Purpose and justification of the project

Internet and other new technologies are becoming communication standards in the field of agricultural information. Communication systems play the most important role in co-operative activities of research, scientific and technical institutes around  the world. The Internet has opened new ways to use information resources more effectively. The new, progressive technology requires expertise and experience in installation, use and maintenance, however these are not always available in the libraries and information centers of Central and Eastern Europe.

The importance of keeping up the development of information technology in the field of agriculture is well known. To develop the use of knew information technology in Central and Eastern European agriculture we need well trained, experienced agricultural librarians and information specialists. The technical level and practical skills in use of these possibilities need to be improved.

There is great deal of interest in using Internet and CD-ROM as the most advanced information technology in cooperating agricultural libraries and information centres in the region. For this reason the FAO Subregional Office in Budapest in co-operation with IAALD and NitraNet is proposing to organize an international workshop for representatives of national agricultural libraries and agriculture information centres of Central and Eastern Europe under the title of „Developing practical skills on Internet and CD-ROM Technology".

The goals of the workshop are to:

• develop human resources at the subregional and national level;
• practise skills in searching information by means of modern information technology, such as electronic media;
• give the opportunity for the librarians and information specialists of the region to exchange experiences and improve their creative problem-solving skills;
• promote stronger international co-operation among libraries and information
   centres;
• discuss other forms of co-operation using Internet and CD-ROM technology;
• make use of information resources more effective;
• provide better links with FAO’s WAICENT programme;
• promote FAO’s role in agriculture related information service in the region;
• provide advanced training for the participation of the two forthcoming important experts meetings, which are the IAALD&FAO&GBDL&CTA&NITRANET conference in Freising, and the AGRIS/CARIS technical consultation in Rome.