Building the CIARD Framework for Data and Information Sharing

Preliminary results of an International Expert Consultation

This discussion paper presents preliminary results from an International Expert Electronic Consultation on developing a CIARD Framework for Data and Information Sharing held online from 4 to 15 April 2011 by Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development (CIARD).

CIARD is a movement by major actors and stakeholders in Agricultural Research for Development (ARD) devoted to making Agricultural Research Information (ARI) publicly available and accessible to all by helping member organizations disseminate their knowledge more effectively, especially to innovators addressing key challenges of agricultural development and food security.

The questions addressed during the International Expert Consultation were:

• Question 1: What are we sharing and what needs to be shared?
• Question 2: What are the prospects for interoperability in the future?
• Question 3: What are the emerging tools, standards and infrastructures?
• Question 4: What actions should be facilitated by CIARD Task Forces?