Asia
1. Outline of the ProjectCountry:

Project title:

Malaysia

Training Program on International Politics & Economics for
Myanmar Diplomats & Administrators

Issue/Sector:

Cooperation scheme:

Administration and Management

Third-Country Training Program

Division in charge:

Total cost:

Southeast Asia Division, Regional Department
IV(Africa,Middle East and Europe)

Period of Cooperation

Fiscal Year 2000 - 2002 Partner Country's Implementing Organization:
International Institute of Public Policy and Management (INPUMA),
University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur

Supporting Organization in Japan:
Related Cooperation:
1-1 Background of the Project
In February 2000, the Counselor for Asian and Oceania Affairs Bureau, Mr. Kono, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MOFA), visited Malaysia and discussed the situation in Myanmar with the Secretary-General of the Malaysian Ministry ofForeign Affairs. During the discussions, the Malaysian side proposed "the cooperation with Japan to enhance the knowledge ofthe diplomats and administrators of Myanmar in areas of international politics and economics in support of Myanmar's positive
move of joining the ASEAN."
The Counselor also visited Myanmar in March 2003, and at the meeting with Mr. Ebel, the chairman of the State Peace andDevelopment Council (SPDC) in Myanmar, put forth the proposal to them. The proposal was well received by the Myanmar side.
Upon their agreement, a series of discussions were brought about between the government of Malaysia and the government ofJapan. The Record of Discussions (RD) was signed where both governments agreed on a cooperation period of three years,
and the project started in February 2001.

1-2 Project Overview(1) Overall Goal
Myanmar diplomats and administrators acquire the history and the theory in the fields of foreign affairs, international politics andeconomics in Myanmar.
(2) Project Purpose
1) To provide an opportunity for Myanmar government officials to learn and expand their knowledge on globalization, especiallyin the area of international politics and economics.
2) To enhance the participants' appreciation and understanding of contributions that ASEAN can make to Myanmar'sdevelopment.
3) To serve as a platform for Myanmar government officials to understand the political and economic development of Japan andMalaysia, including the integration of these two countries in international politics and global economy.
4) To enable Myanmar participants to network with Malaysian and Japanese public and private sector officials and the academic
community with the aim of strengthening beneficial economic trade, social relationships between these three nations.

(3)Input
Japanese side:
Short-term Experts

6

Local Operating Cost

Local Cost

9 million yen (50% of total cost)

Trainees received

35

9 million yen

Malaysian Side:Counterparts

73

Local Cost

RM 280,264 (approx. 9 Million Yen: 50% of total)

Managing staff of courses

4Others: Facilities, management and development of training contents(4) Participant Countries:
Myanmar and Malaysia

2. Evaluation Team
Members of Evaluation Team JICA Malaysian Office(commissioned to: P.E Research)

Period of Evaluation

17 January 2003 - 17March 2003

Type of Evaluation:
Terminal Evaluation

3. Results of Evaluation
3-1 Summary of Evaluation Results(1) Relevance
Most of the participants indicated that the training period of two weeks was too short and that it should be extended. However,as for the contents of the project, many participants mentioned that the training was effective because the curriculum of thecourse was appropriate. Hence, the contents of the cooperation were mostly appropriate.
(2) EffectivenessBased on the final report by the participants, most of them mentioned that they wished to thoroughly understand the importanceof cooperation with ASEAN and regional cooperation as well as to deepen the cooperation actively as a member of ASEAN.
Therefore, it could be evaluated that the degree of accomplishment of the project purpose of recognizing the international
politics and economics and the role of ASEAN is high.
(3) Efficiency
There were some issues on the efficiency of the training: Some of the participants had low competence of communicating in
English and could not have discussions in English during the training. However, as a whole, capacities of the lecturers of thetraining and implementing organization, office work management, and training facilities were all appropriate in both quality andquantity. In the final training, some measures were taken to utilize the training cost more efficiently such as increasing thenumber of participants from ten to fifteen. The total training costs were shared equally by the Malaysian side and the Japaneseside.

(4) Impact
It was found through the interview survey that the ex-participants implemented some activities such as presenting training
results to their colleagues utilizing course reports as textbooks, which showed that the ex-participants made use of the acquired
knowledge and know-how in the training to a certain extent. Many of the ex-participants responded that they received strong
impact especially through learning the issues of internationalization and cooperation to ASEAN, therefore some effects werevisible. However, some mentioned that they could not fully utilize the knowledge obtained in the project because of the shortageof human resources, etc.
On the other hand, the training showed indirect effects such that the INPUMA's knowledge, reputation and credibility as animplementing agency increased as INPUMA utilized the knowledge and experience gained from the technical cooperation of theMalaysian government (to Sudan, etc.).
(5) Sustainability
During the training, participants were encouraged to use computers, e-mails and the internet to increase their knowledge in thisfield as well as to improve their skills on how to gather necessary information. The participants were able to improve their skillsin this area, and they should be given more opportunities to apply these skills in their daily work.

3-2 Factors that promoted realization of effects(1) Factors Concerning the Planning
N/A.
(2) Factors concerning the Implementation Process
1) Factors concerning the Japanese side: Japanese experts were dispatched with good experience and knowledge on foreign
affairs, international politics and Japanese history.
2) Factors concerning the recipient country: Skilled lecturers were allocated to give lectures on issues such as foreign affairs,
international politics, economy and the movement of ASEAN.

3-3 Factors that impeded realization of effects(1) Factors concerning the Planning
N/A.
(2) Factors concerning the Implementation Process
Factors concerning the recipient country: Some of the participants were less fluent in English so they could not communicate
well with lecturers.

3-4 Conclusion

3-5 Recommendations(1) Recommendations for the government and implementing agency of the recipient country (Malaysia)
1) It is recommended to consider the feedbacks from the course lecturers and to redesign the program.
2) It is recommended to support the establishment of the alumni association of the training.
3) It is recommended to allocate the participants in the governmental organizations experimentally to provide an opportunity tolearn the techniques, organizational system, social factors, policies etc. of the Malaysian administrative organizations.
(2) Recommendations for JICA
1) It is recommended to consider the implementation of a similar training for other countries (especially Cambodia, Laos,Vietnam and East Timor.)2) It is recommended to support establishment of the network (alumni and monthly publications) among ex-participants.

3-6 Lessons Learned(1) Matters relating to the host country and the target fields (policy, technical level, society/culture/custom, organizationalsystem, economy/politics etc.)

The approach adopted for the training was appropriate for Myanmar to learn the knowledge necessary in their transition period
to the market economy.
(2) Matters relating to project operation and management
1) In order to maintain the effects of the training, it is favorable to establish the system for the follow-up of the participants or thenetwork among the participants, the implementing organization and the cooperating organizations.
2) Aside from providing the textbooks and training materials, it is favorable that the recording of the lectures and training aredelivered to participants so they can review the training at any time.