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Goals and Objectives
The mandate of the Electronic Tools Task Force can be found
in the Report on the Second Meeting of Signatories of the
Aarhus Convention, UN
Doc. CEP/WG.5/2000/2. There are four principle goals to
the work of the Electronic Tools Task Force:
- First, it will act as an advisory body and exchange
mechanism for good practice in the use of electronic
tools. Drawing on the expertise of its participants,
it will focus on sharing case studies regarding those
tools that support the implementation of various articles
and paragraphs of the Convention.
- Second, the Task Force will act as a capacity building
body, working together with colleagues from less developed
countries. Through staff exchanges, training events,
exhibitions, and "how to.." workshops, the Task Force
will look to share its know-how and experience.
- Third, the Task Force will explore opportunities for
developing new electronic tools or enhancing existing
systems. The web portal concept, GIS, teletext, SMS,
public kiosks and digital message boards are all technologies
that might be harnessed in the future to improve citizen's
information access. Leveraging funding to implement
new ideas and initiatives will be part of the Task Force's
function.
- Fourth, the Task Force will also support more traditional
mechanisms for information access. Conscious of the
fact that not all citizens are able to access and use
electronic tools (the unemployed, elderly, and disabled),
the Task Force will record and share non-electronic
experiences also.
Interest will also be accorded by the Task Force to "content"
and the nature of the environmental information being made
available by public authorities. For instance, encouraging
the availability of more meaningful, current or cross-cutting
environmental information (relating for instance to health
and transport).
The Task Force will implement these goals through a variety
of different mechanisms. Among its specific objectives are
the following:
- A physical forum that will include 1-2 workshops. Recognising
the need for personal interaction, the Task Force will rely
on traditional mechanisms of networking, and experience
exchange;
- A virtual environment for post-workshop interaction,
relying on online discussion fora, noticeboards and virtual
conferencing tools to brainstorm and offer feedback regarding
progress, challenges and obstacles;
- A website hosting Task Force information, documents,
news, a case study gallery and results;
- A loose-leaf compendium of case studies for those without
online access: the "code of good practice."
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Rationale
and History
Goals
and Objectives
Target
Groups
Workplan
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