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Report on National Consultation
Barbados
20 – 21 May, 1998
List of Participants in the CAIS Working Group
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Trevor Knight Senior Statistician, Barbados Statistical Services |
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Nel Bretney Librarian, Main Library, UWI, Cave Hill Campus |
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Adolphus Hurdle Barbados Workers Union |
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Mark Byer Officer in Charge, Agricultural Information Services, |
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Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development |
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Dawnay St. John Destiny Inc, Balmore Gap, Heritage |
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Leroy Roach CEO, BADMC |
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Marcia Marville Programme Coordinator – Associate Degree in Agriculture |
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Barbados Community College |
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Olivia E. Lovell Senior Agricultural Officer in Charge of Tissue Culture |
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Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development |
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Colin Scantelbury Tissue Culture Specialist, CARDI |
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Ralph Boyce Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development |
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Ferdinand Worrell Entomology Unit, CARDI. |
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Claudette de Freitas Information Resources Manager (Ag), CARDI. |
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Chairperson: Mark Byer |
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Rapporteur: Nel Bretney |
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Facilitator: Claudette de Freitas |
CAIS Summary Draft Project Proposal Comments
Introduction:
Accepted.
Beneficiaries
Accepted.
Problems to be addressed
Accepted.
Goal
Accepted.
Objectives
Accepted.
Results
Accepted.
Assumptions
Accepted.
Elements of CAIS Structure
The list of potential members suggested for Barbados was: -
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Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development |
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Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation |
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Future Centre Trust |
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Barbados Agricultural Management Company |
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Barbados Agricultural Society |
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Systems Caribbean Ltd. |
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Caribbean Meteorological Institute |
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Barbados Workers Union |
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Barbados Statistical Service |
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Barbados Community College |
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FAO |
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IICA |
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CARDI |
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National Library Service |
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Barbados Chamber of Commerce |
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UWI |
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Barbados Horticultural Society |
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Barbados Sugar Industries Ltd. |
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All Farmers Groups |
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Barbados Tourism Authority |
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Caribbean Development Bank |
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Barclays Bank |
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Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic |
It was agreed that the list was not exhaustive but the committee will begin
with this group and later invite other relevant groups as necessary.
Responsibilities of National Hubs
Functions of the National Focal Point
The group accepted the recommendations in the draft proposal and also
highlighted the following:
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The NFP should act as a resource for access and dissemination of
information. |
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It should liaise with CARDI and CTA with a view to identifying resources
both local and international. |
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The NFP should aim to be self-sustaining and income generating. |
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It should play a role in sensitizing policy and decision makers. |
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Promote documentation of services, clients, and policies. |
National Hub
Criteria for selection of the National Focal Point
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The chosen organization must have a stake in the success of the network. |
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It must also have adequate staff to function as a focal point. (This could
mean a full-time person). |
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The organization chosen must be a national agricultural organization.
(Agriculture here was interpreted in a broad sense to include various aspects
of agriculture, rural development, environmental management, and sustainable
development). |
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The organization must be politically neutral. (Although this was discussed
but was not thought to be an issue here in Barbados). |
Responsibilities of the Regional Information Centre
Accepted, no further amendments suggested.
Joint Activities
Accepted.
National Agricultural Information Networks
Membership free or fee-based?
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There was general agreement that since some cost would be incurred, there
should be a subscription for membership. User fees would be determined by the
type of membership as defined by the Barbados Network group. |
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Considering the size of Barbados, it was generally agreed that one network
group would suffice. |
Other concerns, issues and suggestions
No other major concerns expressed.
General Recommendations
No further recommendations or amendments on suggested.
Proposed Project Activities
The Barbados group presented agreed to form themselves into a CAIS Interim
Working Group and expressed great interest in participating in a pilot project.
Follow-up Action
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An initial Steering Committee made up of representatives of the Ministry of
Agriculture, BADMC, Destiny Inc., Barbados Statistical Service, UWI, Barbados
Community College, Barbados Workers Union, CARDI, and the Government
Information Service was appointed. |
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Compilation of a list of potential members would continue with some liaison
with the Future Centre Trust which has already compiled a list of resource
persons. |
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Provision by the Regional Information Centre of a summary of the discussions
to be distributed to members, Heads of Units and relevant Ministers by June. |
Meeting of Steering Committee scheduled for July 9 at 9.00
a.m. at the Ministry of Agriculture, Graeme Hall. The meeting will be chaired by
Mr. Mark Byer of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Contact Persons:
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Mark Byer, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development |
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Nel Bretany, UWI, Cave Hill Campus |
C. de Freitas
IRM (Ag.)
May 1998 |
