disasterrisk reduction initiatives in Chikhwawaand Nsanje districts by UNDP, Embassy

of Ireland and Government officials

32

2

3

33


A group of 15 women fromMtandile a surburb inLilongwe City are makinga living from Batiks,cur tsey of the Centre forCommunity Development(CCODE).

CCODE is a local Non-G o v e r n m e n t a lOrganisation that

has been earmarked toreceive funding from theUnited NationsDevelopment Programme(UNDP) and UN CapitalDevelopment Fund(UNCDF) supportedFinancial Inclusion inMalawi (FIMA) Project.

FIMA project isimplemented by theMinistry of Finance. TheProject’s overall goal is tocontribute to the creation ofan inclusive financial sectorin Malawi.

Chairlady of the BatikiCentre Mrs. BarbraNyirongo told a group ofofficials from UNDP andMinistry of Finance duringa visit to the centre thatthey make wall hangingswhich they sell at a K3,000(Approximately US$ 20)per hanging.

She explained that theyreceived trainings on howto make the wall hangingsfrom a British national Ms.Barabra who volunteeredto teach the women Batiksskills. She also linked themto some markets.

According to Mrs.Nyirongo, the Batiks Centrestarted operating inJanuary 2011. She saidthere were 15 womendivided into three groupsof five. Each group workson a hanging at a go,implying that at the end,they have three wallhangings valued at K9,000(Approximately US$ 60)

“This looks to be alucrative business. As youcan see our wall hangingsare very beautiful, but wedo not have links to bigmarkets who can order our

goods in bulk. We usuallysell to individual customerswho our trainer Barbralinked us to,” she said.

Mrs. Nyirongo explainedthat at the end of the month,they share profits from thesale of the hangings. On

“I am able to providebasic needs for my children.Additionally, the workkeeps us busy all day, sothere is no room for idlingand gossiping,” she added.

CCODE said there areplans to involve the youths

Women earn aliving from Batiks

UNDP and Ministry ofFinance officials to Area23, another suburb inLilongwe City to appreciatetheir work in the area ofconstruction.

The Ministry of Housingand Urban Development

a verage, each memberreceives K3,000(Approximately US$ 20)

and keep them busy.Before visiting the Batiks

centre, CCODE took the

awarded CCODE a contractto construct low cost housesfor civil servants.

“I am able to provide basic needs formy children. Additionally, the work keepsus busy all day, so there is no room for

idling and gossiping,”

A CCCODE Official explains how the batiks are made

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Ms. June Kambalametore,one of the YoungProfessionals workingwith UNDP-Malawi wasrecently elected as anexecutive member in theEconomics Association ofMalawi (ECAMA) boardduring the Association’sAnnual General Meetingheld at Silver Club inLilongwe.

Ms. Kambalametore,holds a Mastersdegree in

Economics obtained fromthe University of Kwazulu,Natal in South Africa.

Although there are manytalented young Malawiansaspiring to work fordevelopment, there arefew opportunities for themto start a professionalcareer in the developmentfield in the country.

It ’s against thisbackground that UNDP-Malawi introduced theYoung ProfessionalsProgramme (YPP) toprovide promising younguniversity graduates withthe unique opportunity topursue a career indevelopment with hands-onexperience in a multi-lateral development co-operation.

“I feel very excited andprivileged to be part of theECAMA board. I lookforward to working andlearning from highlyrecognized people incountry like Dr NaomiNgwira, the new presidentof ECAMA,” said Ms.

Kambalametore.She said her

expectations are tocontinue advancing theobjectives of the Associationwhich among others includea good understanding andanalysis of economic issuesin the country, appraisal ofeconomic conditions anddevelopments that are ofincreasing importance andencourage and promote thestudy of economics in thecountry.

But what inspired Ms.Kambalametore to joinECAMA?

“I was inspired to joinECAMA because I am anEconomist and ECAMA asan association recognizesthe role of economists in theeconomic development,policy formulation andanalysis and also publica wareness in economicissues. In addition, ECAMAis a widely acknowledgedassociation in Malawi,” shesaid.

UNDP’s YoungProfessional elected

in ECAMA Board

“I was inspired to join ECAMA because Iam an Economist and ECAMA as anassociation recognizes the role of

economists in the economic development,policy formulation and analysis and also

public awareness in economic issues.

35


Mr.Raphael Mzondwa, asmallholder farmer fromGroup Village HeadmanNyampota in Chikhwawadistrict is able to harvest 15bags of maize throughirrigation farming.

Mr. Mzondwa is oneof the 150 farmersunder the

Nampole Irrigation Schemewho are benefiting from aUNDP supportedprogramme aimed atincreasing food securityimplemented by theEvangelical Association ofMalawi (EAM) with fundingfrom the Irish Government.

Chikhwawa districtexperiences flooding dueto it’s geographical locationnear the Shire river. Thefloods usually destroyproperty and crops,thereby leading to hunger.

“To say the truth, my lifehas c hanged with thisirrigation programme.Previously, my familysuffered from hunger but

UNDP supports irrigationfarming in Chikhwawa district

now, I am able to harvest15 bags of maize and sellsurplus to buy othernecessities like soap, sugarand salt,” said Mr.Mzondwa.

He explained thatusually, the maize is grownwithin three months.

Vice chairlady of thegroup Mrs. Christina Faitiexplained that in 2007,EAM started an irrigationdemonstration plot to teachthe farmers how to conductir r igation. T hey alsoprovided seed, fertiliserand treadle pumps.

She said high yieldswere realised from thedemonstration plot, adevelopment whichmotivated farmers to forma farmers club and start theirown irrigation scheme.

“We approached ourchief, who gave us this pieceof land. We formed acommittee and distributedthe plots. Each farmer gota 20 X 50 plot,” she said.

Mrs. Faiti further

explained that incollaboration with theMinistry of Agriculture andFood Security, EAM gavethe farmers 25 treadlepumps which they share.

She said initially therewere 77 farmers, butfollowing a successful firstharvest, many more weremotivated to join, hencebringing the total number to150. “There are 64 womenand 86 men in the group,”she added.

Mrs. Faiti however saidthe c hallenges that thegroup face include shortageof treadle pumps. She saidthe 25 treadle pumps arenot enough for the 150farmers. This, she said, leadsto farmers waiting for longbefore irrigating theirgardens since the exerciseis done on rotational basis.

She echoed Mr.Mzondwa’s sentimentsabout food security. “All thefarmers in our club are nowfood secure, I can challengeyou to move from one

household to the other, youwill find that they all haveenough food to feed theirfamilies. They also havesurplus to buy othernecessities of life,” sheadded.

Apart from irrigationskills, Mrs. Faiti said EAMalso taught them villagesavings initiatives; hencethe group opened a bankaccount. Every membercontributes a 50kg bag ofmaize, whose proceeds aredeposited in the account.

“The money helps usduring difficult times forexample funerals,” sheadded.

EAM Chikhwawa ProjectCoordinator Mr. LonesterSibande explained thattheir interventions in thedistrict focus on fourcomponents namely;irrigation and food security,livestock, revolving schemeand economicempowerment of women.

He said they alsopromote the use of droughtresistant crops such as sweetpotatoes and also conducttrainings on reducing theeffects of disasters such asfloods.

Mr. Sibande said that theaim of the training is toensure that communities areaware of analysis and howthey can respond in case ofa disaster such as flooding.

In his remarks Head ofDevelopment at Irish Aid,Mr. Vincent O’Neil said hewas impressed with farmers’success stories and urgedthem to continue with thefood security initiatives.

Mr. Raphael Mzondwa: My life has changed

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Mrs. Mary Gadama, ViceSecretary of NambombaIrrigation Scheme inChikhwawa district is oneof the 177 farmers inParamount Chief Lundu’sarea benefiting from aUNDP supported project onirrigation farming toimprove food security athousehold level.

The revelation wasmade during a jointmonitoring visit that

comprised officials fromUNDP, Embassy of Ireland,and the Government ofMalawi.

The project, which isimplemented by theEvangelical Association ofMalawi (EAM), has seenfarmers irrigate over 35.5hectares of land to growmaize and vegetables suchas beans.

The scheme is locatednear the Il lovo sugar

plantation. Beforeembarking on irrigationfarming, families, especiallymen depended on piecework on the plantation.

eat. I think irrigationfarming is the way to gobecause it ensures that youhave food throughout theyear,” she said.

“I think irrigation farming is the way to gobecause it ensures that you have food

throughout the year.”However, there was a

challenge of foodinsecurity since the area isprone to floods

Mrs. Gadama said thatsince three years ago, thefarmers in NambombaIrrigation Scheme haveharvested enough food tofeed their families.

“Apart from floods, lastyear, there was a dry spell.We did not harvest enough.But with the irrigation, weare now food secure. Atleast we have enough to

Just like their colleaguesof Nampota IrrigationScheme, Mrs. Gadama saidthey also face a challengeof shortage of treadlepumps and insufficient waterto irrigate their crops.

The farmers mainlydepend on water fromIllovo Sugar Plantationwhich dug a canal throughthe scheme. But thisarrangement is only viablewhen the sugarcanes in theplantation are not at harveststage.

Mrs. Gadama however

said that the farmers haveapproached ParamountChief Lundu to negotiatewith Illovo to allow thewater to flow to the scheme

throughout the growingseason.

In his remarks, UNDPAssistant ResidentR e p r e s e n t a t i v e(Environment, Energy andClimate Change) Mr. JanRijpma said it was pleasingto see effor ts by farmers toensur e that they haveenough food.

“We are very impressedwith what we have seen.We very much appreciateyour efforts to ensure thatyou enough food,” said Mr.Rijpma.

Irrigation farming is the way to go- Chikhwawa farmers

Framers who have benefited from irrigation interventions in Chikhwawa district.

37


was based on ideas from different institutions representedin the Democratic Governance Sector Working Group andare aligned to the Policy Framework Paper (PFP) thatsupports the democratic governance sector agenda

Public Sector CapacityDevelopment Programme

Executive Management CourseIn continuing with improving leadership and managementskills within the public service, the Office of the Presidentand Cabinet (OPC) conducted Executive ManagementCourse for Principal Secretary’s. This Course took placein May 2011 and was fully funded by Government. Atotal of 15 PSs were trained. In September 2010. Followingthe outcome of the UNDP supported capacity assessment(2008) of central ministries which among others indentifiedweak leadership and management skills among senior civilservants, UNDP assisted the Government to resume thePublic Sector Administration (PSA) Leadership andmanagement course aimed at improving senior Governmentofficials’ policy formulation and management skills.

Procurement Audit: This exercise has started and SGS Nederland BV wasselected by the Office of the Director of Public ProcurementThe exercise was launched by the Director on June 3,2011. A total of 30 old procurement entities (PEs) and 20new ones would be audited. The contract price is EURO118,437.

Public Sector Reform StrategyDraft Reform Public Sector Reforms Framework in place –once approved by the Office of the President and Cabinet(OPC), it will form the basis of the strategy. A workshopbrainstorming on the strategy to be held in mid/end-August2011. The scheduling would take advantage of mid-termevaluation of the programme.

External Audit of Parastatals: The National Authorising Office (NAO) currently conductingan audit of key parastatals. The purpose is to increasecoverage and raise audit issues that should later befollowed up.

BSc in Supply Chain Management: UNDP is supporting the Government of Malawi throughthe Office of the Director of Public Procurment to create acritical mass of specialists within the country. There is anon-going long-term training in Bachelors in Supply ChainManagement at the University of Malawi. To date, 18students have graduated under the programme. 8 are stillpursuing their studies.

Access to Justice

Democratic Governance Sector wideapproach

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) with financial and technicalsupport from UNDP is leading a consultative andparticipatory process to develop a 5-year strategy forthe Democratic Governance sector. The sector is one ofthe sixteen Sector Working Groups in Malawi and includesall the institutions responsible for the administration of justiceand democratic accountability. This re-affirms the principlethat accountability and justice mutually contribute todemocratic governance and should be addressed in anintegrated and consolidated manner. The strategy andSector Wide Approach will assist Government agenciesand other stakeholders including development partners inaligning their support to a cohesive approach forDemocratic Governance reform in Malawi.

Justice Baseline Survey final draft ReportThe Ministry of Justice with support from UNDP engagedthe National Statistical Office (NSO) to conduct a BaselineSurvey for Justice. NSO released a final draft reportencompassing the f indings of the survey which have sincebeen presented to both justice and democraticaccountability institutions. The purpose of the survey wasto establish and provide up-to-date data to variousstakeholders that include policy makers and civil societyorganizations involved in the administration of justice soas to assist them validate the existing indicators as well asdefine new indicators that are appropriate for holisticallymeasuring justice delivery within the realm of democraticgovernance. A final draft report is expected to beendorsed by the Democratic Governance sector as a wholeby end 2011.

Support to the Malawi Growth andDevelopment Strategy II

The Government of Malawi presented a draft nationaldevelopment plan, referred to as the Malawi Growth andDevelopment Strategy (MGDS II), which will operate asan overarching development strategy for the period 2011-2016. With f inancial and technical support from UNDP,the Democratic Governance sector met on 19th April, 2011to discuss the draft MGDS II particularly in regard to itsalignment to the 2010 democratic governance PolicyFramework Paper (PFP). During the meeting, the sectormade substantial input and contributions to theme 5 of theMGDS which relates to improved governance, human rights,access to justice, elections and civic education in Malawi.The consolidated inputs were then forwarded by the Ministryof Justice and Constitutional Affairs to the Ministry ofDevelopment, Planning and Cooperation. The importanceof the sector’s contribution to the MGDS II cannot beoveremphasized as the process of formulating the MGDS

Updates

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Diagnostic Studies: The Government of Malawi has been using Sector WideApproaches (SWAps). Currently, Malawi has in place thehealth, education, Agriculture, water and democraticgovernance SWAp. One lesson learned is the need todevelop the necessary capacities to implement theseSWAps. As a result, UNDP is supporting the Governmentto undertake capacity diagnostic studies in different sectorswhere SWAps are in operation. These include theAgriculture and Democratic Governance SWAp. UNDP isdiscussing with the Ministry of Irrigation and Waterdevelopment to carry out a similar exercise under thewater sector.

Recruitment of Capacity Building Specialist: Recruited and placed in the Office of the President andCabinet (OPC).

Development Assistance Coordination Unit(DACU) Project

Aid Management Platform (AMP) has been upgraded fromversion 1.13 to version 1.16, its IP address (http://81.199.119.52/aim) secured making it online and rollingit out to development partners is in progress. Developmentpartner focal agents have been trained on how to managethe system and input aid data into it. Through the Debtand Aid Management Division (DAD), Governmentmanaged to secure participation of all developmentpartners in aid reporting to feed into the Aid ManagementPlatform (AMP). AMP administration staff in DAD were

trained to manage administrative issues for the system.The Malawi Aid Atlas continues to be produced andcirculated on quarterly basis. Ministry of Finance throughthe Debt and Aid Management section has secured theparticipation of all United Nations agencies in the monthlyaid data reporting system. This has significantly improvedthe coverage and quality of information being given toGovernment since almost all donors are submitting aidinformation to the Aid Management Paltform.

Paris Declaration Monitoring SurveyThe 2011 Paris Declaration Monitoring Survey wassuccessfully completed. About 20 development partnerscompleted the survey questionnaire and UNDP was thedonor focal point. A country report for the Survey wassubmitted to Organisation for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment (OECD) in April 2011 and the OECD hassince produced a draft report for Malawi based on analysisof the country findings submitted. The Paris Dec larationSurvey is an assessment of progress that has been madein achievement of Paris Declaration indicator targets overthe period in which the Declaration has been implemented.

Aid effectiveness

The long awaited Aid Effectiveness Specialist, Ms.Magdalena Kouneva, reported for duties on the 11th July2011.

UNDP unveils new taglineUNDP Administrator Helen Clark on16th June 2011 unveiled the newtagline “Empowered lives. Resilientnations.”

Launching the tagline, the Administratorsaid: “The tagline is not an all-encompassing explanation of ourwork. It is however, a useful frameworkto explain UNDP’s approach inworking with people to build the skillsand knowledge they need to improvetheir own lives, as well as helpingnations withstand crisis and drive andsustain the kind of growth whichimproves the quality of life for eachand every one,”

She explained that the tagline cameout of an 8-month consultative processmanaged by a public interest

communications agency.“The key recommendation from

the process was to highlight thepeople-centered focus of our work,its scale and positive impact. Our newtagline reflects this focus,” sheadded.

The tagline is a tool to help UNDPcommunicate its mandate and impactmore effectively with variousaudiences and partners.

UNDP-Malawi staff have sincewelcomed the new tagline.

Programme Analyst (CapacityDevelopment) Mr. Venge Nkosi,said: “This is a powerful tagline. Thebeauty is empowered lives can beinterpreted in many dimensions –economically, politically, capacity-wise, information-wise – name it!”she said.

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CONTACT ADDRESSArea 40, Plot 7P.O Box 30135Lilongwe 3Tel: 01 773 500Fax: 01 773 637www.undp.org.mw

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