United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

http://www.unesco.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

Data collection uses the most adequate and modern methods in close cooperation and collaboration with the scientific community. Data comes from Government authorities, intergovernmental programmes, scientific institutions. Data is composed of hydrological and geological maps of the world, site description database of biosphere reserves and bathimetric charts of the oceans.

Coordination of data collection is via the Global Ocean Observing System (with Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission -IOC), Global Terrestrial Observing System, specialized agencies.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
Standardiation and harmonization of observation and monitoring methods.

Assessment and Analysis
Assessment and analysis of environment and development issues through: Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB), International Hydrological Programme (IHP), International Geological Correlation Programme (IGCP) and programmes of IOC. Cooperation with UN, specialized agencies and international scientific bodies such as ICSU. Techniques used are data collection, high resolution optical and microwave satellite data, GIS.

Indicators
Development of indicators in research programmes on ecology, hydrology, geology, marine and ocean sciences.

Modelling
Development of models and monitoring methods related to research in environmental sciences.

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems
Improvement of the use of expert systems.

Early Warning Mechanisms
Related to natural hazards e.g. International Mobile Early Warning Systems for Volcanic Eruptions and International Tsunami Warning Systems.

Reports/Information dissemination

Dissemination is through scientific literature, electronic networks, CD-ROMs and through UNESCO/IOC's Integrated Global Ocean Service System and Integrated Oceanographic Data Information Exchange to Government authorities, scientific communities.

Coordination of this process takes place in cooperation with intergovernmental and national scientific bodies.

Network Development and Support
Established in the framework of MAB, IHP, IGCP programmes and with IOC.

Capacity-Building
Facilitating access of decision-makers to scientific information. Environment and Development Briefs produced oriented towards management rather than technical or scientific aspects. Cooperation with international scientific institutes and bodies in institution building activities (on integrated mountain development, humid tropic waters and erosion and sedimentation).

Training exists in the framework of MAB, IHP, IGCP and programmes with IOC, training scientists, managers and administrators from developing countries. International training courses in data collection, assessment and transformation in different fields of natural sciences and production of computer interactive distance learning materials. Will be developed to include technical and managerial fields relevant to environment and development.

Internet Access

http://www.unesco.org
Contains UNESCO history and constitution; text of speeches; descriptions of programmes; access to publications; home pages of some international and intergovernmental scientific programmes, including description of activities.

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Mr. Robert Missotten
UNESCO
1 rue Miollis
75732 Paris Cedex 15 France
Tel: +33 1 45 68 4117
Fax: +33 1 43 06 1776
r.missotten@unesco.org

Earthwatch Focal Point

Date of preparation: April 1997

ORGANIZATION: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)