Working Group 3: Other AFP Issues

Chairman: Dr. Toni Soehartono (MOF - Indonesia)
Rapporteur: Ms. Nina Haase (AFP Information-sharing secretariat)

Discuss, review and suggest improvements on:

• networking for information sharing among partners including role of AFP information-sharing secretariat, external communications
• exploring funding strategies and opportunities

Slide 1: Internal Information Sharing

Current system:

• AFP web page as repository/memory of the partnership with periodic "online update" informing of new postings on the web, progress on the work plans and other AFP-relevant news.

Action Points

• Web page needs reorganizing some minutes from previous meetings difficult to find (AFP Information-sharing secretariat)
  Focal point to actively contribute information to the AFP Information-sharing secretariat
   

Slide 2: Internal Information Sharing

• Web-based information-sharing through web page and email alerts most cost-effective and efficient.
• Web- page restructruring pending to available supports

Slide 3: Internal Information Sharing

Problems with web-based approach:

1. passive and one-way, but less so, as

• Communications process around web updates are interactive (e.g. minutes of meetings are circulated around focal points, discussed, commented on and then posted.
• Suggestion to install a list-server/discussion forum to make it more effective to distribute email messages and allow partners to directly discuss and respond to comments online

2. Some might have problem with email/web access, in this case can request from Secretariat hard copies that can be send to you periodically

Slide 4: External Communications

• AFP does not distinguish between official partners or other interested parties from the general public
• Through CIFOR's media group there is media coverage on AFPs activities
• AFP is not ready for extensive external communication beyond what it is doing already and one should not spread oneself too thin

Slide 5: Funding

Two types of funding requirements:

• more permanent funding for the secretariat
• specific funding for activities

Participants noted that there funds available for forestry activities, they only have to be captured with good proposals and activities

While all partners are responsible for fund raising some have more experience in it than others. NGOs have experience in fund raising. Partners from the NGO communities could share their knowledge and experience in raising funds

Slide 6: Other funding strategies

1. Rely on voluntary contributions from partners
2. Suggestion to set up a group to write and manage funding proposal for AFP to potential donors such as EU, intergovermental agencies and private sectors
    

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