25 May 2009
Experience about the internship
By Farjana Akter
This is immensely great initiative by NGO Forum on ADB to bring new leadership under the light of ‘Incentives Internship Program on ADB issues’. I cannot define it in a single word or in a paragraph how it is. Though I must say it’s a gigantic learning scope for a young activist and practitioner. The learning program is only for 15 days but it has already given me different views to think about, look at things in a critical point of view in the recent development paradigm.
Well I am not going to say that I am now an expert on ADB advocacy, but everyday I am gaining very important things that are giving me spirit to work more strongly about ADB issues. Though I have experienced to work about international financial institutions (IFIs) like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This internship program included discussions on ADB policies which are mainly important for project implementation. Another important subject was how to file a case against problematic projects. Now I’ve come to realize that street protests are not the only measures to bring any impact or changes in ADB`s policies and projects. Through our work, we could prove that the bank is not acceptable to the people though they are mended to work for poverty alleviation. But the role they have been playing since its inception doesn’t help people to come out from the dens of poverty. Rather, it aggravates marginalization, promoting neoliberal agenda pushed by western countries. It’s paradoxical and really interesting! I wonder how a profit maker, a lending agency claim that it’s been serving the people’s interest!
We visited the office of the Special Project Facilitator (OSPF). The OSPF discussed how it works; earlier our excellent instructor, Avilash Roul, explained to us what it does stand for. It was good to meet the SPF; we asked several questions. My question was about greater access to information. Only the website cannot ensure the greater access to information.
During the internship program we also met with the people of NGO Center at the ADB. They also discussed how it is playing its coordinating role with different resident missions. Resident missions only communicate with some so-called civil society organizations (CSOs). Small and community-based organizations (CBOs) are always left out from all initiatives in development processes.
We are three interns doing internship. One is from Azerbaijan and the other one is from Mongolia. We stayed like we’ve known each other for a long time. We shared room, food, and thoughts, among others. It’s really a great feeling. From different countries with different culture but we found a similarity: what we believe in and what we are fighting for.
Back to Interns Corner
Experience about the internship
By Farjana Akter
This is immensely great initiative by NGO Forum on ADB to bring new leadership under the light of ‘Incentives Internship Program on ADB issues’. I cannot define it in a single word or in a paragraph how it is. Though I must say it’s a gigantic learning scope for a young activist and practitioner. The learning program is only for 15 days but it has already given me different views to think about, look at things in a critical point of view in the recent development paradigm. Well I am not going to say that I am now an expert on ADB advocacy, but everyday I am gaining very important things that are giving me spirit to work more strongly about ADB issues. Though I have experienced to work about international financial institutions (IFIs) like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This internship program included discussions on ADB policies which are mainly important for project implementation. Another important subject was how to file a case against problematic projects. Now I’ve come to realize that street protests are not the only measures to bring any impact or changes in ADB`s policies and projects. Through our work, we could prove that the bank is not acceptable to the people though they are mended to work for poverty alleviation. But the role they have been playing since its inception doesn’t help people to come out from the dens of poverty. Rather, it aggravates marginalization, promoting neoliberal agenda pushed by western countries. It’s paradoxical and really interesting! I wonder how a profit maker, a lending agency claim that it’s been serving the people’s interest!
We visited the office of the Special Project Facilitator (OSPF). The OSPF discussed how it works; earlier our excellent instructor, Avilash Roul, explained to us what it does stand for. It was good to meet the SPF; we asked several questions. My question was about greater access to information. Only the website cannot ensure the greater access to information.During the internship program we also met with the people of NGO Center at the ADB. They also discussed how it is playing its coordinating role with different resident missions. Resident missions only communicate with some so-called civil society organizations (CSOs). Small and community-based organizations (CBOs) are always left out from all initiatives in development processes.
We are three interns doing internship. One is from Azerbaijan and the other one is from Mongolia. We stayed like we’ve known each other for a long time. We shared room, food, and thoughts, among others. It’s really a great feeling. From different countries with different culture but we found a similarity: what we believe in and what we are fighting for.
Back to Interns Corner
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