BACKGROUND

Before I joined PEP network, if ‘googled’ my name probably you could get zero results. Today, the story is different- PEP network has made me just what I am in the poverty research world. I am proud of that. (Milu Muyanga, Kenya)

As indicated above, I rank this network as the highest in the experience I have had. The main points I highlight are:

- The frontier advantage, i.e. their research is on the frontier and we get to learn it first hand from them and through their training and web materials

- The feeling that one actually belongs to this network through the web and “personalization” of issues

- Updates on relevant news, conferences, etc., that Professor Cockburn gives every now and again.

Finally we would like to thank PEP network for allowing us this chance to delve into very important research issues using some of the most advanced techniques there are. (Margaret Chitiga, South Africa)

At a personal level, my association with PEP network has been most rewarding. Before participating in PEP activities, my research work was almost stagnant and there was not much interest around in the sets of issues that I was interested in. On joining the PEP network, all this has changed. Not only have I been exposed to some sound and frontier edge-cutting tools but also what I have appreciated is the way the PEP officials have done it. These are people who are genuinely serious about building capacity in Africa and respect you as an individual.(Ramos Mabagu, South Africa)

The research team fully appreciates the support provided by PEP. In fact, the network provided a great deal of opportunity and exposure to the team in order to uplift their research capabilities. These include:

I must confess that it has been a great experience for me working with PEP. The most important aspect of the network, for us, is its program to spread capacity and skill and also the exposure it gives researcher. (Hyacinth Ementa, Nigeria)

We have been involved in the PEP network activities for about a year now since our first proposal was submitted, and in our experience we find the PEP network to be very supportive. (Hazel Malapit, Philippines).

Nos impressions générales sont EXCELLENTES. Le PEP représente un tremplin indéniable pour la promotion de la recherche et l’analyse des causes, des conséquences et des moyens de réduire la pauvreté dans les pays en développement, de par les méthodologies proposées, le cadre de recherche, les facilités scientifiques et financières qu’il offre. (Christian Emini, Cameroon)

Dans les situations où nous avons eu des difficultés, le PEP s’est investi à leur résolution. (Oumar Diop Diagne, Sénégal)

D'une manière générale, je trouve que le réseau PEP fait beaucoup pour l'avancement de la recherche. (Paul Ningaye, Cameroon)

Our contact with PEP has brought a lot of change in the way we work. What we know about PEP is that they are thorough and efficient. We are trying to emulate these virtues and hoping that we too can demonstrate this type of commitment. (Abayomi Oyekale, Nigeria)

My general experience with PEP has been very positive. I have always received quick, thoughtful, fair and clear responses to my questions and requests. I also believe that PEP (and PMMA especially) is probably unique in its emphasis on rigorous methodology and standards, in that it offers an opportunity to developing country academics to truly catch up with where the profession is at, rather than at a lower “developing country” benchmark, and that is what I most appreciate about it. (Dileni Gunewardena, Sri Lanka)

Le réseau PEP se caractérise par un respect rigoureux des plannings (dates limites des propositions, rapports intérimaires, rapports finals, dates de réunions, etc..). Cette programmation permet aux chercheurs de mieux organiser le chronogramme de leur charge académique et celui des activités de recherche et constitue en même temps une motivation supplémentaire au travail. (Luc Nembot Ndeffo, Cameroun).

Remarque faite lors de sa nomination à titre de Vice-Doyen en charge de la Recherche et de la Coopération à la Faculté des Sciences Économiques et de Gestion de l'Université de Dschang: "Je vous remercie des messages d'encouragement élaborés à mon endroit. Ils me vont droit au cœur. C'est la preuve que le PEP au delà du fait qu'il est un réseau de recherche constitue aussi une grande famille. Avec votre soutien et surtout celui du Seigneur, je ferai des efforts pour accomplir avec dévouement les obligations qui me seront assignées". (Luc Nembot Ndeffo, Cameroun).

Opinions and views of the other authors of this Research support project indicate a significant achievement and up built in their research aptitude especially at the level of the use of softwares such as SPSS and DAD. They add that, the skills gained from the exercise have been very useful as they feel confident now to individually lead a project team in the domain of poverty and in the use and exploration of household data.(Johannes Tabi, Cameroon)

L’appui financier et technique de PEP apparaît de ce fait doublement bénéfique. Outre le renforcement des capacités des chercheurs impliqués dans l’étude, les études qui seront réalisées grâce à cet appui couvrent des thèmes d’intérêt pour la Côte d’Ivoire et permettront d’éclairer les décideurs sur ces questions. (Souleymane Sadio Diallo, Côte d'Ivoire)

Le réseau a beaucoup renforcé nos capacités dans le domaine de la recherche.(Jean-Bosco Ki, Sénégal)

We have been fortunate to have, at all times, the support of the PEP team to ‘debug’ the error for us. As this has been happening our capacity has also been increasing… Without BIAS, we will say that our team has learnt some technical aspects of modeling that we previously believed to be impossible… Without exaggerating we have learnt more in this project period than we have under classroom situations. (Margaret Chitiga, South Africa)

The study project has contributed to the capacity building of all project members. For instance, the team leader, Dr. Appiah-Kubi, has benefited tremendously from his association with the Ghana branch of the Micro Impacts of Macroeconomic and Adjustment Policies (MIMAP) international research network, for which he produced an analytical report on “Education Inequality in Ghana” in 2003. My experience with the PEP network has been very fruitful and beneficial. I found the funding procedure uncomplicated. The supervision offered by the PEP co-ordinators is very good and adequate. I have, particularly, benefited from the training workshops of the network. (Kojo Appiah-Kubi, Ghana)

The research and international collaboration help us two young female scholars acquire advanced research techniques, contributing significantly to the capacity building for the institutes we are affiliated with. (Fenglian Du, China)

This is where the PEP network is so different from all other networks that I am familiar with, (which) provide training from time to time, but does not, to my knowledge and experience, provide the sort of intensive technical backup that PEP provides… As we got ample support from the PEP team, we were always guided as to each of the steps needed…We have found these very useful and educational as explained in detail above. For instance, the personal attention that I received in terms of technical support was excellent... Any questions asked were immediately answered and with full information. This kind of support is unique and ensures that the researcher not only achieves the objectives but also learns from this experience. (Margaret Chitiga, South Africa)

One advantage on doing the research with the PEP Network is we have a support from the Steering Committee who gives the consultations and suggestions for the research development. The deep discussion and consultation on the research have been occurred during the conference on proposal and primary report. (Rina Oktaviani, Indonesia)

On the other hand, the technical support provided by PEP resource persons (Nabil Annabi, John Cockburn, Bernard Decaluwé, and Ismaël Fofana) significantly helped the team. (Erwin Corong, Philippines)

Besides, PEP has provided us with a series of analytical tools that are quite difficult to obtain for research teams working in developing countries, such as international bibliographic databases and program licenses. (Maria Ines Terra, Uruguay)

Furthermore, making literature base available to researchers from the developing countries is another commendable program of PEP. (Hyacinth Ementa, Nigeria)

Encouragement and support from the people working for the PEP always stimulate progress of our study. (Ximing Yue, China)

PEP Network is unique (in that) it has an ample technical support to researchers. Such a focus and associated technical support is extremely useful and helps to build capacity for research faster and efficiently. The training workshops and the DAD software are two example of technical support that PEP offers that are very useful. (Adolf Mkenda, Tanzania)

We have used PEP web site to search for poverty literatures and found the links to other sources and institutions are useful. DAD software distributed through PEP network is extremely useful for the analysis of inequality and poverty and has helped us to do in-depth analysis. (Sangui Wang, China)

The literature access is a major support system provided by the network since many of the developing countries do not have access to recent literature. (Patrick Birungi, Uganda)

During the course of the project we had received distance support (through draft comments), a study visit, training sessions during the Dakar meeting and during the study visit (on DAD). We find these types of support to be very useful, leading directly to very concrete changes in the way we had conducted our research. (Hazel Malapit, Philippines).

Au cours de cette recherche, grâce à l’appui des personnes ressources du PEP, nous avons eu très peu de difficultés techniques…Nous tenons à témoigner ici que notre expérience avec le réseau PEP a été très concluante. Nous avons bénéficié d’un appui technique et financier assez considérable. Ceci a été décisif dans la conduite de notre recherche… Les personnes ressources ont toujours été disponibles et à temps pour nous apporter les appuis nécessaires. (Jean-Bosco Ki, Senegal)

Deux points qui nous ont permis de passer d'une idée à une proposition puis à un projet de recherche, méritent d'être particulièrement relevés: la rapidité dans le traitement des premières moutures des propositions et la pertinence des commentaires. (Paul Ningaye, Cameroon)

The project has enabled Manson Nwafor work on more standard CGE models as well as the more advanced dynamic models. It has also provided a first and excellent ground to learn the use of the GAMS software. The project has provided the young researchers the opportunity to obtain hands on experience in the building of Social accounting matrices. (Adeola Adenikinju)

De manière générale, notre expérience avec le réseau PEP est très enrichissante sur le plan scientifique. Le réseau PEP se caractérise des autres réseaux de recherche, en ce sens que :

- le processus d’évaluation des projets est très pédagogique (pertinence des commentaires, des critiques, des suggestions etc..). Il permet aux chercheurs de s’impliquer davantage au travail et de renforcer leurs capacités scientifiques. Une comparaison entre la première mouture du projet et la version que le chef de projet présente à la réunion PEP peut déjà permettre d’évaluer les membres de l’équipe en terme de renforcement des capacités. (Luc Nembot Ndeffo, Cameroun)

We have been frustrated that most supported techniques in research in our University are econometric and, as a result, most students tend to write their thesis and dissertations on monetary issues, the stock exchange issues, and forecasting issues, which usually bear little direct relevance to poverty. Yet, the real problem in South African (and neighboring countries) is poverty and inequality. Our students need much more training in these areas. (Margaret Chitiga, South Africa)

My working with the PEP network has been quite a useful experience in terms of increasing my exposure to some of the current researches happening across the world on issues related to poverty, both modeling and data-related. (Nitesh Sahay, India)

PEP Network is unique (in that) it is focused on poverty and distributive issues…(Adolf Mkenda, Tanzania)

....les études qui seront réalisées grâce à cet appui couvrent des thèmes d’intérêt pour la Côte d’Ivoire et permettront d’éclairer les décideurs sur ces questions. (Souleymane Sadio Diallo, Côte d'Ivoire)

The network can truly be proud of the way administrative matters are being handled. The administration was not only effective and efficient but more importantly, responsive to the needs of the research team. (Erwin Corong, Philippines)

PEP administrators are extremely efficient and friendly and it as [being] a pleasure dealing with them. They are always prompt. (Frikkie Booysen, South Africa)

The coordination by PEP leadership and the secretariat has been excellent. The research team appreciates the good working relationship with the PEP secretariat. (Patrick Birungi, Uganda)

In our experience, the PEP network has been very well organized and we had always received excellent administrative support all throughout the research process, and particularly during the study visit. (Hazel Malapit, Philippines)

My experience with the administration has been fairly good in terms of disbursal of grants, and I must really give them my unstinting appreciation for being able to handle such huge amounts of administrative work with such efficiency. (Nitesh Sahay, India)

Nous trouvons excellents les aspects administratifs du PEP en général et dans le cadre du projet en particulier. Nous apprécions particulièrement les efforts incessants faits pour améliorer ces aspects :

- Renforcement du pool administratif avec récemment, le recrutement d’une Chargée des Affaires Administratives en Afrique. (Christian Emini, Cameroon)

Les traitements des requêtes au niveau administratif (secrétariat, finance …) a toujours été très rapide souvent même à notre grande surprise. (Jean-Bosco Ki, Senegal)

Du point de vue administratif, le PEP a, jusqu’au stade actuel, entièrement respecté ses engagements suivant le calendrier prévu. L’information requise est toujours transmise à temps et les dossiers, traités dans les meilleurs délais. (Oumar Diop Diagne, Sénégal)

Any questions asked are answered immediately and in a very helpful manner. Financial administration is also excellent and is not unnecessarily delayed.(Margaret Chitiga, South Africa)

PEP is one of the most organized research networks I have ever seen. The submission of proposal procedures are excellent and the response so timely. (Abayomi Oyekale, Nigeria)

We are grateful for the effective and efficient administration of the PEP network. We get the grant disbursements and reporting requirements on time so that our research can be made smoothly. (Fenglian Du, China)

We suffer the problem of having no local network of people applying this methodology so that there is little local support. (Margaret Chitiga, South Africa)

Our experience has been very good. To begin with, it has enabled us to become in touch with research teams facing some of the same dilemmas we face in our research work; this has been an enriching experience, both theoretically and methodologically. Finally, our interaction with PEP researchers has enabled us to take advantage of their experience in order to improve our results. (Marie Ines Terra, Uruguay)

PEP Network is unique (in that) it brings together researchers from Africa, Asia and Latin America together with resource persons from all over the world. Interaction with researchers from such diversity of countries and across continents enriches experiences and helps enormously in learning from each other…(Adolf Mkenda, Tanzania)

What we have found extremely useful is that PEP has brought together researchers on poverty issues around the world for knowledge and research skill exchanges. (Sangui Wang, China)

Thanks, I really find the new format of PEP-Talk very accessible and reader-frinedly. Regards (Servaas van der Berg, South Africa)

The meetings are useful and inspirational in the sense that seeing what others are doing spurs doing the same and better. (Adolf Mkenda, Tanzania)

PEP meetings have been very useful. They have provided us with a scope for discussion and information exchange that enabled us to get in touch with researchers working in similar areas, to take advantage of their research experience and benefit from their suggestions. They have also enabled us to become acquainted with the research problems faced in other countries and the solutions adopted by other research teams around the world. (Marie Ines Terra, Uruguay)

The PEP annual meeting that brings researchers from different parts of the world together to share experience is highly commendable. (Hyacinth Ementa, Nigeria)

The annual workshops are excellently organized and facilitated. (Patrick Birungi, Uganda)

Apart from being a forum for meeting different researchers with varying experiences, PEP meetings also enhance the motivation for increasing the quality of work. (Nitesh Sahay, India)

The PEP meetings provide immense benefits to all research teams. The meeting is extremely important as it provides research teams an opportunity to: (a) present their research findings; (b) be an avenue for discussion; (c) gather advices and comments; and (d) interact with resource persons (internal and external) and fellow researchers. (Erwin Corong, Philippines)

During our participation in the PEP meeting in Dakar and Colombo, we find these to be very useful not only in terms of making the presentation and receiving feedback from the resource persons and participants, but also in terms of touching base with fellow researchers from different developing countries. Attending the meetings is undoubtedly a very enriching experience especially for our young researchers. (Hazel Malapit, Philippines)

Les réunions PEP sont notamment utiles, et constituent l’un des cadres d’où les chercheurs PEP tirent, fructifient et échangent leurs connaissances. (Christian Emini, Cameroon)

Notre participation à la réunion du PEP de juin 2004 nous a permis d’exposer notre proposition de recherche. Le niveau relevé des participants a profité au projet de recherche dans la mesure où, tant en plénière qu’au niveau des contacts hors séance, les discussions techniques nous ont permis d’améliorer sensiblement la méthodologie. La rencontre ouvre également à des possibilités de contact avec des chercheurs d’autres horizons dont le suivi à travers des échanges peut soutenir la qualité des travaux. (Oumar Diop Diagne, Sénégal)

Je vous remercie très sincèrement de m’avoir donné l’opportunité de participer à la conférence de Colombo. Je voudrais bien vous avouer que ça était une expérience très enrichissante et sans précédente pour moi. L’organisation de la conférence a été parfaite, les différentes présentations, les séances de formation, les discussions, la rencontre avec les personnes ressources et le partage d’information d’expériences, m’ont permis d’apprécier la diversité des possibilités que le PEP offre aux chercheurs de développer leurs idées et surtout de les concrétiser pour faire une analyse approfondie de la pauvreté multidimensionnelle. Pour moi, c’est un premier pas dans le monde de science économique, j’ai bénéficié de nombreux outils de recherches qui me seront d’une grande utilité pour ma profession. Je tiens à exprimer ma reconnaissance à toutes les personnes ressources et l’équipe d’organisation. (Nakar Djindil Syntiche, Tchad)

La participation aux congrès du PEP nous a permis de tisser des liens assez étroits avec d'autres chercheurs (africain, asiatiques et sud américains) travaillant sur les mêmes thèmes que nous et travaillant dans des pays ayant des problèmes économiques et sociaux semblables aux nôtres. L'apport financier a permis d'aider les chercheurs de notre équipe à se consacrer d'une manière plus intense à leurs activités de recherche et à créer chez nous un esprit de chercheur quasi-professionnel. Ce nouvel esprit nous a permis d'aller en avant et de faire aboutir notre recherche qui a nécessité un effort particulier vu la complexité qui l'entourait. (Mohamed Ayadi, Tunisie)

At IERAL we were impressed by our first meeting with PEP researchers at Colombo. We came across a highly qualified and dedicated team of researchers and benefited a lot from our interaction. We are also grateful for the support obtained so far in an area of research that implies learning the use of new tools which would be unavailable without PEP’s help. (Maria-Laura Alzua, Argentina)

PEP gave all the technical assistance to ensure successful completion of the project. This was through access to literature, software and heavy technical assistance during the study visit. (Jane Kabubo-Mariara, Kenya)

Our research team benefited from my visit to the University of Laval and our participation in the workshops held in Dakar and Colombo. I think these experiences were extremely useful. The materials offered in those events and published in the PEP website have been extremely useful for our work. I think that my visit to Laval was also quite helpful, since it was at that time then when the final model and the simulations were defined. (Marie Ines Terra, Uruguay)

The new innovation of inviting researchers from developing countries to spend a few weeks in a research institute or university is no doubt a great program that should be sustained. It was for us particularly a great experience. (Hyacinth Ementa, Nigeria)

The research visits to Laval are not only well organized, but also teach and help expose researchers to different resource persons working in the area poverty analysis. (Patrick Birungi, Uganda)

Sans doute, l’opportunité de contact majeure est le séjour d’étude que nous avons effectué à l’université Laval. La durée étant plus longue, nous avons pu exposer en plus grande profondeur les difficultés pratiques auxquels la mise en œuvre du programme de recherche s’est heurtée. L’avantage de ce séjour est d’autant plus grand que l’encadrement était plus proche et plus disponible pour un suivi individualisé des équipes. Au sortir de la visite, nous avons pu améliorer de façon nette la qualité du papier en préparation.(Oumar Diop Diagne, Sénégal)

Indeed, their utmost commitment through e-mail correspondence and more importantly, during the study visit of the team leader in Laval University significantly helped the team carry out the final stages of the research. (Erwin Corong, Philippines)

Finally, here is a list of suggestions for improvement from researchers, many of which have already been taken up:

- Extend PEP general meeting beyond five days to allow more interaction with resource persons and time to read papers.

- Invite more top international experts as resource persons for PEP general meetings.

- Increased funding (to purchase software, publish a book, finance graduate students)

- Separate networks by language to allow longer presentations and more interaction.

- Develop collaborative projects in different countries, for comparison of results, policies etc but also for network building.

- PEP should improve on the procedures for booking flights for workshop participants. It is not good just booking with any Airline. Some of these constitute a lot of problems to some participants in terms of flight delay and missing of flight, especially when there are stopovers.