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

In recognition of their common objectives, representatives from ASEAN Forest Tree Seed Centre (AFTSC) Project, ASEAN Institute of Forest Management (AIFM), Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), International Development Research Council (IDRC) and CAB International (CABI), representing both themselves and the Forestry Research Support Programme for Asia and the Pacific (FORSPA), met at AIFM in Kuala Lumpur in March 1995 and June 1996 to discuss common problems of forestry information in South-east Asia and to propose solutions and collaborative activities. Due to the broad geographic focus of most of those agencies present, a decision was made to extend any proposed activities to the entire Asia-Pacific region. It was hoped that the newly formed Asia-Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI), with its mandate to promote exchange of scientific and technical expertise and information and to strengthen linkages among national, regional and international research centres and organisations, would both define the geographic scope and legitimise operations.

Representatives at the meetings suggested a regional forum of key people (e.g., senior managers, information providers, information managers/librarians and donors) to discuss forestry information services needs and opportunities and to generate ideas on how to best meet these needs. It was suggested that specific institutions be targeted within each country to respond to a survey questionnaire asking for details on staffing and skill levels, funding, resources, networking capabilities, etc. prior to any collective meeting. The questionnaire would be designed in two parts. Part 1 would address the organisation and management of the agency as a whole and would be completed by the Director General or senior level manager. Part 2 would focus on the information services unit (ISU) within the agency and would be completed by the information manager/librarian. The questionnaire would also ask for an interest in and commitment to participate in the development of a proposed forestry information network. Analysis of the questionnaire was to provide the basis of any resulting Discussion Forum and to select participants. A questionnaire (see Appendix 1) was designed and distributed in early 1996. AFTSC and CIFOR were responsible for analysing the questionnaire and publishing results.