YLP student Anne Margallo, with World Bank mentor Vince Abrigo.
Day 20 By Anne Margallo 11 August 2010
There’s nothing like waiting to discuss your evaluation. In school, you're always expected to be told where you went wrong, but our discussion wasn’t a persecution. Again my work was validated and I was commended for my invaluable contributions. The evaluation was even meant to be sealed but my mentors wanted to discuss it. It is amazing how the open culture is evident throughout the organization.
We also had a stakeholder-mapping knowledge transfer session, another important element of my thesis. It was amazing to see Agenda Setting and Framing being practiced in an organization, these are some frameworks that we studied in Communication Theories and Public Relations courses. I also learned that after identifying stakeholders, their interests and perceptions on the issue of your campaign should be noted in order to find out whether they’re "friends, enemies, almost friends, or almost enemies." You map them out so you know who you can still approach regarding your campaign and how you should approach each audience. Aside from the formal matters, I was also given advice on how to improve my writing and how to build good relationships when I start working.
Being able to contribute invaluable suggestions and projects in the KDC and the World Bank Office in Manila External Relations team was a privilege. It is very sad that the time for me to leave has come. I will miss looking forward to getting to work every day. I knew that doing public relations was fun and exciting, but I did not expect a deeper sense of achievement and fulfillment after being validated by the consideration and use of my output.
I would like to thank the World Bank KDC for giving me this opportunity to learn and take part in its activities in the Philippines. I would also like to thank my mentors, Ms. Moira Enerva and Mr. Vince Abrigo for guiding me in every way that they could, for accommodating my many questions, for being open, and for trusting me with work that was vital to their activities. To Ms. Erika and Ms. Cheers, thank you for guiding me when Sir Vince and Ms. Moi were not around. Thank you, Mr. Dave Llorito for sharing your writing expertise and for taking time to show me how to improve my work. Thank you also to Ms. Nor Aquino-Gonzales for showing me true leadership, how to properly deal with team challenges—it was the second time I had the chance to see a team leader who does not micromanage.
I’ve learned so much, even more than I expected. Now, it is time to move on to finalizing my thesis and working to graduate in October. I hope the the next participant of the Youth Learning Program experiences the same kind of nurturing and open culture that I experienced here.
More power to the Bank and all the good work it is doing WITH the country! I hope to work with the Bank someday, so quoting Mr. Mark Woodward, "It’s not adieu, but au revoir," I will see you again!
The World Bank KDC conducted videoconferences with KDCs outside Manila today about two projects: the Philippine Deaf Resource Center-initiated paralegal training for deaf advocates and the De La Salle University-led project on monitoring delivery of public services in poor communities.
Who knew that schools would be receptive and even enthusiastic about these projects? There were reservations about the institutions being dismissive of the projects because of other work. These undertakings are quite a lot of work. I’m surprised that the KDCs were excited. Some even found it timely and in jive with the work they are doing in their respective communities. Seeing and hearing all that from these educators makes me see so much hope for the country.
Ms. Naty and Ms. Jonna were here to discuss the paralegal training with the KDCs of Silliman University in Dumaguete; Palawan State University in Puerto Princesa; and Saint Paul University in Tuguegarao. It was really a good thing that Ms. Naty was here. I was able to consult with her about my thesis for the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD). She’s an invaluable resource person since the Philippine Deaf Resource Center works closely with PFD. We talked about the strategies that my group mates and I are proposing for the public relations plan. She had very useful input that would help us create a more effective program, like focusing on one issue that will unify the Filipino Deaf and persuade educational institutions for the Deaf to work with PFD. Ms. Naty showed me a documentary on the American Deaf community and also introduced me to Davin Searls from Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW), another potential resource person.
I have to say, my stay here has been very productive and very helpful. Too bad that the program is only for 20 days. Well, tomorrow is my last day, but I still have something more to learn—stakeholder mapping. Looking forward to that! (but not looking forward to leaving).
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Day 18 By Anne Margallo 9 August 2010
This morning’s External Relations team meeting would be the last that I will be attending. The EXT was so nice to treat me to lunch because the end of the learning program was near. That was the first time I had an Oliver’s sandwich. I thank you for yet another new experience! Haha
Reminders were given and the team leader asked for updates on each team member’s activities. Last on my to-do list were the write-up on the visit of the students form the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela, the Access to Information and Open Data mock-up layout, and my daily blogs. I also expressed my gratitude for the experience and the opportunity to work with and learn from the Bank. The team also thanked me for my contributions and told me that they were able to use them.
There’s this insecurity that I think every student feels before graduating. Before stepping out into the working world, they wonder if they are ready and if they are good enough for companies and organizations. Being validated meant so much. This gives me confidence and it makes me look forward to the next phase of my life.
I had to go back down to earth after the meeting because I still had to accomplish my assignments. Writing the piece on the Pamantasan ng Valenzuela visit was a little difficult because I’m not so accustomed to writing in news format. I had basic training in high school during the journalism elective class, but that was years ago! I still had to brush up on the method. The article I wrote was still a bit blog-ish, so I’m expecting revisions.
I was dreading leaving the KDC because here, I found something I love to do on the first try. Of course, I still have to finish the program and finish my thesis, but I hope to come back here and work with the KDC and the Bank someday.
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Day 17 By Anne Margallo 6 August 2010
I was able to attend the meeting with the people who were doing the media monitoring for the World Bank. Issues on the template were cleared today, but my suggestions will have to follow so they wouldn’t be overloaded with work. The fact that my idea was going to be used is validation of my potential, and I am grateful for that.
I finished the Access to Information and Open Data information materials today. It was pretty difficult to sort the information because poverty is a big issue, but the statistics don’t say the same. Then I was reminded that although there is growth, the poor do not feel it, hence the Bank’s Country Assistance Strategy for the Philippines, "Making Growth Work for the Poor." It was time for a mock-up layout so that the External Relations team would know which body of text goes where. We still have to make the data consumable, present them in a way that people will understand and catch the attention of the target audience.
I also finished the Youth Learning Program write-up today. I wrote it from a first person point of view, and I hope that it inspires more country offices to reach out and nurture their youth. It’s a piece that isn’t so formal, so I’m still waiting for comments from my mentors.
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Day 16 By Anne Margallo 5 August 2010
Discussion of the World Bank organization and programs with college students taking Financial Management at the Pamantasan ng Valenzuela happened today. I took pictures and notes about what transpired, so I had data for that article assignment. It was great to hold a camera again; it’s been a year since I last held a camera for a class. This event made me nostalgic.
The batch of juniors came in first, more than an hour before they were scheduled, but the KDC was ready to receive them. Their seats were already set up and it was pretty hot ouside, why would anyone wait outside? They also seemed pretty eager to be at the KDC. It was nice to see school shirts again, but I don’t want to be wearing one anytime soon.
While the room was filling up, I also noticed quite a number of girls fixing their make-up, looking at themselves in their compact mirrors, and the rest of the group taking pictures. The teacher noticed that her students were made up for this occasion and teased them about it. I don’t really know what that implied, but I guess that was respect for the institution.
On another note, it was funny that 5 minutes into the session, the teacher announced that the students should take down notes for a test. It was like a choreographed motion for notebooks, sheets of paper, and pens among the students. I remember classes in La Salle; it was the same for floating/minor subject, no one brings out writing materials unless it’s for a test.
The second batch was lively. There was even a girl who volunteered to share her insights when questions about the Bank were raised. She was proud to say it was because of her research for her report about the World Bank. Her source was the www.worldbank.org.
Both batches showed significant interest in scholarships at the Bank. Their thirst for knowledge was enlightening.
After the event, I resumed work on the Access to Information and Open Data Initiative collaterals. Earlier this week, I conceptualized it. What I would need for the content was statistics, so I went through The Little Data Books and the 2009 World Development Indicators. As a liberal arts student, I share the sentiments of those who dislike numbers and math, but it was fun to be able to use the data that were in these publications. From my Management Communication and Public Relations courses, I learned that numbers catch attention, but the important thing is to make them understandable to your audience.
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Day 15 By Anne Margallo 4 August 2010
There was this Philippine history professor who gave us an exercise on Philippine Development after discussing "The Lichauco Paper: Imperialism in the Philippines," (1973). The literature included a discussion of the lending conditionalities of the World Bank and the IMF that have caused the local economy to stay down in the dumps. Here is a direct quote: "There exists a conspiracy to keep our economy non-industrialized, and therefore, poor, undeveloped and powerless." These conditions for WB-IMF conditions for lending were said to be the tools of the "conspiracy". This is what I thought of the Bank before I came here as a participant of the Youth Learning Program.
The Mindanao report titled Behind the Veil of Conflict: Moving Toward Economic Integration for Sustained Development and Peace in Mindanao, one of the many results of work done by Bank staff with the cooperation of the Philippine government, was launched today at the Knowledge Development Center in Pasig. The first of three recommendations in the report is the establishment of Strong Institutions. The study went as far as tracing the history of colonized countries and pointed out its relevance to what is happening in Mindanao today.
In lands that colonizers did not settle in, the colonized land’s natural resources were extracted while colonies where many of the colonizers settled in protected themselves by making laws and institutions that later hoisted investment and growth in the economy. According to the study, Mindanao is a highly extractive economy whose institutions allow companies to abuse the local community because there are no rules that guide the extraction of resources or even the welfare of the people.
My professor saw only the old issues, which have already been acted upon and reformed.
Another learning from the Mindanao Report is integration. The study says that we need to integrate "lagging" or underdeveloped areas with developed areas through "spatially blind institutions, spatially connective infrastructure, and spatially targeted interventions." Through spatially blind institutions, people in lagging areas may protect themselves from abuse. Through spatially connective infrastructure, access will be two-way and growth will better reach the lagging areas. Through spatially targeted interventions, address conflict at the root in order to improve public service delivery.
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Day 14 By Anne Margallo 3 August 2010
One output I’m supposed to come up with for the Youth Learning Program is enhancement of the current version of “Presenting the World Bank,” a powerpoint presentation. I hope you checked out the link to Nancy Duarte in my Day 5 blog. I was pretty excited because this calls for layout and design skills, something I enjoy and miss doing.
I downloaded Gimp, an Open Source software, so I could create a less bulky border for the slides. I incorporated the same elements like text, the World Bank organization signature or logo, and the image of the Philippine map. I sent the first draft to Miss Moira for approval, and I was glad that she liked it. I used more curves because I’ve learned that these denote dynamism, a characteristic that I believe that Bank possesses after knowing more about what the institution has done, is doing, and is planning to do. I also used the organization’s official colors for this border—blue, yellow, orange, and yellow, but it was a little difficult to match the shade, so thank goodness for the color-picker tool. With the design component down, let’s go back to the Duarte framework of presentations.
“Very smart people are making very bad slides.” – Nancy Duarte
In school, a lot of classmates and professors use slide presentations as visual aids during reports and discussions. I noticed that many students and even some professors just read from these slides. It would have been better for them to print those slides and hand them out to the rest of the class. Duarte reminds us that we can be analytical and creative, that there are ways to present important and professional information in a way that will capture audience without boring them with paragraphs, bullet points and graphs. Images are handy and pages may be shortened into a few words that represent the major points. This is how I enhanced the World Bank 101 slide presentation.
The Duarte framework also means telling a story, and not just reporting findings. The trick is finding a story in between the lines of numbers, graphs, and hundreds of words. I wanted to find that story in WB 101, but there’s just not enough time. I hope that I can come back here someday soon to finish that presentation that anyone would sit through (The Golden Rule).
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Day 13 By Anne Margallo 02 August 2010
Still have a lot on my plate, but I have no complaints. Every day, I come to the KDC looking forward to accomplishing my assignments. In school it was always theoretical knowledge being passed on to us. Although there were exercises that allow us to put into practice all that we learned and despite having actual practitioners as professors, it is still different when a bigger audience will read what you wrote. There’s also the risk of causing embarrassment for the organization you’re working with if you don’t do a good job. I learned that the only way to cope with that anxiety is to put yourself in what you’re doing and never settle for mediocre work.
Speaking of applying what you learn, I was given two write-up assignments: first is an article on the Youth Learning Program that included a brief profile of myself, and second is the article on the visit of college students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela. Today I asked for more details about these assignments. I needed to know who the audience would be for each article and from what point of view I should be writing, whether first person or second. After establishing the details of the assignments, I also consulted my mentors about my public relations plan thesis.
The World Bank KDC has established partnerships with strategically located schools and universities in the country for a network of Knowledge for Development Centers. Beginning working relationships with educational institutions for the Deaf is one of the main goals of our PR plan, something quite similar to what the KDC is doing. Learning about the KDC framework has been very helpful in determining our approach to attaining our PR plan’s goal. My mentor also suggested having a PFD champion, someone who can speak for the organization, especially on upholding the rights of the Filipino Deaf.
I’ve also been a little anxious about our thesis because communicating with the organization’s leaders is a bit difficult given that they are very busy people. This thesis discussion with my mentor inspired me to keep on fighting and working on the PR plan thesis.
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Day 12 By Anne Margallo 30 July 2010
The first thing I do every workday in the KDC is check my email for replies to the deliverables I sent through email the previous day and invites to meetings or events for the week. I was surprised today when Ms. Moira asked me if I could present my findings and suggestions during the EXT meeting in the afternoon. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I like presenting, but this time I’d be presenting to World Bank staff, actual External Relations practitioners and not classmates or professors who will just have to grade you and nothing more.
I made a presentation using a powerpoint somewhat following the Nancy Duarte framework of presentations, something Ms. Moira shared with me the other day. The EXT team thanked me for the contribution I made and I received good feedback. Although I knew I lost them somewhere during my presentation because I had just finished it when the meeting started, I got my point across. I still have to improve my “presentation” skills, but I’m glad that I made a valuable contribution.
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Day 11 By Anne Margallo 29 July 2010
Today, I began writing the Access to Information Policy & Open Data Initiative information materials content. I started by setting objectives for the materials. Although there already are major goals for the information campaign on AI and Open Data, I think minor but specific goals should be set even for the communication materials, like posters and flyers. I also identified target audiences for the materials because it is important to know your audience and communicate in a way that connects to them. This information campaign is a Bank outreach that needs to encourage people to use development information. The target groups are government, private sector, civil society, academe, media, and development organizations. Also as part of communication programs, I hope these materials will be pre and post-tested with probably a representative of each target audience, so that the impact on the target audience and the effectiveness of the communication materials could be measured. The areas to be evaluated could include design & layout, the content, the location of the materials, etc.
I also started on media content analysis for May to June of this year. I was able to come up with ideas on how the EXT team can maximize the data that was gathered during media monitoring.
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Day 10 By Anne Margallo 28 July 2010
There are two important things I learned today:
1. ASK for clarification. 2. GET confirmation from team leaders when there are changes to previous agreements.
The Department of Agrarian Reform called about agrarian reform reports from other countries. I asked for the person to call again in 5 minutes as I did my research. I thought for a second, then, the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) from school came to mind. I remembered my mentor mentioning the ePIC during a knowledge transfer session. So I opened the KDC site and keyed in "agrarian reform" in the search box. I also looked through the collection under the Agriculture and Rural Development section. The Department of Agrarian Reform called again and I was proud to tell her that the KDC has the resources she's looking for.
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Day 9 By Anne Margallo July 27, 2010
It was a peaceful day at the KDC today, even though we were open, only one person from the World Bank staff came in. I’m still hung over from the episode with the KDC visitor who wouldn't let up yesterday and wanted to use the KDC even though we were closed. But I was ready for work. I got instructions through email for faxing invitations to bid on the design and printing as well as creating the copy for the Access to Information Policy and Open Data Initiative information materials. Portfolios of graphic designers and printers were left for me to look through. I was also told that I would be writing content for a flyer, a poster, and a tarpaulin. Since Ms. Moira and Sir Vince are going to be out of town, Ms. Cheers was here in the KDC to supervise.
Getting the instructions through email was quite difficult for me because I always have follow up questions about the nitty-gritty details (while I’m on this matter, I apologize to my mentors for approaching you so many times a day). I ask while I’m working on something because I know I’ll forget right away. Others tell me that I should say everything I have to say in one sitting or in one email, unfortunately, I have a knack for missing the details. This is why I like to write everything on my “little black notebook”, then to my planner, and finally to my Gantt chart schedule.
Now back to the email instructions, “fax” was pretty alien to me. I can handle photocopiers, computers, heck, I can even handle a sewing machine, but I couldn’t handle fax. It was a good thing Ms. Cheers was there, but I didn’t really get to fax anything today because I had to look through the portfolios of the graphic designers first. There was only one “useable” portfolio here.
Ms. Erika also called to ask about the list of contacts that Sir Vince left, but because there was only one, we just looked for more graphic designers. After researching what type of thick paper could be used for the posters, I emailed Ms. Erika again to ask for her approval and if there was a table of the specifications of the project like what she did for the World Bank Discussion Notes request for quotations (RFQ).
While looking for contact details and waiting for a reply, I did my research for the copy. I had earlier completed Knowledge Transfer sessions with my mentors, so I know the basics, but research always makes output better. I downloaded the Access to Information Policy and some press releases, along with the Open Data Initiative Powerpoint and parts of the About section of http://data.worldbank.org.
Ms. Erika sent me the .gif format of the table of the collateral requirements and asked that I forward it to Sir Vince for approval. I just received his reply and it seemed like he thought I made the table and thanked Ms. Erika for guiding me. I replied that Ms. Erika made the table; didn’t want to take credit for something I didn’t do. Anyway, with all that said and done, tomorrow’s activities will be sending the RFQs, reading my research and writing the copy!
This morning, I attended another Team Meeting of the External Relations Team (EXT). “A problem well-stated is a problem half solved,” never heard this until the EXT meeting. I realized its value.
I had my own little problem later that day in the form of a male student from the university-belt in Manila. The KDC is closed on Mondays, so I was surprised that this guy comes in and asks if he could check his email. I told him the KDC is closed on Mondays and that he can come back some other weekday from 10am-7pm. He said, “I thought the KDC was open to the public?” I said, “Yes, but it’s closed to the public every Monday so we could attend to some of our other tasks like the web and publishing, etc.” He replies, “If this is open to the public, it shouldn’t close.” He kept repeating himself, until finally he got tired and stepped out. Whew!
On a lighter note, I was assigned to write the copy of the Access to Information Policy and Open Data Initiative collaterals. This is pretty new to me since, when I was the Vice President for Communications in a socio-political organization in the De La Salle University, they gave me what to layout on print materials. One of the few things I had to write on my own was the script for the video about the history and some of the basic information of the organization. I also looked for and contacted graphic designers who also print and have experience in working with international organizations like the Bank. I’m a little tentative, but I’m looking forward to it!
Applications for the Youth Leaders for Knowledge and Development… Done!!! Well, there are still a few records missing, but this has been quite an endeavor! I hope that these young people follow through with their dreams and aspirations about the country. I also hope that what they will discuss will not fall on deaf ears. The organizers will share the sentiments and ideas of young people to government and other partners, but how this new knowledge will be used is what remains to be seen.
While working on the applications, students from the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) came in to do their research. I was told that there was not much traffic here as there is in other KDCs. It was nice to finally see college students taking advantage of the resources here at the KDC. After the Open Data Initiative outreach in De La Salle University - Manila, I hope more Lasallians learn and use the facilities available at the KDCs.
Bank consultants also came in today. It was surprising to see people maximize their own organizations’ available resources. I was surprised because there might be thousands of students in school, but just a fraction of them use the expensive databases, books, journals, and other resource materials.
I was hoping to finish collating today the applications for the Youth Leaders for Knowledge and Development; however, there was a need to veer away from the plan. I was asked to lookout for breaking news that mentioned specific names and the World Bank. Working with the External Relations Team (EXT) became a thrill. I was hoping to learn more about Crisis Communication. Although I didn’t really ask for a crisis to happen, I was lucky have been there with EXT. This day I realized the importance of the social media and that there is a science to keywords when it comes to research.
I was told to monitor the news through Twitter. Well, I wasn’t really required to but I created an account and followed the news from there. Always thought that Twitter was for celebrities and stalkers, it was because of this Youth Learning Program assignment that I learned otherwise. When I was younger, I used to watch the news with my parents every afternoon and every night. I never liked the never-ending bad news, so I stopped watching the news. In college, we were told to monitor the news. I didn’t unless there was a need to because of class. When I decided to focus on public relations, I planned to watch the news on a regular basis again. I had to learn anything and everything I could about what’s happening in the country and the rest of the world, but cable TV was much too tempting to resist. This has been an opportunity for me to push through with that plan. I follow the news now, through social media and local TV news. Hopefully soon I’ll move up to broadsheets.
Research may not be appealing to most people, but I enjoy it. I may like research, but like mathematics, it doesn’t like me as much. Everything seems to be online now. Looking for books now means going through an Online Public Access Catalogue or OPAC. It’s all about the keywords. The wrong keywords give you the wrong selections. That’s another lesson learned today.
In my Issues Management course, I was taught that any crisis calls for a quick but accurate response. The more you wait, the more the media makes assumptions, wrong assumptions at that. Any response shouldn’t be made in haste, though, because that’ll cause a much bigger problem for an organization. Of course there are more aspects of coming up with a good crisis communication plan, but this one was the most relevant at the moment.
The Bank’s approach was getting all the facts right before making any statements and I agree with that. The problem is the media always wants to get the news right away. In order to come up with a quicker response, maybe there could be staff who can be trained to do research for crisis communication. My suggestion may already be the practice; maybe I was just assigned the task for experience. Just the same, thank you for allowing me to participate.
Strictly confidential. Access denied. Clearance. This is what many would expect from a multilateral organization like the World Bank, but then here comes the Access to Information Policy that took effect on July 1, 2010. From a list of documents that can be disclosed to a short list of exceptions (confidential information) that balances the need to afford the public the opportunity to see and use information that the Bank possesses and respect the confidentiality of information provided by its partners, staff and other stakeholders—this is Access to Information. The Bank hopes to promote a culture of openness, transparency, and accountability in its own organization.
For a project in our Issues Management course, I remember trying to request for an interview with the public relations office of a state-owned facility about their crisis communication. We wanted to know how the facility would respond to emergencies such as fire, earthquakes, and floods. Interest in its crisis communication plan sprung from being consumers of their services ourselves. We were denied access because they were “one of the most sensitive government (facilities) and that they reserved the right to not disclose matters of national security.” I began to wonder if there even wasa crisis communication plan for disasters. I understand that there are things that are not to be disclosed because of national security, but there are also some things that the people have to know like what to do in case of a service malfunction, an earthquake, or flood.
The Bank has set an example for “appropriate balance” between access to information and confidentiality through the Access to Information Policy. Trust and participation are what you get from being open, transparent, and accountable.
Real accomplishment is outside the classroom
After learning about the Access to Information Policy in a knowledge transfer session, I was given some assignments. I was to write copy for Access to Information and the Open Data Initiative I was also asked to interpret a media content analysis for April through June this year. A mini-communication plan for the Facebook page of Panibagong Paraan and some visual pegs that will show how the KDC page could be improved were also on my list. I was also given a copy of the Mindanao Report for me to review so come its launch, I wouldn’t be in the dark. Last but not least, I was to review the KDC 101 Powerpoint presentation so I could revise it in “Nancy Duarte” format and translate it into Filipino.
This is going to be quite an experience: Real work for the consumption of real people. Having your work seen and appreciated by people other than professors is true accomplishment.
Perceptions changed, not just mine
My day didn’t end with the KT session. My mentors and I went to De La Salle Universty - Manila for a presentation of the Open Data Initiative and an introduction to the Knowledge Development Center. I hadn’t gone to school for anything other than thesis, so that was a little weird. I have to admit, I felt proud to be a Lasallian and be part of the Youth Learning Program of the Bank at the same time. Prior to learning about the YLP, the World Bank was just another “concept” in a textbook for me. The Bank was also perceived by DLSU faculty and staff as a closed and hard-to-reach institution. But there are staff of the Bank reaching out to educational institutions and encouraging them to access and use the data in its possession. Perceptions were changed that day, we’ll see if the message gets passed on.
My fourth day in the Youth Learning Program went by pretty fast. Today, I continued to work on the Youth Leaders for Knowledge and Development (YKLD) applications. It was getting annoying because some applicants’ forms were missing and some did not write essays.
I created an evaluation result form for my mentors that was also a tool for me to keep track of those applicants who did not write essays and those whose application forms were not on file. I also created a system for summarizing the applications. I divided the application summaries into 5 headings for the students and 4 for the young professionals. It was difficult to read through the forms and summarize. At first I omitted unimportant parts of the essays, but then I realized that the essence of the applicants’ thoughts might be sacrificed, or that I might omit a significant point. What I did now was to highlight the important parts. Copying and pasting was major buzzkill, but being able to read some really smart, pragmatic, and feasible ideas for development made it worthwhile. The essays were about the key development issues that the country is facing, how those issues should be addressed, and what the youth's role is in addressing those issues. Poverty and corruption topped the charts. Just a thought: identifying the problems is not as easy as finding the solutions.
I agree with some of the YLKD applicants who said that unity instead of bickering would be the start of improvement.
At lunch, I read through the team's communication plan. It has very good objectives.
The World Bank has more than 200 public information centers or PICs in close to 100 countries. From these PICs, you can get information about development data, World Bank reports and activities.
The Bank’s PIC here in Manila is set up in a different way; here, it is a Knowledge for Development Center or KDC. Going beyond being a public information center, it creates partnerships with knowledge institutions all over the country. Luzon, Vizayas, and Mindanao are represented in the KDC network, each one strategically located and open to the public. KDCs are equipped with an Internet connection, development-related publications and audio visuals as well as facilities for persons with disabilities (PWDs). KDCs also have videoconferencing equipment that are used for knowledge-sharing sessions on development issues. There is also a Global Distance Learning Center (GDLC) in the Asian Institute of Management KDC where many institutions from many and different places share knowledge via ICTs like videoconferencing (virtual discussions).
Each KDC has books and other knowledge materials that are related to its area of focus. For instance, the Notre Dame University KDC in Cotabato has materials on Education, Peace and Development--because these are Notre Dame's focus areas. People who participate in the activities of the KDCs can come up with informed actions on development issues based on some of the knowledge shared and discussed in KDC dialogues and fora.
From the KDCs around the country have sprung KDC Nooks, initiated by the partner institutions themselves. The materials in the KDC are shared with the Nooks so that more people in the KDC area can access the resources. The Nooks are found in municipal halls, regional offices of the National Economic and Development Authority, public libraries, and schools outside the capital cities.
The KDC offers information about poverty alleviation. It is a physical and virtual hub for discussion.
The staff here in the World Bank Office in Manila are very friendly and approachable. There is almost never any tension around. There's absolutely no hint of arrogance despite it being the huge international organization that it is. I am very grateful for the experience and all the new knowledge.
The World Bank Knowledge for Development Center (KDC) and the Ateneo de Manila University - School of Government began the search for 100 outstanding young Filipinos who will be given the opportunity to discuss significant development issues with some of the best leaders of the Philippines during monthly kapihans. Students and young professionals filled out online forms in the website to indicate what they have done as leaders, what have been their contributions to the community, the awards they’ve received, and their outlook on the country’s development. Applicants were evaluated based on their leadership, socio-civic involvement, awards received, views on Philippine development, and academic performance (applicable to students only).
I collated the essays of the applicants, so that my mentors and I could come up with sound assessments. We read through quite a number of applications, each with different affiliations, activities, and perspectives on how the country could tackle its socio-economic problems. I attended and participated in the initial evaluation of the applicants. During the session, I noticed that geographical locations were considered. I realized that majority of the applicants came from Manila. A few were from Visayas and Mindanao. The screening committee is still deliberating on the applications, and will soon announce the list of those who qualified.
Providing a venue and facilities for the brightest and young minds of the country to talk about Philippine Development issues and how to tackle them is noteworthy. Radical yet feasible ideas can come from events such as the gathering of the Youth Leaders for Knowledge and Development. It should also be noted that all the new knowledge generated from this event will be shared with government, civil society, private sector, and other groups; and so it’s not just one of those school tie-up events where people just discuss and no one listens.
Being an Organizational Communication major in De La Salle University - Manila requires me to do projects for organizations outside the university like video for specific purposes, organizational identity manuals, print media, websites, communication research, public relations plans, among others. This is the first time that I have been able to work with an international organization. For those projects I mentioned, we usually meet with the organization leaders once or twice and then work on the output in the comfort of our own homes or in the school laboratories.
I’m working on a Public Relations Plan thesis for the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD) with two colleagues. We all have to spend time learning from organizations and participating in their programs and activities related to the thesis. The World Bank’s Youth Learning Program was a Godsend; the learning areas stated were exactly what I needed. On the first day, I was even able to meet our PFD contact face-to-face for the first time after months of communicating only through SMS and email because PFD happens to be a partner of the World Bank KDC where I'm having my YLP.
The YLP has introduced me to other facets of the World Bank—knowledge and strong partnerships. I first encountered the term “World Bank” in high school, but I didn’t know much about the organization until my first year in college. In a course called Introduction to Global Society, we learned that the Bank is a huge financial institution formed for reconstruction and development. At least, that was all I understood the Bank to be until this opportunity for a closer look came along. I did some research about the World Bank before I made the essay requirement for the YLP and in the website these words struck me:
"Our mission is to fight poverty with passion and professionalism for lasting results and to help people help themselves and their environment by providing resources, sharing knowledge, building capacity and forging partnerships in the public and private sectors."
It is very refreshing to be working in an actual working environment. Having access to all these resources and knowledge is very exciting. My black and white perception of the Bank changed.
The Bank does not just lend money to governments; it also provides assistance through programs and imparts knowledge so that resources are maximized in the effort towards development. One of the most significant things I learned during the first Knowledge Transfer session was the Country Assistance Strategy or CAS. I had never seen a development program on a nationwide scale. Sad to say, when our country experiences growth, only the rich reap the benefits while the poor remain sulking in their misery. Many of us complain about the many squatter area eyesores, street children, the increasing population, and all the other problems that are caused by poverty. “Making Growth Work for the Poor,” which is the CAS theme, empowers and benefits us.
I was fortunate to attend a meeting with representatives of the Philippine Deaf Resource Center (PDRC) and PFD that focused on providing training for paralegals in assisting the deaf who have legal cases in courts. It was then that I saw the KDC’s work with other sectors in action. The KDCs in the country are to serve as training hubs and would provide video conferencing for the project. I expected a nervous presenter trying hard to impress and to get the support of the KDC, but I felt no tension during the presentation of the project. The atmosphere during the meeting was very positive.
I hope more people get to know all this information about the World Bank. I can hardly wait to get into the nitty-gritty details.
Today's insights
I’ve learned so much in Public Relations courses taught in school and from books I’ve read for my thesis. One thing I can contribute to the pool of knowledge is to get rid of the idea of The General Public. The “general public” can always be divided into subgroups that are according to demographics, geographics, psychographics, awareness, and so much more—the categories you use to segment your audience depends on what you’re trying to achieve. A key message may be interpreted in so many ways by different publics. So after identifying and segmenting publics, the key message has to be conveyed in a way that would appeal to each public. Take for instance, dividing an audience according to their perceptions of the World Bank. One target audience could be those who just see it as a financial institution, another target audience could be those who see the Bank as a financial institution with development assistance initiatives, maybe another target audience could be an international financial institution that controls the government through lending conditions, etc. Different messages are conveyed to each target audience, but each message is derived from the one key message of the communication program.
The YLP provides an opportunity for students to learn about the World Bank’s programs and activities in the Philippines, specifically in communications. It is also a way for the World Bank to get feedback from the youth about its programs in the country.
The YLP is open to junior and senior college students. It includes face-to-face sessions, self-study, and hands-on activities on the following: • World Bank organization: programs, lending and non-lending operations, Country Assistance Strategy • Communication plan and strategies: KDC program: information service, web content development and update, media monitoring and analysis, stakeholder mapping, and outreach events (forums, exhibits, dialogues)
Specific deliverables will be required to check the students' progress. For more information about the YLP, email comphilippines@worldbank.org, or call 02-9173034 or 9173088.
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