The training session brought together national and international trainers from the UN Resident Coordinator Office, National Association of NGOs of Uzbekistan and UNDP Bratislava Office for Europe and CIS who had direct experience of working with the MDGs for accelerating human development and the process of formulating development strategies based on the national MDGs, localization theory and concepts applicable to Uzbekistan. The participants were middle level government officials from four project districts in Fergana region.

The event is part of a series of modules delivered at regional, local and community levels. The first part of the session was presented by Mr. Jacek Cukrowski, the MDG Adviser, UNDP Bratislava Office for Europe and CIS. The presentation covered issues related to examining the monitoring system in CIS countries and best practices of localization processes. Participants learned international case studies of successful implementation and application of the MDGs in Central Eastern European countries (CEE) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). After the presentation, participants were assigned to work in small groups to explore what lessons could be drawn from the case studies and how they could be applied to participants’ own local realities. Training session on the ’MDGs – Global Agenda for accelerating Human Development’ endeavored to establish a mutual relationship between government officials and civil society representatives in addressing the problems of local communities in Uzbekistan.

Then followed an interactive session intended to raise understanding of middle level government officials about the possible localization ways in Uzbekistan and how local development strategies can be assessed, monitored and evaluated. The session was facilitated by trainers Farzona Khashimova, National Trainer, National Association of NGOs of Uzbekistan and Ifoda Abdurazakova, UNRC PR Assistant. Groups were asked to elaborate local development goals in the framework of their actions and include local targets, where they would specify the measurement of impact. Afterwards participants examined possible indicators to monitor the progress to achieve local MDGs by 2015. Then they were asked to elaborate Systems Tool - ‘Behaviour Over Time’ Graphs in order to examine their own system of monitoring in their regions. During the interactive task participants worked in a team and trainers helped them with any arisen questions. In the course of teamwork they realized how it was necessary to work together and identify development strategies. Groups have presented their work and received additional comments from trainers.

The event covered formal presentations, which were strengthened by interactive tasks and modules. The application and case studies from other CIS countries in the presentations provided an overall vision of the MDG localization process. The combined use of mini lectures and interactive sessions was very helpful for motivating participants, who were keen to discuss a wide variety of development topics. The participants also showed enthusiasm for group works and understood the mechanism for monitoring the progress and evaluation of the MDG indicators.

For more information on MDG Campaign and MDG localization in Uzbekistan please refer to:

www.un.uz

Photo courtesy of UNRC Office in Uzbekistan