Programme 3H is the overall focal point for enhancing FAO's role as a knowledge organization, including through the WAICENT framework, and for coordinating and facilitating capacity building. Its lead role is more amply explained under Section II.B above.

As the preceding table indicates, 3H comprise a number of specific entities addressing various aspects of knowledge management. It will inter alia continue to coordinate the Programme to Bridge the Rural Digital Divide and the e-Agriculture Community of Expertise, leveraging resources through interagency partnerships established in follow up to the World Summit on the Information Society. Decision-makers, researchers, planners and evaluators, in particular in developing countries, will be assured timely access to multilingual information on food, agriculture and rural development through the Web site and other media. WAICENT information services will be made more interactive, building on the experience and success of the Knowledge Forum, including the Ask FAO initiative. Tools will be developed to support virtual events and to allow outside constituents to interact with FAO experts on-line. Support to thematic and best practice knowledge networks will take place for instance through electronic fora and training manuals and activities. The development of “best practices” will be mainstreamed into working procedures of FAO field projects and the Special Programme for Food Security. Further development of the Corporate Document Repository of Electronic Publications will be sought leading to an “Open Archive” and further support given to thematic information gateways, such as the FAO Country Profiles. A full range of library services will continue to be provided to FAO staff at both headquarters and the decentralized offices.

[extract from PWB 2008-09]