016.30 United Nations Development Programme by Lawrence Yeung <lawrence.yeung@nygate.undp.org>
UNDP is delighted to serve as a contributing editor to this Internet publication. Before I describe network scenarios and experiences in later issues, readers may want to know that UNDP is one of many agencies within the United Nations system, with its own Governing Body and an Administrator, Mr William H. Draper III.
Why is UNDP interested in Internet ? Well, our Statement of Purpose will underline the work we set out to do in networking offices in developing countries.
UNDP promotes human development; we seek to create opportunities through which people's abilities, talents and creativity can find full expression. We help countries to develop the capacity to manage their economies, fight poverty, ignorance and disease, conserve the environment, and stimulate technological innovation.
UNDP builds partnerships to foster human development (and telecommunications is a major component of this development). We forge alliances with the people and governments of developing countries, with the donor community, with the specialized agencies of the United Nations, and with private institutions and non-governmental organizations.
UNDP works in more than 150 developing countries and territories. Through our worldwide network of offices - and in dialogue with governments and other development partners - UNDP supports programmes for human development. These spring from national priorities and are shaped by local culture. Beyond this, UNDP manages an increasingly diverse range of development services through its country offices.
UNDP plays a leading role in coordinating the development efforts of the United Nations system. In times of disaster - natural or human - UNDP helps orchestrate the United Nations' response in the field.
UNDP operates across national boundaries. We sponsor programmes that are regional, interregional and global in scope. We promote the sharing of experience among developing countries and draw international attention to issues of global concern. Communications with institutions, universities, academic and research personnel are an integral part of our activities.
The structure in UNDP can be logically divided into programme and core (corporate), although these activities are interlinked. Programme work in the field is managed by four Regional Bureaux in conjunction with the field offices and project staff. The Bureaux are Asia and Pacific, Africa, Arab States and Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Telecommunications are major elements in UNDP's global development. A number of Governments have asked UNDP to improve their ability to coordinate and access information using electronic means. For its corporate work, use of telephone service is dominant, not just for voice but for facsimile and electronic mail. Telex has been the traditional means of communications between headquarters in New York and the field offices. Moving away from this outdated mode of communications has been slow. More than 50 field offices are presently using email through TCN (Telecommunications Co-operative Network) using BT/Tymnet services. To cater for emergencies and to alleviate the difficulties of the local loop in some countries, portable INMARSAT (International Maritime Satellite) terminals are located in nearly 40 countries. High Frequency, Very High Frequency and Ultra High Frequency radio networks for communications between field offices and in-country locations have also been established. Lastly, mail, pouch (diplomatic), and courier services complement the rest of UNDP's communications means.
The connection of UNDP headquarters to Internet via Princeton University in New Jersey, USA was made in November 1991. This interconnection, via a dedicated 56Kbps line between a Novell LAN (local area network) of 1,500 workstations and Internet, opens up a new chapter for information access, not just for UNDP personnel but for some authorized Government missions and agencies. We will explore some of our objectives on this connection in the next issue.
