Dec 2003

Work Plan (Capacity Building) proposed by Forest Agency

1. Title of the Work Plan

Compilation of a database of training resources (training materials, tools, and facilities) in the Asia region on sustainable forest management.

2. Main objectives of the Work Plan

Various institutions including donor agencies, universities, research institutes and extension centers in this region have developed training resources under their respective programs. It would be very much beneficial for these institutions, as well as for those needing training, to know which institution have developed what kind of resources, so that existing training resources would be utilized as widely as possible, and duplication of developing similar materials and facilities by different institutions could be avoided.

This work aims at compiling detailed information database of existing training resources, including training opportunities and courses available region-wide, costs, accommodation, and other practical aspects, which would serve as an on-line tool to promote effective cooperation among partners in training/capacity building.

By compiling such information, gaps and duplications of training resources can be identified, which would further lead to collaborative development of training resources among partners.

3. Expected results

• Detailed information database of existing training resources will be compiled and made open to a wide spectrum of training institutions as well as to those needing training.
• Existing training resources will be fully utilized, which will also enhance exchange of expertise among different countries and institutions.
• Gaps and duplications of training resources will be identified.
• Collaborative development of training resources will be promoted among partners.
• Limited resources for training/capacity building will be utilized in a most efficient way.

4. Modalities/Procedures

• First, review the existing work already undertaken, if any, to compile/consolidate information on training resources, such as by FAO and others.
• Assess the relevancy of existing information resources as regards their coverage, whether they are up-to-date or not, and their format of information presented, and identify the need for modifying and/or updating them.
• [If the existing work turns out to be relevant enough for the purpose of this work, then the following work should build upon them, rather than trying to create a new set of database.]
• Request various institutions engaged in training/capacity building in this region to provide relevant/updated information on the training resources already developed under their respective programs. Regular updating of such information would be needed also.
• Build a database of compiled information and make it widely open and accessible to the interested parties, such as through internet and other means. In doing this, successful examples of compiling information on internet, such as Google, should be taken into consideration.
• Identify gaps, duplications and the capacity of existing training resources.
• Develop a framework among institutions to cross-utilize existing training resources wherever possible, and to collaboratively develop new training resources which would fill the gaps of training resources in the region.

5. Time frame

• Review the existing work already undertaken to compile/consolidate information on training resources, and assess their relevancy. (Up to 3 months. Time required may depend on how the existing work have been developed.)
• Design the database and identify relevant information to be compiled. (Up to 3 months. The time required would depend on the extent to which expertise on database construction exists among interested AFP members. Outsourcing this work could be an option but it would require financial resources.)
• Conduct questionnaire and/or survey to collect such information. (Time required may depend on the scope of information to be collected)
• Build database with appropriate means including internet. (Up to 6 months including testing and refining)
• Form a broad partnership/network of training institutions in the region to develop a framework for cross-utilization of training resources. (Can be quickly started with initial members showing interest)

6. Arrangements for potential funding

• Initially, seek to use existing resources for developing training resources.

7. Partners involved

Governments: Japan
Intergovernmental Organizations:
Civil Society:
Potential partners include donor agencies, universities, research institutes and extension centers in this region. Recipient countries and civil society should also be involved in order to identify their training needs.

Note:

1. ADB representative (Mr. Javed Mir) suggested that the successful example of Google should be followed. He also stressed the need to build some kind of relational database linking training and capacity building information points, as there are millions of manuals and training book which should be consolidated.

2. US representative (Mr. Edwin Brown) suggested looking at existing work done by organizations like FAO to see what they have gathered in terms of consolidated information syntheses.

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