Download Workshop Report [PDF] - ICM strategy development - CTA

2.1.3 Workshop objectives and Presentation of CTA – Ms Christine Webster, Deputy
Manager, Planning and Strategic Services, CTA
The presentation noted that the workshop was a follow up to the needs assessment studies
that were conducted and aimed at understanding the local situation and hence the strategy
was to use and work with local consultants who had a better appreciation of the conditions
on the ground.
Workshop Objectives
These were outlined as follows:
1. Decision-makers sensitised and made more aware of the value and importance of
effective and efficient ICM
2. Confident and better skilled workshop participants able and willing to commit to the
development of ICM policies and plans within their own institution and in partnership
with others using appropriate ICM tools
3. Networking and collaboration among participating institutions enhanced
The workshop is direct response to an identified priority in Southern Africa for assistance
with ICM policy and strategy development
Mandate of CTA
CTA’s mandate is “…helping agricultural and rural development organisations in Africa, the
Caribbean and Pacific to develop information and communication management (ICM)
policies and programmes to reduce poverty, promote sustainable food security, preserve the
natural resource base
Objectives of CTA
• To improve availability of and access to appropriate information for ACP agricultural
and rural development
• To improve information and communication (ICM) capacity of ACP agricultural and
rural development organisations
The main beneficiaries of the programme are farmers and agricultural and rural development
organisations that benefit from the use of the following products and services:
• CTA’s corporate website; and
• Web portals such as: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) update;
Knowledge for Development (K4D); Anancy – the virtual library with 13,000
documents
• Print and electronic publications such as Spore, Agritrade and co-publications;
• Rural radio and GSM networks,
• Participatory Spatial Information Management and Communication (PGIS) projects,
• Support to attend CTA and non-CTA training and capacity building courses,
• Support to attend (co-)seminars and study visits,
• Question and Answer Service (QAS) AS, SDI, CDROM databases, LANTEEAL.
CTA provides technical assistance to ACP organisations for the preparation,
implementation and monitoring of projects; the development of ICM strategies, products
and services; and for IT use and human resources development. CTA also has offers an
internship and has a young professional development programme.
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