Objectives; Situation Analysis; Strategy; (Expected) Results / Outcome; Major activities
The purpose of this project is to strengthen UNDP’s position as a high-visibility source of knowledge and policy advice on development and transition issues in the Europe and CIS region. In 2005, a strategic partnership was initiated with the London School of Economics to produce a newsletter that brings together top academic analysis with the project experience of UNDP. The newsletter is published three times a year in an electronic format and features about four articles from LSE and four articles from UNDP. Each issue focuses on a specific theme. Recent themes have been climate change, gender, and the private sector. The main audiences are two fold: the first is internal RBEC staff, to convey to each other what we are doing on the vital development challenges of the region. The second audience is external: governments, donors, civil society organizations, media and academic institutions. By mid October 2008, the newsletter had about 3,000 external subscribers. Promotional activities are being continually pursued to boost this number. In addition to publishing the newsletter, we have also organized several launches to better promote the ideas in the newsletter. Launches have taken place in Poland, the United States, Kosovo, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Ukraine – among other places. The launches have served to bring together key members of our target audiences to discuss the issues presented in the newsletter, thus positioning UNDP as a major substantive leader ready to provide key policy advice on the development and transition challenges of our region.
Short description
Development and Transition is a newsletter that disseminates information about important development trends and best practices across the region.
Local and Implementing Partners
The London School of Economics.
Focal point
Peter Serenyi, Editor and Regional Publications Manager
Lessons Learned, Links and Additional Resources
The newsletter website is www.developmentandtransition.net. The chief lesson learned is that it is very important to create a detailed production schedule that spells out when tasks need to be completed. This has prevented misunderstandings between UNDP and LSE. The second lesson learned is to create a concept note for each issue well in advance so that both the UNDP and LSE sides are clear on what the theme of the issue is, and how it can be broken down and approached.
