Current papers underway ...

Some of the papers I am currently writing, in no particular order:
  • "MicroODA and Microcredit: New Directions for Japan's ODA"
    "MicroODA" is a term I use for ODA loans and grants from Japan that is used exclusively for providing microloans in developing countries. Using the Two-step loan and Development Loan formats as templates, a microODA model is developed which will actively involve NGOs and local banks both in Japan and the recipient developing country.
  • "Networks and Networking: Implications for Microfinance Programmes"
    Key to the success of many a microfinance programme is not access to adequate credit, but to information. Networking among the concerned 'stakeholders' remains a key ingredient of any such programme. What is networking? How would it help a microcredit programme? How can a network be set up? What will be necessary for the sustainability of a network?
  • "Sustainable Partnerships for the Habitat Agenda: New Roles for Professional NGOs"
    Particularly focussed on international NGOs, this paper calls for a broadening of the roles of such organizations to be more interactive and proactive, rather than just reactive, in their programmes and projects.
  • "The Indian Telecom Sector: Implications for Australian Aid Strategies"
    Based on a study made for the Australian AID Agency (AusAID) in 1996, this paper looks into the strategy that AusAID can adopt in investing in the now restructured Indian Telecom Sector.
  • "Online Classrooms: Directions for the Future"
    With shrinking educational budgets, and a growing enrollment base, the potential for innovation in university campuses worldwide has resulted in the offering of online classes for far flung students. What potentials do online classrooms offer? Who are the audiences? What are its precedences? And its pitfalls?
  • "Amenity Migration or Why-do-such-highly-qualified-professionals-come-to-a-small-town-like-Manipal"
    Taking Manipal, a small town in southern India, as a case study (pop.15,000) the concept of 'amenity migration' - as a subset of the urban-urban migration processes currently being observed in India is discussed.
  • "14 Reasons why the Informal Credit Markets have to be supported".
    The title says it all.
  • "The Environmental Colours of Microcredit".
    Microcredit has demonstrated the enablement of activities related to community development, poverty, microenterprises, women, and macrofinance - which in turn have an effect on the local environment. The above dimensions are explored in terms of the enablement that microcredit facilitates, its effect on the environment, and where available, examples of microcredit initiatives.
  • "Environmental technology transfer: Creating the essential online Framework".
    In order to effect transfer of environmental technology, a strong middle ground has to be developed - where both technology developers and technology users can interact. With growing utilization of the internet protocols for communications and information sharing, how can such middle grounds be created?
  • "Use of the Internet for Community Participation in Urban Management: View from Japan" .
    The internet has been touted as a key means to encourage community participation in activities related to urban management. What are its implication for the high-tech culture of Japan? How have city governments and prefectures adopting to this medium? What is needed to encourage household use of the internet for urban management?
  • "City Visioning in Japan: Exploring Six Cities and Prefectures" .
    Demographically, smaller cities and towns in Japan face the twin problem of depopulation and graying population. In order to counter this, city governments have been developing 'city visions' that help in fostering civic pride and attract new active and committed residents. This paper explores the programmes of six cities and prefecture around the metropolises of Tokyo.
  • "Microfinance: Some Gender Perspectives" .
    "Women have plans for themselves, for their children, about their home, the meals. They have a Vision. A man wants to enjoy himself" said Grameen Bank's Mohammed Yunus. What are the gender dimensions of microfinance? How can women-focussed microfinance programmes be developed?
  • "Informatization of the City: Impact on Urban Management" .
    It is becoming increasingly apparent that the age of information is drastically changing the way we see, plan, do and manage things in our daily life. On a larger scale of a city, how has it affected development and management processes? There is a need to create an environment for the archival and exchange of information on and for planning.
  • Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Waste Management in Japan .
    Urban waste management policies in Japan have traditionally focussed on end-of-pipe approaches - dealing with the collected waste, rather than focussing on waste generation itself. With increasing threat of dioxin pollution, full land-fill sites etc., what directions can waste management in Japan take? How can a culture of waste minimization be developed?
  • Review of Online Information on Cities: Implications for Urban Planning and Community Participation .
    How have cities adopted to online environments for urban development? While the issues of urban planning processes and community participation are nothing new, their coming together on the online environment is certainly new and worth exploring.
  • Networking and Partnerships: Potentials for Local Governments .
    Local governments in developing countries have been inefficient in providing a quality of life that is desired by its residents. Lack of a broad range of human and material resources, and several other reasons have let to a spiral of cause -and-effect urban problems that has exasperated the situation. How can these shortcomings be reduced? What form of networking and partnerships can be put in place to mitigate these problems?
Hari Srinivas
hsrinivas@gdrc.org


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