Transcript Information for Sustainable Development

Information for Sustainable
Development
WWW.SIDSnet.org
Inter regional Preparatory Meeting for the World
Summit on Sustainable Development
Singapore
January 2002
SIDSnet Role
• Networking the Barbados Programme of
Action (BPoA)
– SIDS - SIDS inter regional network
– Connecting experts
– Sharing experiences
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
SIDSnet Status
• www.SIDSnet.org
– Default SIDS development website
– SIDS Development Portal
• Links to relevant online resources
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News wire on SIDS issues
SIDS Search engine
key events
documents and reports
• Hosted with UN SIDS unit
• 2-300,000 hits / month
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
SIDSnet 2002 +
• 3 regional officers in SIDS regions
– information capacity building role around
BPoA issues
– coordination with various development
networks
• Additional Info Tools
– Closed AOSIS network
– Working Group support
– Distributed Portal
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
Why SIDSnet or ?net
• Since 1994…
• All SIDS have Internet access
• Digital Divide is a reality in SIDS….BUT
capacity exists for effective information
strategies.
• Internet provides new opportunities for
coordination and cohesiveness
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
Participatory Process
• Extending the BPoA agenda….
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access to news service
internet Forums / discussions
coverage of key events
success stories
preparation and follow up to key events
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
Approach to a Strategy
Outcome = Sustainable Development in SIDS
• multi faceted - multiple recipes
– WSSD, Conventions, Doha, etc
– regional Programmes, initiatives
– national policy
• SIDS have limited resources / capacity
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
Targeting Information
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SIDS Policy / Decision Makers
SIDS negotiators / experts
Field / program officers, researchers
International Community
We need a Cohesive communications strategy
optimizing new and traditional media that supports
negotiating positions
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
Pilots and possibilities…
• SIDS - SIDS Technical Cooperation
– Online directories / needs
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Best practices / contacts
Capacity building programmes
institutions
financial resources
documents
• Brain Drain
– Extend network of peers
– Professional Development opportunities
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
Pilots and Possibilities
• Governance
– Transparency
– Delivery of G&S
– Wider Participation in Policy making
• Water Management - IWRM in the Pacific
– Water Virtual Learning Center
• Health
• Education, Environment, Commerce and
Trade
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
Moving Forward...
• SIDS Coordination
– Closed AOSIS network
– Inter regional Working group / team support
• Recognize existing networks - online and
OFF line - empower the information
provider
• Continue to build information capacity
amongst the “have nots”
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
...and...
• A commitment to be better informed…build
knowledge based societies...we can leverage
our smallness through use of ICTs
– ensure processes are in place to publish and
access appropriate information
– effective communications strategies
– telecom reform
– capacity building - technical, infrastructure,
human
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
….forward
• culture of innovation - initiative is premium
– challenge current processes and develop
mechanisms that work for us...
• Build ICT capacity around our development
priorities
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS
Conclusion
• Recognize the importance of ICTs as
mentioned in the SG report but emphasize its
critical role for SIDS due to unique
geographical isolation
• Reaffirm SIDSnet role in the coordination
process and the need to ensure it continues
to develop mechanisms to strengthen the
global SIDS agenda.
• Reassess the way we process and use
information at all levels - national / regional
and International as part of a cohesive SIDS
strategy
UN SIDS Unit www.SIDSnet.org
AOSIS