The 37th Technical Committee was inaugurated at 9.00 am (Bangkok time) on 9th September 2022 at the Krungthep 2 Conference Room of the Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting was attended by 36 participants including 14 CIRDAP member countries. A representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the IRD expert, the representatives of national and international observers, CIRDAP experts, and mentors also embraced the meeting. The Technical Committee meeting was chaired by the TC member of Thailand. The committee adopted the report of the Director General; adopted on the current status on the implementation of the TC-36, the EC-33 and the GC-23 meetings; endorsed the brochure of the Women, Youth and Rural Development Programme; endorsed the ToR, scope of work, deliverable and reporting system of the position of the Technical Assistance to the DG of CIRDAP; endorsed the initiative on ISO 30401:2018 Knowledge management systems for CIRDAP and the IOTA consulting firm for advising on this and to assist on certification; noted on the outcome on the sub-centre activities; and endorsed the venue of the next Technical Committee Meeting (TC-38) in Lao PDR in 2023. The opening speech was given by Dr. Yusharto Huntoyungo, M.Pd, Director General of Village Administration (DGVA) Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of the Republic of Indonesia as the outgoing Chair of the 36th Technical Committee. In his opening remark, he expressed his sincere thanks to the CIRDAP Secretariat for organizing this face-to-face technical committee meeting after almost three years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The DG of CIRDAP Dr. Cherdsak Virapat sincerely thanked the outgoing Chairman for his unwavering support and leadership during his chairmanship. He also presents a small token of appreciation and gratitude to him. On the 9th of September, CIRDAP and Ministry of Agriculture organized a welcome dinner along with the Aziz-ul-Huq Rural Development Model Ceremony and the Launching of Rural Development Report (RDR) 2021 at the Horvang 2 & 3 Room, the Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladpra, Bangkok, Thailand. CIRDAP honored six recipients representing individual person and organizations with the award, those who worked tirelessly to improve the life standards of the marginalized rural people. The names are as follows: The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoAC) of Thailand The Ministry of Rural Development of India Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), Bangladesh Benazir Income Supports Programme (BISP), Pakistan The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Dr. Somporn Hanpongpandh, Former Director General of CIRDAP (1992 to 1996) A Study Tour at the Mab Aung Natural Agriculture Center in Ban Bueng District in Chon Buri Province was arranged by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand on 11th September, 2022. All the participants and observers attended this amazing field trip to learn and to appreciate on how the classes and trainings in nature for improving the rural livelihoods and sustainable agriculture can be introduced and directed based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of the King Rama IX the Great of Thailand. Another significant event was the eleventh Global South-South Development Expo 2022 (GSSD Expo 2022) organized by the UNESCAP and the Government of Thailand at the UNCC on 12th September, 2022. The overarching theme of the GSSD Expo 2022 is “Advancing South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Covid-19 Recovery: Towards a smart and resilient future”. Contact: Ms. Hurain Jannat, Communication Officer Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) Email: communication_officer@cirdap.org

Prof. Dr. Harvey Demaine M.Sc., Ph.D, London University It was with great sadness to learn that Prof. Harvey Demaine, a renowned expert of CIRDAP passed away on 22 August, 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. On behalf of the CIRDAP Secretariat, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to his family. Prof. Demaine participated actively in the CIRDAP expert meetings and webinars in 2021.  At each meeting and webinar, he provided his constructive comments and useful suggestions. He also wrote about his professional expertise and experiences for CIRDAP on 11 April 2021 as follows: I am a British citizen, with degree qualifications in Geography at Oxford and London. Since graduation, I spent the whole of my working life focusing on academic study and development work in Southeast and South Asia, specializing in socio-economic research techniques, agricultural and aquaculture development, decentralized rural and regional development planning, coastal zone management and project formulation, monitoring and evaluation. I worked first at London University (M.Sc., Ph.D.) and the Royal Thai Government (total 14 years), then at Asian Institute of Technology (resident in Bangkok for 18 years) as Associate Professor in Rural, Regional and Agricultural Development Planning. Finally, I became Senior Advisor with DANIDA in Bangladesh (resident in Noakhali for 10 years). I have conducted consultant studies for a range of agencies, including World Bank, ADB, the Mekong River Commission, the Government of the Netherlands, DfID, GIZ, DANIDA, World Fish, UNDP, UNEP, UNICEF and INGOs, ICCO Cooperation and Agricultural Development Denmark Asia. I have been semi-retired since 2015, with only the following substantial ‘research’ (consultancy) project inputs, Feasibility Study on Incorporation of Food Security Issues in the Context of Climate Change in the CDSP Project Areas, Technical Report No.11, Char Development and Settlement Project, Phase IV, 2016, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Bangladesh; Manual of the Future Implementation of Projects under the Royally-initiated and Special Projects Division (RISPD) of the Department of Fisheries: A Roadmap in line with the Sustainable Development Goals Framework (2019); Royally-initiated and Special Projects Division, Department of Fisheries and Pid Thong Lang Phra Foundation, Bangkok. My research interests include the fields of agricultural and rural development for small-scale ‘family farmers’ with special focus on extension methods (especially participatory approaches such as the Farmer Field School) and the development of farmers’ organizations, including water users’ associations, co-operatives and rural producer /community-based organizations. I have been active in linking such groups to agricultural markets and in developing their relations with local governments. I have conducted studies on the role of local governments in rural development.  I have developed a particular interest in small-scale aquaculture, termed ‘Rural Aquaculture’ as a recognition of the poverty focus, and latterly this has extended to community-based fisheries/wetlands management/waterlogged paddies. My focus has been mainly on approaches which benefit the rural poor, with some particular focus on women. I have also conducted studies related to environmental issues and Climate Change.   I have authored /co-authored 56 technical reports and 83 articles, books and chapters, contributions in proceedings (click here).   Prof. Harvey Demaine’s unique approach to rural development, and his commitment to research and its impact on society will be greatly recognized and appreciated. With our deepest condolences. CIRDAP Secretariat 24 August, 2022

CIRDAP celebrated its 43rd anniversary (6th July) and for launched the World Rural Development Day on 25th July, 2022. Honorable Secretary of Rural Development and Cooperative Division, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Mr. Md. Moshiur Rahman embraced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Representatives of Embassies of the CIRDAP Member States, Head and Representatives of organization partners, CIRDAP Mentor and Staff also gathered to celebrate the joyous moment of celebration. At the onset of the celebration, the guests and participants remembered the former Director General (DG) late Mr. A.T.M Shamsul Haque (who passed away on 20 July 2022) in a minute of silence. The DG CIRDAP Dr. Cherdsak Virapat welcomed the guests by his warm speech. In his speech, On behalf of the Chairman of the Governing Council of CIRDAP, H.E. Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives of the Royal Thai Government and the Secretariat, DG CIRDAP expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives for hosting of CIRDAP, for the ongoing contributions and steadfast support throughout the last 43 years since the establishment in 1979. He also thanked the staff of CIRDAP and colleagues who have been working on the preparation of this event. To read his full speech, please click the link below: Click here After DG’s speech, as a Chief Guest, the Secretary Mr. Md. Moshiur Rahman provided his statement. He said, “I would like to extend my best wishes and heartiest congratulations to CIRDAP on the occasion of its 43rd anniversary. The Centre has progressed toward its vision as a Centre of excellence and multi-level platform for cooperation on integrated rural development in Asia and the Pacific Region” To read the full statement, please click the link below: Click here The participants engaged in a lively discussion and sharing thoughts and perspectives on the launching of World Rural Development day and also on the various initiatives taken by CIRDAP over the years. At the end of the ceremony, a gift hamper was presented to the Secretary by DG CIRDAP and also each of the guests and staff got one SDG pin. Here are few snapshots of the event:

A.T.M. Shamsul Haque (1934 – 20 July 2022) B.A. (Hons.) in Economics, M.A. in International Relations and LL.B. Dhaka University It was with great sadness to learn that Mr. A.T.M. Shamsul Haque, the former director general of CIRDAP passed away on 20 July 2022. On behalf of H.E. Chalermchai Sri-on, the Chairman of the Governing Council of CIRDAP, and the CIRDAP Secretariat, we would like to express our sincere condolences to his family. Mr. A.T.M. Shamsul Haque was the Chairman, Public Administration Reform Commission (PARC), Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, from 1998-2001 with the rank and status of a cabinet minister. Before that he had taken voluntary retirement in 1993 from the post of a Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh. He took the position as the Director General of CIRDAP for two consecutive terms from 6 July 1984 to 5 July 1988 and from 6 July 1988 to 5 July 1992. He shifted the CIRDAP Headquarters from the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), Comilla to “Chameli House” in Dhaka. He mobilised substantial funds for CIRDAP and made the Centre known to the international community through the implementation of a large number of projects. He initiated the Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development (APJORD) as well as the CIRDAP monogramme and flag. During his incumbency, the first ever Ministerial Meeting on Rural Development in Asia-Pacific was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1987. He was instrumental in having the Ministers in charge of Rural Development of CIRDAP Member Countries as members of the CIRDAP Governing Council. He promoted human resource development in the CMCs and built up more than 1,500 alumni for the organization. In recognition of his significant contribution to the organization, the Governing Council of CIRDAP has endorsed the award of the Aziz-Ul Haq Rural Development Medal to him on 21st April 2022. We, the staff of the CIRDAP Secretariat would like to pay tribute to him for his leadership and invaluable contributions to CIRDAP which have paved the way for today’s CIRDAP and to rural development for improving the livelihoods and economic development of rural communities. May he rest in peace. With our deepest condolences. CIRDAP Secretariat 20 July 2022

GAF-8, the 8th Global Symposium on Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries – will be held from 21-23 November, 2022, hosted by the Society of Fisheries Technologists (India) (SOFTI), Kochi and the ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Kochi. GAF-8 is a stand-alone event that will be packed with a variety of different activities and sessions covering all aspects – truly Gender Justice for Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries. For details of The GAF8 session, event themes, brochure, call for abstracts and other information… Please visit the links below: Link1 1 : click here Link1 2 : click here

CIRDAP cordially invites you to take part in its important and significant webinar on the occasion of 43rd Anniversary of the organization. The webinar title is “World Rural Development Day: What is it, why does it matter and how to get involved?”  The webinar will be held TOMORROW on 6th July, 2022 at 11 am Bangladesh time. The honorable Director General (DG), CIRDAP Dr. Cherdsak Virapat will be graced as the speaker of the webinar. Topic: Webinar on “World Rural Development Day” Time: Jul 6, 2022 11:00 AM Astana, Dhaka Join Zoom Meeting click here Meeting ID: 827 1251 1973 Passcode: 571370

Opening Date   :    05 July 2022 (Tuesday) Closing Date    :   25 July 2022 (Monday) Below are the details of the vacancies: Qualifications/Requirement Candidates for the position must meet the following requirements: Have obtained a PhD degree within the last 5 years or have attended and passed the viva-voce (please provide a letter from your institution to attest to this); Have proof of proficiency in the English language (a minimum score of 600 on the TOEFL or Band 6.5 in the IELTS) for candidates whose PhD thesis was written in languages other than English. Have an excellent track record in publication Have experience in carrying out research and have published in indexed and peer-reviewed journals at either the national or the international level. Must find potential Supervisor/Principal Investigator that are suitable with the candidate research area. For those who are interested to work on project related to seaweeds/microlagae, you may contact : Prof. Lim Phaik Eem, phaikeem@um.edu.my The potential supervisor / PI (Principal Investigator) must have external grant as below:-                       1)      Science & Technology Field An external grant worth at least RM100,000 and above. FRGS grants are not included.                       2)      Social Science Field An external grant worth at least RM50,000 and above. FRGS grants are not included.   Prioritized Fields of Research Areas that have been identified by the Universiti Malaya as prioritized research clusters are as follows: Frontier Sciences Innovative Technology Sustainability Science Wellness Humanities Equitable Society   Duration of Appointment The first appointment is a minimum of 6 months and not more than 12 months for local candidates and a minimum of 12 months for international candidates (to meet visa requirements). An extension may be considered subject to the achievement of Key Performance Indicator (KPI) and recommendation of the Head of the Research Centre or Research Program or Principal Investigator (PI). Appointment Status Appointments are given contract status. (For International candidates, the conditions of appointment are subject to the National rules, regulations, and conditions applicable to foreign workers, as well as current policies enforced). Please submit two (2) copies of application form (1 original hardcopy & 1 photocopy) and via email (softcopy) together with all the relevant documents to: Director Office Institute of Research Management & Services (IPPP) Level 7, Research Management & Innovation Complex Universiti Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA Tel: +603-7967 4525 Email: postdoc_recruitment@um.edu.my Click here to download the application form.

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