UN-DESA • UNDP

Training workshop
Managua, Nicaragua
23–26 October 2012

DPAD, in close collaboration with UNDP Office in Nicaragua and the Government of Nicaragua, held second intensive training workshop on 23-26 October 2012 in Managua. During the workshop, a number of sessions were held on the use of the integrated macro-micro modelling framework. The workshop was attended by a group of more than 15 participants representing different institutions of Nicaragua.

During the workshop DPAD:

• Reviewed the functional specifications of MAMS (Maquette for MDG Simulations) in detail;
• Described the file structure of the MAMS model;
• Explained the use of ISIM-MAMS interface (i.e., adding a dataset and generating alternative scenarios);
• Completed practical exercises by means of which policy simulations are generated in three (interrelated) blocks: exogenous policy and external shocks, support measures and achievement of human development goals.

Following the workshop, on 26 October, at the request of the Mr. Alberto Guevara (President of the Central Bank), DPAD presented the integrated macro-micro modelling framework to the entire Economic Division of the Central Bank of Nicaragua, over 150 experts. The framework is used to conduct development policy analysis and assess human development strategies to attain the Millennium Development Goals, and is at the center of CDAS' capacity development activities in Nicaragua. Read more about the presentation at the UNDP site.

The workshop is part of the project "Strengthening Macroeconomic and Social Policy Coherence through Integrated Macro-Micro Modelling", implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (MHCP). The activities of the project aim at enhancing capacities of policy makers to conduct development policy analyses, including the assessment of strategies to achieve the MDGs and the effects of economic crises on the achievement of these goals.

Capacity development activities started in Nicaragua with the organization of a scoping mission and first inception workshop on 25-26 January 2011. These initial activities were followed up by the first intensive training workshop, which was organized on 20-22 July 2011. On 20-22 December 2011, working meetings were held in order to evaluate the progress of the project.