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US-AEP and USAID/Jakarta respond to Indonesia's water supply crisis.
While inflation of basic food staples rises above 100% and food riots
flare up in the provinces, the Government of Indonesia is moving to protect
the supply of food and clean water to the urban poor. Eighty-seven of
Indonesia's more than 300 water enterprises are in immediate danger of
terminating service due to the higher costs of inputs. Interruption of water
supply would result in intensified poverty, greater sanitation problems,
epidemic diseases, and lower average longevity. Bappenas, Indonesia�s
National Planning Agency, asked US-AEP and USAID/Jakarta to verify data from
these water enterprises and assess the true extent of the problem and
possible solutions. US-AEP/USAID responded rapidly to the request. In 23
days they completed the planning, structuring, and contracting for a Water
Efficiency Team (WET). The contract for technical assistance was signed on
September 23, 1998. In the first phase of assistance, beginning October 15,
1998, the WET-1 team will plan for and perform administrative and technical
audits of critical water enterprises. In early 1999 they will recommend
rescue measures to a Government of Indonesia Water Enterprise Rescue Team
comprised of officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs and PERPAMSI, the
association of Indonesian water enterprises.
Development bank seminar examines environmental due diligence.
The World Federation of Development Finance Institutions (WFDFI), in
partnership with US-AEP and American University�s Department of Economics,
held its annual Seminar for Chief Executives of Development Banks on October
7 in Washington, DC. The seminar focussed, in part, on incorporating
environmental due diligence in banking policy. The theme: "Education,
Enterprise and the Environment: Agenda for Development Banks in the 21st
Century." US-AEP Executive Director Peter Kimm opened the seminar,
emphasizing the leadership role that global financiers must take to promote
environmentally sound investments. "Good banking practice must include
environmental due diligence. That which is self-sustaining development to an
environmentalist is common-sense risk management to a banker," said Kimm.
Also speaking on this topic were Jeffrey Telego, co-director of the
Environmental Bankers Association, and Jose Furtado, senior environmental
specialist for the World Bank�s Economic Development Institute (EDI).
US-AEP�s participation at this seminar supports ongoing efforts to
promote the concept of environmental due diligence among banks, investment
companies, and insurance organizations in Asia. According to seminar
planners, the Washington event is expected to "kick off" a series of
collaborative activities co-sponsored by US-AEP and the Association of
Development Finance Institutions of Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP).
NGO-Biz partnership encourages cross-border collaboration.
In an effort to share clean technology expertise and resources, three
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from Kathmandu, Nepal, met last week
with Indian NGO-business partner Development Alternatives in New Delhi,
India, to discuss common interests and issues. Participating NGOs included:
Clean Wheels Nepal, which advocates waste reduction and recycling by
automotive workshops; Institute for Legal Research and Resources, which is
creating an environmental management plan for the carpet industry; and
Environment and Public Health Organization, which is formulating an
environmental policy for the cement industry. While in India, the Nepal NGOs
visited the Clean Technology and Environmental Management Institute and the
Asia Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology. Plans are underway for
Development Alternatives to visit Kathmandu for a follow-up seminar and
subsequent networking. The demand for cross-border collaboration among these
organizations is evidence of their strong organizational and technical
capacities. The Asia Foundation, which administers US-AEP�s NGO-Business
Environmental Partnership, directed the NGOs towards strategic sharing of
their resources.
Filipino delegation "openly impressed" with U.S. solid waste expertise.
From August 10-20, a Filipino delegation of mayors, city planners, and
local government representatives took part in US-AEP�s Solid Waste Study
Tour. The ten-day event was organized by the American Consulting Engineers
Council (ACEC)�US-AEP�s partner for environmental infrastructure in Asia�and
the Environmental Exchange Program (EEP). Eight U.S. environmental
firms�each selected through a competitive process�hosted the delegation of
municipal officials and showcased their solid waste technologies and
operational structures. Host firms were pleased with the responsiveness of
the delegates and the chance to interact with Filipino decision-makers in
their home offices. Site visits included: sanitary landfills, transfer
stations, recycling facilities and material recovery sites that operate
under a variety of management structures, including management contracts
with local governments, public-private joint ventures, and 100% private
ownership. According to tour participants, the exchange provided a golden
opportunity to consult with U.S. industry experts, to observe and evaluate
facilities and technologies that could be replicated in the Philippines, and
to establish cross-cultural business relationships.
Note: US-AEP�s Environmental Exchange Program is administered by the
Institute of International Education (IIE).
Farewell
Farewell to Kate Hollander, program and evaluation officer for US-AEP�s
Environmental Exchange Program at the Institute of International Education.
Kate will begin a new career at the U.S. Department of Commerce�s
International Trade Administration. Thanks Kate for three and a half years
of dedication!
Congratulations!
Best wishes to newlyweds George Irvine and Wendy Bellion. The couple were
married on October 11 in New Preston, Connecticut, followed by a honeymoon
in Hawaii. George is a program officer for US-AEP�s Environmental Exchange
Program.
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