Promoting Digital Access to Research in Least Developed Countries through Research4Life partnership
1,400 librarians, researchers and students from 10 countries have learnt how to access and search digital scientific and academic information provided by Research4Life partners in the framework of a new activity of the UN’s Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries.
The United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries (LDS) & Digital Access to Research (DAR): The Technology Bank for the LDCs is an organ of the UNGA. The Technology Bank through DAR joins the Research4Life partnership as a new type of programme, focusing on the particular needs of the LDCs. The Technology Bank will build on what Research4Life (R4L) has already accomplished regarding online access to the world’s high quality published scientific and technical information. |
Country focal points of the new UN Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries (TBLDC) Digital Access to Research (DAR) activity gathered between 3 and 7 December 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss main achievements and lessons learnt of their first year.
As Barbara Aronson, coordination manager for DAR highlighted: “We are proud to report that the new effort delivered more than 35 face to face workshops for 1,400 participants in ten countries in 2018 with initial outreach conducted in a further two countries. Librarians, researchers, medical, agricultural and environmental specialists from twelve of the UN Least Developed Countries
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania Faso |
are now able to access and make the best use of available scientific and professional information in health, agriculture, environment, innovation and law provided by Research4 Life partners. What’s more they are also committed to deliver further training to their users, colleagues and students.”
Five programmes making up Research4Life are: AGORA, Hinari, OARE, GOALI and ARDI, covering research in agriculture, health, environment, law, development and innovation. |
Participants of the workshop were addressed by the new Managing Director of the TBLDC, who took up his appointment on 26 November 2018. The gathering also learnt more about Research4Life resources and discussed challenges they face, including language barriers, unreliable internet connections or poor road infrastructure.
The workshop was held in the premises of the International Labour Organization (ILO), one of the UN members of the Research4Life partnership, managing a programme providing online access to legal information (GOALI).
RELATED:
- Breaking Down Barriers to Research Participation
- AGORA (Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture)
- We are glad to inform you that CALL for APPLICATIONS for the free AGORA ONLINE COURSE February 2019 Edition (in English, Spain, French) is now open! The course (in each language) lasts for two-weeks and requires a six-hour time commitment on average per week. Interested? Enrol to this course right now!
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