NEWS UPDATE: Dr. Charles Knapp, former President of the University of Georgia (1987-1997) has, without warning, resigned as President of the Aspen Institute after serving in this capacity for the past two years. Dr. Knapp has accepted a position with the Payson Center for International Development and Technology Transfer in their Washington, DC area offices. His new duties at the Payson Center have not been disclosed as of yet. _______________________________________________________________________ The IDN web site has been updated this week and the new features include: LIVE CHAT The IDN has added Chat Rooms at http://www.idn.org/community.htm There are two rooms available: One for the General Public and one for registered participants. The latter will be used for scheduled chats on specific topics, so sign up now to participate (There is no charge for this feature) _______________________________________________________________________ TOOLS YOU CAN USE Technical and Administrative Management Information System (TAMIS) The IDN is pleased to provide you with tools for your research and business development use. This week's tool is the Technical and Administrative Management Information System (TAMIS), developed by Development Alternatives, Inc. in Bethesda, MD (USA) TAMIS is a Lotus Notes based information system that tracks and facilitates work in the three major areas of the project management cycle -- opportunity and work plan management, impact and performance monitoring, and project administration. One of the most powerful features of the TAMIS platform is the real-time interaction it affords, by immediately and seamlessly sharing information across borders and time zones for efficient and accurate project management. TAMIS also lets development professionals use the power and reach of the Internet to improve development project results. Members of project teams require only a connection to the World Wide Web, using any standard browser, to take advantage of the power of TAMIS. This feature allows clients and partners to work together in implementing a project, viewing work plan progress, commenting on actions, and monitoring project results. _______________________________________________________________________ QUICK LINK OF THE WEEK Public Consultation: CIDA's Draft Policy for Private Sector Development in Developing Countries Private sector development is one of the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA's) six programming priorities as set out in "Canada in the World". The draft Policy now available for comment is the result of a lengthy drafting process and a series of discussions with CIDA staff. It attempts to build on lessons learned by both the Agency and the donor community in this difficult, but critical programming area. This week's quick link is to CIDA Web Site for the Draft Policy for Private Sector Development in Developing Countries _______________________________________________________________________ NEW LINKS Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme - Searchable on-line database containing over 650 initiatives from over 100 countries that have proven successful in addressing critical social, economic and environmental problems. The Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) - Assist member countries to achieve some of their important national and regional priority goals of sustainable development Centre for Health Planning and Management, Keele University, UK - The Centre is committed to a multidisciplinary approach to exploring challenges in management and planning in the health sector. GMI - Growth Management Institute - promotes strategies and practices to achieve sustainable urban development. International Development Research Centre - a public corporation created by the Canadian government to help communities in the developing world find solutions to social, economic, and environmental problems through research. NAFSA: Association of International Educators - is a leading organization in the field of international education. Penduka - Nonprofit development project that works with women from impoverished areas of Namibia. PovertyNet - PovertyNet is a World Bank Web site developed to provide resources for people and organizations working to understand and alleviate poverty. United Nations Development Program - Jordan World Bank Bangladesh World Vision Ireland - exists to help children, families and communities in the majority world overcome poverty and secure lasting improvements in the quality of their lives. _______________________________________________________________________ EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES The Research Triangle Institute Center for International Development, a sponsoring member of the IDN has the following new position listed at http://www.idn.org/rtijobs.htm Analyst (Closes July 30, 1999) Be sure to also take a look at our membership directory ( http://www.idn.org/members/index.htm ) and at the listing of graduating students from the Woodrow Wilson School ( http://www.idn.org/members/org/wwilson/index.htm ) when looking to fill your staffing/consultant needs.