DOCUMENTATION, INFORMATION, AND TRAINING SERVICE

Rationale

The eight countries of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas together cover one large ecosystem with many common problems that often have been studied and described at a local and national level. Bringing together and sharing the information that already exists on a regional platform are activities that are needed to ensure that research is not duplicated; that successful experiences from one area can be tested elsewhere; and that common approaches to sustainable mountain development can be promoted. Bringing together this dispersed information and making it available in published form to policy- makers, planners, and development workers have been the initial priorities of DITS. As a result, ICIMOD has the best library on the HKH in the Region with computerised bibliographic and serial databases. Subsequently, the dissemination of the results of ICIMOD-generated/sponsored research and meetings has also become an important task. While the main responsibility for training and capacity-building in sustainable mountain development lies with the thematic programmes (and MENRIS), the diverse target groups and countries that ICIMOD tries to reach need specific training techniques and support, not always available among the ICIMOD professional staff. DITS will provide support to training activities by providing modern training equipment as well as training in planning and in implementing training programmes.

COMPONENTS