Business Plan 2007 - 2011 - BioNET

www.bionet-intl.org
definition of its distinct role among the key
global players in the biodiversity and taxonomy
landscape. Combining forces in partnership
increases the ability to both deliver timely products
and link them to the markets. Therefore,
a major part of the Global Programme involves
mobilising LOOPs, technology developers and
capacity building organisations to accelerate the
development of taxonomic products (capacity,
tools and services) for MEA implementation
(Figure 4).
Strategic cooperation with organisations with
related interests not only decreases the risks
of competition for resources, it also creates
new opportunities for growth for both. BioNET
and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility
(GBIF), for example, have complementary
objectives. GBIF’s capacity building focuses
on informatics infrastructure and related skills
while BioNET’s focus is the human resources
and collections that underpin the practice of
taxonomy and hence the data served by GBIF.
BioNET has found a unique niche, being the
only internationally active organisation with
its central focus on taxonomic institutions and
human resources. Its main area of excellence
is to understand the needs of the taxonomic
markets (via LOOPs and policy forums), incorporate
this knowledge into its capacity building
operations and ultimately produce products that
meet market needs.
BioNET’s Core Values
BioNET’s driving force is the timely and accurate
provision of identifications where they are
most needed – helping people everywhere find
the name of the elements of their living world.
Five core values guide BioNET’s work:
End-user Focus – Knowledge of what taxonomic
support non-taxonomists want is the
essential basis for a demand-driven response
from the taxonomic sector.
Awareness and Action – Increasing engagement
of the taxonomic sector in addressing
policy priorities serves to focus effort and
increase the responsiveness and immediate
impact of taxonomic work.
Partnerships – Increased world-wide access
to taxonomy demands partnerships on several
levels: among taxonomic institutions, between
taxonomic institutions and policy bodies and between
taxonomic institutions and international
leaders in technology and capacity building.
Timeliness – Emerging, technology assisted
and more efficient approaches to delivering
taxonomic products, services and research
outputs need to be widely adopted.
Scientific Integrity – The practice of taxonomy
requires the application of scientific rigour and
method.
THE GLOBAL PROGRAMME 2007-11
Objectives – Global Programme
In delivering the Global Programme the Secretariat
will work with its clients within four Key
Areas:
Key Area A
Fortifying the operational platform (LOOPs)
BioNET will strengthen the LOOPs so they
can enhance their responses to local end-user
needs. LOOPs will have the capacity, business
models and operational support needed to
respond in a timely manner to market needs.
Key Area B
Accelerating development of taxonomic
resources, tools and technologies
Working in partnership with leading international
technology and informatics providers, BioNET
will mobilise taxonomists to develop taxonomic
resources and use them to deliver user-friendly,
demand-driven products. The secretariat will:
1. support selected innovative approaches that
exploit digital and molecular technologies, resources
and tools, and 2. promote optimisation
and dissemination of taxonomic products according
to local market needs, using traditional
as well as appropriate modern approaches.
Key Area C
Policy development and communications
BioNET will continue to promote the long-term
sustainability of the taxonomic sector by helping
create an enabling policy environment and
by providing unique communication services.
This includes: 1. provision of relevant and timely