~~Global Warming~~G20~~etc...

disabilities and discrepancies

in the main system...will it crash?

dislocation and displacement

of people and places...will it all melt?

derangement and deficiency

in the economies and people...will it all collapse?

degradation and distortion

in every corner and in every 'fact'...will it cause a domino effect?

who serves whom?

who gives and who gets?

beneficiaries and benefactors

companies and organizations

structures, institutions, posts and roles

all pre-assigned, all secured and bought

preconceived notions and post-conflict left-over explosions
rulers inept to rule, defenders obscure in their missions and goals

following assignments blindly,

copying information no one really regarding

in a chaotic, nervous vacuum that will burst

people spin and spin until they are all... flushed...

'friendship' is a political slang

to mean 'mutual' selfish exploitation and achieving one's quest

'harmony' is an illusionary state

which is to lure the already deceived into a net

'peaceful rise', peaceful fall, what rises eventually falls

climb the snowy peaks you liars, while they still have snow!!!

'melting pot' becomes a truth

with every living creature under the doom

of involuntarily becoming a participant in this soup

but who dares complain to the great cooks?

prideful, arrogant, obnoxious -

people without values, unable to make right choices!

the climate is warming...it is a theory

are people warming?...not towards each other

are countries warming?...not to become blends, they aren't

these processes lead us into the infernal fire

of our own sins and selfish desires...

consumption, money, and the things we rave
will keep the fire burning till it all ends.

the power to stop? - switch off the plug?

the power to stop? - pick yourself up!

don't trust in those whom you see on the TV upclose

don't follow the crowd when it drags your values like a rag

don't put up with the abuse of all that is sacred and good!

Stand up to put down the fire

Stand up to bring to close the chaos

Stand up to what you believe

and be courageous when 'accidentally' the system presses...
on you with the button delete...

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SEVEN Fund Student Essay Competition - Turning President Kagame's Vision into Practice

"Where there is no vision, the people perish, but he that keeps the law, happy is he" Prov.29:18

This is an essay I submitted for a competition organized by Seven Fund www.sevenfund.org. We had to take the role of president Kagame's main policy adviser and design a policy action plan to turn his vision for the country into practice. He believes that the advancement and development of entrepreneurship should be the main engine for sustainable development and only through this development approach the full potential of the Rwandan people can be realized!
Here is the essay. I welcome and comments, suggestions and opinions.
Due to the lack of time (I got to know about it just a few days ago), my preparation wasn't as extensive, as I would like it to be, but this is at least an initial step.
Enjoy reading! :)



Your Excellency Mr. President Kagame,

In the light of our discussions on the specific policies which Rwanda needs to undertake in order to achieve the goals set in 'Vision 2020' and the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the goals set in the EDPRS (Economic Development Poverty Reduction Strategy) 2008-2012, I have designed the following 24-point policy plan. It was created to cover extensively the top priorities set by you as stated on various occasions. Their focus is unquestionably the development and expansion of the private sector with strong emphasis on entrepreneurship development. These policies do not aim to encompass all possible approaches to achieving the goals, but they are comprehensible enough to grasp some of the key areas of focus in the process. An important feature is the goal for innovation and diversification of options in the process of development.

Our core goal is the eradication of extreme poverty and provision of opportunities for all Rwandan people to develop their full potential and live better, more sustainable lives. The way forward to make this goal a reality constitutes of several important steps, which all aim to empower the disadvantaged and underprivileged groups of society. The first set of policies targets the strengthening and improvement of microfinance within Rwanda, and the second set of policies acknowledges various challenges and opportunities in the development process and maps out ways to overcome the challenges and utilize the opportunities presented to our country.

Our government recognizes the challenge to find feasible development options that take into account the specific realities of Rwanda and in particular the scarcity of skilled labor, lack of basic infrastructure and very low levels of FDI. In order to overcome these challenges, we need to emphasize the central role that microfinance institutions (MFIs) should play in all our efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. MFIs have already proved their efficiency in alleviating poverty and providing opportunities for development, especially to the poorest. There are several aspects in which the government can play an active role in further enhancing their role and facilitating their actions:


1. We need to continue pursuing a strongly pro-poor oriented economic policy and recognize the key role of microfinance services in tackling poverty.
2. We need to continue to encourage MFIs to design poverty-focused microfinance models which will deliver appropriate financial and non-financial products to the most needy. The government can facilitate the provision of some of these services. In order for this to happen, MFIs operating around Rwanda need to have direct connection with the government to inquire information or any other necessary assistance. Therefore, we need to assign a special position within the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Cooperatives (MCIIPTC) to facilitate the connection and coordinate actions.

3. The government needs to implement solid macroeconomic policies, avoiding high inflation. It is also advisable that it liberalizes the interest rates for microfinance, using competition rather than interest rate ceilings to encourage efficiency and lower interest rates over time.

4. It should also undertake the promotion of performance indicators and standards that encourage transparency and sound performance across the range of institutions engaged in microfinance. This will be accomplished through the establishment of a specialized microfinance rating agency. Simple and rigorous reporting requirements must be set.

5. In order to help MFIs overcome the difficulties they face in achieving financial sustainability, we need to recognize that microfinance is a vital part of the financial system and to get more involved by deploying the government’s financial service infrastructures in a way increasingly intended to meet the demand of most citizens. We need to assure the integration of MFIs into domestic financial markets. We can permit the regulated MFIs that meet prudential standards to mobilize deposits from the public, with more liberal treatment of savings mobilization from MFI borrowers.

6. Another useful measurement can be fair tax treatment, including temporary tax incentives for MFIs undertaking the costs of converting to formal, regulated structures.

7. The government is also responsible for making the public familiar with the way MFIs operate and explain to them the reasons for the higher interest rates for micro-loans in comparison with those for corporate finance.

8. Information and communication technology is the key to facilitating and expanding the scope and breadth of MFIs and their overall impact on poverty alleviation as well as the overall long-term development of the country. In this respect, the government should encourage and invest in providing the technological tools necessary to improve the management of microfinance projects. The most feasible choice will be enhanced technological transfer from donor countries, especially China. We also need to ensure, by monitoring and directing the technological assistance, that it reaches the most vulnerable and destitute. Therefore, close contact with MFIs working on the ground is essential.

9. Special attention must be turned to the needs of women and other vulnerable groups, like orphans or disabled people. Only by acknowledging their specific needs and potential, can Rwanda meet its MDG goals and develop in a sustainable manner. Women’s political empowerment in Rwanda has become a landmark of its development and pioneer spirit, but much more effort needs to be put in empowering women economically. The threat of the ‘feminization of poverty’ in Rwanda is evident. The marginalization of orphans and other disadvantaged groups from the development process is also apparent. Therefore, the government must take measures to transform this disastrous trend. MFIs are especially effective in targeting disadvantaged groups but more effort is needed to ensure the accessibility of micro-credits to women and orphans and their ability to fully benefit from these credits. The government needs to cooperate with MFIs to ensure this. We must take the initiative to gather information on women’s needs and design products specifically to meet those needs. We must ensure that women and women’s perspectives are brought into the governance, management, and implementation of microfinance programs.

The government’s main priority has to be investment in information and communication technologies, thus leading Rwanda towards becoming a knowledge-based economy. We will need the help of partners and great efforts on our side to succeed. But with the right policies in place, this is by no means an unachievable goal. These policies should be designed to tackle the most pressing issues impending Rwanda from achieving rapid and sustainable development. These include lack of skilled labor, lack of infrastructure, especially transport, lack of sustainable energy and lack of technology. Therefore:

10. The government needs to prioritize national policies to build productive capacity in the national development plans, for infrastructure as well as vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

11. To improve the efficiency of tax systems and collection to maximize the contribution of domestic resources to public investment.

12. We must vigorously pursue to attract more investment, both ODA and FDI. The government must turn special attention to China as a source for technological transfer (ICT) and as an infrastructure investor. Rwanda-China relations must be strengthened. Rwanda must continue the current educational exchange program with China which provides technology-related training courses to Rwandan students, who in return need to serve work in Rwanda. It needs to find more partners willing to invest in the development of productive capacities, including productive resources, technological development and innovation in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, entrepreneurial capabilities and production linkages, and related resources, especially infrastructure and institutions. In this respect, China and other significant partners can play an even more major role and bring know-how, provide the necessary funds to stimulate research and development and investment in education (not only primary, but also secondary and tertiary)! To facilitate this process, we must design an attractive plan to attract China and other partners.

13. In this respect, investment in sustainable energy sources is essential for the overall development. We must define national energy access goals and targets in our macro-development strategies, policies and programs, and estimate the costs to meet the targets. Such clear policies will invite investment into the field. Tax incentives to support the deployment of modern energy technologies will be crucial. We need to reform subsidies to support sustainable development and offer loan guarantees to SMEs building energy businesses in Rwanda. Training and cooperation with other partners must be a priority for building capacity and attracting investment.

14. Public-private partnerships that assist farmers with access to credit, technical assistance, c capacity building, marketing information and crop and product diversification must be established and encouraged. We should also encourage joint research initiatives in different areas, both within the region or internationally and stimulate regional technological sharing.

15. Rwanda needs to extensively research and map out its industries with strong comparative advantages. New industries with the potential to have comparative advantages must be acknowledged and developed in order to stimulate economic diversification.

16. Promoting a green revolution in basic staples should be a priority for the government and we need to persuade partners and donors to share more efficient and environmentally friendly technologies with us.

17. To transform Rwanda into an entrepreneurship country, we need to take a step away from the social welfare and subsidy approach, which doesn’t create a knowledge-based economy. The government needs to remove itself from direct lending to poor people and instead, invest in delivering more training-related services to them, thus empowering them.

18. One way to deliver training and create a favorable environment for research can be the establishment of co-joint workshop training centers, which will be equipped and managed by both Rwandan and Chinese (or others). These centers will provide entrepreneurial skills training with the possibility for connection with MFIs, as well as help for existing small and informal activities to be transformed into organized small-scale enterprises, which will have a greater potential to develop technological capabilities and innovate. We must allocate a greater budget for research and development.

19. Our government needs to encourage and stimulate innovation (in microfinance and economic diversification), which will be the key to any efforts to enhance the economic performance of the country and ensure its long-term sustainable development. In order for this to happen, the government has to ensure the strengthening of the capabilities of entrepreneurs (management and organization) and the labor force (crafts and technical skills, design and engineering skills) as well as the provision of certain financial incentives to stimulate these ( e.g. credit subsidies, tax incentives, and matching grants for innovation projects).

20. We need to explore the great opportunities presented by the so-called “creative economy”. It refers to the interface among creativity, culture, economics and technology, as expressed in the ability to create and circulate intellectual capital, which in turn has the potential to generate income, jobs and export earnings while at the same time promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity and human development.

21. In order to achieve this, we should undertake various initiatives. First, establish a body in charge of mapping inventors of cultural assets and industries, market development through promotion of the creative industries both domestically and internationally, outlining the challenges that inventors and artists face (e.g. lack of financial sustainability, low competitiveness) and finding creative ways to overcome them. Value chain analysis must be used to identify the creative products and services with particular competitive advantages or that are capable of being developed as niche markets in particular situations. The body will be assigned with the task of developing strategies for expanding the scope of creative industries and identifying the strong areas of Rwanda. It will be responsible for establishing workshop centers (both in urban and rural areas) where more people will have the chance to undergo training and become employed in one of the industries. This should be a joint effort of the government (Ministry of CIIPTC), private businesses, NGOs (especially MFIs), international donors and civil society.

22. To facilitate this process, we need to take urgent measures and press for the establishment of copyright legislation and enforcement, which in turn will ensure the artists' intellectual property protection, benefits and earnings. Another possible way to stimulate artists will be by supporting them directly (via fiscal means) or indirectly (through encouragement of private-sector support). The expansion of digital capacity and know-how, as well as data collection and institutional building will be important parts of the process as well.

23. The development of creative industries will facilitate the process of full integration and empowerment of the vulnerable groups discussed in point 9.

24. A database with illustrative cases, best practices, and even lessons from failed projects, both in microfinance and creative economy etc., must be compiled by the government in cooperation with NGOs etc. to serve as guidelines for action.

I sincerely hope that Your Excellency will be content with the outlined policy action plan. I will be more than happy to further discuss any questions or comments that you might raise. I believe that our united efforts will bring Your vision for this nation into practice and that Rwanda will reap the fruits from its hard work!

With respect,

Ivana Koleva, Policy Advisor

06.12.2008

Kigali, Rwanda



References:

1. “Making Globalization Work for the Least Developed Countries”, UNDP 2008.
2. Sam Daley-Harris, “Pathways out of Poverty”, Kumarian Press Inc., 2002.
3. “Creative Economy Report 2008”, UNDP, UNCTAD, 2008.
4. MDG report Rwanda, 2007.
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Where is Bulgaria? (the value of global geography knowledge)

For reference, I come from a relatively small country, with total area of 111.000 square km. and less than 8 million people population. My country is Bulgaria and it is a very beautiful place, with many wonderful snow peak mountains, sunny beaches, warmhearted people and rich culture and folklore.
But where is Bulgaria after all?
During the 5th International Cultural Festival in Peking University, Beijing, China, where Bulgaria had a separate booth for the 5th consecutive year, I gathered rather interesting accounts on the location of this mysterious country Bulgaria. All visitors were given a sort of a brochure, with a place for getting a stamp from all the countries represented at the festival. The brochure was divided into continents with no further explanations about which country belongs to which continent. That's how the puzzle began...

So, as newcomers were passing by our stand, I took the venture to inquire and ask them to point on their brochure the continent to which my country belongs, and only when successfully guessing, to stamp their brochure.
But why should they know? The great Chinese nation with 5.000years of history and culture and a population of more than 1.6billion people? Should it be bothered about an insignificant country like mine? I think yes.

Well, still, the results were rather fascinating. According to several people, Bulgaria was situated in the heart of Africa...very intriguing...only that I was so stunned that I forgot to ask in which part of the African map I should look for it.

The next most popular guess was ...Asia. Truly unexpected, since, if nothing else, Asia should be the continent Chinese are most familiar with, but apparently no.
Yes, indeed, there were even more wild guesses, like the one that Bulgaria was in fact situated on the continent of Australia...though I didn't quite comprehend, whether it is an island or an aborigine's tribe.
Of course, the guesses were not short of describing Bulgaria as part of America, I am guessing they meant Latin America, because even in the past I have come across people confusing Bulgaria with Bolivia.
So, finally, there were those who firmly proved their knowledge, when they stated that Bulgaria was, of course, in Eastern Europe (which it truly is), and was part of the Soviet Union (which it was not, but at least it gave communist 'comrades' the geographical knowledge others still lack).

What conclusions could be drawn from this random 'survey', or 'fieldwork', if you'd like?
First of all, as I looked deeper into these disturbing results, I was struck by my own narrow mindedness. But, of course these various people had logical reasons to assume that Bulgaria was elsewhere and not in Eastern Europe!
Why in Africa? Well, considering archaeological discoveries of the Kenyan man, it turns out that some time, millions of years ago, we all, Bulgarian ancestors and others, originated in the African plateau. One down. But why Asia? Well, considering the great migrations in history, it turns out that the ancestors of the Bulgarian people did, indeed, cross parts of Asia, and most probably mixed a little bit with the local women and men, just so much so, that Bulgaria has preserved an Asian trace up to this day.
So far, so good. As for the Australian guess, I am still puzzled and my only explanation is that 'Bulgaria' sounds like an exotic tribe...hm...The Latin American guess is quite understandable considering the similarity between the names Bolivia and Bulgaria, and considering the relatively similar looks some Bulgarians and Latinos share.

An enriching experience indeed. But what are the implications of one such research? Well, Bulgaria is not the smallest, and definitely not the most unknown of the world's states. Many people are familiar with Bulgarian football, gymnastics, some of them have even heard about Bulgarian Rose oil, and as for the Japanese and Korean people, they know Bulgaria best for its yogurt. This is not discouraging at all, since there are other states suffering from even deeper 'uknowningness' :).

Putting away all my perceptions of what states originally mean, I venture to think globally. From a global perspective, "the world is a global village" kind of thinking can definitely be of help to interpret the results that occurred during the 'survey'. Why should we distinguish ourselves strictly as belonging to a specific place, behind certain borders, carrying a particular nationality, when, we can be citizens of the world? I am engaged to a wonderful Ugandan man and many of my closest friends are Africans. Indeed, part of my heart is in Africa and as far as I am concerned, I was quite pleased with the African location of Bulgaria. I have lived in Asia for the last 6 years and I believe that this continent has so much history and culture to offer, is so rich in knowledge and natural beauty, that for Bulgaria to be situated there will not be all that bad etc.
You got my line of thinking?
So much for the 'global perspective'. All in all, I believe that better understanding of the peoples of the earth, will lead to better mutual understanding and harmonious co-existence (as my Chinese 'comrades' would say) among all nations. Our differences and uniqueness should not be interpreted as causes for conflict, but rather as pillars for stable relationships. As we learn to appreciate and respect each other's cultures and countries, we will also find significant similarities among our peoples and will, eventually, achieve global peace and harmony.

I just want to thank all the people who visited our stand and learned something more about Bulgaria. As for those who still haven't had the chance to, I invite all of you to take the time and make the trip to Bulgaria, the Bulgaria still situated in South-Eastern Europe (or Eastern depending on different texts), and explore its unique and splendid natural scenes and gorgeous sights.

Thank you!
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CENSORSHIP!!!!read!!!

i am sad to announce that my blog is blocked from China (friends tried and access was denied, which is no surprise!), and freedom of speech as we know it, is compromised so that the communist party may continue to keep its "legitimacy" and control the "development" of its people to a high degree. Bothers and sisters, FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION is a universal human right, or so it should be...but helas! it is no more than an illusion, a mirage in the desert in China today!
optimism for change? ye, definetely, but despite all the talk about China, outsiders really know just bits from here and bits from there...all in all...they know mostly, what the Chinese want them to know..the Olympic games are over now and one of my friends assured me that i am going to see a better and cleaner beijing...but i KNOW...it's allll FACADE, it's what the Chinese call "mianzi" (face) and this is what defines them to a large degree...so, anywhos, i understand - why wouldn't my blog be banned?...i should have known better and not have put anything concerning God (christianity is like a curse for the government, or so they believe...) or anything about issues of sensitivity both politically, morally, or socially...and i haven't even started yet...what i pity!
yes, we live in a "globalized world" whatever that means, i think today the vagueness of this expression is extreme and anyone gives it a definition of their own...like the Chinese, for them globalization consists of the fact that they have become the Factory of the World and that they have "opened their doors" to the cruel and imbecile west....extreme? well, right now, i am short of neutral and tolerant words, because i am struck by the reality to which i shall return in 1 day.
Despite all this, i BELIEVE in Human Development, in action, in change. I believe that Where there is a will, there is a way, and no communist, democratic or other regime can make me think otherwise. I don't give up and if anything, i feel more challenged, more motivated and more devoted to a cause higher than me and my mere selfish interests! For me, this is worth fighting for, and it is worth living for! - "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy" (Prov.31)
So, now i will search for a way to penetrate through the Chinese internet police, and once i find it...i will be back with more stuff about our world...us - people, all of God's creation~!
Till then, remember how very very blessed yall are, to be able to do what you like, to say what you think, to go where you want, to be who you are (and who you wish to be)~! YOU ARE BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE, EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU LACK SOMETHING, OR have NOT EVERYTHING!
So, don't waste your life grumbing and mumbling over little nothings and take a step to help those in need, live your life meaningfully!!!! and you will not regret a single day of it...

!it takes little to make YOUR world a different place...it's in YOUR hands...TODAY~!

Love and Peace in Christ!
Be Blessed!!!!!!!
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