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United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
WEBSITE URL:http://www.undp.org
AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:
Data
Collection, Observation, Monitoring
Collection of processed
data and meta-data; information on periodic progress of ongoing projects
and project outputs; specific data requests, questionnaires. Coordinating
role in teleconference on sustainable agriculture indicators. Data comes
rom other organizations, particularly UNEP, and project personnel.
Data gathered is pre-processed GIS (IDRISI) data on aridity (areas)
and land degradation in Africa; meta-data on activities and projects
in the field of environmental information systems development in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
The aridity and land degradation data is mainly from UNEP, so does not
require a great deal of coordination. Environmental information systems'
development data is from the World Bank, World Resources Institute/USAID,
UNITAR, UNEP and some bilaterals.
Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
Harmonization is via a corporate data model to ensure data compatibility
to be built. Systems integration through common data definitions. UNDP
will review and unify its set of business rules.
Integrated Programme Management System (IPMS) to address management
needs of UNDP country offices and headquarters for information systems
to be built. Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) being developed
by UN addressing the needs of finance, human resources and administration
adopted. Sustainable Development Networking Programme (SDNP) will extend
UNDP produced data to other development partners. Sustainable Agriculture
Networking and Extension Programme (SANE) will enhance capacity-building,
south-south networking and human resource development. Methodology for
development of Environmental Information Systems in consultation with
World Bank, UNITAR and UNEP.
Assessment
and Analysis
UNDP/UNSO provides technical support to the Ecological Monitoring Centre
(ECM) in Dakar, which carries out assessment and analysis of rural land
resources in the Senegalese Sahel. Products are in the form of reports,
maps, and statistical databases. In house, UNDP/UNSO perform GIS analysis
of cartographic data on aridity and soil degradation for policy planning
purposes.
UNDP/UNSO is a user of UNEP/GRID databases, retrieving and manipulating
aridity data.
At the ECM, remote sensing and field data collection techniques are
applied for data collection. Much of this information is analyzed in
a GIS environment. Furthermore, desertification mapping is supported
in Tanzania.
Indicators
Joint activities of UNDP Office to Combat Desertification and Drought
(UNSO) and UNEP on indicators pertaining to sustainable development
e.g. cooperation on desertification control as well as on sustainable
agricultural indicators. Development of Human Development indicators.
Modelling
Expert Systems/Decision-support systems
Early
Warning Mechanisms
Reports/Information dissemination
Dissemination is via brochure
and report form, mail, fax, e-mail, electronic bulletin boards, discussion
forums. Increasing outreach by developing a global Wide Area Network
linking more than 126 UNDP country offices and promoting SDNP and related
projects such as Small Island Developing States Network (SIDSnet).
UNDP/UNSO is disseminating information, such as availability of technical
expertise to African Governments in the Sudano-Sahelian zone (22 countries),
various donor agencies and other UN agencies.
Coordination of data dissemination done by UNEP, World Bank, WRI, UNITAR.
At country level information filtering is done via computer. Country
SDNP responsible for building a basic, low cost, national network which
will allow access to information by all sectors. Key element of SDNP
is to give decision-makers accurate and up to date information via the
SDNP node with help of national SDNP staff. UNDP/UNSO provides support
to national workshops that put information users and suppliers in contact
hence UNDP provides a brokering service. Participation in other networks
acting as brokers (EIS Advisory Committee, WRI and its USAID supported
Natural Resources Information Consultative Group, AFRICAGIS network).
As a meta-inventory, UNDP/UNSO produces an EIS matrix and database:
inventory of all activities and projects related to Environmental Information
Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.
To promote the use of the information contained there, SDNP attempts
to identify key and existing sources of information relevant to sustainable
development both at national and international level. Fosters creation
of national directories of organizations and experts that can help in
process of development. National SDNP teams responsible for this. UNDP/UNSO
focuses on environmental data in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone including
communication, coordination and information exchange among users and
producers, needs assessments and workshops.
Network Development and Support
Global Wide Area Network of 131 field offices managed. Centralized service
at headquarters and network of 18 sub-regional Information Managers
provide information management and communication support.
SDNP uses UNDP existing networks and Internet connectivity to coordinate
its networks. SDNP has developed several UUCP networks in 3 to 4 countries.
Works closely with APC (Econet), UNEP Infoterra, CABI, IRDRC, CIESIN,
and Rockefeller LEAD Programme among others.
Network interaction supported by UNDP/UNSO Système d'Information
du Sahel (SIS) information network building initiatives among NGOs in
Senegal, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Access to NewsEdge service with
UN/DPA hence access to non-UN sources of information.
Capacity-Building
UNDP assists countries in building capacity to integrate environment
into development planning and decision-making through training in the
application of Environment Management Guidelines, Capacity 21 and other
programmes.
National SDNPs install computer equipment and software for networking
and provide capacity to use systems effectively by training on information
sources (where to search etc.) and use of information obtained.
Internet
Access
http://www.undp.org
Access to Solutions for Sustainable Human Development (hyperlinked sites):
http://www.knowledgebroker.org/knowledgebroker/
Info21: http://www.undp.org/info21/index.htm
Sustainable Development Networking Programme: http://www.sdnp.undp.org/
HORIZON Solutions: http://www.solutions-site.org/
SIDSnet - Small Island Developing States: http://www.sidsnet.org/
Responsible
Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Ms Karen Jorgensen
Assistant Director
Sustainable Energy and Environment Division (SEED)
UNDP, DCI-Building
One UN Plaza, 16th floor
New York, N.Y. 10017, USA
karen.jorgensen@undp.org
Mr. Peter Gilruth
Office to Combat Desertification and Drought (UNSO)
UNDP
peter.gilruth@undp.org
Sustainable Development
Networking Programme (SDNP)
Mr Chuck Lankester
Director, SDNP
UNDP/SDNP, FF-Building
304 East 45 Str.
New York, N.Y. 10017, USA
chuck.lankester@undp.org
Earthwatch Focal Point
Date
of preparation:
September 1994, updated April 1999
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