Report on
Discussion Forum on Information Services in the Asia-Pacific
and
AGRIS/CARIS in the 21st Century
an Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation

Edited by Michael Ibach and Yvonne Byron

DISCUSSION FORUM ON INFORMATION SERVICES

IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC

Becky Skidmore

ASEAN Forest Tree Seed Centre Project, Ottawa, Canada

List of Acronyms

[Chapter 1]
Introduction

[Chapter 2]
Forestry Information Initiatives

[Chapter 3]
Collaboration

[Chapter 4]
The Survey

[Chapter 5]
The Discussion Forum

[Chapter 6]
Final Action Plans

[Chapter 7]
Keynote Papers

[Chapter 8]
Conclusions

[References]

[Appendix 1]
Survey Questionnaire

[Appendix 2]
Forestry Information Services in the Asia-Pacific Region

[Appendix 3]
The Future for Scientific Publishing and Information in the Asia-Pacific Region

[Appendix 4]
Information Services at IUFRO

[Appendix 5]
Sources of Forestry Information

[Appendix 6]
List of Participants

As we approach the end of the second millennium, there is a general recognition that a new "world order" is being created. Information, and the technology that manages it, have become driving forces in economic growth and in creating that new world order. There is a rapid transition from the industrial economy of the mid-1900s to an information economy where an increasingly large proportion of the labour force is involved in information industries, systems and services. The expanding use of micro-computers and the creation and expansion of networks have had tremendous socio-economic impact on organisational structures and entire nations. Recent statistics show that more than half of total GDP in industrialised economies is knowledge-based (The Economist 1996). Countries with the good fortune to adapt to these developments have been able to use information and information technology to create booming national economies. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore are obvious success stories in the Asia-Pacific region.

The continued importance of forestry resources in the national economies of the Asia-Pacific region is undeniable. Similarly, the importance of forest research to support the sustainable development and conservation of the forest resource is recognised. Ten years ago, there were 77 organisations and 1500 scientists involved in forestry research in the region (Kashyap 1995) and that number has most certainly grown. Yet unless concerted efforts are made to acquire and use information and information technology tailored to these national forestry resource capabilities, many nations are in danger of falling behind the development curve. Chapter 40 of Agenda 21 of the UNCED World Summit specifically calls on governments to work towards improving access to and utilisation of information needed to plan for sustainable development. Kashyap makes direct mention of the forest principles of Agenda 21, which state

The provision of timely, reliable and accurate information on forests and forest ecosystems is essential for public understanding and decision making and should be ensured.

Regrettably, the above statement does not reflect the current state of forestry information in the region. It is an unfortunate reality that most forestry and forestry research organisations and their staff neither have access to nor do they utilise the vast amount of information available for the decision-making process. The literature abounds with references and justifications for the poor use and development of information in both the Asia-Pacific and other developing regions of the world (Agha and Akhtar 1992; Mwinyimbegu 1993). Certainly many of the countries involved face economic difficulties that force governments to focus on the more immediate and basic needs of their populations. Despite the complexity and multiplicity of the factors contributing to this situation, the governments of information-poor countries must also recognise the importance of acquiring and utilising available information and information technology for economic growth. They must create mechanisms to facilitate its development and use. If not, the gap between the information "haves" and "have-nots" will continue to grow.