Communication Channels and Services Department  

Promoting the integrated use of communication channels
and the intensification of information exchange  

The Communication Channels and Services Department implements a programme designed to tackle the following problems:  

• limited contact among ACP stakeholders and between ACP stakeholders and experts from other countries and regions;
• weak networking tools and services (e.g., newsletters, Web-based information systems and face-to-face contact);
• limited first-hand information on developments in other countries and regions;
• limited use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for information sharing;
• inability to take full advantage of radio, television and other non-print media to communicate agricultural information and knowledge.

To overcome these problems, the Department has set two objectives:  

1. to support the integrated use of communication channels to facilitate networking, dialogue and the dissemination of agricultural information;
2. to intensify contacts and information exchange.

The programme strategy is built around:  

• developing an integrated approach to the support provided to regional organisations and networks;
• increasing the use of electronic discussion fora, including for the preparation of seminars;
• developing electronic information gateways on topics of strategic importance to agricultural and rural development;
• promoting the effective use of conventional media;
• organising an annual seminar on an information and communication management (ICM) topic;
• organising joint seminars and study visits on a wide range of agricultural and rural development topics;
• providing support for ACP nationals to attend seminars organised by institutions other than CTA.

There are three main programme components:  

• strengthening regional organisations and networks;
• ICT-based dialogue and information exchange;
• location-based seminars and study visits.

Contact: fonseca@cta.nl  

Other contacts appear at the end of the texts describing the various programmes.  

Strengthening regional organisations and networks

CTA assists regional organisations and networks in the following areas of agricultural and rural development:  

• policy;
• research;
• trade;
• natural resource management;
• information networks. 

In this context, a special effort is being made to effectively involve the private sector in regional networks.  

The activities implemented through CTA's partnership agreements with regional organisations and networks aim to:  

• build capacities to process and disseminate agricultural information;
• expand access to information to include more categories of users;
• promote and support new regional  networks;
• develop links between the regional and national levels;
• encourage regional collaboration. 

The activities that CTA supports include studies, ICT-based exchanges, publications (in print and electronic format, including newsletters), face-to-face contact, and the strengthening of regional agricultural information systems.  

In addition to these activities, in September 2002 a workshop was held on CTA Regional Cooperation, attended by 20 participants from the six ACP regions, including representatives from CORAF, REPA, ASARECA, SIROI, FANRPAN, CARDI , IICA and IRETA. The overall objective of the workshop was to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of CTA support to ACP regional organisations and networks. The specific aims of the workshop were to:  

• identify the critical factors affecting the effectiveness and efficiency of CTA's cooperation with regional bodies;
• improve the understanding of CTA's planning cycle, rules and regulations;
• formulate recommendations for an operational framework.

Other activities conducted within this component of the programme are outlined in the Calendar of events for 2002.  

Contact: fonseca@cta.nl  

ICT-based dialogue and information exchange 

As part of the effort to promote greater use of ICTs, CTA implements activities aimed at exploiting the opportunities provided by e-mail and Internet in information sharing. (See Calendar of events)  

On its Website, the Centre plans to develop four major windows on priority topics for agricultural and rural development. These are:  

• agricultural policy;
• agricultural trade;
• ICTs;
• resource centre (virtual library).

These Website windows are intended to serve as an entry point for information and discussions on the latest significant developments in the respective areas and their implications.  

CTA plans to organise electronic conferences on a variety of priority topics, and it will use electronic discussion fora as part of the preparatory work for its seminars. In the latter half of 2002, the Centre is coordinating four sets of electronic discussions in support of the following events:  

• European Forum on 'Rural Cooperation' (September)
• 3^rd World Congress of Rural Women (October)
• CTA Annual Seminar on 'Meeting the Challenge of Effective ACP Participation in Agricultural Trade Negotiations: the Role of ICM' (November)
• Caribbean Herbal Business Forum (December)

Other activities in this programme component include the collection and exchange information on the use of conventional media (radio, video and television) through an expert consultation. The outputs of the consultation will be used to develop CTA's strategy with regard to conventional media.

Contact: painting@cta.nl and traore@cta.nl  

Seminars and study visits 

The broad objective of this programme component is to promote the exchange of experiences between ACP experts and partners in three broad thematic areas:  

• market-led development;
• increased agricultural productivity;
• environmental protection and natural resource management.  

The programme activities focus on aspects of agricultural and rural development where information and communication weaknesses are a major constraint. These aspects are identified through consultations between CTA and its partners. This programme component is implemented through four sets of activities that have been developed by CTA over many years:

1. CTA seminars;
2. co-seminars;
3. study visits;
4. Seminar Support Programme. 

As noted earlier in relation to the electronic fora being organised in preparation for seminars, CTA's annual seminar this year, to be held in November, is on 'Meeting the Challenge of Effective ACP Participation in Agricultural Trade Negotiations: the Role of ICM'.  

The seminars co-organised and co-financed by CTA in 2002 focus on the following areas:  

• marketing and processing of agricultural produce;
• agricultural policies and strategies;
• biosafety and food security;
• agro-forestry and natural resource management;
• women and gender issues.

Study visits are undertaken by groups of 15 to 20 ACP experts, usually drawn from about six countries. Their aim is to stimulate the exchange of experiences and expertise through discussions in the field. The study visits organised in 2002 focus on:  

• urban and peri-urban agriculture;
• irrigation systems management;
• interactions among farmers' associations, to analyse different management models.

Through the Seminar Support Programme, ACP nationals attend regional and international conferences on topics of relevance to their area of work. The programme also helps to ensure that ACP views are expressed at international conferences dealing with agriculture and rural development issues. By the end of 2002, CTA will have supported the attendance of ACP nationals at more than 60 conferences covering a wide range of agricultural and rural development issues.  

Contact: boto@cta.nl