Zambia

The first discussion forum is part of a project Deepening Pro-Poor Policy Dialogue implemented by The Government of the Republic of Zambia in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The idea for the Project arose out of the observed mismatch between recent economic growth and persistently high poverty levels.

In this regard, The United Nations Development Program in collaboration with the Institute of Economic and Social Research (INESOR) have embarked on holding public discussions in various provincial centers of the country. The public discussion will focus on strengthening the capacity for formulating and implementing macroeconomic, sectoral and structural policies that are more supportive of poverty reduction by deepening pro-poor policy dialogue among stakeholders.

The public discussion will be built around the quality of growth in Zambia and its pro-poorness, on employment creation in the wake of Kwacha fluctuation and debt reliefs which resulted from HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) and Multilateral Debt Relief initiatives. The public discussion will be facilitated by INESOR and it is expected that through these debates, pro-poor issues will be integrated into policymaking and socio-economic development strategies. The discussions will support the overall goal  to strengthen institutions to execute, coordinate and implement national development priorities based on principles of democratic governance. 

UNDP and INESOR organize also a Youth Discussion Forum on 2007 Zambia Human Development Report on Wednesday 5th November. This forum is based on the youth friendly version of the 2007 Zambia Human Development Report, which focuses on enhancing household capacities to respond to HIV and AIDS.