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www.caisnet.org
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National Consultations |
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SUMMARY
Report on CAIS NATIONAL CONSULTATION
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To present the CAIS Project proposal to the public, private sector and NGO representatives drawn from prospective user groups in the agricultural sector |
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To provide an opportunity for the representatives to make an input to the project, seek clarification on the proposed activities. |
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To obtain feedback on constraints and precautions on the functioning of the national network. |
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To obtain a pro forma commitment in terms of participation in a proposed pilot operation. |
As a follow-up to the decisions taken at the July 1997 meeting of regional representatives, national consultations were held in a number of Caribbean countries over the period February – November 1998. Since a number of earlier efforts to develop networks in various sectors in the Caribbean had been unsuccessful, it was felt that a national consultation was a very important part of the implementation of any project to develop a regional network.
National Consultations were held in the following countries: -
Antigua and Barbuda Barbados Belize British Virgin Islands Dominica Dominican Republic Grenada Haiti Jamaica St. Kitts/Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad & Tobago
CARDI’s then Executive Director, Mr. Hayden Blades, presented CAIS initially as part of an overview of CARDI activities including the Caribbean Agricultural Technical Assistance Service (CTAS), the Agribusiness Services, and the Caribbean Agricultural Science and Technology Networking System (PROCICARIBE), in an introductory plenary session.
Mrs. Claudette de Freitas, Information Resources Manager/Barbara Gumbs CAIS Consultant, later did a more detailed presentation, which touched on the conceptual approach of CAIS against the background of the findings of the agricultural needs survey in the respective country. The summary of the Draft Project Proposal currently being developed with assistance from CTA, and which will be used to seek funding for the implementation of CAIS, was also presented.
In a later business session, a CAIS working group was formed to discuss the proposal summary in further detail and make recommendations and note comments and concerns as they relate to the respective country.
There was overwhelming support for the development of an information network and this was borne out by the fact that following discussions at the local level of the respective countries, CAIS Interim Steering Committees were formed in 80% of countries. These committees would work with the Regional Coordinator to further the development of a
CAIS national Network in the country concerned. Preliminary meetings have already been held by some of the Interim Steering Committees of the National Networks. However, a number of issues have emerged during the National Consultations as well as at the level of the Interim Steering Committees, including the following: -
Possibility for Membership Fees Criteria for selection of members Intellectual property rights Public information versus proprietary information Network structure; mechanisms for network coordination Standards for databases, hardware and software
Participants also issued calls for the acceleration of specific project activities such as the information inventory and the provision of assistance in developing information products in respective countries and assistance to countries to access funding to implement CAIS. They also noted the need to further define the benefits of CAIS National Networks. There was also further need to define the commitment necessary as well as the role of all participants in the development of the CAIS Network.
It is anticipated that the CAIS network activities will attempt to address a number of these issues, particularly via the mechanism of pilot projects.
Having completed the National Consultations, the findings, suggestions and recommendations will be analysed and incorporated into the CAIS Draft Project Proposal. This Final Draft proposal will then be presented to donor agencies to seek funding for implementing CAIS over the upcoming five-year period. However, even as funds are being sought, the following activities will continue:
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The development of Pilot National Networks: This will assist the project to develop workable mechanisms and support for facilitating the establishment of national networks in respective Caribbean countries, as the foundation of the regional CAIS network. A number of the issues raised will also be addresses by the pilot project. |
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Inventory of Data Sets: An information audit to identify and detail information available in respective Caribbean Countries. Output of this activity include a Regional Directory of Information Sources and Directory of Regional Expertise in Agriculture and enable sub-groups in the agricultural sector and others to source specific types of data and information when required. |
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The development of information products and services; This will include the piloting of information services at the level of respective countries, including the use of Information Cafés, development of databases, publications and other information products in keeping with the needs of the respective country and resources available. CAIS will work closely with the Caribbean Science and Technology System (PROCICARIBE) in the development of these information products and services. |
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The piloting of partnerships with local, regional and international institutions. In this regard discussions have already been held with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and CAIS will provide information for the AgroInfo databases in the Caribbean region. In addition, the current EIAFD/InfoSys Workshop provides an opportunity to hold discussions with this and other groups with a view to developing partnerships in providing information to the mutual benefit of the participating groups. This will be further developed and other groups added in 1999. |
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Development of a marketing strategy and launching of new information products. The need for ongoing marketing has been identified and a consultant contracted in 1998 will continue work in 1999 as information products and services develop further. |
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