14.1. Introduction
14.1.1. The afternoon of Thursday 18 June was dedicated to four working groups sessions: (1) non-climatic variables; (2) funding strategy; (3) GTOS governance; (4) data and information management. The results of the working group sessions are summarized below (see full report of each group in Annex III).
14.2. Working Group on Non-climatic Variables
14.2.1. Considering the current GTOS financial situation, the group proposed to establish virtual panels operating via fax and email to make an initial assessment of user needs and of existing sites or on-going activities that could contribute to meeting these needs. It recommended that priority should be given to the establishment of panels for land quality, loss of biodiversity, and key socio-economic issues. The first tasks would be to prepare draft terms of reference and lists of potential members.
14.2.2. The group made the following recommendations:
Recommendation 15: to establish a joint GOOS/GTOS coastal panel
Recommendation 16: to reassess the needs for a virtual panel on water resources before the next Steering Committee meeting and to review the major international initiatives dealing with water resources.
14.3. Working Group on GTOS Funding Strategy
14.3.1. The break-out group considered the strategy and implementation plans for funding of GTOS. It suggests a close relationship must be achieved between program, implementation, and funding plans. The group first considered the operational aspects of GTOS and then placed funding needs of the secretariat in the context of the total function of the system.
14.3.2. The immediate actions recommended by the group are the following:
Incorporate the elements of this paper into the revised Operational Plan for GTOS, as part of the results of this meeting of the GTOS Steering Committee.
Carefully ensure that the programme, implementation, and funding plans are fully harmonized.
Engage co-sponsors at an early time to secure start up funds, seeking their support in acquiring funds from donors.
Develop a list of potential donors and their interests and mandates and a plan of engagement for donors of highest priority - relate outcomes to areas of donor interest - an action plan for donor engagement.
Develop invitations to donors and users for participating in the next meeting of the GTOS Steering Committee or its Executive Committee.
Develop a clear, precise, brief prospectus on GTOS that can be used for initial contacts with potential donors and users - identifying fundable modules in the context of the total strategy.
Develop a plan for engagement of foundations, understanding their mandates and interests and tailoring meetings to gain their interest and support. Specifically develop foundation approaches to seek one-time (start-up) support for GTOS.
14.4. Working Group on GTOS Governance
14.4.1. The group reviewed the GTOS structure and recommended to reduce the Steering Committee in size to 12-15 members after the initial 3 years (i.e. 1999), and to implement a rotational plan whereby 3-4 members will be replaced each year thereafter. New members will be identified by both the current Steering Committee and Co-sponsors and following Co-sponsors approval, they will be invited by the Chairman of the Steering Committee on behalf of the Co-sponsors. It was agreed to disband the working groups established at the first Steering Committee meeting in December 1996. New working groups can be created to consider, develop or evaluate specific topics and issues thought relevant to the GTOS programme and its operations.
14.4.2. The group recommended to establish a GTOS Network Panel (GT-Net Panel), in order to allow each type of network to have a voice in determining how GTOS will operate and directions in which it will move. This panel will be in effect the GTOS Scientific and Technical Committee proposed at the Fontainebleau meeting in 1992 and by the ad hoc Scientific and Technical Planning Group for GTOS. A Network Panel is very important if GTOS is to succeed because it is vital that active terrestrial/aquatic scientists at the forefront of their fields should keep GTOS abreast of current scientific findings and applications. The reports of the GT-Net Panel will come before the GTOS Steering Committee which will consider them in light of current political, economic, social and development needs thus giving GTOS the requisite geopolitical and scientific balance.
Recommendation 17: to establish a GTOS Network Panel (GT-Net Panel) composed mainly of scientists designated by the networks participating in GTOS, as well as selected members of the Steering Committee, plus a few independent scientists of distinction.
14.5. Working Group on Data and Information Management
14.5.1. The Working Group was directed to consider two specific issues - development and management of GTOS products, and the role and development of GTOS Data and Analysis Centres.
14.5.2. GTOS Products: derived datasets and any further products developed from them may certainly be GTOS products. The question of whether or not any primary datasets would be termed "GTOS products" gave rise to considerable discussion. GTOS is envisaged as a facilitator, not a collector or owner of data. A mechanism is needed to ensure that a GTOS designation is made (where appropriate) without usurping ownership in any way.
14.5.3. GTOS Data Centres: several different types of Data Centres will be needed: local, national and regional centres to manage datasets; centres with particular analysis expertise and capabilities; archive facilities; and a central coordination point. Since analysis is only one of the functions required, the term GTOS Data and Analysis Centres was dropped in favour of simply GTOS Data Centres. These Centres would be primarily existing institutions with which formal agreements had been made to undertake one or more of the above functions on behalf of GTOS.
14.5.4. A number of actions were recommended by this group, such as: develop criteria for datasets to be designated as GTOS products; develop criteria for management of GTOS products; establish GTOS Data Centres; develop archive procedures; establish GTOS archive.
