First Workshop on the Agricultural Ontology Service (AOS) ProjectFAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy14 & 15 December 2001 Agenda and Schedule The focus of the workshop was on the exchange of experiences and ideas. The workshop consisted of the following components:
Welcome SessionThe welcome session began with an introduction of the Library and Documentation Systems Division and its work inside FAO and the countries of the world, led by Stephen Katz, Chief of the WAICENT/FAOINFO Dissemination Management Branch. An introduction of the Agricultural Ontology Service (AOS) and its history as an initiative within the group followed, given by Johannes Keizer, Information Systems Officer of the AGRIS/CARIS and Documentation Group within the Division. Each participant was asked to give a short 5-minute introduction of him/herself, including a brief history of their work and their reasons for attending the workshop. Following a break, several participants gave more formal 15-minute presentations of their work and how it fits into the AOS. These included:
Discussion of Comments and Breakout SessionsBreakout sessions were created based on the discussion of the compiled comments document, and other topics put forward by the workshop participants. Each discussion led to the formulation of the breakout sessions. The breakout sessions provided the basis for making direct progress towards achieving the workshop goals of developing the next steps for our project. Discussion about experiences of applying ontologies to information management tasks were particularly welcomed. The breakout sessions sometimes crystallized issues and helped to find solutions to possible roadblocks in the development of the AOS. Each breakout session was made up of 7-10 people. These breakout session themes were:
Panel Discussion and Formulation of Working GroupThe results of the breakout sessions were discussed by all participants in a panel setting. A representative of each breakout session summarized the issues, thoughts and solutions discussed by his/her group. The participants were invited to prioritize the most important issues, which in turn helped towards the nomination of a number of participants to a working group tasked with developing a project proposal and detailed plan. Johannes Keizer gave the final address and thanks to the participants. ScheduleNovember 14 (9:00 to 18:00)
November 15 (9:00 to 13:00)
Other LogisticsLocations and directions, a list of participants, and the "AOS Comments" document were posted during the first week of November.
Organizing Committee
Johannes Keizer
Frehiwot Fisseha
Kat Hagedorn |