[SDI-AsiaPacific] UNDP Human Development Fellowship for Asia Pacific

[Kate Lance]

UNDP Human Development Fellowship for Asia Pacific 
Deadline: April 30, 2006 
  The Objective of the UNDP Human Development Fellowships for Asia Pacific (Academic) is to encourage young Ph.D. students from the Asia Pacific region to analyse development issues from a human development perspective, contributing to theories, applications and policies.
  A vast difference exists between analysing a theme as a sectoral issue versus examining it through a human development lens. This difference is important to UNDP’s mandate as the United Nations’ global development network, and its advocacy for connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build better lives. The human development approach involves recognition of development as a process that acknowledges the importance of economic concerns, but goes beyond this to enlarge human capabilities. This enables people to take informed positions that promote their broader wellbeing while at the same time respecting concerns of the disadvantaged. 
  In this context, this initiative aims to strengthen the capacity in the Asia-Pacific region to analyse issues from the human development perspective, with a focus on fostering creative thinking and innovative research on the subject among young people. This initiative will target students who are nationals of developing countries listed in the annexure, who have completed all course requirements and are embarking on their Ph.D. dissertations, either at the proposal stage or initiation of research. The research must focus on a well-defined aspect of human development and could be theoretical, applied, policy-oriented or a combination. The research must focus on a well-defined aspect of human development and must amount to a substantive contribution to human development thinking relevant for the region. 
  If human development is about expanding choices, then how could individual vis-à-vis collective choice issues be resolved? What institutional arrangements could be consistent with human development in making social choices? How could interests of minorities be protected if majority decision-making rules operate and vice-versa? These are examples of interesting theoretical issues for human development. Poverty, inequality, gender concerns, basic capabilities of survival and sustenance including health, nutrition, education, human rights, etc., are important areas for applied and policy-oriented research. To push the frontier of human development, prospective Fellows could address any of these or similar issues.
  A student selected for the UNDP Human Development Fellowship for Asia Pacific (Academic) will be provided financial support of USD $ 10,000, which will be released in two installments. The fellow will be required to submit a copy of the dissertation to UNDP. In addition the fellows also may be expected to present their work in workshops/seminars and other events arranged by UNDP (travel related costs will be separately covered). 
  
Eligibility 
  The applicant must be a citizen of a country in Asia and the Pacific, as listed in the Annexure. S/he should have a Masters degree in a relevant discipline. S/he should be enrolled at a reputable and recognized university in any country as full-time student for a Ph.D. programme. S/he should have identified a human development-related topic and submit a proposal approved by her/his supervisor at the university. S/he should be under age 30. However, in exceptional cases the age requirement may be relaxed to 35 years to allow for candidates who have returned to full-time study after a period of work and/or family responsibilities. 
  Selection Procedure 
  Selection will be based on an assessment of written proposals not exceeding 2,500 words. A review of eligibility and an assessment of proposals submitted will be the basis for shortlisting. Shortlisted candidates may be required to participate in an interview. A Selection Committee will review the proposals and interact with the shortlisted candidates for the final selection. Applications should be submitted by 30 April 2006.
  
Other Selection Criteria 
  * Exceptional creativity in choice of idea/topic
  * Stage of development of the proposal
  * Value addition or new direction to the human development concept, methodology, analysis, application or policy relevance
  * Track record of past accomplishments
  * Time needed for completing the work undertaken
   
  Applications should be sent:
  Preferably by e-mail to: asiapacific.hdrmdg @ undp.org 
  Or by post to:
  UNDP Human Development Fellowship for Asia Pacific (Academic)
  Human Development Unit (HDU)
  Regional Centre in Colombo 
  148 Vauxhall Street, Colombo 02
  Sri Lanka


		
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