tokten - UNDP

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I am pleased to note that Japan is privileged to have UNDP as an excellent partner since Japan set out to engage in international efforts to improve the social economic situation in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. There are a number of success stories about Japan-UNDP joint projects to which I would like to draw your attention. One of the highlighted projects is TOKTEN (Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals) programme, an extremely unique and creative capacity- and institution building program initiated by UNDP. It is amazing to know that more than two hundred Palestinian expatriates have contributed, since 1995, in a variety of fields to building a solid basis for economic development in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip through this program. It is a great advantage of the Palestinian people to be bestowed the dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated by fellow Palestinians for human resources development and efficient institution building, a key to a better future. The TOKTEN program has contributed greatly by diversifying ways of developing technical cooperation. Through the TOKTEN programme, Japan will continue to extend a hand to the Palestinian people, so that an environment more conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the region could be prepared. Hiroshi Shigeta Ambassador of Japan I have been very privileged to be associated with the Palestinian TOKTEN Programme (Transfer of Knowledge Though Expatriate Nationals) since its inception in 1994. The TOKTEN Programme was established with the support of the governments of Norway, Japan and France and introduced in the Palestinian Territories in 1995 by UNDP. From the outset, the Palestinian TOKTEN Programme has proven to be an ideal instrument for forging links between the expatriate Palestinian community and the institutions in Palestinian Territories. It provides low-cost and highly effective technical assistance support to mobilize the skills of expatriate Palestinians from all professional backgrounds. They provide advisory missions, on-the-job training, studies and research for Palestinian counterpart organizations. To date, some 200 TOKTEN missions have been fielded in Palestinian Territories, benefiting more than 40 organizations. The Palestinian TOKTEN Programme has been a great success and this is particularly due to the excellent management of UNDP, especially the UNDP TOKTEN manager, Mr. Mounir Kleibo, who created a database of consultants and succeeded in identifying the best candidates to meet the most urgent needs of the Palestinian institutions. TOKTEN has received praise from all its partners. It is a model of a United Nations technical assistance programme, benefiting Palestinian institution building. The UNDP-PAPP TOKTEN Programme contributed significantly to the professional staffing abilities of the Bethlehem 2000 Project, the biggest development project in Palestine. With the help of the TOKTEN programme we were able to identify expatriate nationals who put their expertise and dedication to valuable use, thus making our projects' launching a success. Over the years, the TOKTEN programme has not only helped bring expertise to our national projects but also facilitated the exchange of ideas and experiences amongst Palestinians inside Palestine and those in the Diaspora. We are grateful to and proud of the TOKTEN programme that has so skillfully helped in these initial stages of state building. Dr. Nabeel Kassis Minister and Coordinator of the Bethlehem 2000 Project Mr. Francis Dubois UNDP Resident Representative, Iraq Former Deputy Special coordination UNSCO-United Nations Office of the Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories
UNDP'S TOKTEN Programme The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) introduced the Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN) Programme in 1977. The Programme seeks to bring the knowledge, expertise and experience of expatriates back to their country of origin. The brain drain experienced by so many countries in the developing world thus benefits from a repatriation of knowledge and know-how. And, since unique social, economic and cultural considerations are of paramount concern in development projects, the utilization of expatriate professionals also provides a modality to better negotiate these complexities. TOKTEN consultants are professionals with track records of academic achievement and lengthy experience in their fields of specialization. They tend to be highly motivated and bring with them a special interest to help develop their countries of origin. They are selected according to merit and based on the needs of different sectors in society. Governments, in cooperation with UNDP country offices, identify needs and design TOKTEN projects to suit their specific requirements. UNDP then makes available a list of suitable professionals available from its data bank. TOKTEN has proven to be a practical and effective way to transfer expertise and skills in a cost-effective manner. The TOKTEN Programme in the Palestinian Territories is one of 25 programmes across the globe. Minister for the Bethlehem 2000 Project, H.E. Dr. Nabil Kassis, the Administrator of UNDP, Mr. Mark Malloch Brown, and TOKTEN consultant Ms. Miriam Shaheen
Page 2 and 3: Mr. Said Al Khateeb, Ph.D., Jordan,
Page 6 and 7: Background TOKTEN in the Palestinia
Page 8 and 9: TOGETHER with Palestinian Partners
Page 10 and 11: Distribution of Consultants by Coun
Page 12 and 13: TOKTEN is one of the many creative
Page 14: TURBO Design A thank you message…

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