Abstract

Md. Saleh Khan, M. Shariful Anam

Technical Keynote Paper for the Inception Workshop of the SDNP in Bangladesh

Table of contents:

Abstract

Introduction to the SDNP

SECTION 1: Study on the Information Needs Assessment

Introduction

Objective of the Survey

Methodology of the Survey

List of Target Institutions.

Target Institution Selection Criteria

Findings of the survey: Data Disseminators

Findings of the survey: Data Users

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

SECTION 2: SDNP Pilot Phase Project. Setting up the pilot project of the SDNP

Introduction

Contextual Logistic and Technical Issues to Consider before Setting up the PPP

The Nodes

Concept of the "Mobile Node"

Technical issues of Setting up the Nodes

Scope and Possible Activities of the PPP

SECTION 3: The Pilot Phase Project-Technical Setup

Abstract

The Technical Keynote Paper for the workshop is written in three different sections. The first section, titled 'Study on the Information Needs Assessment' deals with a survey that was done to find out about the information needs of the users and the dissemination capacity of the data disseminators. It also dealt with the institutional capacity of the ISPs themselves in providing Internet connectivity to the people of this country. The second section, titled 'Setting up the Pilot Phase Project of the SDNP' deals with the logistical setup of the Pilot Phase Project and possible issues to be dealt with about the setup. The third and the last section, titled 'The Pilot Phase Project - Technical Setup' deals with the purely technical details of the setup for the proposed Pilot Phase Project.

From the needs assessment study done, we got a fairly clear idea of the data users needs regarding the format of the data they receive and the institutional support they expect. The needs assessment survey also gave us an idea of the kind of Internet user to telephone line ratio in common practice today providing us an approximate idea of what kind of an institutional setup we would be expected to hate for the Pilot Phase.

Any recommendations that were drawn from this survey is given in the text of the survey conclusions and since this is an inception workshop, the final recommendations and finding would be given after the workshop in the final report.

Introduction to the SDNP

In the first two weeks of June 1992 delegates representing more than 178 governments met at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil with one common goal in mind: to formulate a program of action for sustainable development - worldwide. At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which later came to be more familiarly known as the 'Rio Earth Summit' the 'Declaration on Environment and Development' and the Statement of principles for the Sustainable Management of Forests' were formulated.

This summit was called to fulfill the mandate given to the Conference by the United Nations General Assembly when, in 1989, it called for a global meeting to devise strategies to reverse and halt the negative impacts of human behavior on the environment surrounding us and ultimately promote environmentally sustainable economic development in all countries. This agreement was deliberated upon and finalized in a time frame of two and a half years leading up to and finalized at the Rio Earth Summit resulting in the document known as the 'Agenda 2 1'. The Agenda 21 was created as a 'blueprint' for sustainable development actions to be taken globally, right from now into the twenty-first century. It is meant to be used by governments worldwide, the United Nations and by all the non- government and independent sector groups

The underlying thought behind this summit was that mankind has reached a point in their evolvement where the need to do something substantial in order to be able to survive and cope with the environmental changes bought about due to their own actions and deeds.

In all twenty-seven principles were agreed on in the conference and these principles were expressed in forty chapters in the full text of the Agenda 2 1. Of these, principle 9 states that 'States should cooperate to strengthen endogenous capacity-building for sustainable development by improving scientific understanding through exchanges of scientific and technological knowledge, and by enhancing the development, adaptation diffusion and transfer of technologies.. including new and innovative technology.'

Chapter 40 of Agenda 21 titled 'Information for decision-Making' is based on this principle. This chapter specifically outlines and stresses the need for information in the decision- making processes for a sustainable development action plan.

The chapter begins with the statement "In sustainable development, everyone is a user and provider of information, considered in the broad sense. The needs for information arises at all levels, from that of senior decision makers at the national and international levels to the grass-root and individual levels.' And this is the core concept of the 'Sustainable Development Networking Programme' the SDNP; that for any joint and coordinated effort for sustainable development, all the individuals involved must have unhindered access to the data that the may require and that they should be able to provide any such data that others may require without any hindrance.

The SDNP is therefore and initiative taken by the United Nations to start information networking in developing countries with the objective to help people share information and expertise relevant to sustainable development to improve their lives.

The Government of Bangladesh approved the Sustainable Environment Management Programme (SEMP) in 1997. SEMP is a follow-up of the implementation of the National Environment Management Action Plan (NEMAP) in line with Agenda 21. The SDN, in turn, falls under the Awareness and Advocacy Sub-Programme of the SEMP.

In Bangladesh, the SDN aims to facilitate exchange of information among development partners, the academia, policy makers and the civil society in both the national and the international level. The SDN subscribers would be given access to a database maintained by the host organization connecting the government agencies, media agencies, different NGO'S, research and academic institutions and to international counterparts of such institutions.

To this effect, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) has been chosen to be the host organization for Bangladesh and the have already formulated a plan to implement this massive nationwide project.

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		Md. Saleh Khan, M. Shariful Anam Technical Keynote Paper for the Inception Workshop of the SDNP in Bangladesh Table of contents: Abstract Introduction to the SDNP SECTION 1: Study on the Information Needs Assessment Introduction Objective of the Survey Methodology of the Survey List of Target Institutions. Target Institution Selection Criteria Findings of the survey: Data Disseminators Findings of the survey: Data Users Internet Service Providers (ISPs) SECTION 2: SDNP Pilot Phase Project. Setting up the pilot project of the SDNP Introduction Contextual Logistic and Technical Issues to Consider before Setting up the PPP The Nodes Concept of the "Mobile Node" Technical issues of Setting up the Nodes Scope and Possible Activities of the PPP SECTION 3: The Pilot Phase Project-Technical Setup Abstract The Technical Keynote Paper for the workshop is written in three different sections. The first section, titled 'Study on the Information Needs Assessment' deals with a survey that was done to find out about the information needs of the users and the dissemination capacity of the data disseminators. It also dealt with the institutional capacity of the ISPs themselves in providing Internet connectivity to the people of this country. The second section, titled 'Setting up the Pilot Phase Project of the SDNP' deals with the logistical setup of the Pilot Phase Project and possible issues to be dealt with about the setup. The third and the last section, titled 'The Pilot Phase Project - Technical Setup' deals with the purely technical details of the setup for the proposed Pilot Phase Project. From the needs assessment study done, we got a fairly clear idea of the data users needs regarding the format of the data they receive and the institutional support they expect. The needs assessment survey also gave us an idea of the kind of Internet user to telephone line ratio in common practice today providing us an approximate idea of what kind of an institutional setup we would be expected to hate for the Pilot Phase. Any recommendations that were drawn from this survey is given in the text of the survey conclusions and since this is an inception workshop, the final recommendations and finding would be given after the workshop in the final report. Introduction to the SDNP In the first two weeks of June 1992 delegates representing more than 178 governments met at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil with one common goal in mind: to formulate a program of action for sustainable development - worldwide. At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which later came to be more familiarly known as the 'Rio Earth Summit' the 'Declaration on Environment and Development' and the Statement of principles for the Sustainable Management of Forests' were formulated. This summit was called to fulfill the mandate given to the Conference by the United Nations General Assembly when, in 1989, it called for a global meeting to devise strategies to reverse and halt the negative impacts of human behavior on the environment surrounding us and ultimately promote environmentally sustainable economic development in all countries. This agreement was deliberated upon and finalized in a time frame of two and a half years leading up to and finalized at the Rio Earth Summit resulting in the document known as the 'Agenda 2 1'. The Agenda 21 was created as a 'blueprint' for sustainable development actions to be taken globally, right from now into the twenty-first century. It is meant to be used by governments worldwide, the United Nations and by all the non- government and independent sector groups The underlying thought behind this summit was that mankind has reached a point in their evolvement where the need to do something substantial in order to be able to survive and cope with the environmental changes bought about due to their own actions and deeds. In all twenty-seven principles were agreed on in the conference and these principles were expressed in forty chapters in the full text of the Agenda 2 1. Of these, principle 9 states that 'States should cooperate to strengthen endogenous capacity-building for sustainable development by improving scientific understanding through exchanges of scientific and technological knowledge, and by enhancing the development, adaptation diffusion and transfer of technologies.. including new and innovative technology.' Chapter 40 of Agenda 21 titled 'Information for decision-Making' is based on this principle. This chapter specifically outlines and stresses the need for information in the decision- making processes for a sustainable development action plan. The chapter begins with the statement "In sustainable development, everyone is a user and provider of information, considered in the broad sense. The needs for information arises at all levels, from that of senior decision makers at the national and international levels to the grass-root and individual levels.' And this is the core concept of the 'Sustainable Development Networking Programme' the SDNP; that for any joint and coordinated effort for sustainable development, all the individuals involved must have unhindered access to the data that the may require and that they should be able to provide any such data that others may require without any hindrance. The SDNP is therefore and initiative taken by the United Nations to start information networking in developing countries with the objective to help people share information and expertise relevant to sustainable development to improve their lives. The Government of Bangladesh approved the Sustainable Environment Management Programme (SEMP) in 1997. SEMP is a follow-up of the implementation of the National Environment Management Action Plan (NEMAP) in line with Agenda 21. The SDN, in turn, falls under the Awareness and Advocacy Sub-Programme of the SEMP. In Bangladesh, the SDN aims to facilitate exchange of information among development partners, the academia, policy makers and the civil society in both the national and the international level. The SDN subscribers would be given access to a database maintained by the host organization connecting the government agencies, media agencies, different NGO'S, research and academic institutions and to international counterparts of such institutions. To this effect, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) has been chosen to be the host organization for Bangladesh and the have already formulated a plan to implement this massive nationwide project.
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