ZAMBOANGA CITY, September 18, 2015 – The Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) has joined the growing network of Knowledge for Development Community (KDCs) nationwide by signing a partnership agreement for citizen engagement with the World Bank.
KDCs are schools and policy and research institutions in the Philippines that promote knowledge sharing and active citizen involvement in governance issues. They are established in partnership with the World Bank and institutions in country since 2002.
Currently, there are 19 KDCs nationwide: 8 in Metro Manila, 4 in Luzon, 3 in Visayas and 4 in Mindanao. Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) is the 4th in Mindanao, after the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao, Notre Dame University in Cotabato and Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro.
WMSU President Dr. Milabel Ho says the university will play a very important role in the growing KDC network.
“The university is recognized in Mindanao for quality tertiary education,” said Dr. Ho. “We conduct research on governance and social development has a strong extension service aimed at improving the quality of life at the grassroots. In effect, our research and advocacy programs align well with the World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Strategy aimed at helping the country reduce extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity.”
Through the KDC partnership, the World Bank provides information materials, training support and subject-matter expertise, and links development partners and citizens. Among the recent activities conducted are the following:
- Training on Research Tools and Impact Analysis was conducted by the World Bank for the House of Representatives to improve their capacity to review government budget policies and provide recommendations. The output of the training is a policy paper on social protection and poverty reduction programs, particularly on conditional cash transfers.
- An online course on Localizing Poverty Reduction Targets was conducted to discuss initiatives that localize the poverty reduction targets articulated in the national agenda. Three KDCs (Central Philippine University, Silliman University, and University of Southeastern Philippines) organized the event.
“The World Bank believes that to make growth more inclusive, advocates of development and better governance should work closely with small communities and marginalized group through local institutions like WMSU that have established effective community-based programs. The KDCs are a good platform for sharing knowledge and solutions and for engaging and rallying citizens to the cause of ensuring good governance,” said World Bank Country Director for the Philippines Motoo Konishi.
In addition to WMSU, the KDC network includes the World Bank, University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, National Economic and Development Authority, Asian Institute of Management, House of Representatives-Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, De La Salle University-Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance, St. Paul University Philippines, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Ateneo de Naga University, Palawan State University, Central Philippine University, University of San Carlos, Siliman University, University of Southeastern Philippines, Notre Dame University, and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan.
