|
Report on National Consultation
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
29 –30 July, 1998
List of participants in the CAIS Working Group
During the St Vincent National Consultation there was no
specific working group devoted to CAIS discussions. Instead all the participants
at that time participated in an open discussion on all aspects of the programmes
presented including PROCICARIBE, CTAS, the Business Programme, and CAIS.
CAIS Summary Draft Project Proposal Comments
Introduction:
Accepted.
Beneficiaries
Accepted.
Problems to be addressed
 |
A cadre of well-trained Library and Information Specialists well equipped
to organize information. |
|
The importance of including marketing information in the network via a
range of media, including the INTERNET was emphasized. |
|
Information disseminated by CAIS must be appropriate in formats to meet
the needs of various audiences including farmers. |
|
Public awareness and marketing was highlighted as a necessary part of CAIS
implementation. |
Goal
Accepted.
Objectives
Accepted.
Results
Accepted.
Assumptions
Note: There is a need to ensure that there are trained personnel to manage
and support the networks who will be allowed to remain (i.e. no transfers) and
make their contribution.
Elements of CAIS Structure
The list of potential members suggested for St Vincent was: -
|
National Farmers Union |
|
WINFA |
|
VINLEC |
|
ECGC |
|
Arrowroot Group |
|
Development Corporation |
|
St. Vincent Marketing Cooperative |
|
Banana Growers |
|
Library Services |
|
NDF |
|
Ministry of Trade |
|
Ministry of Finance |
|
Chamber of Commerce |
|
Chinese Mission |
|
French Mission |
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
National Hub
IICA was suggested as the national hub but declined for the
short term. The National Documentation Centre was suggested and eventually
excepted as the National Hub. It was suggested by the Ministry and accepted by
the group present that a private sector grouping should be formed to take over
from the National Documentation Centre as coordinator over time. In order to
encourage sustainability it was envisaged that fees for services might be
necessary particularly when information services are being provided by the
private sector group given the thrust of the information industry.
Responsibilities of the Regional Information Centre
Accepted.
Joint Activities
Accepted.
National Agricultural Information Networks
|
A Central Information Centre should be established in each country. This
Centre should be the National Agricultural Information Hub from which
information can easily be dispersed to other islands as well as easily
accessed by all local stakeholders. |
|
There should be a strong local Coordinator to drive the formation and
maintenance of the networks. |
|
The operations of the national body should be formulated with the following
considerations: - |
|
A strong base with respect to equipment, personnel, dedication,
commitment |
|
A permanently placed trained person to facilitate the coordination |
|
The inclusion of the Library Services as members of the local group. |
Other concerns, issues, and suggestions
|
Given past experiences with regional networks, concern was expressed about
the sustainability of CAIS. |
|
Clarification was sought about the mechanism to be used to manage the
collection, distribution, and sharing of information among the various
institutions in CAIS. |
|
Clarification was also sought on how the CAIS Network would be
operationalized. |
|
CARDI needs to supply information services at the country level as part of
its mandate to the countries and would provide justification for
contributions of member states to CARDI. |
Proposed Project Activities
St. Vincent noted that CARDI should make a follow-up visit
with a view to holding further discussions and forming an Interim CAIS Committee
or Working Group to determine activities.
Follow-up Action
|
A meeting will be convened between CARDI and the National Hub i.e. the
National Documentation Centre and CARDI with a view to planning a meeting in
St. Vincent of a working group to develop a National Network. The meeting
should examine the work programme and initiate work on the information
inventory and other planned CAIS activities. |
|
The National Documentation Centre will act as the hub and will work
closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Labour, Communication Unit. |
|
The CARDI, National Hub Meeting will be convened during the period 30
September – 15 October 1998. |
Contact Persons:
Pearl Herbert
Public Library Tel: 457-2022
E-mail: document@caribsurf.com
Gail Nurse
National Documentation Centre
Tel: 456-1689
Fax: 457-2022
E-mail: document@caribsurf.com
Cordel Daisy
Ministry of Agriculture
St. Vincent
Tel: 458-4748 (h)
Tel: 456-1111 Ext 312 (w)
C. de Freitas
IRM (Ag.)
July 1998 | 
