Archive   NGO Working Group

Coordinators:

Douglas Allan, American Red Cross email: allend@usa.redcross.org

Goal:

The working group developed a strategy for linking the NGO community to GDIN, with the aim of encouraging this sector to develop useful GDIN pilot projects, help GDIN understand the needs of the NGO community an for ways that the NGO community can help the larger GDIN community. The Working Group also encouraged NGO’s to participate in GDIN substantive working groups and Conferences. The concept was o develop a mutually useful partnership

Deliverables performed at GDIN2001, Canberra, Australia. March 2001:

Strategy Paper: Why the NGO community needs to join GDIN and why GDIN could be of benefit to the NGO community. Will include a blueprint for an outreach program. A GDIN "charm offensive", possibly through a small, multinational-led outreach to NGOs and academics (as well as governments and diplomats) in places such as Washington, New York, London, Brussels, Geneva, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo. NGOs and academics were asked what they need from GDIN and what they can contribute. If GDIN is not useful to them, they wouldl stay away. Continue development of the GDIN website, highlighting its usefulness to deliver pertinent information to both groups. Unrestricted data shared across GDIN shall be available to all on an equal basis, including NGOs and academics. Place for NGOs/academics on the Executive Committee. GDIN should become a catalyst for identifying the educational/training, and research priorities to advance the GDIN effort. These priorities should be communicated to the National Research Council, in the United States, and appropriate funding agencies worldwide. GDIN should initiate one or more regional projects involving NGOs and academics. GDIN needs a clear mission statement. A regular GDIN reporting mechanism on its activities, possibly through the web.

Participants:

John Owen-Davies, Humanitarian Affairs Consultant, formerly the Dean of the International Press Corps, Ankara and a former correspondent with Reuters Tom Austin, Iowa State University, Iowa, USA Chris Simpson, School of Communication, American University, Washington, DC, USA Dennis Stuessi, Vice-President, Partners in Aviation, Communications and Technology Jim Skillington, Director, DISASTER NEWS NETWORK

Reports and Links:

Report on activities at GDIN2000 in Ankara Turkey.