The Wetlands Alliance 

Newsletter

April 2011

Dear WA Subscribers,

On 5th and 6th of May, the Wetlands Alliance brought together international and national NGOs, a NGO Network, international organizations and development partners to initiate a process of Wetlands Alliance engagement in Myanmar.

Representatives from over 10 agencies and organizations were happy to learn about the Alliance’s work in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam and in turn provided interesting insights into their work and development priorities in Myanmar.

I would also like to take the oppportunity to congratulate the Cambodian Rural Development Team (CRDT), an Alliance partner in Krataie, Cambodia, on receiving a Certification of compliance against the Code of Ethical Principles and Minimum Standards for NGOs in Cambodia.

CRDT is now officially certified by NGO Code Compliance Committee for a 3-year period valid from April 29, 2011 to April 28, 2014. Congratulations to CRDT and its staff, board of directors, beneficiaries, donors partners and all stakeholders on receiving this prestigious and much-deserved certificate!

Best Regards,

Hans Guttman

News

	Local Alliance Partner CRDT receives cerification - The Cambodian Rural Development Team, a local Alliance partner in Kratie/Cambodia, received a Certification of compliance against the Code of Ethical Principles and Minimum Standards for NGOs in Cambodia.
	Wetlands Alliance Start-up Workshop in Myanmar - On 5th and 6th of May, The Wetlands Alliance brought together international and national NGOs, a NGO Network, international organizations and development partners to initiate a process of Wetlands Alliance engagement in Myanmar.

Blogs and Publications

	Collaboration on ICT for poverty reduction in Laos - On 5 April 2011, the UNU International Institute for Software Technology (UNU-IIST) and the Laos Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) held a workshop in Vientiane to develop their first collaborative work plan. The meeting represents the first concrete step under a long-term strategic partner
	Do the poor benefit from conservation? - Recognition of the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem services for poverty alleviation and development is growing rapidly. However, does the protection of these natural riches actually translates into improved well-being for poor local populations?
	The World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security, and Development - The World Development report is out: More than 1.5 billion people live in countries affected by violent conflict.The World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security, and Development examines the changing nature of violence in the 21st century, and underlines the negative impact of repeated cycles of violence on a country or region’s development prospects. Preventing violence and building peaceful states that responds.
	Cambodian prime minister cancels titanium mine project citing impact on biodiversity and local people - In a surprise move, the Cambodian Prime Minister, Sandech Hun Sen, has cancelled a titanium strip mine project in one of Southeast Asia’s last great intact forest ecosystems, the Cardamom Mountains.

Forum Topics

Alliance and Poverty HIV/AIDS and Gender Issues Alliance and Regional Cooperation Adaptation - to climate change and other changes