Transforming the Stunted UNESCO-Korea Development Partnership? The Case of UNESCO Bangkok’s Strategic Framework for the Korea Funds-in-Trust

Taekyoon Kim ․ Bo Kyung Kim

Abstract

This study sets out to analyze a delicate and uncomfortable relationship between UNESCO Bangkok Office and the Korean partner agencies in carrying out the Korea Funds-in-Trust (KFIT) for one decade (2007 – 2016). The development partnership between UNESCO and Korean partners has been problematized due to lack of not only coordination mechanisms from the initial stage to the final reporting of KFIT projects but also lack of intention of both parties to understand partner’s internal processes of policy transfers. The upshot of such a low degree of trust between donor and implementer of trust funds is expected to spawn the accountability deficits. In responding to this challenging situation, the study proposes a new strategic framework for the KFIT, which is equipped with its key findings and the restoration of coordination mechanisms based upon them.

Keywords Development Partnership․UNESCO․Korea Funds-in-Trust․Strategic Framework․Coordination Mechanism

3.Taekyoon Kim Bo Kyung Kim