A. Development of Electronic Fora
The objective of this program is to provide support to institutions that are setting up regional and global electronic fora that provide people access to various types of electronic applications such as un-moderated electronic bulletin boards, moderated electronic conferences, on-line databases, etc. In 1996 two projects of this type were implemented:
A.1. SARD-FORUM
The Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) Forum is a cooperative initiative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and INFORUM was initiated in 1994. It includes 3 types of electronic services: (a) a matrix of un-moderated Email Lists, (b) electronic conferences "rooms" for moderated meetings, and (c) an electronic library for the exchange of longer documents. UNDP provides its computer and INFORUM has provided staff time to manage the forum. FAO has provided financial support by providing support to INFORUM in the implementation of two conferences in 1996.
A.2. INTER-CAMBIO
InterCambio has been set up in cooperation with the Red Internacional de Metodologia de Investigacion en Sistemas Produccion (RIMISP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The electronic forum is still being developed, but in the future it will include: electronic conferences, on-line databases, an electronic marketplace where buyers and sellers can meet, and an electronic technical support program. INFORUM and RIMISP are actively looking for institutions that would like to become founding and supporting members of INTER-CAMBIO.