Draft : terms of reference of the committee on development information, science and technology (CODIST)

UNITED NATIONS

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

Distribution: LIMITED E/ECA/CODI/5/33.L

Original: English

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA

Fifth Session of the Committee

on Development Information (CODI V)

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 29 April to 4 May 2007

DRAFT

TERMS OF REFERENCE of the

COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

(CODIST)

I. Introduction: From CODI to CODIST

1. This is likely to be the last session of the Committee on Development lnfomiation (CODI) as we know it. This is because of the changes taking place in the Commission. In order to ensure coherence with the development priorities of Member States, ECA started a comprehensive and

strategic repositioning in 2006 to align its programmes with those of the Africa Union (AU) and the

New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

2. In this context, ECA strives to achieve results in two related and mutually supportive pillars, namely: (i) promoting regional integration and (ii) helping to meet Africa 's special need. Within these two pillars, the Commission now focuses on the following thematic areas: (i) regional

integration, infrastructure and trade; (ii) achieving the MDGs with a special emphasis on poverty

reduction and growth, sustainable development, and gender; (iii) promoting good governance and

popular participation; (iv) information, science and technology (S&T) for development; and (v) statistics and statistical development.

3. Consequently the sub-programme "harnessing information for development", which CODI was

set up to advise on, has been subsumed under information, science and technology (S&T) for development. CODl's corresponding division, the Development Information Services Division (DISD) has also been transformed into ICT and Science & Technology Division (ISTD).

4. The Commission at its 40th session/40111 Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, adopted the recommendations of the 26th session of its Committee of

Experts, which reads:

Committee on Development Information, Science and Technology

"The Committee would aim at strengthening the role of the Commission in assisting its member States to develop their national information and communication infrastructure as

well as integrate science and technology in their development programmes and strategies by bringing together experts and policy makers to advise it in these areas. The Committee

would also address issues related to knowledge and information services that are key to

move forward the African development agenda. The members of the Committee include experts from such fields as information and communication technologies (ICT), geo- information systems, libraries and science and technology. The Committee would guide the

work of sub-programme 4."

5. This Committee on Development Information, Science and Technology (CODIST) replaces

CODI with the following terms of reference.

II Terms of Reference of the Committee on Development Information, Science and Technology

A. General

6. The Committee on Development Information, Science and Technology acting within the

framework of the policies and procedures of the United Nations, and subject to the general

supervision of the ECA Conference of Ministers shall:

a) Promote the growth of an information society in Africa through the utilization of information and knowledge for the socioeconomic development of the continent;

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b) Advise on measures to improve all aspects of science, technology and innovation in member States;

c) Advise on the building, maintenance and dissemination of regional development databases, including bibliographic, textual and spatial databases, and assist in strengthening the capacity of

member States to improve their national information systems;

d) Promote the utilization of science and technology to accelerate socio-economic development on

the continent;

e) Promote the development and utilization of geographic information technologies as decision

support tools for the socio-economic development of member States;

f) Promote the production, management, and dissemination of information and knowledge for development and promote the use of libraries as the institution which provides reliable access to knowledge and information services and resources in support of economic growth and human

development.

g) Foster regional cooperation and integration among members States, with the participation of key stakeholders in the field;

h) Offer a platform for African participants to interact with their counterparts from the developed world and promote negotiation on bilateral and multilateral technical assistance.

B. Membership

7. The Committee on Development Information, Science and Technology shall be composed of government officials of the member States of the Economic Commission for Africa with responsibility for science and technology, information and communication technologies, libraries, information and knowledge services, and geo-information.

C. Observers

8. States, not members of the Commission, inter-governmental organizations, academic institutions and research centers, agencies of the UN and non-governmental organizations shall be invited to the

meetings of COD1ST and its sub-committees as Observers.

D. Sessions

9. The Committee shall meet once every two years and shall report on its sessions to the Conference

of Ministers of the Economic Commission for Africa.

10. Work during the sessions of the Committee shall be organized in plenary meetings and in sub

committees. A joint report of the plenary and sub-committees meetings shall be agreed to at the final plenary meeting of each session of the Committee.

11. At the beginning of each session, the Committee shall elect a Chairperson, two Vice-

Chairpersons and two Rapporteurs.

E. Sub-committees

12. Four sub-committees on the following specialized fields shall be established:

a) Geo-information; (CODIST-Geo);

b) Information and Communication Technologies (CODIST-ICT);

c) Knowledge, Libraries and Information Services (CODIST-KLIS); and d) Science and Technology (CODIST-ST).

13. The sub-committees may establish ad-hoc or standing workings groups, as necessary, for the duration of each session, between sessions and as long as necessary.

14. Each sub-committee shall appoint a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and a Rapporteur.

15. Each sub-committee shall adopt its report, which shall be submitted to COD1ST.

F. Others

16. Member States and agencies shall bear the cost of their attendance at the sessions of the Committee.

17. Except as provided for herein, the Rules of Procedure of the Economic Commission for Africa shall, where relevant, apply to the sessions of the Committee.

m. Sub-Committee on Geo-information (CODIST-GEO)

18. The sub-committee on geo-information shall be the forum for high-level representatives of ECA member States to discuss, share information, and establish policies for the production, management, dissemination, and use of geographic information. In particular, it shall:

a) raise awareness of the benefits to be derived through the utilization of geographic information for socio-economic development;

b) promote the development and utilization of geoinformation in member States;

c) identify and raise awareness of priority issues in geographic information;

d) examine and review progress made by member States in the area of geoinformation production, management and use;

e) facilitate capacity building with regard to spatial information capture, management, dissemination, and utilization;

f) provide information, with partners, on recent and proven trends and on the present status of knowledge and advise on new and proven technologies and methodologies to improve spatial data collection and its processing into useful information for decision-making;

g) promote the development of methodologies and standards in these fields;

h) develop and support the establishment of national, regional and global geo-spatial data infrastructures with the aim of facilitating data integration so as to optimize and maximally leverage the use of resources;

i) identify, promote and support relevant applied regional projects;

j) examine and provide principles regarding ownership, access to, custodial responsibilities, and commercial aspects of spatial data, which will promote transparency and the flow of spatial data and information;

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k) liaise and coordinate its activities with other similar international, regional and sub-regional bodies, initiatives and conferences;

I) and promote networking, discourse, exchanges, and partnerships among and between institutions and practitioners in geoinformation.

II1.1. Membership

19. The heads of national agencies responsible for the production and custody of geographic data and information, (such as mapping agencies, remote sensing centres, geographic information councils, spatial data infrastructure committees, etc.) or their representatives shall be members of the Sub-committee. Each member State will identify the focal points.

1X1.2. Observers

20. Observers will be representatives of national, subregional, regional, and international organizations, UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs, academia and research institutions, the private sector and the geospatial industry, including producers and users of geoinformation; and the heads of the national agencies from non-African governments or their representatives.

ED.3. Monitoring and reporting

21. Each member State shall submit a progress report of its activities to the secretariat at least two months before the next meeting the sub-committee.

I V-Sub-Committee on Information and Communication Technologies (CODIST-ICT)

22. The sub-committee on information and communication technologies will provide a forum for discussion on all matters related to the utilization of information and communication technology (ICT) for socioeconomic development in Africa, with particular reference to:

a) examination of progress in this area since its last meeting;

b) examination of trends, globally and within Africa, and present state of knowledge in this area;

c) exchange of country level experiences;

d) identification of priority issues to be recommended for action by African member States;

e) examination and approval of norms and standards relating to this area;

f) reviewing the situation of human resources development in Africa in this area and making recommendations for its improvement;

g) reviewing and making recommendations on activities on promoting information and communication technologies for development in ECA' s work programme;

h) recommending any studies or documentation that may be required to facilitate the work of the Committee.

IV.1 Membership

23. Member States wilt nominate their representatives from among government officials responsible for the use of information and communication technologies in the management of development information.

IV.2 Observers

24. Observers will be sub-regional and regional organizations, universities and research institutes with particular interest in the work of information and communication technologies for the management of development information, as well as ECA's partners from bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental organizations and foundations with an interest in this area.

IV3 Monitoring and reporting

25. Each member State shall submit a progress report of its activities to the secretariat at least two months before the next meeting the sub-committee.

V. Sub-Committee on Knowledge, Libraries and Information Services (CODIST-KLIS) 26. The sub-committee on Knowledge, Libraries and Information Services (CODIST-KLIS); shall be the forum for high-level representatives of ECA member States to discuss, share information, and establish policies forthe effective development, management, and use of knowledge, libraries and information services as critical to the achievement of development goals, including economic growth and human development. In particular, it shall;

a. Raise awareness of the value libraries, knowledge and information in economic growth and human development;

b. Promote the development of knowledge systems in member States;

c. Identify and raise awareness about priority issues in information and knowledge policies and institutions;

d. Examine and review progress made by member States in the area;

e. Facilitate capacity building with regard to the development of KLIS-related systems and services for the information society and knowledge economy;

f. Review recent and proven technical trends and status of knowledge and information practices in the global context;

g. Recommend strategies on the utilization of new and proven technologies and methodologies to improve data collection, processing and mode of use for decision-making;

h. Promote the development of best practices and standards in these fields;

i. Develop and support the establishment of national, regional and global networks and partnerships, with the aim of facilitating integration and optimizing the use of resources;

j. Identify, promote and support regional projects;

k. Examine and provide principals regarding ownership, access to, custodial responsibilities and commercial aspects of knowledge and information for the promotion of transparency and exchange;

1. The subcommittee will liaise and coordinate its activities with other CODI subcommittees;

m. Promote networking among institutions and practitioners in KLIS and generate synergy at the national level to facilitate their management and best use; and

n. Review of the ECA work programme in the area of KLIS.

V.I. Membership

27. Member States will nominate representatives from national, academic, and other libraries, knowledge and information centres responsible for the promotion and strategic direction of knowledge, library and information services for development.

V.2. Observers

28. Observers shall be drawn from national, regional, sub-regional and international organizations,UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs, academia, research institutions, and private sector and the industry, including producers and users of information.

V.3. Monitoring and reporting

29. Each member State shall submit a progress report of its activities to the Secretariat at least two months before each session of the subcommittee.

VI Sub-Committee on Science and Technology (CODIST-ST)

30. The Sub-committee on Science and Technology will provide a forum for discussion on all matters related to science and technology for development in Africa, in particular it may:

a) examine progress in this area since its last meeting;

b) identify priority issues to be recommended for action by African member States;

c) identify , provide information, and raise awareness on recent S&T trends and major policy issues which bear relevance to African development;

d) provide a virtual space in which S&T policymakers and other stakeholders can network and

share information dynamically by helping to build and sustain a virtual community of African S&T stakeholders;

e) provide up-to-date information on the international governance structure of S&T;

f) provide a comprehensive and up-to-date list of African and non-African S&T resources (e.g., major S&T institutions, journals, documents, publications);

g) provide information on experiences of African and non-African countries (for example, under the heading of 'lessons learned') and highlight 'good or best practice cases' in selected S&T policy areas;

h) identify areas of S&T in which it would be useful to develop Africa-wide standards or 'rules of the game' aimed at improved convergence or compatibility of national policies;

i) Highlight through evidence the linkage between S&T and industrialization;

j) provide information on countries' experiences and best practices with regard to S&T-related

institutional and regulatory reforms that promote innovation;

k) provide information on resource persons such as experts and consultants, including a referral service to relevant S&T institutions upon request, and where appropriate;

I) advocate and encourage the development of internationally comparable data on science, technology and innovation that help monitor change and progress in African S&T areas;

m) recommend any study or documentation that may be required to facilitate the work of the Committee on Development Information;

n) review and make recommendations on promoting science and technology for development in ECA1 s work programme.

VI.1 Membership

31. Member States will nominate their representatives from among government officials responsible for the science and technology policy or related development sectors in the country.

VI.2 Observers

32. Observers will be sub-regional and regional organizations, universities and research institutes, science and technology experts, NEPAD Office of science and technology representatives, African Minister Conference on Science and Technology (AMCOST) representatives, as well as ECA's partners from bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental organizations and foundations with an

interest in this area.

VI3. Monitoring and reporting

33. Each member State shall submit a progress report of its activities to the secretariat at least two

months before the next meeting the sub-committee.