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Bureau of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) -- Work Plan for 2000
Bureau of the Convention on Wetlands
(Ramsar, Iran, 1971)
Work Plan - 2000
Section 3: Regional Policy and Technical Work Plans 2000
Regional Coordinators, Work Plans and Targets
The actions described in this Section are mostly to be undertaken by the four Regional Coordinators and the respective interns for these regions acting as their assistants (see Staff chart in Section 1). The Regional Coordinators are under the direct supervision of the Deputy Secretary General and ultimately the Secretary General. Other staff assist with the implementation of the respective regional action plans as required.
In addition, the Coordinator of the Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative (MedWet) is appointed by the Secretary General and while outposted maintains close working contact with this Team of the Bureau.
Summaries of the respective Regional Policy and Technical Work Plans are provided in the following sections as indicated. The full, more detailed Work Plan can be provided upon request.
3.1 Africa
3.2 Americas
3.3 Asia
3.4 Europe
3.5 Oceania
3.6 MedWet Action Plan 1999-2000
With regard to regional targets, paragraph 11 of Resolution VII.27 reads: The COP "ENDORSES the global targets for the Convention set under a range of themes in the Work Plan 2000-2002 and requests the Ramsar Bureau to prepare, based on the information contained in the COP7 National Reports and the Regional Overviews, regional targets for each for these same themes, for consideration and approval by the 24th meeting of the Standing Committee, and to disseminate these to all Contracting Parties for their information and consideration in guiding national and regional priority setting."
As requested the Bureau prepared such regional targets for the triennium 2000-2002 as attached [and these gained the endorsement of the Standing Committee at their 24th meeting in late 1999]. It has to be noted that these regional targets are rather notional as they are not based on a precise analysis of likely, or even expected progress against the various global targets within each region. To help rectify this limitation, a priority for the Bureau during 2000 is to develop "Country Profiles" describing the status of implementation of the Convention in each Contracting Party based on the National Reports submitted for COP7. These will become a key planning tool of the Bureau for its regional work plans and target setting from 2001 onwards.
Regional priorities and target setting under the Ramsar Convention Work Plan 2000-2002
Key :
Regional target for COP8 = indication of the progress it is hoped will be made at the regional level in order to contribute to achieving the global target as specified in the Convention Work Plan 2000-2002 (Resolution VII.27)
Global level at COP7/Target for COP8 = the total of yes responses at the global level as determined by the National Reports submitted for COP7/ the global target for COP8 as specified in the Convention Work Plan 2000-2002 (Resolution VII.27)
The shaded lines indicate those themes/issues recognised by COP7 as priorities for attention in this region, either in the regional overviews or the Resolutions adopted by COP7. For Europe prior to COP7 the region was divided into East and West but is now one region only. Where the priorities varied between East and West Europe this is shown by either (East) or (West) in the shaded cell.
|Strategic Plan General Objectives and (Actions)
Africa - Regional targets
Asia - Regional targets
Europe Regional targets
Neo-tropics Regional targets
North America -Regional targets
Oceania- Regional targets
Global level at COP7/ Targets for COP8
|General Objective 1 - Universal membership
|Actions taken to encourage accession by non-Contracting Parties (Actions 1.1.1- 2)
+ 12 new CPs =40 (of 53)
+8 new CPs= 28 (of 42)
+4 new CPs= 44 (of 47)
+6 new CPs= 27 (of 32)
N/A (All 3 are CPs)
+5 new CPs= 8 (of 16)
116/150 CPs
(of 193)
|General Objective 2 - Promoting the wise use of wetlands
|National Wetland Policy/Strategy/Action Plan in place (Action 2.1.2)
+ 19 = 20
+ 14 = 20
+ 21 = 30
+ 21 = 22
+ 2 =3
+ 3= 5
|Review of legislation and practices which impact on wetlands has been carried out (Action 2.1.1)
+ 6 = 20
+ 13 = 20
+ 20 = 30
+ 13 = 22
+ 1 = 3
+ 2 = 5
|Efforts are being made to have wetlands managed as integrated components of land/water and coastal zone resources and environments (Action 2.2.2).
|Actions taken to incorporate wetland economic valuation techniques into natural resource planning and assessment actions (Actions 2.4.1, 2.4.3)
|Environmental Impact Assessment is required for actions potentially impacting on wetlands (Actions 2.5.2, 2.5.3)
|Wetland restoration and rehabilitation is being undertaken to some extent (Actions 2.6.1-3)
+ 5 = 15
+4 = 22
+12 = 40
+ 5 = 20
|An inventory of wetlands warranting restoration has been completed (Action 2.6.1)
+10= 13
+ 7 = 7
+ 14 = 1
+ 5 = 13
+ 2 = 2
+ 1 = 1
|The participation of local stakeholders in the conservation and wise use of wetlands is being encouraged (Actions 2.7.1- 4)
|There are wetland site management committees in place which include local stakeholders etc (2.7.3)
+ 20 = 20
+14 = 21
+ 31 = 31
+ 17 = 20
+4 = 5
|Private sector involvement in the conservation and wise use of wetlands is being encouraged (Actions 2.8.1-4)
|General Objective 3 - Raising awareness of wetland values and functions
|There exist government-run programmes for Education and Public Awareness in this country which include wetlands (Actions 3.2.1-2)
|There exist non-government-run programmes for Education and Public Awareness in this country which include wetlands (Actions 3.2.1-2, 8.3.1)
|Education centres in place which are promoting wetlands conservation and wise use (3.2.3)
|Wetlands issues and Ramsars Wise Use principles are included as part of the curricula of educational institutions. (Action 3.2.5)
|General Objective 4 - Reinforcing the capacity of institutions
|Mechanisms are in place, or being introduced, to increase cooperation between the institutions responsible for wetlands management (Actions 4.1.1-2, 8.1.9-10)
|A National Ramsar/Wetland Committee exists - it includes non-government representatives (it is cross-sectoral) (Actions 4.1.1-2, 8.1.9-10)
+ 13 = 20
+ 14 = 20
+ 30 = 30
+ 15 = 22
+ 2 = 3
+ 3 = 5
|A training needs analysis has been done (Action 4.2.1)
+ 14 = 17
+12 = 17
+ 20 = 20
+ 9 = 16
+2 = 2
+ 2 = 3
|A review of training opportunities has been completed (Action 4.2.2)
+ 10 = 17
+11 = 17
+ 15 = 19
+ 11 = 16
+3 = 3
+ 2 = 3
|Training modules or training programmes specifically for wetland managers have been completed, or are being developed (Action 4.2.3).
|Nationals of the country have gained wetland-related training either within or outside the country (Action 4.2.4).
|General Objective 5 - Management of Listed sites
|Management plans in place, or under preparation (Action 5.2.3)-
|By the end of 1999 for there to be NO Ramsar sites without the appropriate description and map (Actions 5.3.2/5.3.3 & Resolution VII.12)
+ 13 = 0
+ 11 = 0
+ 98 + 0
+1 = 0
|National wetland database in place (Action 5.4.4)
|General Objective 6 - Designation of Ramsar sites
|A national inventory of wetlands has been completed (Action 6.1.2)
|Actions been taken to list under-represented wetland types on the List or in response to the various related decisions from COP6 (Actions 6.2.1, 6.2.3)
All CPs - 150
(1000 sites/
|The Party is applying the systematic approach (Resolution VII.11) to Ramsar site selection (Action 6.2.1)
|The country has sites included in the Ramsar list which are transfrontier sites (Actions 6.2.5, 7.1.1)
+ 2 = 14
+2 = 4
+10 = 31
+1 = 3
|General Objective 7 - Mobilising international cooperation and financial assistance
|Countries which have Ramsar sites that are "twinned" with others (Action 7.1.2)
+ 19 = 20
+19 = 20
+16 = 30
+ 14 = 20
+5 = 7
+ 1 = 3
25/100 (sites)
|Multilateral and/or bilateral donors are supporting projects which contribute to implementation of the Ramsar Convention in this country (Actions 7.33, 7.4.2, 7.4.4)
73/All eligibles
|The government makes an annual budgetary allocation to support the conservation and wise use of wetlands within the country (Action 7.4.1).
|The country has a development assistance programme which includes funds earmarked for wetland conservation and wise use in other countries (Action 7.4.2)
+3 = 9
14/All that provide ODA
|There is a formal process in place for consultation between the Ramsar Administrative Authority and the development assistance programme in the country, where one exists (Action 7.4.2)
7 of 14/All that provide ODA
*1 = number of restoration inventories completed not known
*2 = number of education centres promoting wetland conservation and wise use not known
*3 = At COP7 the National Reports indicated that for 416 out 950 Ramsar sites where information was provided, management plans were in place or being developed. COP7 agreed that by COP8 the Convention should aim to have plans in place, or under development, for three-quarters of sites in each CP. The figure of 1125 sites as the global target by COP8 is based on the short-term target set in Resolution VII.11 of 2000 sites by the time of COP9. However, it is not possible to set meaningful regional targets as it is not known how the development of the List will advance in each region relative to each other.
*4 = it is not known with certainty how many CPs have such databases at present
*5 = it is not known with certainty how many CPs have completed national inventories
*6 = see *3 above. The figure of 1500 sites as the global target by COP8 is based on the short-term target set in Resolution VII.11 of 2000 sites by the time of COP9.
Section 3.1
Africa Region
Summary Work Plan for 2000
Regional Coordinator - Anada Tiega
Intern for Africa - New intern to commence in January 2000
New Contracting Parties (General Objective 1)
1. The priority countries for accession in 2000 are - Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. These countries are known to be in the process of joining the Convention or have indicated they are giving it serious consideration.
Wise Use, Training and Capacity building (General Objectives 2 & 4)
2. Promote the application of the Ramsar "Wise Use Toolkit and encourage use of the National Planning Tool/COP8 National Report format for national priority setting and planning.
3. The target countries for 2000 are all Contracting Parties and countries which are near accession: Benin, Burundi, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Mauritius, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Practical actions include, assistance for wetland inventories, policy formulation, management plan formulation and implementation, legislative review, and designation of Ramsar sites.
4. Other areas of work include follow up of existing National Wetland Committees, assistance for the establishment of new wetland committees and formulation of joint plans for shared watersheds:
5. The Bureau will assist Benin in undertaking activities aimed at raising awareness on wetlands. The Bureau will also facilitate the nomination of a leading agency for wetland conservation and wise use. This agency will be the Administrative Authority. Support from the Bureau will be provided for the establishment of a national wetland committee.
6. In Botswana the Bureau will continue to work with IUCN and the Okavango Research Center to assist the government in the formulation of a policy on wetlands and the preparation of a Master Plan for the Okavango Delta Ramsar Site; this will serve as a basis for the management of the entire basin.
7. In Malawi the Bureau will continue to assist: the National Steering Committee on Wetlands to facilitate the work on Malawis National Wetland Strategy and Action Plan; the relationship between the Conventions on Biological Diversity and Ramsar; and the Lake Chilwa conservation and development matters.
8. The Bureau will continue working with Tanzania on training issues, policy formulation, and preparation of a management plan for the Malagarassi/Muyuwossi Ramsar site in collaboartion with DANIDA.
9. In Zambia the Bureau will continue to assist in the process of establishing a Wetland Conservation Unit within the Environmental Council of Zambia and the formulation of a wetland policy.
10. For Ghana, a visit to the country will help discuss the progress on wetland policy formulation and updating wetland matters.
11. In Kenya, work with IUCN-EARO (Nairobi) to assist in the preparation of a wetland policy.
12. Work with IUCN-ROSA on the Wetland Valuation project and contribute to negotiations to seek funding for the implementation of the project.
13. Collaborate with Wetlands International for the production of training materials especially on wetland inventory.
14. Provide support to training institutes: Garoua in Cameroon, Naivasha in Kenya, Mweka in Tanzania, Makerere in Uganda.
15. Use the Wetland Valuation Project as a training opportunity to enhance national capacities in wetland valuation.
Communication-Awareness Raising- (General Objective 3)
16. Refer to the Conventions Outreach Programme adopted by COP7 and the Communication and Awareness Raising Work Plan of the Bureau.
17. Within the African Region a major action in this area will be the encouragement of national actions to raise awareness on wetland functions and values and to promote political conviction and political will that support wetland conservation and wise use.
18. Contribute as required to Bureau Web site and newsletter.
19. Continue to undertake fund-rasing and implementation as resources allow of the Wetland Invasive Species in Africa communication project.
Listed site management and new listings (General Objectives 5 & 6
20. Planning of Ramsar Advisory Missions according to the possibilities in terms of security and funding.
21. Encourage Contracting Parties which have made statements during COP7 concerning the impending designation, or planned, extension of existing Ramsar sites, to complete this process. These are: Algeria (4 sites) Benin (4 sites), Cameroon (1 site), Central African Republic (1 site), Guinea Bisasau (2sites), Kenya (1site), Madagascar, (1site), Namibia (2 sites), Niger (1 site), The Gambia (2 sites), Uganda (3 sites), and Zambia (7sites).
22. Assist countries which are in the process of accession in designating Ramsar Sites.
23. Discuss the possibility of designation for the List when visiting countries.
24. Follow up and assist CPs with the preparation of suitable maps and RISs for Listed sites.
International Cooperation (General Objective 8)
25. Facilitate exchange of experience and information between national agencies which are responsible for the coordination of the implementation of environment-related conventions in Contracting Parties. Encourage and facilitate joint actions between conventions on the field. Share our regional work plan with relevant Secretariats for cooperation between the Conventions with which Ramsar has Memoranda of Cooperation or Understanding - CBD, CMS, World Heritage, and CCD. These will be developed through direct dialogue with the relevant persons within the secretariats of these Conventions.
26. Follow-up the outcomes of the west Africa meeting with discussions on the ways to implement various project on the Niger River basin: liaison with Burkina Faso, Benin, Niger and Togo and country offices of some donors: the European Union, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany.
27. Continue to discuss with the Lake Chad Basin Commission and potential donors (Denmark, GEF) concerning the Action Plan for the basin.
28. Continue collaborating with IUCN in Botswana, the Okavango Research Centre and the Botswana government on the development of a Master Plan for the Okavango Delta.
29. Collaborate with IUCN and WWF on their programmes/projects related to river basin management such as the one on the Zambezi River, the Niger River and Lake Malawi..
30. Assess SGF and Swiss Grant Fund projects and follow up their implementation through site visits where possible.
Institutional mechanisms (General Objective 8)
Small Grants Fund (SGF) and Swiss Grant Fund
Role and responsibilities of the RC and Intern are listed below:
31. Ensure wide circulation of the call for the SGF proposals, through partner organizations and other contacts at national level.
32. With the cooperation of partner organizations and other national organizations, provide advice and guidance to improve the quality of proposals submitted to the SGF.
33. With the cooperation of partner organizations and other national organizations, assist CPs in determining priority proposals to be submitted to the SGF.
34. Wherever possible make site visits to SGF and Swiss Grant Fund projects and undertake followup discussions for completed projects
35. Follow-up with CPs on administrative aspects, e.g. incomplete and unsigned proposals, where necessary;
36. Review and, where necessary, provide advice to CPs to improve proposals (RC and Intern);
37. Liaise with external reviewers, where necessary;
38. Complete proposal review forms (RC);
39. Prepare short-list of proposals recommended for funding, in consultation with DSG (RC);
40. Prepare final list of recommendations, in consultation with PTG (RC);
41. Review reports of previous SGF projects, and brief the SGF officer on appropriate responses (RC)
42. Follow up with Contracting Parties on the implementation of existing projects; assess interim and final reports received from project managers.
43. Liaise with the relevant Swiss agency concerning the Swiss Grant Fund and provide reports to this agency.
Meetings of the Conventions subsidiary bodies:
44. To provide input to the preparation of documents, and participate in meetings of the STRP and Standing Committee.
45. To maintain regular contact with representatives from Africa on the STRP and Standing Committee.
46. Assist the Standing Committee in the preparation of the Strategic Plan 2003-2008.
47. Prepare the Work Plan for Africa for 2001 and provide input to the development of the Annual Bureau Work Plan for consideration by the Standing Committee.
Section 3.2
Americas Region
Summary Work Plan for 2000
Regional Coordinator Margarita Astrálaga
Intern for the Americas Flor Salvador (to August 2000)
New Contracting Parties (General Objective 1)
The priorities for accession within the Americas are:
South America
1. Continue to encourage Guyana (as the only non-Contracting Party on the mainland of the Americas) to join the Convention.
Caribbean States -- priorities for accession (Strategic Plan 1997-2002)
2. Develop a cooperative working relationship with the Cartagena Convention to further the acceptance of the Ramsar Convention in this subregion. The Bureau will attend as an observer the Inter-Governmental Meeting (IGM) of the Caribbean Action Plan and will use this opportunity to identify possible synergies between the two organizations. After the IGM meeting, discussions with other possible partners in Jamaica will take place. Trinidad and Tobago will be invited to participate at the meeting with the management authority in Jamaica and the priority actions to assist in the accession of other Caribbean Island States will be discussed. Identify key people in the island states to encourage these countries to accede to the Convention.
3. Support, as resources allow, Trinidad and Tobagos participation at regional fora, which could promote the accession of new countries.
4. Visits to Mexico to the UNEP Regional office and a joint visit to Cuba should be arranged later in the year.
5. St Lucia has expressed interest, as has the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). A mission will be planned for April and arrangements for the regional meeting on accession will be discussed.
Wise Use, Training and Capacity building (General Objectives 2 & 4)
6. Promote the application of the Ramsar "Wise Use Toolkit and encourage use of the National Planning Tool/COP8 National Report format for national priority setting and planning.
Wetlands for the Future
7. Project proposals to be considered for funding in 2000 will be invited in January 2000. The deadline for submission of projects is May 2000. Once received these will be assessed and recommendations for funding formulated. There is also ongoing project management and acquittal of funds for those projects funded in previous years.
Other training and capacity building activities will be:
8. To develop and promote a catalogue of training centres and courses in the Americas, the contents of their curricula, and disseminate this within the region. Note this forms a part of the Bureaus global goal of housing such information and offering a "clearing house" service for training in wetlands management;
9. Where possible support participation in such training courses.
10. In conjunction with the above, develop an outline of a model proposal for the development of wetland training centres (or similar).
11. To participate in the IV international training course on design of project proposals regarding the management of biodiversity, Concepción, Chile, 17-20 January 2000.
12. Assist Colombia in their national management-training course on wetlands in March/April 2000.
13. Meeting with IUCN/ORMA to discuss joint strategy of work in Central America, San Jose, May 2000.
14. Attend the Veracruz workshop in Mexico and visit several Ramsar sites in the country.
15. Assist in the organization and attend Caribbean islands wetlands workshop in Trinidad, September 2000.
16. Assist in the preparation and attend the wetlands meeting of the South/West Atlantic, Vitoria, ES, Brazil, 16-17 October 2000.
17. Develop a module on wetland conservation, sustainable use and implementation of the Ramsar Convention for the Americas but with broader application also.
18. Support the Government of Panama with its efforts to establish a Wetland Training Centre as part of the City of Knowledge project, and, in particular, work with the Panamanian mission in Geneva towards signing a letter of intent regarding the future operations of the Centre.
19. Give priority to assisting indigenous and local people to develop suitable proposals for funding under WFF.
20. Continue to promote the formation and Government recognition of cross-sectoral National Wetland/Ramsar Committees and the development of National Wetland Policies. Visit to management authorities of Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina, 17-25 January 2000.
21. Represent the Bureau at the Millenium Wetlands Conference, Quebec, in July 2000.
Communication (General Objective 3)
22. Refer to the Bureaus Communications and Awareness Raising Work Plan.
23. Contribute as required to Bureau Web site and newsletter.
24. Cooperate with the Regional Representative in South America (Argentina) in providing materials for the list server initiated in 1999.
25. Disseminate widely in the regions Ramsar publications in Spanish and English, (the Ramsar Manual, the Economic Valuation book, Information Packs, etc.).
26. Disseminate widely in the region the Ramsar videos in English, French and Spanish with the assistance of US Fish and Wildlife Service.
27. Continue to disseminate the Ramsar Convention leaflet for Small Island Developing States (refer also to the Oceania Work Plan).
28. Load the Directory of Neotropical Wetlands (Scott & Carbonell, 1986) onto Ramsars web site. Even though out of date, it is still the only wetland inventory of the region, and is being used by many people as a basis for their work. Only 500 copies were printed of each English and Spanish, and the result is for years the Bureau has been sending out photocopies when requested for copies. Support the publication of the Wetlands International et al publication on the status of wetlands in the Neotropics and disseminate it widely when published.
With resources from Wetlands for the Future (see above)
29. Continue promoting the Wetlands for the Future initiative (see below) through the Web site, the Ramsar-Forum and other list servers, as well as through the Newsletter and other mechanisms.
30. Complete and publish the Ramsar Handbook for the Americas.
31. Identify those locations of highest priority for Internet capacity building and provide assistance to bring them "on line".
32. Give special attention to informing the media within these regions about the Ramsar Convention.
Management of Listed sites and new listings (General Objective 5 & 6)
Montreux Record and MGP
33. Follow-up to Resolution VI.1 and VII.12 by sending questionnaires to listed countries therein. Work with Uruguay as they consider the removal of its Ramsar site from the Montreux Record.
Update of Ramsar Information Sheets (RIS)
34. Work with the relevant CPs (as identified by the Ramsar Database officer and Resolution VII.12) to bring their data and maps up to the standard now expected for all Ramsar sites.
Under-represented wetland types and use of criteria
35. Encourage the accession of Caribbean States as a mechanism to add under-represented wetlands to the List.
36. In Central and South America, encourage the preparation of national inventories to assist the systematic identification of further Ramsar sites, national planning etc.
International Cooperation and Institutional mechanisms (General Objectives 7 & 8)
Transfrontier wetland/watershed cooperation
37. Offer support and expertise to those countries, which are experiencing some difficulties in establishing cooperative working arrangements with neighbouring countries for the management of transfrontier wetlands/watersheds.
Coordinating efforts with partner organizations
38. Continue to work with IUCN-ORMA as now.
39. Develop links with the new person in charge of the Latin American Program in WWF-US.
40. Develop ways to work with both IUCN-Sur and WI-Americas as with IUCN-ORMA.
Development assistance agencies
41. Increase efforts to work cooperatively with the aid agencies of the USA (USAid) and Canada (CIDA) as well as the Inter-American Development Bank, the Organization of American States (OAS), the GEF and its implementing agencies, and others as appropriate.
Global and regional networks
42. Encourage the participation of CPs in the Global Water Partnership, International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and GREEN and work with these in relation to their programs and networks on suitable projects in the regions.
Small Grants Fund (SGF)
43. Ensure wide circulation of the call for the SGF proposals, through partner organizations and other contacts at national level.
44. With the cooperation of partner organizations and other national organizations, provide advice and guidance to improve the quality of proposals submitted to the SGF.
45. With the cooperation of partner organizations and other national organizations, assist CPs in determining priority proposals to be submitted to the SGF.
Meetings of the Conventions subsidiary bodies:
46. To provide input to the preparation of documents, and participate in meetings of the STRP and Standing Committee.
47. To maintain regular contact with representatives from Americas on the STRP and Standing Committee.
48. Assist the Standing Committee in the preparation of the Strategic Plan 2003-2008.
49. Prepare the Work Plan for the Americas for 2001 and provide input to the development of the Annual Bureau Work Plan for consideration by the Standing Committee.
Section 3.3
Asia Region
Summary Work Plan for 2000
Regional Coordinator - Rebecca DCruz
Intern - Taeko Takahashi (until December 2000)
Highest Priority Actions
New Contracting Parties (General Objective 1)
1. Develop and implement a strategic approach to promoting membership, in collaboration with members of the Standing Committee and International Organization Partners.
2. In conjunction with the government of Kazakhstan, the CMS Secretariat and Wetlands International Asia-Pacific, plan, organize and participate in the sub-regional meeting for countries of the Central Asia region (Spring 2000).
3. Plan, organize and participate in the Evian Forum for Western Asia (in October) to bring countries of the sub-region together to promote awareness and membership of the Convention. In early 2000 to organize a briefing for Western Asian diplomatic missions in Geneva about the proposed Forum.
4. Disseminate the brochure on wetlands in arid-zones to countries in Western Asia, and in conjunction with the invitation to participate in the Evian Forum.
5. Continue to work towards formalizing linkages with the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) secretariat, and the secretariats of the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) and the Mekong River Commission (MRC).
Wise Use, Training and Capacity Building (General Objectives 2 & 4)
6. Promote the application of the Ramsar "Wise Use Toolkit and encourage use of the National Planning Tool/COP8 National Report format for national priority setting and planning.
7. Priority attention to be given to promoting:
- the review of legislation which impact on wetlands
- the use of economic valuation to assist decision-making
- private sector involvement in the management of wetlands
- efforts to have wetlands considered as integrated elements of river basin and coastal zone management, and
- efforts to have wetlands considered specifically in water management policies or plans.
8. Encourage CPs to give priority to developing proposals for national wetland policy development and/or training initiatives with regional or sub-regional scope and participation, for submission to the SGF.
National Wetland Policy/Strategy/Action Plan
9. Continue to encourage and support the development of national wetland policies/action plans/strategies using the guidelines approved at COP7. Priority to be given to CPs where policy development in underway.
10. Continue to seek donor support, in cooperation with IUCN-Vietnam, for the Wetland Programme for Vietnam to assist in implementation of priority wetland actions outlined in the National Biodiversity Action Plan (1995).
National Wetland/Ramsar Committees
11. Continue to encourage and support the establishment of cross-sectoral coordinating mechanisms to increase cooperation between institutions responsible for wetland-related actions.
12. Develop criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of NRCs, and work with CPs to undertake evaluations of NRCs where they existed at the time of COP7. Where possible in conjunction with missions to the region, participate in these evaluations and/or meetings of NRCs.
13. Continue to collate information on training opportunities within the Asia region, and disseminate this information through the web-based Directory of Wetland Management Training Opportunities.
14. In consultation with the International Organization Partners and other interested agencies, continue to explore the feasibility of developing a coordinating mechanism for training in the Asia-Pacific region.
15. Explore options to support the training of trainers and build the capacity of institutions in the region to implement training courses on wetland management (based on the International Wetland Management Course (Lelystad) model and with input from past participants in the region).
16. Continue to encourage and support training needs analyses at national level to identify wetland management training priorities. Urge CPs to document and share experiences for the benefit of other member countries.
17. In partnership with the International Partner Organizations, collate information on available training tools. Link this to the proposed wetland manager training initiative to be launched under the Convention (Action 4.2.3 of The Conventions Work Plan 2000-2002).
Communications - Awareness raising (General Objective 3)
18. Encourage CPs that have not done so by end 1999, to nominate suitable government and non-government focal points for Wetland Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA).
19. Encourage and support the development of National Wetland CEPA Action Plans by 31 December 2000. Where these have been developed to make the information available to other CPs and interested parties.
20. Continue to support and work with the International Organization Partners to disseminate information about the Convention, and wetland values and functions.
21. Continue to disseminate widely the leaflet on wetlands in the Western Asia region.
22. Continue to encourage and support (where possible, financially) the production of local language versions of the Ramsar Information Pack.
23. Continue to use the Ramsar Web Site and Ramsar Newsletter as a means to disseminate information about Ramsar-related activities in the region.
24. Encourage and support (where possible, financially) the establishment of internet and email facilities in all Administrative Authorities by end 2000, and to encourage their increased use as a means of communication between CPs and the Bureau, and among CPs in the region.
25. Continue to encourage and support the incorporation of wetland issues into formal education curricula.
26. Collate information on wetland centres in the Asia region and continue to support and work with IUCN commission members in the South and South-east Asia region to establish a mechanism for enhancing cooperation between wetland education centres.
Management of listed sites and new listings (General Objectives 5 & 6)
27. Continue to try to get updated Ramsar Information Sheets and maps from Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan (for sites designated before 31.12.90). Give priority to ensuring that appropriate RISes and/or maps are submitted by India and the I.R. of Iran, if they had not done so by end 1999 and continue to encourage CPs to review and update existing RISes.
28. Continue to encourage the development of management plans for existing Ramsar sites, and give priority to proposals for management planning under SGF.
29. Continue to encourage the use of the MR questionnaires adopted at COP6, and provide advice on the application of the questionnaire, if requested. Provide input to the development of the report on positive outcomes achieved by CPs which have had sites removed from the Record.
30. Work with CPs to ensure that measures required to maintain the ecological character of Ramsar sites are documented. Encourage the application of the Wetland Risk Assessment Framework adopted at COP7 (Resolution VII.10).
31. Follow-up with India on actions taken to remove the MR sites from the Record, and with the I.R. of Iran on progress with implementation of the recommendations from the 1997 MGP.
32. Keep in view the possibility of organizing a RAM to Azraq Oasis in Jordan.
33. Continue to support and encourage the designation of additional Ramsar sites, particularly in CPs with only one Ramsar site and for under-represented habitat types, including intertidal wetlands, through consultations with CPs and National STRP Focal Points. Encourage countries to take a more systematic approach to listings as per the Strategic Framework adopted at COP7.
34. Give particular attention to promoting the implementation of Resolution VII.21 and Recommendation 7.1, in collaboration with CPs, International Organization Partners, and other interested parties.
35. In collaboration with the International Organization Partners and regional representatives on the Standing Committee and STRP, to continue to encourage Ramsar designations in Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage Sites (e.g. Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, India (WH), Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, Philippines (WH) and Tanjung Putting National Park, Indonesia (BR).
36. Continue to encourage and support the compilation of national wetland inventories and national wetland databases. Provide input to the development of the proposal for an Inventory of Asian Wetlands.
37. Continue to promote transboundary Ramsar site designation for the Dauriia International Protected Area and Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, and to identify other candidate transboundary Ramsar sites.
International Cooperation (General Objective 7)
38. Promote site twinning as a means to enhance exchange of information and experience between Ramsar sites. Link this activity to the nomination of sites under the Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird Strategy.
39. Explore the feasibility of developing regional work plans, on a bilateral basis, for cooperation between the Conventions with which Ramsar has Memoranda of Cooperation or Understanding - CBD, CMS and CCD. These to be developed through dialogue with the relevant persons within the secretariats of these Conventions.
40. Continue to work towards formalizing linkages with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
41. Continue to encourage CPs in ASEAN (Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) and MRC (Cambodia, Thailand & Vietnam) to promote membership through joint actions with non-member countries, and across shared wetlands and river basins.
42. Continue to pursue discussions on a possible Memorandum of Understanding between the Ramsar Bureau and the ASEAN Secretariat as a first step towards formalizing the relationship between the Convention & ASEAN. Continue to build on initial dialogues with the ROPME and MRC secretariats, and where possible, visit the offices of these secretariats in conjunction with missions to the region.
43. Continue to seek opportunities to establish dialogue with the secretariats of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Central Asian grouping (in conjunction with the Central Asian sub-regional meeting planned for Spring 2000).
44. MedWet: The Regional Co-ordinator to maintain overview of MedWet technical activities and degree of liaison with MedWet Coordinator, and to consider attendance at MedWet/Com3 in Tunisia early April 2000.
45. Work with CPs and donor agencies to ensure that funding is directed to supporting priority actions defined under The Conventions Work Plan 2000-2002.
46. Undertake the responsibilities of International Service Provider for the duration of the UNDP/GEF project in the I.R. of Iran (expected to be completed by end 2000).
47. In conjunction with the International Organization Partners, to collate information on activities of global and regional networks active in Asia, and identify potential areas of cooperation. Encourage CPs to participate in, and support, these networks.
48. Continue to maintain contact with the South-east Asia Technical Advisory Committee (SEATAC) & South Asia Technical Advisory Committee (SASTAC) of the Global Water Partnership.
Institutional mechanisms (General Objective 8)
Regional/sub-Regional Meetings
49. In conjunction with the government of Kazakhstan, the CMS Secretariat and Wetlands International Asia-Pacific, plan, organize and participate in the sub-regional meeting for countries of the Central Asia region (Spring 2000).
50. Explore the feasibility of organizing sub-regional meetings over the next triennium, and to look for opportunities to be involved in meetings on thematic issues of relevance to the Convention.
Small Grants Fund (SGF)
51. Review SGF proposals and, in conjunction with the Bureau Projects Administrator and the Intern for Asia, to manage and keep under review the current SGF projects in Asia. Undertake follow-up actions where necessary, for previous SGF projects. Where possible, visit SGF project sites during missions to the region.
52. Ensure wide circulation of the call for the SGF proposals, through the International Organization Partners and other contacts at national level (particularly the National STRP Focal Points).
53. With the cooperation of the International Organization Partners and other national organizations, provide advice and guidance to improve the quality of proposals submitted to the SGF.
The Conventions Subsidiary Bodies:
54. Provide input to the preparation of documents and participate in meetings of the STRP and Standing Committee.
55. Maintain regular contact with representatives from Asia on the STRP and Standing Committee.
56. Assist the Standing Committee in the preparation of the Strategic Plan 2003-2008.
57. Prepare the Work Plan for Asia for 2001 and provide input to the development of the Annual Bureau Work Plan for consideration by the Standing Committee.
Section 3.4
European Region
Summary Work Plan for 2000
Regional Coordinator - Tobias Salathé
Intern for Europe - Alexander Belokurov (until September 2000)
Highest Priority Actions
New Contracting Parties (Strategic Plan Objective 1)
1. Seek establishment of a new date for Bureau visit to Belarus.
2. Prepare possible missions to Cyprus and Moldova.
3. Prepare Secretary Generals mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina, depending on outcome of the 1999 autumn visit of RC.
Wise Use, Training and Capacity Building (Strategic Plan Objectives 2 & 4)
4. Promote the application of the Ramsar "Wise Use Toolkit and encourage use of the National Planning Tool/COP8 National Report format for national priority setting and planning.
5. Attend meetings, where possible, of National Committees, giving priority to countries with economies in transition, or where invited to make specific contribution in Western European countries.
6. Publish report on European NWPs, including analysis of National Wetland Committees in Europe. Analyse recommendations of report and prepare action plan for Bureau.
7. Under the Evian programme, and in cooperation with RIZA, Netherlands, Tour du Valat, Wetlands International, and possibly other institutions, support development of wetland management training courses for selected countries.
8. Continue to encourage development of mechanisms to increase contact at national level between Ramsar Administrative Authorities and (a) key wetland-related institutions (b) focal points for other international conventions & agreements.
Communication - Raising Awareness (General Objective 3)
9. Work with EU Presidencies 2000 to continue Ramsar/Natura 2000 joint work initiated in 1998.
10. Identify and establish new contacts at the European Commission to promote the Conventions objectives.
11. Contribute as required to Bureau Web site and newsletter.
12. Maintain and develop contacts with Permanent Missions of European CP at the UN offices in Geneva.
Management of listed sites and new listings (Strategic Plan Objectives 5 & 6)
13. Encourage designations of sites which include under-represented wetland types, concentrating on follow-up to commitments made during COP7 sessions, or in official contacts since. In particular: Hungary/Slovenia - karst systems; Switzerland - Alpine wetlands; France and UK coral reef/mangrove/seagrass sites in External Territories.
14. Identify CPs which have not made any designations for at least 5 years; determine scope for further designations and draw up list of priorities
Ramsar Advisory Missions (or similar technical missions), including follow-up to 1999 actions.
15. Systematic enquiries to be made for all other Montreux Record sites; aim to have MR questionnaires completed for all sites by COP8
16. Advise countries with economies in transition on preparation of good management planning project proposals for SGF and external financial support.
17. Work with Ireland, Ukraine and other CPs to ensure completion of RISs and maps for all sites as soon as possible, using COP8 as deadline.
International Cooperation and Institutional issues (General Objectives 7 & 8)
18. Build on high-level Bureau/EU links initiated as part of 1999 Work Plan.
19. Develop a regional work plan for cooperation between the Conventions with which Ramsar has Memoranda or Cooperation of Understanding - CBD, CMS and CCD. These will be developed through direct dialogue with the relevant persons within the secretariats of these Conventions.
20. Develop enhanced cooperation with key regional and sub-regional agreements, including: Danube River Protection Convention; Environmental Programme for the Danube River Basin; and Helcom;
21. MedWet: Secretay General and RC to attend MedWet/Com3 inTunisia early April 2000. Regional co-ordinator to maintain overview of MedWet technical activities and degree of liaison with MedWet Coordinator.
22. Pan-European Biological and Landscape Strategy: Regional Co-ordinator to attend key meetings and prepare progress report on activities taken.
23. Parks for Life: RC to maintain liaison with IUCN/WCPA.
24. Secretary General and RC to continue programme of high-level visits to key donor countries.
25. Continue to contribute as required to overall Bureau implementation of the Evian Programme.
Small Grants Fund
26. Participate in the relevant aspects of the SGF project management and assessment for running projects (submitted in 1997 and 1998) and starting projects (submitted in 1999), includingproject sites visitsand project follow-up preparation.
27. Seek any SGF reports still outstanding.
Meetings of the Conventions subsidiary bodies:
28. To provide input to the preparation of documents, and participate in meetings of the STRP and Standing Committee.
29. To maintain regular contact with representatives from Europe on the STRP and Standing Committee.
30. Assist the Standing Committee in the preparation of the Strategic Plan 2003-2008.
31. Prepare the Work Plan for Europe for 2001 and provide input to the development of the Annual Bureau Work Plan for consideration by the Standing Committee.
Section 3.5
Oceania Region
Action Plan for 2000
Regional Coordinator For 1998-99 this function has been undertaken in large part by the Deputy Secretary General, Dr Bill Phillips. With his departure from the Bureau in early 2000 it is not yet established which officer will take on the regional coordination role for Oceania. This may be either the Regional Coordinator for Asia or the new Deputy Secretary General.
Statement regarding priorities in Oceania - Within this region Australia and New Zealand are relatively well advanced in their implementation of the Convention. Therefore, due to the resource constraints of the Bureau, the priority will be to assist PNG and the other Small Island Developing States of the region with implementation of the Convention. Assistance to Australia and New Zealand will be on an as requested only basis.
Highest Priority Actions
New Contracting Parties (General Objective 1)
1. The Bureau is to follow-up, as appropriate, from the First Oceania Regional meeting in December 1998 to continue encouraging accession by the SIDS of Oceania. Priorities are those countries - Solomon Islands, Republic of Kiribati, Fiji, Micronesia, Palau and Vanuatu - which have benefited from the Small Grants Fund project coordinated by Wetlands International Oceania, designed to encourage accession.
2. Seek resources to allow for a Pacific Island SIDS presence at the Bureau.
3. Continue to support and work with Wetlands International in its efforts through Roger Jaensch to encourage new CPs in the Pacific sub-region.
Wise Use, Training and Capacity Building (Strategic Objectives 2 & 4)
4. Promote the application of the Ramsar "Wise Use Toolkit and encourage use of the National Planning Tool/COP8 National Report format for national priority setting and planning.
5. Encourage the establishment of a National Wetlands Committee and development of a Wetland Policy by PNG.
6. Promote attendance at the Australian Wetland Managers Training Programme by representatives of SIDS from the region.
Communication - Raising Awareness (General Objective 3)
7. Contribute as required to Bureau Web site and newsletter.
8. Liaise with PNG and Wetlands International about the most suitable way for disseminating information in that country. See below for actions to seek support for a major project in PNG.
Management of listed sites and new listings (General Objectives 5 & 6)
9. The Bureau to encourage the listing of the most important sites, especially those of under-represented types or those of greatest importance to migratory shorebirds, in accordance with the Vision for the List adopted by COP7.
10. PNG to be encouraged and assisted to submit a project application to the Small Grants Funds (or other suitable bilateral donors) for the preparation of a management plan for their existing sites (refer to International Cooperation).
International Cooperation (General Objective 7)
11. The Bureau to liaise with PNG and Wetlands International to develop a major Ramsar Implementation package of projects which incorporates at least those priorities identified above.
Institutional mechanisms (General Objective 8)
Small Grants Fund (SGF) and the Evian Project
12. Encourage the submission of suitable projects under SGF and the Evian Project from PNG and the other SIDS of the region.
13. With the cooperation of the International Organization Partners and other national organizations, provide advice and guidance to improve the quality of proposals submitted to the SGF.
The Conventions Subsidiary Bodies:
14. To provide input to the preparation of documents, and participate in meetings of the STRP and Standing Committee.
15. To maintain regular contact with representatives from Oceania on the STRP and Standing Committee.
16. Assist the Standing Committee in the preparation of the Strategic Plan 2003-2008.
17. Prepare the Work Plan for Oceania for 2001 and provide input to the development of the Annual Bureau Work Plan for consideration by the Standing Committee.
Section 3.6
Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative (MedWet)
Work Plan of the MedWet Team
1. Management of the MedWet Team (MW/T)
The MW/T consists today of the MedWet Coordinator (based in Athens) and three wetland centres: EKBY (Greece)), Tour du Valat (France) and SEHUMED (Spain). EKBY and SEHUMED had their funding contracts signed with the Governments of Greece and Spain, respectively, only recently. Efforts are being made to consolidate and improve the work of the MW/T through a review by the Ramsar Deputy Secretary General and regular meetings (Gland in March, San Jose in May and Tour du Valat in October of 1999). The MedWet Coordinator, who is heading the Team, is responsible for:
* planning and coordinating all the activities of the members,
* allocating tasks to specific members of the Team,
* promoting the efforts for the evaluation, refinement and dissemination of the MedWet tools,
* initiating new activities,
* reviewing and approving publications bearing the MedWet logo, as well as the MedWet Newsletter and web site,
* producing integrated reports for the work of the whole Team (to the Ramsar SG and to MedWet/Com),
* contributing to the planning, funding and establishment of the North African Wetland Centre.
2. Representing MedWet
The MW/C will represent MedWet to various international and national fora, after consultation with the Ramsar SG, with the main objective to strengthen links and increase the resources for wetland conservation and wise use. He/she will prepare oral presentations (on PowerPoint), along with written texts. These tasks can be grouped as follows:
2.1 Project-related meetings:
* MedWetCoast regional and national meetings and workshops,
* MedWet3 workshop in Odessa, in September 2000.
2.2 Meetings of organisations / members of MedWet/Com, mainly:
* European Commission,
* Barcelona Convention,
* Emerald Network (Council of Europe / Bern Convention),
* WWF International.
2.3 Other organisations, such as:
* Climate change workshops,
* Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development,
* Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy,
* MED-TAC and other workshops related to water.
3. Missions at the request of MW/Com countries
(with the main objectives of promoting national policy preparation, establishment of Ramsar Committees, and project development):
* Syria (continuing),
* Tunisia (continuing),
* Turkey (continuing),
* Bosnia and Herzegovina,
* Libya,
* Cyprus (after MW/Com3),
* Egypt (after MW/Com3).
4. Coordinating project development and management
Most of the work of MedWet (for the implementation of the Mediterranean Wetlands Strategy) is carried out through projects (see attached current list) . Therefore, this becomes a major element of the MW/C Work Plan, which includes:
* monitoring of the projects under execution, for quality control, maintenance of the MedWet approach and good use of its tools, equitable participation of the MedWet/com members;
* assistance in the development of new projects, especially as to scope and funding;
* assessment and initiation of new project concepts;
* launching of two new projects on (a) water and wetlands and (b) climate change and Mediterranean wetlands;
* forcefully encouraging the use of Logical Framework Analysis for the development of all MedWet projects;
* developing an integrated system for reporting on the status of all MedWet projects.
5. Serving MedWet/Com
In close collaboration with the Ramsar SG who chairs the Committee, the MW/C will carry out the following tasks:
* supervise the arrangements for MedWet/Com3, and meet again for this purpose with the responsible Tunisian authorities in January and March 2000;
* assist the SG in securing the funding necessary for the sponsored representatives;
* prepare the invitations, the agenda and the other working documents for the meeting;
* organise the technical session of MedWet/VCom3 on the cultural aspects of wetlands;
* contact individually the members of MedWet/Com to ensure high participation;
* attend MedWet/Com3 and assist the organisers on all issues, where required;
* draft the conclusions and recommendations of the meeting and review / edit its minutes;
* consult with the next host country in planning MedWet/Com4;
* keep regular contact with the Advisory Bureau and the MedWet/Com members between the two meetings.
6. Publications preparation
The MW/C will be responsible for the preparation, funding and editing of two MedWet publications (to be ready in early 2001):
* Culture and wetlands: A link for conservation and sustainable use.
* A Mediterranean adventure: Working together for people and wetlands.
7. Other services to the Ramsar Bureau
As a member of the Ramsar Bureau, the MW/C will also:
* attend key meetings as required (Standing Committee, regional meetings, etc.);
* contribute expert opinions on issues of general interest to the Convention (especially global biodiversity assessment, climate change, water, and sustainable resource use);
* work closely with the Regional Coordinators for Africa, Asia and Europe in furthering the objectives of the Convention in these three regions;
* contribute to the efforts of exporting the MedWet model to other parts of the World;
* represent the Convention in international fora at the request of the Ramsar SG.


text:
Posts tagged Apple
Posts tagged Apple
This very helpful article shows how you can make iOS6 maps better (so it works when I finally get around to installing it).
I was talking with a couple friends about google fiber recently. Unfortunately, they are only serving customers in St. Louis right now. But we all agreed, we would gladly pay $70 per month to have gigabit fiber-optic internet service at home.
Then I came across this tweet:
@wilto: GitHub and Dribbble are the only two websites—hell, the only two products—where I catch myself thinking "I wish I could pay more for this."
I have often regarded to myself that how different it feels to purchase an Apple product. I know it costs more, but I don't mind.
What makes us as consumers want to part with our hard earned dollars? I suppose the cold analytical answer is that the perceived value needs to be greater than the actual price.
Think about Kickstarter… This company has created a marketplace where customers willingly give money to participate in the inception of a product or company. There are gifts, but it is really a gamble. Much like the stock market, thee is no guarantee that you will receive anything for your contribution.
Another example is Amazon Prime. This service gives you free two day shipping on most products, some free books for your Kindle, and some free videos with Amazon direct video. I happily pay the yearly fee.
Why? I suppose it's because I feel that the return on my investment will be realized after a few online purchases.
Why happily? That's the big question! Make a person happy to give you their money, and then there is something special happening.
Heard on NPR on 8/6/12:
"Everyone loves Apple. Apple makes nothing in this country anymore," Bartlett tells NPR's Steve Inskeep as an example. "But then, look over here on the other side and you have Intel, and their plants are massive, and they are good-paying jobs. They continue to invest in this country. And what we need in this country now are more Intels and fewer Apples."
To be clear, the anti-Apple sentiment lies with Bartlett, co-author of The Betrayal of the American Dream.
Apple's outsourcing is no surprise. However, the juxtaposition between Intel's American workforce and Apple's American workforce is jarring. Apple, as the company with the highest market capitalization, has about 47,000 employees in the US. This is compared to about 82,000 for Intel.
I like Apple and I like Apple products. I certainly wish Apple would strive to have some production or assembly in the US. In fact, I think I would go as far to say that I would pay a premium to have "Made in the USA" version of an iPhone.
My guess is that there is a very cold analysis to this situation. Apple will make more money making their products in China until their workers demand more pay. Until that happens, or shipping costs rise to unsustainable costs, we will continue to see Apple products made in China.
After hearing this report, I have to admit that as a consumer, I feel much better about purchasing Intel products.
At this year's WWDC keynote, Apple announced further baked-in integration of social networking into both OSX and iOS. This will make sharing to a Facebook and Twitter easier than in previous iterations.
There have been rumors that Ping, Apple's attempt at a music related social network, will cease to exist aft the next major release of iTunes. This is not a surprise, as very few people have use Ping for much of anything. Does this mean the end of social networking for Apple?
I think that there are new ways that Apple can get into social networking. The announcement of shared photo streams looks like an easy to use solution that will have some impact in the social networking arena.
What makes shared photo streams social? Well, Apple has included commenting and fine grain sharing control. This allows you to share your photos with only who you want to share them with. Then everyone who sees the shared stream can participate in a conversation relevant to those photos. While Facebook and Google+ have tried to get a grip on relevant user sharing, Apple has the edge here because it features it right front he beginning.
Also, Apple's control of the hardware is a distinct advantage. Instead of signing up for a social network and searching for friends, you already have your entire address book ready to choose from.
The only downside I can see is that shared photo streams may only be limited to the Apple ecosystem. Photo Stream works really well for me between my iPhone, iPad, and Mac. How does it perform cross-platform? My guess is that if it works at all, it will be a slow and frustrating process, much like syncing an iPhone on a windows machine.
In short, Shared Photo Stream seems like a more "Apple-y" way of stepping into the social networking arena. Rather that trying to shoe-horn a social network on top of iTunes, this seems like an elegant way to leverage their hardware advantage into a relevant and useful social experience.
After the WWDC keynote on 6/11/12, there are many new features to talk about. One in particular has the potential increase sales in an unexpected place.
iOS 6? 3D maps? The next generation MacBook Pro?
For every day consumers I think there is going to be real value in the mobile documents integration into Mountain Lion. Pages on an iPad is a great way to produce written content. However, moving your documents to a desktop or laptop computer for editing, storage, or printing has been a difficult to describe, multi-step process.
You could email yourself the documents, or open up iCloud in a browser. But these solutions were time consuming and clunky.
I feel pretty confident saying that many professionals that rely on office productivity apps have been reluctant to use an iPad for mobile document management and editing. However, I think the ease of typing up a document on your iPad, then easily finding it on your laptop when you open Pages is going to encourage more reliance on the iPad as a productivity tool rather than a consumption device.
Also, your great-aunt with an iPad? Could you imagine trying to explain to her the steps necessary to download a Pages document from iCloud to her windows machine? Now imagine saying "here auntie, just open up Pages on your MacBook Air and your see your document right there." For those consumers that dipped their toes into the Apple waters with an iPad; they might now feel more comfortable replacing their windows machine with a a sexy new MacBook Air.
Stay tuned - this is the first of a series of three blogs that are related to the recent WWDC. Next up, why tab view in Safari and tabs in the cloud are major improvements in the life of a Mac Web developer or Power user.
One thing that apple got right - over the air update. I don't think I have ever seen my settings icon with a numbered badge on it before. It made me curious when when I saw it.
I set my phone to update itself just before dinner, and it was completed right after dinner. Nice!
I can honestly say that if it were not for the over the air update, I probably would not have upgraded yet.
The ugly part is the 4G logo that sits next to my AT&T indicator (this was part of the update). I wouldn't complain if the speed was better. Using the speedtest app, I have yet to see a speed over 2 Mbps. I believe that HSPA+ is advertised at up to 7Mbps.
For me, acceptable implementation would be to show me the 4G indicator whenever speeds are at or above 3Mbps. Otherwise it should show me the 3G indicator.
AT&T could say "Sir, the 3G and 4G indicator does not indicate the speed of the connection. Rather it indicates the technology used to relay your cellular data." My reply would be - if you are using technology capable of 7Mbps, and shoving that in my face every time I unlock my phone; then why not increase the bandwidth? More succinctly, "Put up or Shut up."
John Gruber, after his exclusive Briefing on Mountain Lion:
"The changes and additions in Mountain Lion are in a consistent vein: making things simpler and more obvious, closer to how things should be rather than simply how they always have been."
In getting ready for my talk for the Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group, I found Amahi Time Machine.
If you don't know what Amahi is, check them out at Amahi.org. Amahi is a robust, open source, home-server solution that has a ton of useful functions. Aside from data storage and media streaming, Amahi can also be used with Apple's Time Machine, an automated, incremental backup solution.
Apple sells a Time Capsule that is intended to be a transparent backup solution for casual users. The unit is a standard 802.11n wireless base station with four wired ports. However, it includes a 2TB or 3TB drive to backup your Macs.
Amahi Time Machine was easy to install on a running Amahi server. (1) Buy the $0.99 app at Amahi's application market. (2) One Click to install from your Amahi Dashboard. Once you install the app, you are ready to turn on Time Machine on your Mac.
One word of warning: Time Machine will eventually use all the disk space made available to it on your server. Amahi's wiki provides a solution that allows you to limit the amount of space available for backups. Be sure to do this before starting Time Machine on your Mac.
First I hear a calm and well reasoned report on This American Life that talks about the employment practices of Apple's suppliers.
Then macrumors.com reports that Apple has released a "Supplier Responsibility progress Report."
Then AppleInsider.com reports that "Apple is the first Tech Company to Join the Fair Labor Association."
Looks like somebody at Apple is worried…

subset: commoncrawl


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It's coming up to Ellie's birthday on 24 July and I find that Im feeling quite numb now we have got to the days leading up to her arrival at 27wks. I have tearful moments but I am basically numb.
I was admitted on 21 July last year having been to register with a new Dr. My bp was 185/125 and protein almost 4+ so I was sent straight into hospital. I had my birthday there, complete with steroid injections, then on 24 July I had a scan and they said they would deliver by lunchtime. It all happened so quickly, and I felt fine. It seemed so odd that things had gone so wrong. I was also on lots of drugs to keep my bp down, and was keeping a close eye on my gd. Today I keep thinking back to that day I was admitted.
Tomorrow is my birthday, I was 40 last year....somehow birthdays will never be the same again, especially the 'big' ones.
Ellie actually cried when she was born by c-section, and I was so pleased to hear her. Her Apgars were great, 9 and 10, even though she was only 1lb 4oz. Ellie had Down syndrome too, so it made her extra special. She never had a ventilator, only cpap on and off to give her a rest. We were so proud of her. It was a total shock to get a phone call on 18 Aug to say she was not well.....we lost her 2 days later due to NEC.
Im not sure where Im going with this post. I miss Ellie so much. The memories are flooding back, not that I will ever forget a moment of our time with her. I think it is the actual days that are causing this feeling right now...at this time last year...etc.
Sorry for rambling
Sue (40)
Chris (37)
DD Eleanor Susan (Ellie)
born at 27wks severe PE
24 July 03 - 20 August 03


text:
KA - BAR® ZK "War Sword" Knife
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Shipping restrictions apply to this product under some jurisdictions. Known age, state and local shipping requirements are applied at checkout and may result in changes to an order.
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- Details & Specs
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text:
News from WTOP
News from the AP
Mike Causey
Shows & Panels
Shows & Panels
Shows & Panels
Shows & Panels
- The 2014 Big Picture on Cyber Security
- AFCEA Answers
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- Connected Government: How to Build and Procure Network Services for the Future
- Continuing Diagnostics and Mitigation: Discussion of Progress and Next Steps
- Federal Executive Forum
- Federal Tech Talk
- The Future of Government Data Centers
- The Future of IT: How CIOs Can Enable the Service-Oriented Enterprise
- Government Perspectives on Mobility and the Cloud
- The Intersection: Where Technology Meets Transformation
- Maximizing ROI Through Data Center Consolidation
- Mitigating Insider Threats in Virtual & Cloud Environments
- Modern Mission Critical Series
- Moving to the Cloud. What's the best approach for me
- Navigating Tough Choices in Government Cloud Computing
- The New Generation of Database
- Reimagining the Next Generation of Government
- Satellite Communications: Acquiring SATCOM in Tight Times
- Targeting Advanced Threats: Proven Methods from Detection through Remediation
- Transformative Technology: Desktop Virtualization in Government
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- Value of Health IT
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- Gov Cloud Minute
- Government in Technology Series
- Homeland Security Cybersecurity Market Report
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Shows & Panels
Stats show Army 'likes' social media
Monday - 11/7/2011, 4:51pm EST
Social networking at the Army is booming, AOL Government reports.
Take these numbers for example:
More than 1 million people like the Army's Facebook page and more than 100,000 people follow the Army on Twitter.
But it hasn't always been that way. AOL Government reports that recently social networking raised real security concerns among the Army brass.
But now three and four star generals are using Facebook and Twitter to communicate with their troops.
This story is part of Federal News Radio's daily DoD Report. For more defense news, click here.


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I like to read books but since I discovered wattpad, I've become a frequent visitor to this site. I've lost count on the number of stories I've read so far. I don't discriminate other's works 'cause I think an individual's point of view is pretty interesting if given the chance to be expressed. I love to read those stories set in the past (Historical Romance--e.g., All the Wrong Reasons by shelbylw03, PhyllisCampbell's, Ashful's, MarieHiggins., etc., ), supernatural (e.g., Dark Black Magic by angeltwist), and also those with gangster's and stuff (Black Butterfly by LaraMelissa). I read Teen Fiction too (although I find myself wondering why they are mostly about pre-marital sex and pregnancy--other than the usual Bickering-Flirting-Dating-Cheating-Breaking Up-Making Up-Getting Back Together-Happy Ending story). That's why I try to learn how to write a good story because I get frustrated that things don't go my way :) Note that most of my stories are so impossible (e.g., anime-inspired). I'd like for you to think that you're in the world where my characters live in. :) Oh! I almost forgot. I post my friend's stories here in wattpad under my account. Her stories are a lot better than mine. :) So read 'em!
I love my Mysterious Sender <3Wrong send ba 'to? Pero bakit parang kilala niya ako.. Hindi sa walang araw na walang text galing sa kanya.. Kundi dahil sa text niya noong Valentine's Day.
Still DollCold. Vacant. Empty. After receiving a haunting message by an unknown sender, Jade Adams decides to find out who sent it and if it has something to do with her stepfather's dea... read more
Bright Lights and Dark Blood (On Hold)Ella Matthews is pretty much convinced that whatever love has to offer died with her humanity 500 years ago. Occupying her time as a supermodel, she e... read more
Romance in a Study DressLove. Young innocent love. Be a big girl and get your guy!
Tongue-Tied (On Hold)When you see people falling in love, fighting, breaking up and become heartbroken, would you still like to experience loving someone? Wouldn't it be scary to think that... read more
FateMarcus Hawkes, the actor voted as the hottest guy in America for three consecutive years is in for a surprise when his manager decides to teach him a bit of a lesson by playing a pra... read more
Project 6751The year is 2012 and talks about the doomsday is worsening as the days pass. But one country in particular is going topsy-turvy with all the disasters happening, Philippines.... read more
Showered by the StarsMizuki is a half-Japanese and half-Australian girl who lives in Japan. Her uniqueness among those around her do not pose a problem for her, since she has two of the m... read more
Breaking Free (On Hold)Jane Margaret Smith is one of your average 18 year-old girls. Okay—maybe duller than the rest. She's smart—got one of the highest scores during the entrance exam of K... read more
Out of ReachHaving confessed to by three gorgeous guys, what will Rin do? Will she choose the right guy or go for the wrong one and let her chance at love slip away?


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Tag Archives: venue
Pics from our 9th Annual Bridal Show & Menu Tasting
This past weekend, we welcomed over 200 people and 23 great vendors to our 9th Annual Bridal Show and Menu Tasting! The weather was absolutely gorgeous, as were our historic event spaces! Click here to see some snapshots on Facebook.
Save the Date for our Fall Bridal Open House & Tasting!
We would like to invite you to join us for our Fall Bridal Open House & Tasting Sunday, October 14th from 2-4 pm. Tour our historic banquet spaces and suites while you sample a wide array of cuisine prepared by Continue Reading »


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In response to:
We won that war. Unless your preferred politicians, the Democrats, throw away that victory.
Barack Obama won a moderately close victory over Mitt Romney on Tuesday. But oddly, nothing much has changed. The country is still split nearly 50/50. There is still a Democratic president, and an almost identically Democratic Senate at war with an identically Republican House, in a Groundhog Day America.
Obama's win did not really reflect affirmation of his first term, given that the president made only halfhearted efforts to defend Obamacare, the stimulus, huge Keynesian deficits and his attempts to implement cap-and-trade. So if there is a second-term agenda, even Obama supporters don't quite know what it will be.


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Ameren has long recognized the need to address the climate change challenge. We believe it is possible to achieve climate goals while still protecting consumer costs, and we believe these goals should be determined through a legislative, rather than regulatory approach.
Ameren has addressed the climate issue by:
What we're doing now to achieve our climate goals:
View our Corporate Social Responsibility Report for more information on climate change and Ameren.


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Thanks to our great selection of entrance floor mats and carpet mats, you're sure to find the best style, size, and color to suit your business's needs. Perfect for entrances, bathrooms, and behind countertops and workstations, mats are a must-have for your restaurant, café, or hotel. Make sure to also keep your floors safe and spotless using a push broom and dustpan to pick up any leftover debris. For more heavy duty cleaning, check out our supply of vacuum cleaners for both carpets and hardwood floors.
Other Janitorial Supplies
- Heated Electric Hand Dryers
- Unheated Electric Hand Dryers
- Floor Finishers / Applicators
- Outdoor Trash Cans
- Runner Mats and Carpet Protection Mats
- Step Stools
- Commercial Toilet Paper Dispensers and Holders
- Weight Room Mats
- Pumice Hand Soap and Heavy Duty Soap Dispensers
- Air Curtains
- Carpet Cleaning Chemicals
- Carpet Shampooers / Extraction Machines
- Flood / Spot Light Bulbs
- Hard Floor Cleaning Chemicals & Polishes
- Oven Cleaner & Grill Cleaner
- Restroom Cleaning Chemicals


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I train the keepers and educators to handle our two program raptors. (Misha and Christopher). I've completed five weeks of work with Molly, but she still needs to practice. She's decided to send me a photo every time she take out one of the birds to show me of her commitment. Way to go Molly!
QuiKPic: Raptor handlingFebruary 27th, 2013
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What a cutie! Christopher is pretty cute too
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Jill Lammers — Vice President
Vail Valley Partnership Staff
Our staff is here to help. Contact us with any questions or concerns. Click on staff member name for complete contact information.
Chris Romer — President/CEO
Economic Development
Jeremy Rietmann — Business Development Director
Group Sales
Kim Brussow — Group Sales Manager
Margaret Coyle — National Sales Director
Sandra Perrig Holst — Group Sales Manager
Tina Schwab — Group Sales Manager
Lodging Quality Assurance
Kathy Lichtenheld — Lodging Quality Assurance Manager
Sloane Pagal — Lodging Quality Assurance Inspector
Kathryn Bevin — Communications & Marketing Manager
Lorrie Johnson Cooper — Membership Manager
Haley McNeill — Program Manager


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Favorite Find Friday: Schick Hydro Silk for Women Razor
Written on November 2, 2012 at 10:00 am , by Molly Ritterbeck
Shaving can sometimes be a pain, especially after a workout in the cramped shower stall of the locker room. Plus, I don't want to weigh my gym bag down with a can of shaving cream so instead, I keep a Schick Hydro Silk for Women Razor ($10, drugstore.com) on hand. Its five (yes, five!) blades are surrounded by tiny beads that are jam packed with a water-activated moisturizing serum that's so hydrating, you don't even need to use a shaving cream. It's perfect year-round since it gives me the closest shave, but especially during the chilly winter months that tend to dry out my legs.
Categories: Beauty On the Go, Favorite Find Friday | Tags: Beauty, Beauty On the Go, gym, gymbag, hair removal, legs, razor
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The I-Team's Emmy Award winning in-depth investigation into residential elevators and the dangers they pose to children keeps growing.
Dana Fowle's extensive reporting on a local child's severe brain injury caught the attention of the GA insurance commissioner who has ordered a committee consider whether state regulations need to be changed to better protect children.
Here is the full, five-part series:
PART 1: Home Elevator Dangers
PART 2: State Leader Responds to I-Team Home Elevator Investigation
PART 3: Sate Reacts To I-Team Home Elevator Investigator
PART 4: Residential Elevator Dangers Worse than Originally Thought
PART 5: State Proposes To Make Home Elevators Safer
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