B. Development of Electronic Networks
The objective of this program is to provide support to institutions that are setting up regional and global electronic networks in parallel to institutional networks or consortia linking institutions involved in sustainable land use research and development. In 1996 only one project under this program area was implemented.
B.1. FIDAMERICA Network
INFORUM has been subcontracted by RIMISP to develop an electronic network called FIDAMERICA that facilitates exchange of information among 32 institutions in Latin America that are implementing IFAD-funded development projects. This initiative began in November, 1995 with a meeting of IFAD project managers in Bogota Colombia. It was agreed that training of project staff members on the use of electronic services such as electronic mail and electronic conferencing was a high priority for 1996. These training activities are described below under the "training" program area.
An unmoderated electronic bulletin board (called FIDAVANCE) was set up in Chile and has been actively used by IFAD-funded projects to request technical assistance from other projects. The first (of 5 planned) moderated conference to exchange information among IFAD projects was organized from September to November 1996 on The Role of Local Community and Farmer organizations in the Management of Constraints and Opportunities for Agricultural Development (see section on the "conferencing" program).