2012-05-19
A quote from the Professor
My favourite professor, the amazing Hand rosling recently Tweeted: " Learn the new economic vocabulary!
For China "slowing down" means having 4-fold faster economic growth compared to USA"
Read more
2012-05-18
Latin America to the World: Lessons Learned on Austerity, Growth, Reforms
"Latin America is indeed becoming a role model for many other regions in the world, especially in light of recent global troubles", according to Hasan Tuloy on a WorldBank blog. I sincerely agree.
For more information, here is the link
2012-05-17
Congratulations Norway
I want to take the opportunity to congratulate all my Norwegian friends today on "Syttonde Mai" celebrations !
The 17th of May is the national day of Norway and the biggest annual event in our sister-country Norway. All Nowegians today celebrates their country and it is done in a beautidul way that alla citizens should experience. I wish you all a great day.
2012-05-17
This is capacity building in the European Union
The European Union, i.e. EU Member States and the EU Commission together, is the world's largest aid donor, and stands with about 53 billion for more than half of world aid.
The European Commission used the 2010 about 11 billion in its external relations. Of that amount was about 10 billion Euro aid. That's about 90 billion and is the Commission doing to the world's third largest donor. Sweden is a leading donor on the global level (the only donor country above 1% of GNP). There is an ambition for all EU Member States to reach the commitment to increase aid to 0.7% of GNP. So far, the EU, only Sweden, Luxembourg, Denmark and the Netherlands who reaches that level. The European Commission has an almost unique range where it operates with assistance in 134 countries and is among the three largest donors in 75 countries.
2012-05-16
Trade Minister Ewa Björling visits the United States, deepened trade cooperation on the agenda
The Swedish Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will meet May 15 her American colleague, President Obama's trade ambassador Ron Kirk in Washington DC. On the agenda includes enhanced trade cooperation between the EU and the U.S. and free trade in information technology. "Sweden and Europe needs to intensify its trade relations with the United States for their jobs and growth's sake. USA is Sweden's fourth largest export market and extremely important for the Swedish economy. The visit aims to position the Swedish interests and raise the issue of a FTA between the EU and the U.S., an idea which I launched in 2009. Now is time to act", says Dr Björling. In connection with the visit fills an existing trade agreement 15 years, called the Information Technology Agreement, ITA. The Minister considers it necessary that the agreement to be renegotiated and seek U.S. support for this process. "We need to do more to ensure the continuation of free trade in information technology. ITA has sadly outgrown their clothes, and therefore the government is now pressing to renegotiate the ITA and get into even more countries. This would create better growth in poor countries, a better climate and more Swedish jobs. But to succeed, requires the U.S. to be on the boat", says Trade Minister. Sweden exports products to about 77 billion to USA (2011). That's about six percent of the total Swedish exports, making the U.S. to Sweden's fourth most important export market. ITA arrived in 1996 after a group of countries representing nearly 90 percent of world trade realized the significant advantages of free trade in IT goods. The following year, was abolished many of the duties. Since the agreement was negotiated within the World Trade Organization WTO, it also led to countries outside the agreement could start exporting IT products duty free to the major markets such as Europe, Japan and USA.
2012-05-16
The Minister speech about Capacity Building
This is what the Minister of Development Coooperation and Aid, Ms. Gunilla Carlsson, said to the Council of Ministers of EU regarding capaity building on the meeting on discusions for reform of the sector. "Europe is more than a single market. There is also a union of values.
These values are reflected in the EU's relations with the rest of the world. European contribution to peace, security, sustainable development of the Earth, solidarity and mutual respect among peoples, free and fair trade, eradication of poverty and protection of human rights. EU development cooperation policy is an essential tool to achieve all this. Recently, the EU revised its development policy and its organization to meet the expectations and demands placed on the Union and to adjust policies to environment changes rapidly and often dramatically taken place in recent years.Today I will speak of eight major world trends that everyone has a great influence on the EU's global role. Then I will take up seven current or future changes in EU development policy. I begin with the eight world trends.
1, The world is getting richer.
Given what we see in the news and the daily reports made it seem somewhat unlikely. But the fact is that people take themselves out of poverty at a pace never before. Most people familiar with the economic development and poverty reduction in China and India, but we see the same trend in other parts of the world. More and more countries are deleted from the OECD list of countries that can receive assistance. Since 1970, 55 countries have become so rich that they have been deleted from the list and the trend continues strong.
2. A new Africa is emerging.
A number of African countries, mainly south of the Sahara, has still many problems to overcome. But less known is that the continent's economy will grow fastest in the world. Six out of ten of the world's fastest growing economies over the past decade are African, including Ethiopia, Mozambique and Rwanda, countries that we have become used to rather read about famine and conflict
3. Health and democracy increases.
The world takes note of tremendous progress in health and health care, education and HIV / AIDS control. The same is true democratization and strengthening of administrative structures. The proportion of countries with democratic electoral system has increased from about 40% in 1989 to about 60% in 2010. Especially in Europe's democratic development has of course the EU has played a huge role.
4. We have new global challenges.
Despite all this progress, much remains to be done. Shift of focus, however, partly from traditional bilateral assistance to work with the poor, the newly rich and the other developed countries face a number of global challenges. For instance, we global and national security, conflict prevention, terrorism, environmental and climate issues, food security, water supply, sanitation, energy, and to positively exploit the potential of global migration means.
5. Growing demands for freedom and human rights.
The Arab revolution has provided a useful reminder to world leaders that economic development and poverty reduction is not enough. Especially young people throughout the world requires more freedom, more democracy and greater respect for human rights.
6. New partnerships and changing flows.
Some former developing countries has grown to become donors. Private parties, business and civil society organizations are playing an increasingly important role. The assistance is becoming an increasingly smaller part of the financial flows between countries and continents.
7. EU development policy is renewed.
Lisbon Agreement has integrated development policy as part of foreign policy and poverty reduction in developing countries has been made a clear goal for the EU. Coherence between all policy areas to contribute to development cooperation objectives highlighted - for example, must now, in principle, also the EU's agricultural, fisheries and trade contribute to global development. The new EU common foreign service, the EEAS, allows for better coordination of the traditional foreign and security policy with development policy.
8. The EU is in crisis.
The EU has also put itself in a financial crisis that threatens growth in the EU and the rest of the world. Unambiguously, the EU has thus lost its reputation and relevance. It should be noted that the EU has continued, despite the crisis, is committed to reaching existing commitments on aid, 0.7% of GNP 2015th
These are eight major world trends. To adapt to these, and to achieve higher quality, the EU will implement the following seven changes to its development policy.
1. Increased focus on results.
To ensure that assistance leads to tangible results for poor women, men and children is especially important in times of austerity. Such assistance may decrease, and then we have to really make sure that every euro counts. Performance monitoring is essential to combat poverty by creating understanding what works and what does not work so well so we can constantly improve aid. But it also has a responsibility towards our own citizens, whose tax money we manage. All of us who pay taxes should know that our money really make a difference.
2. Make a clearer position for freedom and democracy.
The EU has said that taken most of the Arab revolution and the growing debate about freedom and democracy around the world. This insight has been reinforced that we are of our credibility's sake must seem clearer to the same democracy that we so strongly believe in our own Union is also in our external relations. Regarding development, we see how democracy, respect for human rights, good governance, security and economic growth are closely connected. We also see that young people must be able to develop and fulfill themselves in their own communities - particularly in developing countries. Moreover, it is so that when we talk about poverty, we mean not only economic poverty. In the multidimensional concept of poverty also included the freedom to express their views and the opportunity for individuals to freely shape their own future. In this way, improved democracy in itself a way to reduce poverty.
3. End aid to rich countries.
As I mentioned, we present a world where many former developing countries are on track to grow up with the previously known the developed countries. At the same time, we see that the majority of the poorest people live in middle income countries. The long-term answer to this problem can not continue to give massive aid to relatively wealthy countries that do not take responsibility for their own poor. Therefore, the EU's bilateral assistance to the wealthier so-called upper middle income countries within a relatively short period to an end. This will allow more resources be transferred to those who really need our support: the poorest and those affected by conflicts or natural disasters. Cooperation with the countries that no longer receive bilateral assistance will continue in other forms, including to meet the global challenges I mentioned earlier. The EU will, in its political dialogue to constantly remind States to take responsibility for their own being of the people.
4. Focusing assistance.
A donor can not do everything. The needs are endless and as a courtesy or a tradition, it's too easy to spread its limited resources too thin. The EU and its Member States have agreed to be active in only three sectors per recipient country. Recently, the European Commission has gone a step further by speaking of that, globally, we will concentrate on both growth and social services, and on support for democracy and support for improved governance. Other important areas that are highlighted are the energy and agricultural sectors (sectors that are important to address climate change and prevent famines), and training, health and social security systems. Cooperation with the private sector and civil society should also be given greater priority to enable the potential of these actors can better utilized to achieve growth and poverty reduction, and to contribute to greater pluralism.
5. Increase the proportion of aid that goes through soft loans and guarantees.
That way you can increase the volume available for development purposes, while also finding ways to increase cooperation with private parties which of course are paying increasing attention to developing countries. This may be particularly important for financing infrastructure development in such Africa, which remains hugely neglected. Roads, railways and ports, etc. must be expanded and upgraded for the economies to continue to grow as they have done in recent years.
6. Better coooperation and cooridnation is needed.
The EU is the world leader in assistance. Unfortunately, we are less conductive when we talk about dialogue and influence because we often fail to work well enough. With better coordination, we would radically increase the effectiveness of our overall assistance. Steps in this direction have been taken and more are underway. Inter alia EU has been a common foreign service of the European External Action Service (EEAS) which is tasked to coordinate the EU's foreign and security policy, which also includes assistance. Furthermore, the EU will shortly start with joint country strategies for member countries and the EU Commission. With these changes, the EU's vast potential can best be exploited as we speak with one voice and that we become an even better role model in terms of effective management of aid funds.
7. Finally, but probably most importantly, EU agree to do more and better to ensure a consistency policy worthy of the name.
Consistency of policy means that everything the EU does internally or externally that affect poor countries to fight poverty must take into account the objective of international development. The EU has not been particularly good at this. A clear example is the agricultural and fisheries policies, which the EU subsidies to our farmers and fishermen hit the legs of the developing countries' export endeavors. We give with one hand and takes with the other. It is not sustainable. There is a commitment to policy coherence in the EU's Lisbon Treaty. Now recently, this commitment confirmed by the EU member countries - it is questionable how well it is anchored by those responsible for such agricultural and fisheries policies. Since Sweden is a country that is truly serious about consistency, I see this as an area where Sweden can play a role as a good example by following up on what is happening and remind our European friends that consensus politics is something everyone benefits and is significantly more effective than continued large assistance.
This is concludes eight major trends and seven changes which are very important in shaping the EU's global role. If the EU can realize its full potential can be an incredibly powerful force for peace, freedom, democracy and development. Sweden has been proactive and give strong support to the innovation and the change we are seeing in Europe. We will continue to do so, for there is much left to improve.
Here is a link to the Minister's speech: http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/15823/a/190986
2012-05-16
Update of EU aid policy are discussed
A discussion on the EU's updated support policy, Agenda for Change, is on the agenda when the EU's development ministers meet in Brussels at the Council on Foreign Affairs May 14 From Sweden, Gunilla Carlsson. In October 2011 the Commission presented a proposal to amend the EU's development policy (Agenda for change) and the financial support provided by the EU to developing countries. The Commission's proposal involves a change of priorities of EU assistance to developing countries with the aim to achieve as much power as possible in the process of poverty reduction and sustainable growth. The Commission proposes, for example, a greater emphasis on democratic development and respect for human rights. The EU and its member states is also proposed to have joint programming to improve the division of labor and thereby increase the efficiency of relief work. Sweden looks generally welcomes the proposal and welcomes the idea of increased differentiation - that is, an increased focus on countries where the EU can play a particular role (such as neighborhood countries, the poorest countries and conflict situations). Greater differentiation expected to increase resources for the poorest countries. Swedish minister Gunilla Carlsson also welcomes the proposal's increased focus on results orientation. "Ensuring that assistance leads to tangible results for poor women, men and children is especially important in times of austerity. Such assistance may decrease, and then we have to really make sure that every euro counts. Performance monitoring is essential to combat poverty by creating an understanding of what works well and what works less well, so that we can constantly improve aid", says Gunilla Carlsson.
2012-05-15
We love Coffee
Not only Swedish Customs officers love coffee. We all love coffee. Swedish people has always been coffee drinkers. And we have embraced the new culture of coffee shops all around our cities, all the chains are present.
But not only Customs officers are fond of coffee, also our bosses are. Above you see the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Swedish Finance Minister Anders Borg reaching for the coffee during a short break in the cabinet.
2012-05-15
The Swedish squad for UEAF EuroCup2012
Yesterday Swedish national team soccer coach, Erik Hamrén (above), presented the Swedish squad for the UEFA Euro2012 torunament in Poland and Ukraina next month. It was an expected squad except that very (for us) unfortunate injury on swedish golden boy 19 year old supertalent John Guidetti (Manchester City) that has had a fantastic season in Dutch runners up Feynoord this season.
Guidetti has an injury that prevents him to play in the EuroCup. This is really not good for us. however we still have captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic in our team. Watch out Ukraine, England and France.
2012-05-15
Good news about the US economy
The US Treasury department has launched a new presentation on the state of the economy. It's fairly non-biased in its assessment of things. The presentation acknowledges that the economy has a lot further to go to get to a real "recovery" but it does point out what the economy has done since the crisis, and what's held it back. There are some great charts in there on the connection between the unevenness of the recovery and various external factors like the Japanese earthquake, the debt ceiling debacle, and of course Europe. It spends a lot of time on public sector fiscal drags. It also attempts to clear up other misconceptions, such as the tax burden (it's not that high) and regulations (which haven't grown very much).
Read more
2012-05-14
Zlatan will see you now
Great 6 page article in the latest issue of epic soccer magazine FourFourTwo about Swedish international soccer superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Read it.
You will not regret it.
2012-05-14
Ibra wins the Serie A goal scoring league
Swedish international soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic this season became historic being the first ever player in history winning the goal scorers league in Italy for two different clubs.
Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals in serie A (35 total in all tournaments) for AC Milan and has previously won the same title for rivals Inter.
2012-05-14
Growth is the key
Growth and jobs when Reinfeldt's meeting with Van Rompuy. The economic situation in Europe was the main theme when Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt hosted European Council President, Herman Van Rompuy, in Stockholm.
In particular,discussions focused on the strategy for growth and framework for the EU's next seven-annual budget.
2012-05-14
Back in business
Another week in the service of society. Reports, meetings, e-mails, phone calls to make.
2012-05-13
Home
Great to be home. When in Europe, don't miss Skurup.
2012-05-13
Giants
The two best highjumpers in the world ever, Javier Sotomayor (Cuba), still world record holder on 245 cm & Patrik Sjöberg (Sweden).
Patrik was once world record holder and still European record holder on 242 cm. Giants.
2012-05-13
In Switzerland
Passing through beautiful airport of Zurich, Switzerland. On my way back from US. Many people from outside Europe mix up Sweden with Switzerland. Eapecially, for some reason, in US. Also this week this happened. Somebody asks, "where are you from"? I answer, "Sweden" They say, "...I was in Switzerland once". Maybe it an easy mistake to make. The words are kind of similar, both are rather small populated, neutral forrest & mountain countries in Europe. But once and for all, one is a by geographical size huge viking EU country with beer drinking Swedish speaking people up north in Scandinavia and the other is a small landlocked multilingual central European (non-EU) with wine drinking downhill skiers. We are all friends though.
2012-05-13
Travelling with style
Just could't leave the city on the hills yesterday without crusing stylish through the rollercoaster streets in one of these
(see above).
2012-05-12
Also the Asian development bank opens up
A few days ago I Transmitted MFA's Henrik Bergquist's views on the African Development Bank's new policy of openness. On the MFA's blog, says Björn Gustavsson, representing Sweden in the Asian Development Bank's board of directors, on how even the bank more actively showcase its activities to the public. Here at the ADB (Asian Development Bank), we have for over a year negotiating a new policy of transparency in the bank, and in October last year we could finally get to shoot and finish the negotiation process. Although it often felt like a very lengthy process, it was probably good because we had time for a proper and extensive debates in many countries, and been able to twist and turn all the questions here on the board, before any decision was taken and a new policy was adopted. Since the government gives priority to transparency was UD actively in the process from the beginning. It was through the Foreign Ministry that I as an officer of ADB, the Unit for Multilateral Development Cooperation (MFA-MU), began work on the development of the policy of the Bank. The actual process began with a meeting in Frankfurt in 2010 where I attended. A number of European NGOs, some private companies and representatives of those more interested in the member countries of the Bank also attended. At the meeting, the bank's first draft of a new policy, which received strong criticism. Even from the Swedish side, we were dissatisfied. During the fall, I got my current position as an advisor in the bank, which meant a move from Stockholm to ADB Headquarters in Manila where I could continue my work with the policy from within the bank. When I began my work on the board, I initiated a project along with some other representatives who came from countries like Sweden places great value in openness. Above all, Germany and the United States, as of course our Nordic neighbors. Together we managed to convince the bank's management and enough other representatives to the board that the policy must be updated so that the ADB is once again leading the field of transparency. In quite a number of areas is, therefore, ADB is now well placed in relation to other development banks and other international organizations. The new policy recognizes, for example, for the first time the public's right to be informed about its activities. This in itself is a pretty radical change. Information can now only be withheld from the public if it meets certain criteria. During the hearing went very much time to ensure that these exemptions were limited and sufficiently detailed to enable them serve their purpose and should not be used to mask any unpleasant truths. One issue that we ran very hard was that audit reports are not themselves be confidentiality. After long and difficult discussions, we finally succeeded with this! Other issues such as Sweden ran the hearing was that any decision to withhold information may be appealed to an independent body. Such an instance will now be established even if its mandate is slightly more cropped than we had hoped. A great change from the bank's previous policy is that transparency around the work of the Board is increased significantly. Almost all the basis for decisions by the Board will now become public while the Board. A novelty is that the summaries of Board meetings will be public after 10 years and that salaries and compensation for the bank's senior management and board will be transparent. These achievements may not sound impressive from a Swedish perspective, but compared to many other countries and international organizations, this is pretty radical. Broadly, I think that with the new policy and the new requirements come as far as is possible at present. Now continue my work and a key task will be to try to ensure that the bank meets all of these new requirements
2012-05-12
Newsflash! Another record for the website ! Newsflash!
During last month, April 2012, 5927 people visited this blog/website!
This is a new record and I am very pleased with having so many people reading this webpage for news about Customs capaity bulding, trade developments, technical assitance, training, aid, HR developments, politics, people, sports and music. Thank you! I can only promise you that the website will only become better and better. Keep following www.larskarlsson.com for more exiting and interesting news in the future.
2012-05-12
Leaving Frisco
Had some days never to be forgotten in Frisco. Great meetings, sad and happy moments. Good meetings.
Talks with great friends. Good people. Leaving San Francisco for this time, but "I will be back".
2012-05-12
One of the things that US does best
Waiting for the plane to Europe in a sportsbar at the airport. National Hockey League (NHL) icehockey playoffs, Eastern Conference semifinal, last game (7th game).
Washington Capitals playing New York Rangers. Swedish key players in both teams. Nobody produces sport television as good as US broadcasting networks. And nowhere in the world will you find a better sportsbar than here.
2012-05-11
R.I.P my dear friend and mentor
It was a beautiful, warm and very dignified memorial we gave you today my mentor and friend. Your family, Bohemian brothers, friends were all there to remember you, your amazing achivements and extra ordinary life as a great man.
You would have loved it, the great love, friendship and humour that we all shared while we remembered and told each other about our own stories and memories. In fact I am sure you were there, one way or another, and that you really enjoyed the time we shared in the Bohemian Club in your beloved San Francisco. R.I.P big man. E.K.T, you will always be remembered with love. I will never forget what you did for me and my family.
2012-05-10
Nothing is impossible
There is no doubt that many people are too negative and hard one themselves. I know of many excellent colleagues and friends that are way better professionally (and as people) than they think they are.
Bad confidence is a hinder for innovation and development. People have ideas and they need to speak about these ideas. They need to challenge the systems and also try the ideas in reality. Many people do not want to propose their ideas on meetings and publicly since they are not confident enough to fight for their ideas. This is not good for anybody, especially not for our organizations. We need to become better in listening. To everyone. I am certainly trying to become better in listening to my colleagues, since it has not always been my best talent. In fact I believe that we all can become better in listening to each other. However it is also important to transform good ideas to reality. A good idea that stays an idea is a loss. It is only when we take the good ideas and make them work in real life that the ideas have a meaning. I also believe that we, the managers, have a responsibilty to create organizations and environments that fosters the exchange of ideas. We just always needs to remember that nothing is impossible.
2012-05-10
In US for meetings
I am in US for a few days both for some personal business and some important meetings.
It is always a pleasure to visit the land of hope and dreams.
2012-05-10
Uganda wants to learn about Swedish quality
The Swedish model of quality infrastructure inspires and demonstrates the benefits of the different institutions for different tasks. The thought of the delegation from Uganda who have been on study visits to Sweden, to learn more about standards and quality.
SIDA supports the last two years a program in Uganda to develop the country's quality infrastructure and standardization, QUISP. Deogratias Kamweya, program manager for QUISP on Uganda's Ministry of Commerce, was a member of the delegation that visited Sweden a week. For him, gave the study visits at Swedish institutions an even deeper understanding of the importance of dividing the different functions in different organs. "In Sweden, working SIS standardization and Swedac is the country's national accreditation body *. In Uganda are these functions are still together, creating inefficiencies. To develop a separate accreditation body is an important task for us and we need to invest here if we are to support the private sector ". Efforts to build a well-established and internationally recognized quality infrastructure in Uganda is extensive and includes several components. Deogratias Kamweya emphasizes that it is the government that must take the lead and carry out the work. The support from Sida is a great way to get started but then Uganda must take over the process. Gideon Badagawa is the director of a private sector organization in Uganda. He agreed with Deogratias Kamweya about the importance of having an institution that sets standards and another that ensures they are met, and not become a referee and player in one. If you can not live up to the standards that Uganda's trading partners recognize, then it's hard to compete in the region. "There will be a challenge for all the country's small and medium enterprises, with the additional cost of certification means. But if we want to enter the European market, with vegetables, tulips, or fish, then you need our products reach the quality level that applies. " Another study that made an impression on the delegation was to SP, SP Technical Research Institute, certifying, testing, measuring and calibrating in cooperation with small business certification. "We learned that in Sweden, two-or three manna companies that offer certification services to businesses and other customers, with substantial support when we're talking certification services in Uganda says the private sector that it takes a lot of staff and money to implement this. But Now we see that it can offer, without investing huge sums, says Deogratias Kamweya, adding that this is a message to take home to Uganda's private sector. " To build the necessary infrastructure is another challenge for Uganda; the few laboratories that are still missing equipment. Deogratias Kamweya hoping for a collaboration with Swedish institutions, to train staff and learn about what opportunities there are for example, calibration and metrology. "Our colleague here from Uganda's standards body was almost overwhelmed when he saw what infrastructure they have on the SP. It is only when you go outside its own borders that you realize how far back it actually is. We have a long way to go, but have taken the first steps, and we know we need to do this work in order to trade with other countries. "
2012-05-09
A new policy for openess in the African Development Bank (AfDB)
Henrik Bergquist, who works with the international development banks in the MFA Department for Multilateral Development Cooperation, writes here about the African Development Bank's new policy of openness. The best ideas in the world is both fundamentally correct and practically useful.
A telling example is the transparency of public administration. At the level of principle, we need citizens to be transparent, since the public exercise of power is our mission. On a practical level is best outcomes for all who are interested can read and comment on proposed and completed action, while the certainty of decision makers and officials that their work is in public will lead to a tighter accuracy. Here in Sweden we had a principle then Mr Anders Chydenius and others ran through the first Freedom of the Press in 1765/66 year riskdag - and the experience must be said to have been good. Together with other countries, Sweden has long pushed the importance of transparency in international politics. The government's initiative openaid.se is an expression, where the government wants to exploit technologies to provide maximum transparency in the Swedish government's development cooperation with other countries. Last year we were active in efforts to develop a new policy of transparency in World Bank. During the fall, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has worked to develop a new written policy on their own work with transparency and access to information. After an initial review in the spring and one round of written comments during the summer and fall, the responsible sub-committee to the Board of Directors consider a new draft of the document in January. Board approves the document, hopefully with further improvements, we will have a transparency policy at the bank in new garb. A pretty decent and colorful attire, it will be. The most important achievement is that the bank faced with a principle of transparency in the handling of their actions. Under the existing policy to only those documents that are published on a list of open documents. Now it's the opposite. As a starting point, all documents should be public unless they are on a list of exceptions. This principle of public access already exists in the World Bank, and hopefully this change alone could lead to even better quality and confidence in AfDBs work. The new policy includes important changes also in more detail. The list of exceptions to the public has gradually limited and clarified to make public as wide as possible. In Sweden we have exceptions in open government, such as in cases involving personal privacy, but it is crucial to offentlighetsprincipens credibility that the exceptions are so few and predictable as they may be. Among other things, the bank on a proposal by Sweden and the Nordic-Indian constituency we are part of the Bank's board, removed the exception relating to the procurement of the Bank. Since contracts are often for large sums of money, it is especially important to have high transparency to strengthen procurement procedures and reduce corruption. The Swedish proposal, the Bank has also introduced a post-polling ban, just as in the Swedish Constitution. It is not permissible for bank employees to ask for the name or purpose of the inquiry of the person who asks for a document is handed over, unless there are special reasons for it. The individuals who approach a larger institution that AfDB can easily perceive themselves falling into an inferior position. Ask representatives of the department what it is called, what to have a certain paper and the like, the author easily get discouraged. It is therefore important that the department can not do things that harm the integrity of or scare off the questioner.
2012-05-08
How big is really Africa?
There is no doubt in my mind that Africa is the continent of the future. Six out of the ten fastest growing economies 2011, according to Worldbank statistics, came from the giant continent. Africa has everything. It is the richest continent of our world and there are so much talent everwhere. Africa is trading, growing, developing and learning.
We have learned that isit is asia that is the hoem of the so called Tiger economies, but that was in the past. The future is in Africa. But what do we really know about Africa? Well, not enough. Most people has bought into the myths and the traditional historic tales of what Africa is. The tradional western way of looking Africa is to llok at Africa as one big unit, while in reality it is a huge continent with a big variaty of regions, nations, religions, languages, cultures and people. Africa is so much more. I have had the fortune and the privilegde to visit 49 African countries over the years. I have friends in all parts of the continent. It is time for all of us to get to know Africa better. The first thing we need to do is to learn the size of this huge part of the world (qand no buy into the old maps). Look above and you will see. After that we need to start to learn more about the different parts of the continent. I will continue to write about African regions, nations, culture, music and people. Africa is the future.
2012-05-08
Food Prices Rise Again on Higher Oil Prices and Adverse Weather
Global food prices increased by 8 percent from December 2011 to March 2012 due to higher oil prices, adverse weather conditions, and Asia’s strong demand for food imports, according to the World Bank Group’s latest Food Price Watch.
The World Bank’s Global Food Price Index was only 1 percent below a year ago and 6 percent below the February 2011 historic peak. If the current forecasts for increased food production do not materialize, global food prices could reach higher levels, underscoring the need to remain very vigilant. “After four months of consecutive price declines, food prices are on the rise again threatening the food security of millions of people,” said Otaviano Canuto, World Bank Vice President for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM). “Putting food first must remain a priority for the international community and in our work in developing countries.” According to the quarterly Food Price Watch report, prices of all key staples increased between last December and March of this year, except for rice, due to both abundant supply and strong competition among exporters. Maize prices increased by 9 percent, soybean oil by 7 percent, wheat by 6 percent, and sugar by 5 percent. Crude oil prices rose by 13 percent. In addition, domestic food prices remain high, especially in Africa as the result of a combination of large food imports and local factors, such as trade restrictions between neighbors, hoarding, civil unrest, high fuel transportation costs and bad weather conditions. In a global context, domestic food price increases have been larger than price declines across countries. Wheat prices from March 2011 to March 2012 rose 92 percent in Belarus, while the price of maize increased by 82 percent in Malawi, 80 percent in Ethiopia, and 71 percent in Mexico.
Production outlooks remain strong for 2012/13 and a number of factors have kept pressures on prices at bay. Record prices in late 2010 and early 2011 led to increased production of major crops worldwide, and are a key factor in the strong projections for the 2012/13 season. The slowdown in maize use for ethanol production in the U.S. and weak global demand due to the euro crisis are contributing to keeping upward price pressures on check. In response to drought in the Horn of Africa, the WBG is providing $1.8 billion to save lives, improve social protection, and foster economic recovery and drought resilience. A first-of-its-kind risk management product, provided by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), will enable protection from volatile food prices for farmers, food producers, and consumers in developing countries. The Global Food Crisis Response Program is helping 40 million people in 47 countries through $1.5 billion in support. The WBG is boosting spending on agriculture to some $6 to $8 billion a year from $4 billion in 2008. Supporting the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), set up by the WBG in April 2010 at G20’s request. Seven countries and the Gates Foundation have pledged about $1.1 billion over 3 years, with $612 million received. The WBG is coordinating with UN agencies through the High-Level Task Force on the Global Food Security Crisis and with non-governmental organizations. Advocacy for more investment in agriculture research -- including through the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR) – and monitoring agricultural trade to identify potential food shortages. Supporting improved nutrition among vulnerable groups through community nutrition programs aimed at increasing use of health services and improving care giving. As part of its response to the food crisis, the Bank has supported the provision of some 2.3 million school meals every day to children in low income countries. IFC will invest up to $1 billion in the Critical Commodities Finance Program, aimed to support trade in key agricultural and energy-related goods, to help reduce the risk of food and energy shortages, as well as improve food security for the world’s poorest.
2012-05-07
Passing the 1100 tweet mark
I have now written more than 1100 tweets on www.twitter.com about capacity building, technical assistance, aid, development, sports, politics and music.
Please follow the best twitter on capaity building on CapacityNow. Don't miss the latest...
2012-05-07
Further reforms needed to sustain Korean growth and social cohesion
Korea recovered faster and more vigorously from the global crisis than most OECD countries, but strong economic growth alone will not be enough to address the fundamental challenges posed by its rapidly ageing population and rising inequality, according to the OECD’s latest Economic Survey of Korea. The report, presented today in Seoul by OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría and Korean Minister of Strategy and Finance Jae-Wan Bahk, notes Korea’s current resilience, despite the continuing global slowdown. The OECD projects Korean economic growth in 2012 of around 3 ½ percent, and expresses confidence that the government has sufficient fiscal and monetary policy space to respond to any further deterioration in the global outlook. “Korea is one of the most dynamic economies in the world, with low levels of unemployment and solid public finances that place it near the top of the class in the OECD,” Mr Gurría said. “The fundamental challenge today is designing policies to cope with its ageing population, which will be the second-oldest in the OECD by 2050, while bringing down income inequality and relative poverty, which have been rising for the past 15 years. Economic growth by itself will not be enough to achieve social cohesion.”
2012-05-07
In the city of angels
Just arrived to Los Angeles, the city of Angels. Great city. And very warm right now. Staying in Hollywood. Maybe I will appear in a Hollywood box office film success after this stay ? And on the other hand, maybe not. At least I will have interesting meetings here on different topics. Naturally we will talk about capacity building. Why not. This is the best topic in the world. A very necessary to talk about.
2012-05-06
Former Olympic champion caught smuggling
Sad story. The former Bulgarian Olympic champion in weightlifting Galabin Bojevskij has been sentenced to prison for nine years and four months in Brazil for smuggling drugs. Bojevskij, 37, was arrested in October at the airport in Sao Paulo with nine kilos of cocaine in a suitcase. He was travelling home with her daughter who had played a tennis tournament in Brazil. Bojevskij wins Olympic gold in 2000, two World Championship gold medals and three European Championship gold medals before he was expelled in 2004 for eight years after having been caught doping.
2012-05-06
On my way to the US
On my way t the airport for a week in US. It will be exiting, fun but also sad. I have a very difficult event to attend on Friday.
2012-05-06
Kiel is best
Kiel with four Swedes on the team, including strong Kim Andersson and team captain Marcus Ahlm above, won the Bundesliga (first division) in handball, the world's best series.
Now it is time to bring the Champions League home to the zebras in Kiel. Kiel meets German rivals Berlin in the Final Four semi while AG Copenhagen got Atletico Madrid in the other semifinal. My guess is that Kiel will take that title too. Team Handball, the world's most exciting sport.
2012-05-06
Arriving to Toronto
Having a short stop over in the great city of Toronto, Canada. This is icehockey terratory. Here, icehockey is king. And two Swedes have been captains and heroes of Toronto Maple Leavea. Firat Börje Salming that played 18 years here and then the captain of captains - and probably the best Swedish icehockey player ever - Mats Sundin ruled this hockey fanatic city.
2012-05-06
A great city to wait in
I am not known for being patient. Many colleagues can testify to that. But if I have to, Toronto is a great place. I have always loved it here.
2012-05-05
Hitting the BRIC wall
The big emerging markets were the story of the decade. Now a new group of nations is set to break out. Great article in TIME magazine.
To see the full article, read here
2012-05-05
Swedish GFC demands on banks approved
Sweden, through their demands despite the fact that EU finance ministers are not quite managed to agree on new capital adequacy requirements for banks.
After almost 16 hours of negotiating in Brussels failed EU finance ministers on Wednesday to agree on demands for a strengthening of banks' financial buffers - known as the capital adequacy requirement. But Sweden, whose position before meeting with Britain's farthest from the Commission and other EU countries, still got through their demands, according to Finance Minister Anders Borg (M). "It has been instrumental in the success of Sweden", said Anders Borg after night mangling reports the news agency TT. The Commission had proposed a capital of seven percent, which will make the Union's approximately 8300 banks more robust in times of crisis. This view, however, Sweden and the UK to be a low level. After the Danish Presidency in the afternoon, took out the most recalcitrant ministers of finance for private conversations and come up with a compromise, they managed to take a step closer to a common agreement. "It means we are now meeting the goals we have to secure the Swedish banking system", said Anders Borg, said that the Swedish request to introduce a capital requirement of twelve per cent was now assured. Anders Borg's British counterpart, George Osborne, was not as pleased. The British believe that the proposal gives Brussels too much control over the country's large banking sector. "If we leave the negotiating table with the 27 countries have a bit of everything, we really completely failed", said George Osborne reports Reuters. The remaining outstanding issues, it is hoped to resolve at the next Finance meeting May 15 Member States must then be agreed with the EU Parliament. It is urgent, before the summer should the Council of Ministers and European Parliament agree to the schedule to be held. In early 2013, the EU's banks until 2019 gradually increase the capital adequacy ratio from the current two to seven percent.
2012-05-05
Icehockey world championship has started
Yesterday the 2012 Icehockey world championship started in Stockholm. Sweden and finland co-hosts the event.
Who will win? Canada, Russia, Finland or Sweden. yesterday Sweden beat Norway in the opening game. 3-1.
2012-05-05
I like to travel
I saw this application on Facebook recently. It was "the travel List Challenge - 100 places you have to see before you die", where travel experts have listed the 100 most interesting places in the world and you can tick the boxes to see how many you have visted and seen.
The article says "...we think that most people have seen fewer than 9 of these 100 paces that you need to see before you die". So I ticked the boxes and found out that I so far have seen 74 of these places! So the questions must be, if you have seen 74 out of the 100 places you need to see before you die, have you travelled too much or are you getting old?
2012-05-04
EHF Champions League Final four
AG Kobenhavn and Atletico Madrid were the first two teams which have qualified for the team Handball EHF FINAL4, to be played 26/27 May in Cologne. Defending champions FC Barcelona have not reached their final destination despite a victory against AG Kobenhavn. The icelandic dynamic duo of Olafur Stafanson and Gudhjon Valur Sigurdson were outstanding when the Danes won the battle against Barcelona. Also favourites THW Kiel have reached the semi-final of the VELUX EHF Champions League for the eighth time in history and qualified for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 for the second time after 2010, when they took the VELUX EHF Champions League trophy for the second time after 2007. After the draw in Zagreb, the Germans had to struggle hard until minute 50 to break the Croatian resistance, but then the final result of 33:27 was a clear one. The last team to qualify was Füchse Berlin that took on their guests from Spain, Reale Ademar Leon. A dramatic scoreline and ultimately a happy Füchse Berlin.
Read more
2012-05-04
Gates attacks ‘outdated’ UN food agencies
Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder turned philanthropist, has broken a taboo in the development community by publicly accusing UN agencies of allowing infighting and inefficiency to undermine the battle against hunger, according to FT.
The comments by Mr Gates, the largest donor to food security from the private sector, echoes the thinking of many government officials and hunger activists. But few senior donors have publicly denounced the problems of the UN system. The UN has three agencies devoted to food security with a combined annual budget of roughly $4.5bn: the Food and Agriculture Organisation, founded in 1945; the World Food Programme, created in 1961, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, founded in 1977. Although the three are based in Rome, they act largely as independent entities with little interaction. Mr Gates, who has donated roughly $2bn to food security in the past decade and plans to give another $2bn in the next five years, told an audience of the three agencies in Rome that the current system was “outdated and inefficient. “Countries, food agencies, and donors aren’t working together in a focused and co-ordinated way to provide the help small farmers need, when they need it,” he said. In a separate interview with the Financial Times, he added: “You would not say that the UN system has come together in a strong way.” Mr Gates highlighted the Purchase for Progress programme, which buys food from small farmers to provide emergency relief in neighbouring countries, as an example of the lack of collaboration between the different agencies of the UN. “Right now, WFP runs nearly every aspect of the programme, with a little guidance from FAO and a little funding from IFAD. But in an ideal world, you would collaborate to make a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts,” he said. Donor countries’ officials and hunger activists believe that the agencies’ new leadership, particularly the appointment of José Graziano da Silva from Brazil as director-general at the FAO after the retirement of Jacques Diouf of Senegal, who headed the organisation for nearly 20 years, would help to improve the relationship among the three organisations. The US, European Union and other donors such as Canada, Australia and Japan have been frustrated by the slow pace of reform at the FAO under Mr Diouf in spite of demands for rapid change. Donor countries have long complained that the FAO keeps more than half its staff at the Rome headquarters, rather than in African and Asian countries affected by chronic hunger. Mr Gates also blamed western nations for some of the failures of the UN agencies that specialise in agriculture and food security, saying many donors have forced recipients to “change priorities to suit political realities in their home countries”. “The [UN] food agencies have taken on projects that weren’t strategic because they needed any funding they could get simply to stay in business,” he said. The multibillion dollar Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has elevated food security to a top priority, second only to health issues such as malaria. Food security, long a topic merely for agriculture ministers, is now hotly debated among leaders of the Group of 20 leading economies.
2012-05-03
Stockholm
Stockholm city. A nice day in May. Hard to beat.
2012-05-03
Asia Faces Stronger Growth
Growth in Asia is expected to pick up this year, after slowing in the last quarter of 2011, but Asian leaders now face the difficult task of adjusting policies to support stable, non-inflationary growth, say IMF economists. At the launch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, of the IMF’s regular outlook for the Asia Pacific region, the economists said that the region is expected to continue growing at around 6 percent this year, before rebounding in 2013.
“Calibrating the right amount of insurance to support stable, non-inflationary growth is the main near-term policy challenge,” said Anoop Singh, head of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department. “Policymakers should be ready to shift gears and renew tightening if overheating pressures become evident,” he added. Asia has continued to enjoy robust domestic demand against the background of the fragile global recovery. This has been reflected in low unemployment and robust credit growth in the region. Inflation expectations also picked up and so far, capital inflows into emerging Asia have rebounded in 2012. The IMF forecasts regional growth will be 6 percent this year, roughly the same level as in 2011, and about 6½ percent in 2013. But there remains considerable regional variation. While emerging Asia will remain the fastest growing region in the world, led by China and India, expanding at 6.9 percent this year, industrial Asia is projected to grow only at 2.2 percent. A further stabilization of global economic and financial conditions over the course of 2012 would provide a boost to the whole region. But it could also revive the threat of inflation. The report suggests that inflation will decline modestly in 2012, averaging some 3½ percent. But this partly reflects a normalizing of commodity prices, and in several cases sustained demand pressures means inflation is likely to remain above explicit or implicit target ranges. Despite brighter prospects for the region, the report warns that financial turmoil in Europe could yet escalate and spread to Asia. In particular, a sharp fall in exports to advanced economies and a reversal of foreign capital flows would severely impact activity in the region. The report also cites higher energy prices as a risk to activity, and a source of difficult trade-offs between inflationary pressures and budgetary risks from energy and food subsidies.
2012-05-03
IT investment is growing
The Swedish IT investments seems to be increasing more than expected this year. But it's a big difference in how IT companies are affected. Sales of mobile phones and other telecom equipment is strong and lifts including Apple, while there is considerable uncertainty about the company HP.Företag, government and consumers are expected to increase their purchases of various types of IT equipment by 5.2 percent this year, compared to 2011. It says analyst firm Gartner, thereby increasing its previous forecast from an estimated growth of 4.6 percent. Then that excludes the effect of the dollar has strengthened.
The improvement is mainly a result of the economic turmoil in many parts of the world does not seem to hit as hard as feared. Although the expected public sector IT investments to decline in both 2012 and 2013 but this is compensated by the small-and medium-sized businesses are expected to have good speed on their bet. These developments have helped to strengthen many of the major IT companies. Both IBM and Microsoft, for example, has seen the share price to rise significantly over the last twelve months. But for those of large companies, it is particularly Apple fired and it depends largely on the company's success in the mobile and surf flat market. According to Gartner's forecast, it is also the sales of telecom equipment is expected to account for the strongest upswing in the IT sector in the years and this weighs heavily mobiles. Although Gartner's forecast may be considered as the right light, given the generally harsh situation, there is also considerable uncertainty about many of the major IT companies. Oracle, which had previously caused concern, succeeded, although in late March alleviate concerns about the company showed off a good demand. But volatility also shows that it is far from a stable position. Uncertainty also remains high on HP, which had some tumult rich year. The round was recently with the Board after a short time kicking the CEO and put Meg Whitman at the post office instead. She has launched a major restructuring of the company but received during the latest reported quarter also see how profits fell sharply. Apple has had a huge boost sales of its smart phone Iphone, although the latest version did not live up to all expectations. The company also has decided to once again begin with the dividend and then came recently with a new version of surf plate Iphone. The recent events also boosted speculation that Apple can reach a market capitalization of huge 1000 billion dollars within two years. It may sound absurd, but Apple actually reach there if the market price the next twelve months, keep up the same pace as it has in the last twelve months. Meanwhile, still warning that Apple's rise could hardly continue indefinitely. In the mobile market is trying to Microsoft and Nokia jointly fight their way to the holidays of both Apple's and Google's rampage. Though, so far there have only been out a few handsets with Microsoft's Windows Phone and it is too early to determine whether the two actually manage to challenge Google and Apple. A number of manufacturers are also working with new products that will go up against Apple's Iphone. Most other surf boards based on Google's Android operating system but later this fall is also expected a large amount of surf boards that use Microsoft's upcoming operating system Windows 8th Both Nokia and Sony for instance, works such tablets.
2012-05-02
The scream (skriet) will break records
This evening, around 19:30 pm, the world's art auctions is targetting their attention to Sotheby's Upper East Side. When Norweigian painter Edward Munch's painting "the Scream" (Skriet) will be sold to the highest bidder. Earlier this spring, the painting made a secret and selective world tour to give potential buyers a chance to see if it can fit in their respective collections, writes NRK.
The big question is whether sales will generate even more than Picasso's "Nude, green leaves and bust" which was sold for 786 million, today's auction record for the arts. Art market goes hand in hand with the world economy and today's financially strong buyers in countries such as Mexico, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. "Skriets" owners, Norwegian Petter Olsen, has several paintings by the Norwegian painter and plan to use the money to build a museum in Hvitsten in Norway.
2012-05-02
Failing criminal
This guy certainly is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Crime never wins.
2012-05-02
Danish NOMA is the best restaurant in the world
The famous star restaurant Noma in Christianshavn, Copenhagen, took home the title of world's best restaurant for the third consecutive year. Three Swedish restaurants also took to the list of top 50 restaurants in the world, which means a new record for Sweden. The restaurant magazine, The World's 50 Best Restaurants, which annually crowns at the world's fifty best restaurants.
On Monday evening, the names were revealed at a gala ceremony in the Guildhall, London. Noma was the favorite tipped and held the pressure for the third year. Restaurant Noma is run by head chef Rene Redzepi, founded in 2003 and received earlier in the year two Michelin stars. "It's completely insane, being number one. It's surreal, read the joyous comment from the chef Claus Meyer", one of the owners of Noma, according to TT. The most internationally well known in the art of cooking has served on the jury. According to industry equivalent to the appointment a gold medal in a world championship or an Oscar statuette. "This is a long, long and arduous toil that now rewarded," says Claus Meyer to the Danish news agency Ritzau. Noma is located in a refurbished warehouse in Christianshavn. The name is short for "Nordic food." Chef René Redzepis (pictured) restaurant Noma in Copenhagen managed to win first place on the list S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2010. One result has appointed a panel of over 800 experts in gastronomy, including everything from journalists to the chefs. The list contains many European restaurants with another Scandinavian elements. The Finnish restaurant Chez Dominique falls while twelve places from the 2010 list but still succeed in entering the place 35th. The 10 best restaurants in the world, according to Restaurant Magazine's annual list S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants:
1. Noma, Denmark
2. El Celler De Can Roca, Spainien
3. Mugaritz, Spain
4. Osteria Francescana, Italy
5. The Fat Duck, UK
6. Alinea USA
7. D.O.M, Brazil
8. Arzak, Spain
9. Le Chateaubriand, France
10. Per Se, USA
The complete list is available at the link theworlds50best.com
2012-05-02
Forza Milan
Tonight in Italian soccer Serie A. Milan-Atalanta 2-0. Juve-Lecce 1-1. The match of the league title again.
Two rounds remaining. 1 point is different. Forza Milan!
2012-05-01
Rich countries’ budget cuts hit lifeline to poor nations
Rich countries applying budget austerity cut their aid to developing countries by 2.7 percent last year, the OECD says, and aid group Oxfam warns that this is putting lives at risk. The cut in development aid, the first for 14 years, looks likely to continue at a time when poor countries are already suffering from a slowdown in global economic activity, trade and investment, the OECD said. Last year, the 34 OECD members gave $133.5 billion in official development assistance, or 0.31 per cent of their combined national incomes, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said in a report this week. The drop-off “is a source of great concern, coming at a time when developing countries have been hit by the knock-on effect of the crisis and need it most,” OECD secretary general Angel Gurria said. “Aid is only a fraction of total flows to low-income countries, but these hard economic times also mean lower investment and lower exports. The OECD is a research body for advanced nations which it advises on policy in a wide range of activities. Relative to the size of their economies, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden were the most generous, exceeding the United Nations’ aid target of 0.7 percent of gross domestic product. The biggest cuts to aid were made by Austria, Belgium, Greece, Japan and Spain, the report said. Aid group Oxfam International said that the ability of some countries to meet their commitments and increase aid showed that cutting aid was “usually a political choice rather than an economic necessity”. Oxfam’s executive director Jeremy Hobbs said: “This cut in aid is a global scandal.” Rich countries are using the economic crisis “as an excuse to turn their backs on the world’s poorest,” he commented.
2012-05-01
Work
I am working today since it is international working day. That's my way of looking at it. Work is important. For all of us. The best way to equality and prosperity.
