ESCWA chiefs consider work plan and other key issues at retreat
Posted: Thursday, 15 October 2009, Beirut | Author: ESCWA
How are we doing and how can we do better?
These were two of the several questions that were raised and profoundly discussed by Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) senior officials at their three-day retreat from 12 to 14 October 2009 in a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon.
Chaired by Executive Secretary Bader Al Dafa, the retreat presented, in Al Dafa’s own words “an exclusive occasion to talk transparently about our work and the challenges we are facing in a world where the perfect constant element is: CHANGE.”
The exercise helped ESCWA managers reassess their plans in order to ensure better service to the Commission's 14 member countries, and “to engage in constructive self-criticism,” Al Dafa added.
The objective behind the retreat for ESCWA’s chiefs was to dedicate a special period of time for more lengthy contemplation of work-related issues, away from the usual office setting and its demanding environment. It was a special occasion for in-depth discussions and exchanges of ideas in a relaxed milieu.
During their time together, ESCWA managers discussed such substantive issues as "whether they are doing the right things" and "if they are doing things right." It was an opportunity to get to know one another better, enhance their interpersonal dynamics and improve their working relationships.
More precisely, the ESCWA retreat addressed and reassessed the 2010-11 work plan in the light of lessons learned from the 2008-09 experience. It delved into ways in which ESCWA could improve its performance and deliver better services to its member countries.
After this time of putting their heads together for the Commission and its clients, participants have cultivated, among other issues, an improved common understanding of members’ aspirations with regard to the 2010-11 priority areas, and of the knowledge, information and normative support that members expect.
Established in 1973, ESCWA is composed of 14 Arab countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. As a Think Tank it provides assistance and implements activities in its main areas of work, which are partitioned along its divisions: the Sustainable Development and Productivity Division; the Economic Development and Globalization Division; the Information and Communications Technology Division; the Statistics Division; the Emerging and Conflict-Related Issues Unit; the Sustainable Development Division; and the Center for Women.