PAST EVENT

PSLO-Led Canadian Mission to Washington
July 11 - 14, 2006
Education and Health Sector Mission
World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank

Purpose of the Mission

The business session at the World Bank was customized to fit the needs of the Canadian participants, while the day long session at the Inter- American Development Bank was part of their annual Business Seminar Series. Details of the program and networking events was finalized according to the profile of participants.

Cost to participate was $300.00 per person, which covered participation in the workshops plus networking events. A block of rooms was reserved to take advantage of special group rates. Hotel reservations and travel arrangements was the responsibility of participants.

This was an excellent introductory level mission for organizations both private and public as well as academia. Participation was limited to 20-25 from across Canada.

Objectives of the Inter-American Development Bank Session, Thursday, July 13, 2006

This event concentrated on recent IDB projects to help support poverty reduction and social equity in Latin America and the Caribbean. This is especially important for government officials, development specialists consultants, as well as suppliers of goods and services interested in exploring opportunities to work with the IDB.

The seminar covered the following topics:

• Profile of Health Sector Strategy, case studies of health projects (modernization of the health network system, social reform, regional initiative on nutrition, domestic violence and HIV/AIDS);
• Overview of Education Sector Strategy, presentations of projects in the area of early childhood, primary and basic education, higher education and its connection with labor initiatives, and youth development and empowerment;
• New IDB strategy for Science and Technology, and presentations of specific projects in the pipeline;
• A discussion of IDB procurement policies and procedures - recent developments and new initiatives;
• The Project Cycle - how projects are initiated and developed.

An excellent opportunity to learn about specific case-studies of social sector projects in the region, described by IDB specialists who are experts in their fields. In addition, this represented a unique networking opportunity with Bank staff involved in projects and representatives from other firms and institutions that attended the seminar. Currently, the IDB project pipeline includes $1.2 billion earmarked for social investment projects, $537 million for health projects, $333 million for education projects, and $154 million for science and technology projects. For detailed information on the Bank and its activities, please go to http://www.iadb.org. The registration fee of US $225 included a continental breakfast, luncheon, seminar sessions, publications, and the IDB phone directory.

IDB Business Seminar Series 2006

EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Andrés Bello Auditorium
1300 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.