2. Trip Overview: Tourism Fort Santiago José Rizal was imprisoned here Destroyed in the Spanish-Chinese War Once the premier defense fortress of the Spanish Government in the Philippines
3. Trip Overview: Tourism Sigiriya Rock Ancient rock fortress and palace Inhabited by King Kasyapa Located within the Cultural Triangle Considered one of the most important urban planning sites of the first millenium
4. Trip Overview: Tourism The Rock Temple One of the oldest Buddhist shrines In use since Pre-Christian times Composed of five caves, which have been converted into shrine rooms
6. Trip Overview: International Rice Research Institute Reduce poverty through improved and diversified rice-based systems Ensure rice production that is sustainable, stable, and has minimal negative environmental impact Improve the health of rice farmers and consumers
7. Trip Overview: International Water Management Institute “The next war will be over water, but water can be an instrument of peace.” –IWMI Member of CGIAR since 1984 Headquartered near the Sri Lankan capital city of Colombo Moved beyond “more crop per drop” (IIMI) 4 Research Themes: Water Availability; Productive Use; Quality, Health, and Environment; and Water and Society Many PhD students due their field research in collaboration with IWMI Ethiopia Research
8. Trip Overview: Nilmini Estates Tea Plantation Nilmini Estates and Ahinsa Tea Tea leaf picking Black tea production and tea factory Withering Rolling Fermentation Firing Labor-friendly atmosphere Nature-friendly atmosphere
9. Trip Overview: ADB Vision: An Asia and Pacific free of poverty Headquarters in Manila, there are 26 field offices President has to be Asian 2/3 of the world’s poor are in this region ADB's main instruments comprise loans, technical assistance, grants, advice, and knowledge Poverty has been reduced by half in the past decade
10. Student Research | Alec Weissgerber Climate Change and the Problems Asia Faces Exponential Population Growth Water Scarcity Possible Effects Possible Solutions
13. Repairs to damaged irrigation canals and improving infrastructure is critical to improving these economies Agriculture Issues Poorest rice producing farmers produce crops under rainfed conditions Water conflicts between hydropower and irrigation 40% of the world’s irrigated area is adversely affected by salinity
14. Student Research | Ryan Collett Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity Kalayaan Pumped Storage Arm of CBK-Hydroelectric Complex Allows generation to meet peak demand Underground Pumped Storage Recreation Opportunities Waterfall Disneyworld style canoe ride Convinced of future in Philippines
15. Student Research | Melissa LaReau Philippines and the Millennium Development Goals The Philippines have seen significant economic growth but an increase in poverty Philippines are succeeding in many MDGs but are still lacking in many areas Will likely achieve Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Goal 4: Reduce child mortality Goal 6: Combat HIV, AIDS, malaria and other diseases Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development Will likely not achieve Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education Goal 3: Promote gender equality Goal 5: Improve maternal health (most likely goal to not achieve) Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
16. Student Research | Andrea Roberts “A Model for Effective National Biofuels Policy in Southeast Asia” Research Question: An effective national biofuels policy aims to secure sustainable production and profitability. What are the critical tenets of an effective national biofuels policy for developing Southeast Asian economies? Part I: Indicators for Biofuels Development in Southeast Asia Part II: Benefits to Effective Biofuels Development Part III: National Biofuels Policy in Southeast Asia
Our group visited the Nilmini Estate where organic Ahinsa tea is produced and had the opportunity to stay on the estate for several days. While at the Estate we learned about the processes involved in black tea production. The tea plantation workers taught us how to identify which tea leaves were ready to be picked from the tea bushes and we got to pick some of the leaves ourselves. We were impressed by how quickly the tea leaf pickers could pick the leaves, and we found it interesting that they stored them in sacks attached to their heads. We watched the entire tea production process in the tea factory located on the estate grounds, which involved a withering process, rolling in a big grinder, fermentation and firing. Some of the economic implications we were able to draw from this educational venture were the impact that a tea production has on the local economy by offering a significant amount of local employment. We were also impressed with the nature-friendly atmosphere at the tea estate. While on the estate we planted trees and experienced the natural environment, which has been largely undisturbed. Organic tea plantations like Nilmini Estates focus on maintaining the fauna and biodiversity that are indigenous to the area.
ADB is an international development finance institution whose mission is to help its developing member countries reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of their peopleHeadquartered in Manila, and established in 1966, ADB is owned and financed by its 67 members, of which 48 are from the region and 19 are from other parts of the globe.ADB's main partners are governments, the private sector, nongovernment organizations, development agencies, community-based organizations, and foundations.Under Strategy 2020, a long-term strategic framework adopted in 2008, ADB will follow three complementary strategic agendas: inclusive growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.
I got the idea for this paper when we went to the econ lecture and Professor Balisaha talked about the Philippines possibly missing the MDGs set for 2015. While the Philippines are making progress, they still lack in various areas. Also, even though they may technically be achieving these goals, there is still work that needs to be done in this country. The numbers used are national averages, they do not take into consideration regional differences. There are some regions that are significantly less likely to achieve these goals. Also, the country may meet global standards, however, some problems are getting increasingly worse. This is also not shown in the progress reports. History of the MDGs In 2000, 189 member states of the United Nations met and adopted the Millennium Declaration. It is said that this was the defining moment of global cooperation in the 21st century, where the Millennium Development Goals were created and set as concrete and measurable objectives. The Secretary-General’s report declared that “The Millennium Declaration represents the most important collective promise ever made to the world’s vulnerable people. The promise is not based on pity or charity, but on solidarity, justice and that recognition that we are increasingly dependent on one another for our shared prosperity and security.” The Millennium Declaration was written at the dawn of the new millennium to reaffirm the faith in the United Nations and its charter and the foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and just world. The resolution states that the central challenge being faced is ensuring globalization becomes a positive force. What if the MDGs are not met? If the MDGs are not met will it be seen as a global failure? The Philippines are making progress, especially since the first progress report in 2003. This report noted the concern about the Asian financial crises compounded with natural disasters. Although improvements in the country were crippled, the Philippines have achieved a lot since 2003. One of the most important factors in this report that still applies is that for success to be achieved, resources need to be pulled together from the national and local government in collaboration with the private sector. The Millennium Development goals were set up with the intention of being achieved by the year 2015. We are now in 2010 which leaves five years left to achieve these goals. Globally there appears to areas that will not achieve these goals. The Philippines will likely achieve some of the MDGs but it is also likely that they will not succeed in some of the MDGs by 2015. The country has made progress in the areas of poverty reduction, nutrition, gender equality, reducing child mortality, combating diseases and access to safe drinking water and sanitation. If they expect to meet the MGDs then they need to work harder on education access, maternal mortality, and access to reproductive health services. It is also important to note that even though progress has been made in some areas, there is still a long way to go. Even if the MDGs are met in these areas, this does not mean that these achievements are sufficient. Because there are only five years left the reality of failing to achieve these goals is quite real. The Secretary-General’s report claims that this could be a reality due to lack of commitment. The report also says that “this would be an unacceptable failure from both the moral and the practical standpoint. If we fail, the dangers in the world- instability, violence, epidemic disease, environmental degradation, runaway population growth- will all be multiplied (p. 2).” The Secretary-General also claimed that the Millennium Declaration “represents the most important promise ever made to the world’s most vulnerable people.” The Philippines are not the only country that may have trouble meeting these goals by 2015. It is easier to quickly see the effect of increased funding and expansion of programs than changing structure, especially when dealing with politics. Populations in the poorest households, minorities and rural communities will need to be focused on. The economic crisis has had an impact on growth and resources. This is also affecting aid. Food prices increased and unfortunately this has had the greatest effect on children. It may also be impacting gender equality. With fewer jobs women have more hurdles. Export revenues in developing countries have fallen. Due to this recession OECD countries, even if they keep their commitment to these goals, are less likely to be able to remain high donor countries which could impede process. The global partnership is trying to stay strong but it is likely that not all of the MDGs will be met, globally as well as in the Philippines.
