The renovated Link Model Training Center (LMTC at Tangail, formerly it was WTI) saw a big gathering of First PRDP-2 Staff Quarterly Meeting on 24 and 25 May 2006. Participants accounted for about 80 including Dhaka LMC, Tangail LMTC, and three Project sites including BRDB District DDs, URDOs, ARDOs, UDO/Os, research personnel (RO/RS/RAs) and accountants. The two-day long discussions were oriented to squeeze out major issues and problems in activities in the past six months and pre-pare realistic work plans for the coming year. PRDP-2 decided to hold the all staff meeting three monthly (quarterly) from now on.
The first day's discussion centered around (a) big VCs vs. small VCs, (b) one-VC-in-one-village principle should be maintained, but (c) VCs may possibly be divided according to geographical isolation and villagers' perception on appropriate social units. Regarding VC Schemes, heated discussions particularly among UDO/Os carried over to the next day leading to the necessities of (d) fairer criteria for big VCs, (e) guidance for planning "soft-schemes" beyond predominant para-road schemes, (f) appropriate cost ceiling and sharing among VC, UP and PRDP-2, (g) vitalizing the role of SIT (Scheme Implementation Team), and (h) better criteria for collecting UP tax as a precondition of approving VC Schemes.
On the second day, sessions covered issues on better linkage between NBDs and VCs. The meeting suggested (i) involvement of trained volunteers particularly in livestock and fisheries that are in short of NBD staff despite big demands, (j) encourage and assist NBDs to conduct training to needy VCs, possibly including organizing Union-wide melas with NBDs initiatives, beyond the present VC visit.
Extensive lists of training needs were presented from the three sites as conceived by all the staff concerned. The lists are now being collated at LMTC for possible inclusion in the present tentative 5-year training program. At the meeting different revised report and feed-back formats were proposed from LMC to improve communications between HQ and project sites.
Deputy Commissioner attends UCCM
Meherpur Deputy Commissioner Mr. Talukder Samsur Rahman got familialized with PRDP's activities such as UCCM, VCM, NBD's VC visit, and VC scheme when he attended 32th UCCM of Kutubpur union which was conducted by UP Chairman Mr. Chand Ali on 17 May 2006. The DC was particularly impressed by NBD's VCM visit program. "I am very happy to know that PRDP-2 is working for proper coordination/linkage, because the much needed NBD services had not been delivered properly, particularly to village women, due to lack of coordination. I wish PRDP-2 motivates NBD officials for delivering better services and encourage women folk to participate in social and economic development process." Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mrs. Wahida Akhter and some staff of Dhaka LMC were also present at the UCCM.
64 Cows Vaccinated in Uttar Shalika
Mr. Akbar Ali, Veterinary Field Assistant of Livestock Department conducted one-day cow-FMD vaccination program in Uttar Salika village in Kutubpur union on 20 May 2006. A total of 64 cows were brought and vaccinated, while VC Chairman and UP Member Mr. Aminul Islam watching on. Villagers said "we are happy as we can now plow land without worrying about our cows getting khora roag (foot infection). It is nice to get NBD's services through our own VC."
UP Pledges Funding VC Schemes
Jiarkandi UP Chairman, Mr. Md. Emdad Hossain has decided for the UP to contribute 2,000 taka for each VC Scheme. "It is good for UP to get 100% benefit by contributing only 10% scheme costs. I urge every chairman to follow this idea", says the Chairman Hossain.
"Attending UCCM, we know what are going on in each village. UCCM is a sort of mini-parliament, where every VC can articulate the respective demand, ask questions to which immediate responses are obtainable. Link Model provides a very good communications platform", he continued. "Through UCCM and VCM villagers have increasingly being recognizing NBDs' activities and services available in the villages."
Asian Arsenic Network Team Visits PRDP-2 Project Site
A five member team from Asian Arsenic Network (AAN), which is currently implementing an Arsenic Mitigation Project in Jessore, visited PRDP-2 project site in Kalihati, Tangail on 8 May 2006. The delegates were Mr. Masahide Shimamura (DGM), Mr. Naoki Matsumura (Expert in Local Government), Mr. Riazul Karim Razu (Local Government Coordinator), Mr. Faruq Hossain (Upazila Coordinator, Chaugacha, Jessor) and Mr. Sawardi (Upazila Coordinator, Sarsha, Jessore). Mr. Kentaro Yokota, JICA officer in charge of PRDP-2 was also present.
After having a short discussion session with PRDP-2 Kalihati site staff at Kalihati office, the Team attended Pukuria Icchapur VCM in Shahadebpur union and Kokdahara 5th UCCM. They visited a para-road VC Scheme site in Bangra union. The Team recognized the needs of similar set up for coordination among stakeholders at different levels including district, upazila, union, ward and village community for properly managing arsenic mitigation programs. Both parties promised to extend opportunities of mutual exchange programs in the future.
Let's Promote Mutual Visits of Sister Projects
In the areas of rural development and local governance, a number of projects are being implemented and many more are coming. LGD/UNCDF/UNDP Sirajganj Local Governance Project is going to be expanded to cover one district in each of the six divisions with financial assistance of EU from the coming July 2006. LGD/WB is launching a giant 5-year program of Local Governance Support Project (LGSP) which includes as the largest component the enhancement of UP Block Grant Fund from the coming July. SDC has delegated a consortium of Intercooperation and CARE to implement its Local Governance Program in Rajshahi and Sunamganj. DANIDA is implementing a unique project which addresses, as a main component, modernizing shalish (village court). LGED's Greater Faridpur Infrastructure Development Project is now trying to expand the JBIC/JICA assisted LDCP to 5 upazilas in the region by its own budget and personnel. BARD's renowned CVDP (Comprehensive Village Development Program) is being expanded to cover 21 upazilas, and it has been recognized as one of the "successful experiences on poverty-focused rural good governance", along with PRDP-2, at the Commonwealth/CIRDAP workshop held recently.
General coordination among the above sister projects is being made at ad hoc meetings of Local Governance Working Group of donor LCG (Local Consultative Group) from time to time. More substantial collaboration and cooperation, however, may be enhanced by mutually learning to each other through project site visits. PRDP-2 will place importance in the mutual visit programs including the above sister projects by our staff as well as stakeholder groups. LDCP is sending its groups to Kalihati site sometime in the coming July. Let us visit some interesting project sites, and learn lessons to upgrade our own activities, too.
Two New JICA Experts Join
Ms. Rieko Sasaki, JICA Expert in Rural Development, joined PRDP-2 as from April for six-month assignment till October 2006. She advises on all related activities mainly at Kalihati site, but tries to cover as much as possible the two other sites of Titash and Mehrpur Sadar, too.
Ms. Yasuko Ose, JICA Expert in Training, joined also in April for the same six month assignment till October 2006. She advises on overall activities in relation to planning, conducting and evaluating trainings in PRDP-2.
The renovated Link Model Training Center (LMTC at Tangail, formerly it was WTI) saw a big gathering of First PRDP-2 Staff Quarterly Meeting on 24 and 25 May 2006. Participants accounted for about 80 including Dhaka LMC, Tangail LMTC, and three Project sites including BRDB District DDs, URDOs, ARDOs, UDO/Os, research personnel (RO/RS/RAs) and accountants. The two-day long discussions were oriented to squeeze out major issues and problems in activities in the past six months and pre-pare realistic work plans for the coming year. PRDP-2 decided to hold the all staff meeting three monthly (quarterly) from now on. 
Jiarkandi UP Chairman, Mr. Md. Emdad Hossain has decided for the UP to contribute 2,000 taka for each VC Scheme. "It is good for UP to get 100% benefit by contributing only 10% scheme costs. I urge every chairman to follow this idea", says the Chairman Hossain. 
A five member team from Asian Arsenic Network (AAN), which is currently implementing an Arsenic Mitigation Project in Jessore, visited PRDP-2 project site in Kalihati, Tangail on 8 May 2006. The delegates were Mr. Masahide Shimamura (DGM), Mr. Naoki Matsumura (Expert in Local Government), Mr. Riazul Karim Razu (Local Government Coordinator), Mr. Faruq Hossain (Upazila Coordinator, Chaugacha, Jessor) and Mr. Sawardi (Upazila Coordinator, Sarsha, Jessore). Mr. Kentaro Yokota, JICA officer in charge of PRDP-2 was also present. 
