MPO




MPO - Root Cause



Macroeconomics and the Environment Training Program

What the MPO Offers
The MPO offers the Macroeconomics and Environment Training Program which focuses on the relationship between macroeconomics, poverty, and the environment. The program is oriented for policy makers and staff of development agencies, analysts in research and academic institutions, and staff of non-governmental organizations. The program's objective is to strengthen the capacity of participants to integrate economic efficiency, social equity, and environmental sustainability into development planning and decision making processes.

The Imperative to Link Macroeconomics and the Environment
In recent years, analysts and policy makers have made considerable progress in understanding, ascribing value to, and correcting the negative environmental impacts of projects or micro-level economic activities. Comparable attention, however, has not been given to understanding the social and environmental effects of macroeconomic policies. The consequence is that macroeconomic policies designed to integrate countries into the emerging global market system have generated significant, often negative, effects on the environment and quality of life. Linking macroeconomics and the environment has become more urgent because of growing environmental scarcities and deepening social inequality on national and global levels. The MPO's Training Program is designed to address this imperative by strengthening the capacity of participants to formulate integrated policies which strengthen economic growth while supporting environmental sustainability and social equity.

Training Program Design
The Training Program is built on nine modules. Each module focuses on a major theme and is, in turn, composed of numerous subthemes. The modules for each seminar will be selected based on the needs of participants and host institutions and in accordance with regional or national contexts. The following modules constitute the range of themes which can be included in each seminar:

  • Macroeconomic Concepts and Critique
  • Global Trends and Sustainable Development
  • Macroeconomic Reforms
  • Poverty and the Environment
  • Greening the Budget
  • International Trade
  • International Institutions
  • Green Accounting
  • Sustainability Indicators

About the Trainers
The Training Program is coordinated by Mr. Sheng Fulai, MPO Senior Program Officer. Mr. Sheng is an economist with 12 years of service with the World Bank, the Chinese Ministry of Finance, and WWF. Local and international experts, as well as regional consultants are invited to introduce and lead discussions on specific topics and facilitate exchange of country experiences.

Venue and Duration
Seminars vary in duration from two days to two weeks, depending on the needs of participants and host organizations. The MPO and the host organizations will plan specific seminars jointly, determining the modules, location and venue.

An example: Training Module on "Poverty and Environment"

This module begins with a discussion on the different definitions of poverty and their corresponding policy implications. It continues by identifying linkages between poverty and the environment. An important part of this module is for participants to trace the impact of macroeconomic policies on the poverty-environment nexus. Finally, participants suggest ways of using macroeconomic policies as tools for facilitating poverty alleviation and environmental conservation.

An example: Training Partnership with Development Agencies

The MPO has worked with the United Nations Staff College and the Canadian International Development Agency in the preparation of their respective staff training programs. Modules on macroeconomic reforms, poverty and the environment, and environmental accounting have been refined to meet specific needs of these organizations and the participants. Other tailor-made programs have been designed and implemented in Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

For further information please contact:
MPO
Email: MPO@wwfus.org







Seminar Methodology


Seminars are highly interactive. Experts introduce specific themes and facilitate discussion placing particular emphasis on case studies and applied group exercises. The materials for the exercises are customized for the participants' region or country regularly drawing on problems and issues arising from their work. Written assignments derived from participants' experience are used to increase the professional relevance of specific themes.