strengthening the africa environment information network an amcen initiative a framework to support...
TRANSCRIPT
STRENGTHENING
the
AFRICA ENVIRONMENT
INFORMATION NETWORK An AMCEN initiative
A framework to support development planning processes and increase access to environmental information in Africa
Frank TuryatungaUNEP/DEWA Africa Coordinator
Presentation outline
Roles and responsibilities
Questions for discussion
The Africa Environment Information Network
Key objectives of strengthening the network
Driving needs and justification for the process
Expected Outputs
Implementation framework
Africa Environment Information Network
Launched in 2003 and mandated by AMCEN to support the Africa Environment Outlook process
An integrated information network to support sustainable development in Africa
Actively piloted in 13 African countries (2004-2006)
During the intervening period countries were left to undertake activities deemed important to them
Aim to revive, strengthen and support the network
Key objectives
Generate products and provide services to ease availability of information critical for achieving sustainable development at national level.
Strengthen capacity for managing and using environmental and relevant socio-economic information at the national and regional levels
Facilitate access to environmental data and information to improve knowledge and public participation in decision-making;
Assist in implementation of the objectives of the environmental components of national development programmes and AMCEN decisions;
Needs & justification
Need to strengthen institutional capacities
Lack of harmonised efforts for environmental assessment & reporting
Limited knowledge on state of the environment due to lack of information.
Need to integrate environment information into decision making and sustainable development processes
Needs cont.
Need to establish effective linkages to ongoing and emerging initiatives
Need to establish a forum for information exchange on good practices
Need for a platform for S-S, N-S, and S-N (triangular) cooperation
Expected Outputs
Networking framework and infrastructure
Training and skills development
Capacity building
Information products and services, e.g.: SoE, AEO and GEO Policy briefs/National profiles Thematic extracts/Reports with underlying themes National Environment Summaries Reports on Environment and National Visions/Dev. Plans Data sets, indicators and databases, Data Reports/Compendia Executive seminars/Presentation materials Reporting to international conventions and processes (including
MEAs)
Implementation
Five programme components Country-specific implementation strategies Development of common approaches (standards, etc.) Data and indicator development Capacity building for assessments and reporting Strengthening network and communication infrastructure
• 3-phase implementation strategy Phase 1: Analytical tool and network development Phase 2: Operational – Institutional Capacity Building Phase 3: Operational – Meeting national and regional priorities
Framework and Organisation
Partnership with on-going initiatives Participatory and collaborative partnership
National-level implementation Ownership of process
Articulation and implementation of national priority needs
National focal points (institutions and professionals)
Direct communication to countries and not through CCs
Coordination and Management Regional steering committee
Overall Facilitation and donor coordination by UNEP
Topic Centres to support thematic areas
Africa EIN – building on on-going work
Examples of on-going and proposed initiatives
SoEs
AEO
GEO
UNEP-Live
AEO-Live
NEPAD – Environmental
Component
AMCEN Flagship Programmes
Global Network of Networks (GNON)
Africa EIN - Network Structure
Indian OceanRegion
Southern Africa
Northern Africa
Western Africa
Africa EIN Secretariat
Africa EIN Steering Committee
RECNEIN
Network Partners
Network Partners
Network Partners
Network Partners
Network Partners
Network Partners
African Topic Centres
NEINNEIN
NEIN
NEIN
NEIN
Central Africa
Eastern Africa
THEMATIC ASSESSMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ANALYSES
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM
COMMON APPROACHES AND SERVICES•STANDARDS AND PROTOCOLS•DATA AND INDICATORS (STATISTICS, REPORTS, MAPS, IMAGES)•METADATA
INTEGRATED ASSESSMENTS
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
DATA AND INFORMATIONEXCHANGE PLATFORM
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS, EARLY WARNING AND REPORTING PLATFORM
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-EC
ON
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DA
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VIR
ON
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NTA
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DA
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AFRICAN TOPIC CENTRES• THEMATIC SUPPORT• EMERGING ISSUES• CAPACITY BUILDING
NATIONAL DATA CENTRES
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND
INITIATIVES
TECHNICAL SERVICES
Indian OceanRegion
Southern Africa
Eastern Africa
Northern Africa
Western Africa
Central Africa
Africa EIN Steering Committee
Community of Stakeholders
Technical CommitteeSpecialised Technical
Services Working Groups
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National Networks
National Steering Committee
National Focal Points
Relationships
Services
Coordination mechanism
Communication
National Networks
SECRETARIATAFRICAN TOPIC CENTRES
Functions of the secretariat
Day-to-day management of Africa EIN
Regular communication with NFPs, ATCs and Steering/Scientific Committees
Support update and maintenance of network webpage and other platforms
Regular evaluation of participating countries in meeting reporting obligations
Convene and facilitate regular meetings of Steering & Scientific Committees and NFPs
Functions of the secretariat
Facilitate and support partnerships
Identify and communicate capacity building/training opportunities
Support N-S, S-S, S-N cooperation
Resource mobilisation (incl. for NEINs)
Facilitate information sharing
Collect and organise response to NEIN needs
Monitor and evaluate progress of network
Role of African Topic Centres
Act as a scientific reference centre for specific thematic areas
Support activities and products of Africa EIN related to their area of expertise
Support countries in the management of environmental information
Convene thematic meetings (as appropriate)
Training and capacity building
Tasks for African Topic Centres
Serve on the Africa EIN Scientific Committee
Support AEO and other products (including peer review); joint programming
Support NFPs in meeting reporting obligations
Link Africa EIN to their own networks
Share their platforms for outreach and dissemination
Responsibilities of NFPs
Coordinate establishment, development and functioning of national EIN (NEIN)
• Identify institutions to participate in the national NEIN
• Establish formal agreements with selected institutions, e.g. on data exchange, roles, etc.
• Coordinate meetings and training activities of NEIN
Responsibilities of NFPs…
Coordinate activities of NEIN related to
Africa EIN goals, objectives, products and
outputs
• Overall coordination responsibility for
information products under Africa EIN
• Conduct quality checks of inputs from
various institutions of NEIN
• Share information on new products
• Encourage use of Africa EIN tools
Responsibilities of NFPs….
Support national EIN
• Assess and raise needs and concerns of
NEIN (to Africa EIN structure)
• Facilitate access to information
• Disseminate Africa EIN information
products to NEIN
• Represent NEIN in various meetings and
forums
Role of CCs and Partners
Convening technical meetings at sub-
regional level
Provide platform for preparation of sub-
regional products
Training and capacity building
Dissemination of lessons and best
practices
S-S, N-S, and S-N Cooperation
Resource mobilisation
Roles of Reg. Econ. Communities
Political support
Articulation of sub-regional (and regional)
needs
Support to technical processes
Science to policy management
Convening meetings
Resource mobilisation
Awareness raising
Discussion questions
Does this new structure address concerns
that countries have had regarding the
Africa EIN?
What else needs to be done to strengthen
the network?
What is the additional contribution that can
be brought to the network by national
partners?
What will be the indicators of success of
the network?