Population development planning II

The 10-year project, to be implemented by a contractor in 15-20 LDC"s, focuses on providing training and TA to LDC planning, research, and policy personnel, and supporting indigenous policy-related research. Training on population-development relationships and planning will be provided to staff of LDC planning institutions and research units, and where appropriate, to policymakers. Participants from LDC"s where population awareness and technical skills are low will receive short-term U.S. training in basic economic and demographic concepts, population-development links, planning techniques, and policy. Similar, but more advanced training will be provided in short, in-country seminars (5-10 annually for 10-15 participants each). In addition, regional seminars (one or two a year with 15 participants each) will enable planners from neighboring countries to share experiences and insights; topics will center on advanced planning methods, detailed microcomputer planning models, and more effective communication with policymakers. Finally, biannual interregional seminars are planned for 25-35 top-level planners and policymakers each. The contractor will develop two general, microcomputer-based planning models each year. The models, which will require minimal programming skills to operate, will focus on the short-term (5-10 year) consequences of projected population growth for particular economic sectors. Once developed, the models will be adapted to specific LDC settings at a rate of 5-10 applications per year (35-70 over the project life). LDC personnel will be trained to adapt and use the models, and up to 10 microcomputer systems will be transferred each year with microcomputer training provided as necessary. The project will also provide support for indigenous policy-related studies (3-6 per year) conducted in connection with project training or planning model application. Finally, in addition to the 15-20 primary project LDC"s, the project will respond to ad hoc requests for assistance from another 10-15 countries.