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The first phase of implementation (2003 - 2004) is essentially a proof
of concept, focusing on the "core mandate" as contained in AMCEN's
Kampala Declaration in respect of the establishment of AEIN. In this regard
the thrust of implementation within UNEP will be on integrated environmental
assessment and reporting, leading to the production of AEO-2.
One basic assumption regarding the phasing of AEIN implementation is that
some elements of the programme may already be in place in several countries.
On this basis the implementation strategy for Phase 1 assumes that some
data exists in some form, somewhere. The focus of activities therefore
is to test this assumption, whiles implementing various pilot activities
with respect to networking, establishment of mechanisms for harmonising
information, development of core data sets, prototype products and information
services, and appropriate tools and methodologies to support AEIN activities.
Key issues to be addressed include:
- What are the issues relating to core data sets that need to be addressed?
- What organisational and institutional framework would be appropriate
to deal with the coordination and implementations processes?
- What capacity would be required, and how would capacity needs be met?
The immediate goals for Phase 1 implementation are:
a) To build capacity for the development and management of core datasets
for integrated environmental assessments and reporting at the national
level;
b) To support and catalyse institutional networking and capacities related
to the management of data and information at the sub-national, national,
sub-regional, and regional levels.
Specific objectives will be:
- To assess the status of environmental information networking activities
in respective African countries;
- To strengthen networking (data/information exchanges, knowledge/expertise
sharing, etc.) at the national and sub-regional levels;
- To develop information management tools, collate data, and develop
compendia and other data products from existing data sources;
- To develop quantitative indicators of environmental change for use
in characterising emerging issues, and for assessing impacts of such
changes on human vulnerability at national and sub-regional levels;
- To build capacity for using information management tools and methodologies
for producing or (re-)packaging information for various target groups.
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