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Hon Ngala pointed out that the relatively low level of computerisation of marine science institutions in Africa has hampered their contribution to the use of the enormous opportunities which information technology provides for addressing the problems of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation. He hoped that the development of an "Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa" will address this problem and assist the institutions with tools to enable them source information for their research work, and to disseminate information necessary for sustainable use of the marine environment and resources for development. Recalling that the Pan Africa Conference on Sustainable Coastal Management which was held in Maputo, Mozambique in 1998 had the following as one of its recommendations, "…to strengthen the collection and dissemination of scientific information a basis for effective management of coastal areas.." , he urged the data centres to try and satisfy the information needs of all these potential users including researchers, resource managers, planners and the public. The data centres must not behave like "black holes" which only take in information and offer nothing in return. While expressing his appreciation to UNESCO-IOC and the Government of Flanders-Belgium for the support that they have provided for implementation of the ODINAFRICA network, Mr Ngala asked the participants to already start thinking of the period beyond the four year project period (2001-2004) so as to ensure that the network that has been established in ODINAFRICA forms the basis of a lasting alliance of marine science institutions that can exchange experiences. He reiterated Kenya's commitment to the implementation of the programmes of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and other UNESCO programmes, and said that inspite of the difficult economic situation prevailing in the country, KMFRI will continue availing its facilities and staff for the service of the project, and marine scientists in the whole of Africa. On behalf of Dr Patricio Bernal, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO and Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, the Head of Ocean Services at IOC Mr Peter Pissierssens welcomed the participants and thanked the Government of Kenya for its kind hosting of the this ODINAFRICA Review and Planning Workshop. He recalled the key role Kenya has played in the development of ODINAFRICA and its preceeding projects (RECOSCIX-WIO and ODINEA). Mr Pissierssens emphasised that the ODINAFRICA project is an extremely important undertaking for the IOC as it represents a new direction in the IOC's Capacity Building strategy. Whereas capacity building activities in the past were mostly limited to occasional national or regional training courses, or to donations of equipment, the ODINAFRICA project uses a new strategy which is based on linking training, equipment and operational support. We asked ourselves: what is the question of organizing training courses of the trainees, when returning home do not have the necessary equipment, or cannot get access to the Internet to communicate with their colleagues. ODINAFRICA is a project implemented by Africa for Africa. All products and services such as the ODINAFRICA web site, the Directories, the Data catalogues and many more are developed and maintained in participating Member States. He assured the participants that all IOC Member States are looking forward to the success of ODINAFRICA. Another region, namely the Caribbean and South America region have already started preparations for the establishment of their ODIN network that will be named ODINCARSA. Review of implementation status of ODINAFRICA project Mr Peter Pissierssens, the Head of Ocean Services presented the ODINAFRICA Work Plan for 2001 as was recommended by the coordinators at their meeting in January 2001 in Mombasa, Kenya. The work plan was based on the decision of the first ODINAFRICA planning workshop (Dakar, Senegal 2-5 May 2000) but reviewed in view of the delayed arrival of funds in late 2001. He pointed out that though it had been envisaged that the project would commence in May 2000, it was not until August that the funds were transferred to UNESCO. Due to the already tight schedule planned for the second half of the year, including the sixteen session of IODE and the final workshop for the Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa it was not possible to start the implementation of planned activities. During the year 2001, a total of about USD571000 was used out of an envisaged USD942000 which were initially budgeted for 2000 and 2001. The meeting should also look at future perspectives. Funding will be available for the establishment of Ocean Portals in the next biennium (2002-2003). ODINAFRICA must consolidate its role as the data and information source. Sustainability of the project beyond 2004 is a key issue which should be addressed by the participants. IOCEA Regional report The Regional Coordinator for IOCEA Dr Sekou Cisse outlined activities that had been implemented in the region. National Coordination workshops to assist in the identification of institutions to host the National Oceanographic Data and Information Centres were held in Benin, Cameroun, Mauritania, Senegal and Togo. Tunisia also held a national workshop using funds availed by the institution hosting the national oceanographic data and information centre. The first training course for Data management was held in Casablanca, Morocco from 30 March-13 April 2001 and attended by data managers from Cameroun, Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia (see list in annex xx). Cote d'Ivoire and Gabon were not able to send participants to the training course. The first training course on Marine Information Management was held in Cape Town, South Africa (29 October- 9 November 2001). It was attended by participants from Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo and Tunisia. Benin and Cameroun were not able to attend due to travel or visa problems. Cote d'Ivoire also did not participate in the workshop due to reasons discussed below. The workshop report is available as xxxxxx. Computer equipment and peripherals were delivered to all participating member states from the region except for Cote d'Ivoire and Gabon. This matter will be resolved in 2002. Funds for operational expenses were provided to Benin, Cameroun, Guinea, Mauritania, Nigeria, Tunisia and Togo. The work plans and budgets from Ghana were received too late to process the contract. None of the countries requested funds for development of meta databases and the development of products and services as well as public awareness as it was felt priority needed to be given to the establishment of the data and information centres on a solid basis and on creating awareness. Due to administrative problems experienced at the CRO in Cote d'Ivoire the coordinators had, with the approval of the Chairman of IOCEA, put in place transitory arrangements to provide information services for all the countries from the ODINAFRICA Information Services Centre located at the Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute, Mombasa, Kenya. It was noted with appreciation that the administrative problems had now been resolved thus enabling full participation of Cote d'Ivoire in the project. The delays in delivery of equipment and transfer of funds to the institutions seriously hampered the implementation of the project. The participants urged UNESCO to find ways to minimise such delays in future. IOCINCWIO
regional report Contracts for operational expenses and development of data archives have been processed for data centres in Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania. In the case of South Africa there were delays due to national problems in mode of receiving of funds to the centre. This was finally resolved and the contract is now being processed. There were also delays in processing contracts for Comores due to delays in submitting of the work plan and budgets, and inclusion of unclear items in the budget. The amount unspent under this item was as follows: Madagascar (US$400), Mauritius (US$2100), Seychelles (US$2400) and South Africa (US$4700). Information centre equipment and software was delivered to the centres in Comores, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania. Comores in addition received equipment for its data centre. South Africa identified the Directorate of Marine & Coastal Management as the information centre. The situation regarding the continued participation of Instituto Investgacao Pesqueira (IIP) as the information centre in Mozambique remains unclear. In the mean time Instituto Nacional da Hidrografia e Navegacao (INAHINA) which is already the National Oceanographic Data Centre (CENADO) will take on the responsibilities of the information centre. In view of the uncertainty in 2001, delivery of equipment to the Mozambique information centre was therefore deferred pending further consultation. Contracts
for development of data/information products and publicity/public
awareness were processed for Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique
and Tanzania. Activities implemented within the framework of these
contracts include: The Kenyan NODC was contracted to up-date of the African Publications database-AFRIPUB, as part of their product development activity. This data base contains bibliographic information on aquatic science and fisheries documents published in/about Africa. An additional 1500 records are expected by end November 2001. CENADO was contracted to undertake two studies: i) evolution of the bottom topography of Zambezi river delta, and ii) seasonal variation of currents, sea levels, salinity and other hydrographic parameters along the Mozambican coast. The amount unspent under this item was: Madagascar (US$400), Mauritius (US$1800), Seychelles (US$3600), and South Africa (US$3600). ODINAFRICA Information Services Centre The report of the ODINAFRICA Information Services Centre is presented in annex…. The services previously provided by the RECOSCIX-WIO and RECOSCIX-CEA projects through their regional dispatch centres located at KMFRI, Mombasa and CRO Abidjan respectively were taken over by the ODINAFRICA project. The RECOSCIX projects terminated in 1999. Due to administrative problems experienced in Cote d'Ivoire the Chairman of IOCEA agreed with the proposal of the coordinators to move the information services previously offered by RECOSCIX-CEA from CRO to Mombasa as a temporary measure. The participants considered the products and services offered by the centre. In order to improve the project services the participants recommend that the possibility of accessing full text journals on line be explored, and the use of electronic document delivery be initiated. However internet bandwidth at the centres will be an issue that needs to be investigated at both the regional and national levels. The participants congratulated the web team for the good work done but noted the slow progress in translation of the site to French. More substantive contribution are also required from participating Member States, including reports, brochures, photographs etc. Participants were requested to offer to assist in the translation of the web site and WINDOW, and strongly urged to send articles for publication. Other products currently maintained at the ODINAFRICA Information Services Centre include (i) the directory of Marine (and freshwater) Science Professionals in Africa (AFRIDIR), (ii) database of marine science publications from/about Africa (AFRIPUB), and (iii) the merged catalogue of holdings of marine science libraries and information centres in Africa (AFRILIB) The participants welcomed the return of Cote d'Ivoire to the project and considered its role of regional information service centre for the IOCEA region, a task it had been implementing during the RECOSCIX-CEA project for some time. The National Coordinator of Cote d'Ivoire reiterated his institution's offer to host the Centre. The participants accepted the kind offer of Cote d'Ivoire and decided to identify funds in the budget for the operation of the Centre. It was further agreed that responsibility for the AFRIDIR, AFRIPUB and other relevant regional information tools would henceforth be shared between the ODINAFRICA Information Services Centres in IOCINCWIO and IOCEA. ODINAFRICA Capacity building The participants were informed that the trainees in both the data and the information courses had very varied backgrounds- some with very high qualifications and others average. They agreed that basic training (including languages) should be provided locally within the available budgets so as to better prepare the trainees for the regional training courses. Those trained should also train others in their institutions to ensure continuity. The participants called for the re-instatement of internships as these provide opportunities to acquire working experience in well established data and information centres. There is also need to provide training on product development as this is one area which most of the centres have not mastered. There
was concern that the member states which had missed the training
sessions would lag behind others. Several options were considered
to enable them catch up. These included use of the Resource Kit
(with support from the lecturers), organisation of short training
courses, and training attachment at some of the institutions participating
in the project which are already proficient in implementation of
the agreed on activities It was agreed that the consultant for data
management (Dr Murray Brown) would undertake short hands on training
courses in the relevant countries. The meeting was informed that
the librarians and documentalists, during the training course in
Cape Town, South Africa, had proposed that the next data and information
courses be held back to back so as to enable interaction between
them and the data centre managers. Participants considered the offers
of Mauritania, Mauritius, Tanzania and Tunisia to host the workshops
and agreed that a decision will be taken based on a number of practical
considerations including available infrastructure, internet access,
difficulties in procuring visas etc. The participants requested
that the training experts on data management and on information
management should compare their programmes and identify a suitable
and practical shared component for the planned training courses
in 2002. The participants were also informed of the many difficulties
experienced by librarians in their institutions, mostly related
to the low positions occupied by the librarians in the institutional
hierarchy. The participants stressed that the data and information
management components of ODINAFRICA are equally important and close
collaboration between the data and information experts as well as
a strong national support for both components was essential. ODINAFRICA linkages with IOC programmes and other regional initiatives The participants emphasised the importance of close interaction with other programmes and initiatives, especially the African Process, as this is one of the ways of ensuring sustainability of the project. It was agreed that the National Coordinators will make contacts with the national contact points for the African Process in their respective countries so as to discuss the inputs that ODINAFRICA can provide to the process. Participants stressed the importance of ensuring that the ODINAFRICA data centres play an active role in the development of the data and information management plans for the project proposals that are being prepared for submission to the Partnership Conference. ODINAFRICA Administration and Management The participants considered several actions to improve the running of the project They agreed that the number of contracts made for each institution should be reduced to about three to reduce the administrative paperwork. The participants agreed that terms of reference for the Regional Coordinators would be drafted and circulated to the national coordinators for approval, as a way of improving the management of the project. Several participants noted their Regional Coordinator had not yet visited their institutions. The group recommended that Regional Coordinators visit the institutions under their responsibility once a year to discuss proposals to promote the project to national authorities. The participants were requested to identify the preffered method of transfer of funds, based on their experiences. The hitches that arose during the delivery of equipment through UNDP offices were considered and it was noted with concern that UNDP offices may henceforth charge for their services. The participants discussed at length the actions required to ensure sustainability of the project beyond 2004. This included the possibility of developing data and information products for sale, the sourcing of additional donor funding, provision of data and information management services and products to other projects and initiatives. However they agreed that data should not be given a monetary value and that the current IOC policy on "full and open access" to data should be followed. Products valuable to the whole network, especially those whose production has been funded by UNESCO/IOC should also be freely exchanged. It was noted that email communication between the now 60 or so contacts (national coordinators, data managers, information managers) was still not very active. It was felt that, to some extent, this was due to the frequent changes in email addresses and/or email systems. In response to these concerns, the secretariat offered to register the domain name odinafrica.net and provide all participants in the project with a unique email address (f.surname@odinafrica.net). The participants accepted the offer and requested the secretariat to do the necessary. The domain was was registered and email addresses for the National Coordinators were distributed during the workshop. It was further noted that the new domain would be able to host a mirror of the ODINAFRICA website, as well as national ODINAFRICA (and other institutional) sites (original or mirror). ODINAFRICA Work Plans and Budgets for 2002 The participants prepared national draft work plans and budgets for consideration. These were reviewed by the regional coordinators to ensure that they fall within the acceptable parameters. The participants then discussed the budgets in detail and also agreed upon the joint activities budget. The participants pointed out that the logistics of travel, including ease with which one can get a visa should be considered in selecting the venue for the next meeting. Report
by Mika Odido, ODINAFRICA Regional Coordinator for the IOCINCWIO
region, Mombasa More info: m.odido@unesco.org
or s.cisse@unesco.org
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