The Road Ahead: Protecting tigers from Asia's infrastructure development boom

With massive infrastructure plans threatening all tiger landscapes and risking recent gains in tiger conservation, Asian governments must adopt a sustainable approach to infrastructure planning and construction or drive tigers toward extinction, according to a new analysis by WWF

Competing and conflicting messages via online news media: potential impacts of claims that the Great Barrier Reef is dying

Coverage of issues by news media is known to impact on both public perceptions and policy development aimed at addressing the featured issues. We examine the potential impact of news media coverage regarding the health and potential future of the World heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, which is under multiple pressures, both natural and anthropogenic. We draw on the extant literature regarding the impact of news media coverage of other complex issues, linking to relevant, albeit limited theoretical concepts that have been applied to previous media studies. We find that media coverage is predominately sensationalized and negative, with the potential to reinforce perceptions that mitigation attempts will be ineffective and thus likely to inhibit future policy development. We discuss the need for a review of existing science communication models and strategies to reduce the knowledge-practice gap between scientists and policy makers, together with proactive strategies to counter negative news coverage

Impact Evaluation of the Program for the Development of the Industrial Districts in Brazil

This presentation discusses the impact of the Program for the Development of the Industrial Districts in Brazil. It includes the program background, an output and outcomes comparison, the key findings of the impact evaluation, and a series of lessons and recommendations. The presentation was part of the Impact Evaluation Workshop, at the Multilateral Investment Fund, Washington D.C., October 15th 2010.Industrial Policy, Business Development, SME, clusters, industry, manufacturing, industry fostering, industrial districts, Impact Evaluation Workshop

Impact Evaluation of the Business Development Program for the Software Industry in Uruguay

The purpose of this impact evaluation is to assess the success of the Business Development Program for the Software Industry in Uruguay in achieving and sustaining results over time. The evaluation had six general objectives: The impact assessment combined an overall program lifecycle analysis with an assessment of specific program outputs and outcome. In regard to the program lifecycle, Dalberg Global Development Advisors looked at four stages: (i) design of the program (assumptions and diagnostic studies that influenced program component choices; alignment with country strategy and reflection of country realities); (ii) implementation (quality standards and best practices; monitoring of program activities according to set timelines; quality of internal processes; and continuity of dialogue between CUTI and MIF); (iii) supervision (MIF's level of involvement in program follow-up; actions taken by MIF to implement intermediate recommendations; checks and balances, adaptability, and process for overcoming obstacles); and (iv) evaluation (review of outputs/outcomes; planned vs. actual outputs; accomplishment of goals; quality of implementation and supervision; response to beneficiary needs; and significance of observed change and counterfactual).Technology transfer, SME, software, computing, innovation

Impact Evaluation of the Program for the Development of Industrial Districts in Brazil

This report evaluates the Program for the Development of Industrial Districts in Brazil, launched in 2003 with funding from the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF). The program played an important role in helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) improve productive factors and governance in Brazil. It contributed to the creation and development of the Arranjos Produtivos Locais (APL) concept in Brazil, which has become an important cluster reference and economic development vehicle for Brazil's SME development. The program also heightened public awareness by supporting and promoting public discussions among high-level policy makers about SME development. The evaluation team assessed the program in terms of the following factors: a) The overall project lifecycle and the rationale behind it, as well as the specific industrial districts achievements and goals according to each of the program components; b) The key five dimensions, namely: (i) scope and strategic relevant; (ii) internal quality; (iii) likely impact; (iv) dialog and dissemination and (v) stakeholders and beneficiary roles.Industrial Policy, SME, Productivity, clusters, industry, manufacturing, industry fostering, industrial districts, evaluation

The Business Development Program for Uruguay's Software Industry: Impact Evaluation Case Study

As one of its goals, the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) aims to improve the management and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in different sectors in Latin America and the Caribbean. To that end, MIF supports activities that promote the creation and strengthening of support services that will spur development of SMEs and stimulate demand for the use of such services. The Program for the Support of the Software Sector (PASS) in Uruguay presents a good example of how MIF works in tandem with local institutions to strengthen different dimensions of SME development. This case study, prepared based on the PASS impact evaluation conducted five years after project completion, aims to help improve the design, execution, evaluation, and impact of future MIF programs. It is presented as an educational tool for program officers at MIF and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), stakeholders, and potential partnering institutions.SME, Technology transfer, Small enterprises, innovation, CUTI

Impact Evaluation of the Business Development Program for Uruguay's Software Industry

This presentation discusses the impact of the Program for the Support of the Software Sector in Uruguay. It includes a brief summary of the project, the program outputs and outcomes, the key findings of the impact evaluation, and lessons and recommendations. It was presented at the Impact Evaluation Workshop at the MIF, on October 15, 2010.Technology transfer, SME, Small enterprises, innovation

The Program for Industrial Districts in Brazil

The Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) supports activities that promote the creation and strengthening of support services that will spur development of SMEs and stimulate demand for the use of such services. The Program for the Development of Industrial Districts in Brazil is a good example of how MIF works with local institutions to strengthen different dimensions of SME development. The case study that follows, prepared based on the Industrial Districts Program impact evaluation conducted four years after program completion, aims to contribute to better design, execution, evaluation, and impact of future MIF programs. It is presented as an educational tool for program officers at MIF and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), potential partnering institutions, and other stakeholders.Industrial Policy, Business Development, SME, clusters, industry, manufacture, industry fostering, industrial districts, impact evaluation, case study

Impact Evaluation of the Program for the Development of the Industrial Districts in Brazil

This presentation discusses the impact of the Program for the Development of the Industrial Districts in Brazil. It includes the program background, an output and outcomes comparison, the key findings of the impact evaluation, and a series of lessons and recommendations. The presentation was part of the Impact Evaluation Workshop, at the Multilateral Investment Fund, Washington D.C., October 15th 2010.

Impact Evaluation of the Program for the Development of Industrial Districts in Brazil

This report evaluates the Program for the Development of Industrial Districts in Brazil, launched in 2003 with funding from the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF). The program played an important role in helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) improve productive factors and governance in Brazil. It contributed to the creation and development of the Arranjos Produtivos Locais (APL) concept in Brazil, which has become an important cluster reference and economic development vehicle for Brazil's SME development. The program also heightened public awareness by supporting and promoting public discussions among high-level policy makers about SME development. The evaluation team assessed the program in terms of the following factors: a) The overall project lifecycle and the rationale behind it, as well as the specific industrial districts achievements and goals according to each of the program components; b) The key five dimensions, namely: (i) scope and strategic relevant; (ii) internal quality; (iii) likely impact; (iv) dialog and dissemination and (v) stakeholders and beneficiary roles.