Country mapping process underway

In recent weeks, the PDG Advisory Unit has performed desk research into lessons learned from past development efforts in ten countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Liberia, Mali, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone and Timor-Leste. The results of this process will help the PDG identify gaps and needs in specific sectors, as well as past donor activities and possible suppliers in each of the countries.

Advisory Unit holds meetings in North America

From 5-15 June, the head of the PDG Advisory Unit, Jerzy POMIANOWSKI, and Technical Advisor Bathylle MISSIKA discussed the recent work of the PDG with key contacts and experts in New York, Washington and Ottawa. The meetings were held with UNDP, PDG member states Canada and the United States, PDG observers (IDB, OAS, World Bank and IMF) as well as major think tanks (Brookings Institution, Center for Global Development, National Endowment for Democracy, NYU Center on International Cooperation and the Hudson Institute), and provided the Advisory Unit with the opportunity to gain valuable feedback and gauge reaction to the PDG's progress.

Plans underway for second Steering Group meeting in October

The PDG Steering Group will hold its second meeting on 17 October at the OECD Conference Centre in Paris. This meeting will be preceded by a brainstorming session of the Working Group on the 15th and an Experts Group Meeting on the 16th. More information on these meetings will be provided in the coming weeks.

New PDG materials available

The Advisory Unit has put together a new series of documents, including PowerPoint presentations, a condensed informative document, Q&As and an example case study. If you are interested in using these materials, contact James Eberlein.

Head of PDG Advisory Unit visits Slovenia, Poland

Jerzy POMIANOWSKI has returned from meetings in Slovenia and Poland. In June, he was in Ljubljana to attend a workshop organised by Slovenian development assistance operators in conjunction with the Slovenian Presidency of the European Union on structuring such assistance from new EU member states. In July, he held consultations in Warsaw at the Polish Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence on the possibilities for enhanced cooperation with the PDG.

PDG Presentations at IIAS-TODAİE and other international forums

PDG Technical Advisors are continuing outreach activities to international forums, including the annual IIAS-TODAİE (International Institute of Administrative Science and the Public Administration Institute for Turkey and the Middle East) conference in Ankara. The conference, which brought together public administration specialists, politicians, academics and practitioners from all regions of the world, provided the PDG with an excellent opportunity to interact with well-known experts who can contribute to the PDG community of practice. A recent presentation was also made to the OECD Fragile States Group.

Upcoming Advisory Unit activities

The PDG Advisory Unit has plans to attend the upcoming International Conference on Taxation, State Building and Capacity Development in Africa, to be held in Pretoria at the end of August. The Advisory Unit also continues to engage in intensive consultation with UNDP, including a meeting later this month at the UNDP Democratic Governance Centre in Oslo. Members of the Advisory Unit will also be present at the 2008 IPAC/IAPC Conference in Québec.

PDG Advisory Unit fully operational

As of June, the PDG Advisory Unit has become fully operational. Headed by Mr. Jerzy POMIANOWSKI, the Unit is now comprised of Technical Advisors Ms. Kerri ELGAR, Ms. Judyta FIEDIN, Ms. Tracey HEBERT, Ms. Bathylle MISSIKA and Mr. Frédéric WEHRLE. The work of the Unit is supported by Mr. James EBERLEIN, Ms. Phyllis FLICK and Ms. Bonnie SCHAEFER.