SDNP BANGLADESH Program    

1. The Programme Support Document of Sustainable Environment Management Programme (SEMP) comprises of 26 projects and Sustainable Development Network Programme (SDNP) is one of them. Proposed SDNP will be located at BIDS. A national steering committee for SDNP will be formed with participation of GOB, NGO, civil societies, media agencies, academic/research institutions, UN System and existing internet service provider organizations. UNDP will provide technical assistance of US$ 1.4 million for 5 years program leading to develop a self-sustain national programme.

 

2. As soon as the document is signed, a SDNP mission will be requested to undertake capacity/need assessment and identify the nodal institutions as well as modus operandi of establishing electronic networking in the country.

3. Main activities proposed under the SDNP are:

i) institutionalize SDNP with the participation of government, NGOs, civil societies, media agencies, academic/research institutions;

ii) capacity/need assessment by type of institutions and by level of existing and potential users;

iii) setting up of the technological framework at the central hub and develop at least 5 regional (administrative regions in Bangladesh) nodal points;

iv) develop/ connect 500 active users (each nodal point will be enable to link 100 users);

v) impart massive training to the users and monitor usage of network and follow up services;

vi) motivate, mobilize, disseminate and advertise specialized information on SHD, poverty alleviation, disaster management, agriculture/food security, health, education as well as Agenda/Capacity 21 related information (it will also cover R & D);

vii) installation of equipment at four levels: (a) Local Area Networking (intra-office), (b) Wide Area Networking (intra and inter cities), (c) microwave links (coastal and other area) and (d) on-line networking.

4. SDN Starter Kits

Under this programme UNDP provides a starter kit to support the establishment of new SDN. The kit includes basic tools and resources to meet individual needs and circumstances of SDN while ensuring longer-term compatibility with other SDNs. The kits include hardware, software, key databases, management and training tools, decision support tools, and information on using consultative processes.

5. Partners : within Bangladesh the SDN will collaborate with:

* Concerned Ministries of the Government to be involved in implementing Agenda 21 as well as agencies implementing projects under UN System;

* GOB and NGOs involved in disaster management programmes;

* Both GO/NGO involved in specialized information generation on poverty, agriculture/food security, environment, disaster related, employment and skill development, trade related, health and education and sustainable human development.

* Academic/research institutions, Public Libraries and National and Regional Press Clubs.
 

Within the United Nations System, the SDN will collaborate with:
  * Networking with all the UN agencies working in Bangladesh;

* Earthwatch and Environment Information Networking/INFOTERRA of UNEP

* The Sustainable Development Commission / UNCED

* ACCIS: The Advisory Committee for Coordination of Information Systems which helps users gain access to United Nations databases and information resources.

* The Global Environment Facility (GEF)

* Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme of UNDP

| Project Summary Status | Africa | Arab States | Asia | Europe/CIS | LA/Caribbean |