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Asian Development Bank Sponsors Chuuk Community Consultation Program

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): June 24, 2010 - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the FSM government, have been working together to develop community consultation programs in Chuuk as a result of a Technical Assistance Agreement entered into late in 2008, to support Public Sector Reform in Chuuk.

In any public sector reform initiative, it is crucial to gather sufficient data from the community to determine the actual needs and priorities of that community. After extensive research, the ADB found that the Chuuk Women's Council (CWC) was the perfect vehicle for conducting this community consultation and information-gathering process.

The CWC is over 1,000 member-strong, and includes women of varied backgrounds, including well educated women in the areas of health, education and finance. Many members are already involved in various community awareness programs, covering topics such as AIDs/HIV, diabetes and water and waste water management.

It is proposed that initial CWC consultations will be on the full range of public sector issues, with a particular focus on the community's needs in the field of education. Consultations will be conducted via meetings, interviews and surveys. The project may also prove to be a blue-print to examine wider needs and possible application to other states within the FSM.

The ADB strongly believes that it is through consultation and participation that a community, well aware of its issues, will instinctively become involved and engaged. Through such engagement, the community becomes empowered, and programs work much more effectively and have a higher rate of success. The matrilineal culture of Chuuk supports strong and cohesive women's groups fulfilling such roles and functions in the community.

"We hope to obtain feedback on what is working well and what can be done better," said Sally Pedersen, Principal Public Management and Human Capacity Development Specialist of ADB.