WORKSHOP ON THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT NETWORK
8-10 SEPTEMBER 1992 - NEW YORK

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
   
2. INTRODUCTION
   
   • Background 1-5
   • Workshop Objectives 6-7
   • Progress to Date 8-10
3. THE NEEDS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES FOR INFORMATION
   
   • Needs 11-16
   • Target Groups 17-20
   • Basic Principles 21-27
   • SDN Development: Technical Considerations 28-36
   • SDN Development: Organizational Considerations 37-38
4. CURRENT AND PROPOSED INFORMATION NETWORKS AND INITIATIVES
   
   • Other Networks 39-40
   • Lessons Learned and Considerations for the SDN 41
5. LINKAGES OF ANY UNDP-FINANCED SDN WITH OTHER INITIATIVES AND NEEDS
   
   • UNDP post UNCED 42-45
6. UNDP/SDN RESPONSE ALTERNATIVES
   
   • Future Considerations 46
7. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 47-48
   
8. ANNEXES
   
   1. Background on Workshop Participants
      
   2. Workshop Agenda
      
   3. Background Paper

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. The Sustainable Development Network (SDN) initiative was proposed to stimulate capacity building for sustainable development using information and communications. The strategy of UNDP is to promote the implementation of Agenda 21 in developing countries within the context of the UNDP initiative Capacity 21. UNDP regards the SDN as a principal tool of Capacity 21 to help develop national plans for Agenda 21.

2. The SDN workshop brought together 19 participants from developing countries, international organizations and NGOs, as well as technical specialists, to give policy advice to UNDP on the pilot phase of the SDN and its future profile.

3. SDNs will increase the connectivity of people with one another and with knowledge resources locally, nationally, regionally and on a global scale and in a free and open manner. It is clear that information technology has an increasingly important role to play in this process, linking organizations and people to electronic information sources and to one another nationally and around the world using computer mediated communications.

4. SDN is, however, much more than an information network for sustainable development. It is a mechanism for creating an enabling environment and framework for sustainable development by facilitating access to information and by encouraging consultative processes at all levels of society and across sectors of the economy and geographic locations. The actors in sustainable development include national and local governments, researchers, NGOs, women, unions, indigenous peoples, youth and business, as defined in Agenda 21.

5. The workshop solidly endorsed the SDN concept. UNDP has an important role to play in nurturing SDNs in view of its mandate, its extensive network of Resident Representatives and a commitment to the principles of sustainable development that are captured in the Human Development Report. UNDP must be prepared to commit support to the SDN for as long as it may take for each national SDN to be self sustaining. UNDP should encourage other donors to join UNDP in supporting the SDN programme. Other donors should be encouraged to also support the SDN global programme, but likewise their support may in some instances also need to be extended for several years.

6. Participants supported the concept of a pilot phase to fully explore options and obtain feedback. For this, an independent audit should take place at the end of the first year.

7. Participants endorsed the following guidelines:
   • Governments must be actively involved in and endorse national SDNs, but the SDN need not be implanted in government and the SDN must be independent of any one group, including government. Planning SDNs must be broadly participative to ensure that national participation will develop an ownership over the project, and commit some human and financial resources as far as possible;

   • There was recognition that SDNs should evolve according to individual country needs and circumstances;

   • A modular approach may be more appropriate in some cases, using for example, a sectoral or geographic approach initially;

   • In some cases, the private sector will have an important role to play in funding or purchasing information products and services from SDNs. In all cases, efforts to involve business is important. They are major actors in sustainable development;

   • Initially, SDNs should use existing information resources. Information should be freely accessible, especially the information of the United Nations system and of development country governments;

   • The full participation and empowerment of decision makers at local levels must be recognized implicitly, especially by governments;

   • NGOs should continue to have a major role to play as they did during UNCED. They are important as providers, users and carriers of information, as well as sources of valuable expertise, and keen users of electronic networks. There is also a need for them to be accountable;

   • There is a need to increase connectivity with international networks and among local ones where they exist, as well as promoting the creation of new networks/nodes, taking care not to duplicate existing initiatives;

   • SDNs should not deal with primary data capture.

8. Given present experience, and the demands placed on UNDP for help in establishing SDNs, there is an immediate and urgent need to strengthen the ability of UNDP to respond and to backstop national SDNs, especially in this pilot phase.

9. The workshop endorsed the concept of a starter kit, including essential resources and training, and the need to use local consultants in the pilot phase.

10. Dialogue among the actors is essential to create the true partnership that sustainable development requires.

11. Participants were enthusiastic that UNDP may commit itself fully to a SDN programme, thereby supporting a growing constituency in dialogue for sustainable development. Participants emphasized that it is now time, given the significant and recent achievements of the Earth Summit, to recognize the importance of increasing connectivity. Participants agreed these initiatives need to continue at a national level. The SDN could play a very important role in encouraging these initiatives and ensuring they continue.

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