APPENDIX III

Framework for action – summary

Based on the outputs presented and the recommendations generated from the plenary discussions, the working groups drafted one of the main outputs of this consultation, i.e. a framework for action.

Thrust	Focus	Goal	Organizations aligned with area	Possible time frame	Comments
Capacity Building for ICT use	Web site development & use for NARES	Increase NARES public profile & information flows (both internal and external)	APAARI	Ongoing	Work ongoing through APAARI initiative. Could be basis for developing COP*.
	Information collection, analysis and use skills	Capacity building with regional & national org. staff	APAARI, FAO, Thai AGRIS, PhilAgriNet, etc.	Ongoing	Tool: IMARK. Training workshops of various organizations.
	ICT skills within NARES	Facilitate & encourage use of ICT to improve work	Ministries, PhilAgriNet	2006–7	Can be linked to national level workshops (e.g. USP, SPC) and also to regional level initiatives of FAO, APAARI, etc. Projects such as VERCON Bhutan.
	Community level ICT skills development	Facilitate & encourage use of ICT to improve work	PFNet, Ministries, NGOs, communities like Ban Samkha	2007–8	Can be linked to ongoing work including that of NGOs, UNESCO, APAARI, SPC, USP, etc.
Content	Document innovations & success stories on application of ICT in rural development	Facilitate exchange of information & encourage dynamic use of ICT	APAARI, FAO, UNESCO, other UN agencies, SPC, other regional orgs., HAII	2006–9	Work under this subject ongoing. Need to assure information is widely disseminated.
	Develop specific contents for different functions & target different audiences with different media: 1)Policy-makers 2) Managers 3) Extensionists 4) Researchers 5) NGOs 6) Communities 7) Farmers 8) Youth 9) Women 10) Students/schools 11) Teachers	Ensure relevant information is available to meet identified needs	APAARI, FAO, Ministries, NARES, USP and other academic institutions	2006–9	Media should include traditional as well as new technologies, with linkages between types. Delivery vehicles include ODL, print, CD-ROMs, tool kits, etc.
	Information management standards	Critical need to raise awareness of standards and bring more participation to identifying and agreeing upon common standards.	ICRISAT, FAO, Kasetsart Univ., others	Ongoing	Ontology workshop schedule for mid-2006. APAN initiatives. National activities such as AGROVOC development in Lao PDR, Malaysia, Thailand, etc.
Networking	Face-to-face events as appropriate	Enable training, update and upgrade professional networks	All organizations	2006–9	To reduce costs, these should be tied into existing activities as much as possible.
	Strengthen existing COPs	Facilitate virtual networking and exchange of information and ideas	APAARI, FAO, SPC, USP	Ongoing	New IMARK module on e-communities could serve in capacity building role. Many networks exist, but they need support/action.
* COP = community of practice