Written by Mekong Institute

This report evaluates the learning programme “Poverty Reduction”. Mekong Institute conducted this course from 4 June to 29 June 2005 with generous support and cooperation by Thailand International Development and Cooperation Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Colombo Plan for Cooperatve Economic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific.    

Twenty-three government officials attended the course from seventeen countries (Appendix F). Participants hold a mixture of middle to senior level positions from a wide varety of development related ministeries, agencies and state-owned enterprises. Of the participants, 35% are women.

Three presenters, four guest speakers, two field research facilitators and MI coaches assisted participants with knowledge and skill development and professional network formation. Participants confirmed that the resource persons are qualified, experienced people who were able to explain difficult content in clear and simple therms. Overall, participants felt resource persons were excellent or good and attained their teaching objectives.

Curriculum was divided into four topic modules. According to the MIquestionnaires and focus-group discussions, participants felt that the course content was useful for their professional development.

Course activities included a wide range of learning and social activities. Participants felt that the main learning activities, including professional skill development, were either excellent or good. They further felt that the additional learning activities were good and social activities were excellent. Participants also found MI to be a clean, well-run facility with dedicated, friendly staff and excellent ITand library sevices.

The majority of participants found the four week duration of the programme just right, although thirty five percent indicate the duration was too short.

Outcomes of the programme include knowledge and skills gained for poverty reduction projects. Participants further developed professional skills, such as data and case analysis, presentation, Internet research, and professional networking. Participants felt they fully attainedor attained the new knowledge and professional skills presented in the curriculum. Further, they made many new friendships and professional contacts. Overall, participants reported high satisfaction with the learning programme.

This report concludes, based on the above feedback, that the learning programme was very successful. Finally, Section 5 of this report provides recommendations for future porgramme improvement.