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

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[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

Table 3. Final Action Plans for High-Priority Needs
 Goals/Objectives  Action Plans  Responsibility, Time Frame, Costs
To demonstrate the value of information in contributing to country's development Gather case studies where information has contributed to positive economic outcomes

Gather information on existing information policies and strategies

Present 1/2 day seminar at APAFRI/FORSPA meeting in Mar '97 on value of information

Regional representatives from India, Vietnam and China, and possibly FRIM

CABI to provide literature search facilities and assistance

CIFOR to play co-ordinating role

To be completed in time for APAFRI/FORSPA meeting Feb '97

Costs - donor support and in-kind contributions, as necessary

To improve the ability of ISU units and staff to meet user demands pro-actively

To establish a core of trained ISU staff (and users) through an integrated program of training

Include training concerns as part of agenda at APAFRI/FORSPA meeting to convince higher level policy makers of the importance of improving ISU skill levels Same as above
To improve effectiveness of forestry information services by providing access to e-mail, internet; establishing a list accounts; server Countries without e-mail to determine cost of telephone line, modem, and service report; report back to CIFOR

E-mail accounts to be established for organisational level unless cost is appropriate for establishing additional accounts (e.g., ISU units)

CIFOR/donor agency and organisation to sign agreement covering funding to set-up and maintain connection for 3-year time period

Members of DF core group to begin communicating/ networking via e-mail

IUFRO to assist in establishing home pages for members where appropriate technology exists

FORSPA to be co-ordinator for overall network

CIFOR to co-ordinate e-mail

IUFRO to provide home page technical support

DF attendees to form core members of network

Time - immediately

Costs - dependent on infrastructure costs