1 Integrating Arab e-Infrastructure in a Global Environment December 2011 Amman, Jordan KM, ICTs for development and e-learning initiatives in the agricultural sector Anton Mangstl Vice President German Jordanian University GJU, Amman

2 Three components: Web-based platform Face-to-face meetings and events In-country interventions with partners More than 7,000 people have joined the e-Agriculture community from over 150 countries. e-Agriculture Community of Practice Reinforcing the value of global dialogue and cooperation to address emerging issues around the role of ICT as an instrument of sustainable rural development.

3 The e-Agriculture Community: Sharing Innovative Experiences and Knowledge about the use of ICT for Rural Development KEY TOPICS Important issues identified by the community: 1. Online Forum: World Banks ICT in Agriculture Source Book 2. Mobile telephony in rural development

4 AGMES Initiative and Application Profiles AGROVOC Thesaurus Domain Ontologies & Knowledge Organization Systems Registry of Tools Agricultural Information Management Standards

5 Partnership-based e-learning initiative started in 2001 Collaboration with more than 45 international, regional and specialized organizations. Six modules covering information and knowledge management in multiple languages with 100,000 users 3 new modules are under development. Information Management Resource Kit Developing human capacities through e-learning

6 Digital Libraries Repositories and Documents Investing in Information for Development Building Electronic Communities and Networks Web 2.0 and Social Media for Development Modules under development: Knowledge Sharing for Development Scientific and Technical Writing Management of Spatial Data IMARK Modules

7 Enhancing Participation in Codex Activities Plant Genetic Resources Impact Assessment of Food Security Programmes The Right to Food Food Security Information for Action E-learning in other technical areas

8 A few numbers..... As of early 2011, the number of self- paced e-learners is estimated at 172,000 users. - Online (20%)/CDs (80%) - 34% of these are active learners OEK has commissioned more than 200 subject experts world-wide to produce and adapt materials.

9 Access to Information/Knowledge International literature Local outputs

10 Launched in October 2003 Partnership between FAO, 60+ publishers including CABI, WHO, UNEP, Cornell University, and others Free online access to over 1,900 journals in agriculture and related fields 107 countries eligible >2,300 institutions registered in 90 countries

11 A new partnership for truly accessible information CIARD - new global movement formed in 2008 building on consultations in 2005 and 2007 to provide a platform for coherence between information-related initiatives

12 Founding Partners and participation is expanding….. The Community

13 The CIARD vision To make public domain agricultural research information and knowledge truly accessible to all All organizations that create and possess public agricultural research information disseminate and share it more widely CIARD partners will (a) coordinate their efforts, (b) promote common formats, (c) adopt open systems Create a global network of public collections of information A Manifesto

14 The CIARD objective To collaboratively develop effective and coherent institutional approaches to sharing agricultural science and technology information based on common standards CIARD partners will: –combine/align efforts in common international approaches –address their own priorities and constraints –maximise the return on public investments enable local/national innovation systems and services harness support of regional/international systems