United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Administration And
Resources Management
(PM-221A)

SEPA CARIBBEAN
CURRENTS HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY
Vol.1 No. 4
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 204®
Welcome...
—to the fourth edition of Caribbean Currents—the
quarterly newsletter for lNFUi£kRA National Focal
Points in the English and French-speaking
Caribbean.
We would like to thank all of the contributors to this
edition for their articles.
Everyone is welcome to send news items, press
releases, announcements,, or other information to the
newsletter. Contact your RSCifyou have any
questions or contributions.
ihe next edition will be published on Decenber 1st
Please have your contributions in with plenty of
time for inclusion. (Deadline: November10,1992)
In this Issue:
FEATURE ARTICLE:
INFOTERRA Promotion and Outreach:
Part Two: Your External Audience...p. 2
Promotional Ideas....	p. 4
United Nations Conference on Information
Systems: An overview of the
conference held in Puerto Rico.	1
Promotion at the NFPs: Outreach programs
in Belize...						p. 3
Natural Disaster Reduction in the Caribbean:
Two conferences held this Spring	p. 5
"	m V '
Newsnotes:
INFOTERRA visits Agricultural and
Trade Show; die Wider Caribbean
Initiative				p. 6
INFOTERRA NFP Directory.;;;

.p. 6
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS
I attended the Conference on Information Systems,
the Environment, and Development in Latin
America and the Caribbean in San Juan, Puerto Rico
earlier this year. The conference was sponsored by
the United Nations Environment Programme and .
the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources.
The objectives of the meeting were to encourage the
exchange of computerized information on regional
programs that store and distribute information and
to identify specific regional cooperative activities
that facilitate decision-making on environmental
management
The attendees included delegates from eighteen
Latin American and Caribbean nations,
representatives from international organizations,
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGQs), private
industry, and Puerto Rican governmental
organizations. Some of the countries represented
included Guyana, Barbados, St Kitts, Dominican
Republic, Surinam, and Dominica.
The agenda consisted of:
•	Presentations by the countries' delegates on
the state of the environmental information
in each country, including, in some cases,
their experiences with the Geographic
Information System (OS)
•	Overview of international networks and their
utilization in Latin America and the
Caribbean
•	TJNEP's Global Resource Information
Database (GRID) and its network
•	A general presentation on QS, components,
and applications
•	Workgroup discussions on databanks and
networks and on GIS and resulting
recommendations.
An ediibit of information sytfems and toob was on
display as part of the conference.EPAwas fi
represented by INFOTERRA/U5A, ISI Gnfionnation
Systems Inventory), STORET, AIRS, and other
databases. EPA's Region 2 and Caribbean Held
(amtmued em page S)

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INFOTERRA PROMOTION AND OUTREACH
PARTTWO; THE EXTERNAL AUDIENCE
Promotion and outreach are the keys to the
successful operation of any information
organization. In providing information to your
clientele, creative outreach and promotion are
crucial tools which keep National Focal Point (NFP)
information services in the spotlight NFPs serve
- both internal and external audiences. The internal
audience is composed of decision-makers,
information professionals, scientists, and other
groups within your organization. All other
requestors—inside or outside your country—
constitute your external audience.
This is the second installment in a two-part series.
In part one, we looked in-depth at providing
services to the internal audience. In this issue, we
will look at ways of identifying your external
audience and developing an effective marketing
plan to promote your services outside the
organization.
Who is your External Audience?
The services of INFOTERRA can be of interest to a
number of groups outside your own organization.
Government ministries (besides the one which
supports the NFP) may account for the largest
group within your external audience. Other
probable users of your services include local
industrialists, foreign corporations operating in your
country, scientific and technical institutions,
professional organizations, and environmental and
academic groups.
It is important to remember that the flow of
information can run both ways. Knowing who is
most interested in your services may provide you
with ideas as to who can help you obtain
information. One of the benefits of effective
outreach is opening the channels for two-way
communication.	; ¦ .*

m*im

i- -
Assessing Your External Audience
Identifying Your Audience:
Useful tools for identifying possible target groups
are:
•	the business and professional sections in
telephone directories
•	specialized directories
•	Chambers of Commerce or business
organizations
•	public libraries.
Once you have compiled a listing of groups in your
target audience, it should be organized in a form
that you can maintain and update easily, such as
card files or electronic (computer) files.
Knowing Your Audiences Needs and Specializations:
There are three levels of priority which can serve as
categories for your External Audience:
•	Primary—the most influential people with
whom you are likely to deal
•	Secondary—people whom you would like
to contact that may be unfamiliar with
INFOTERRA
•	Tertiary—the audience at large.
Each of these groups have particular interests—and
prejudices—which need to be researched before you
can develop an effective marketing plan. Oneway
to get started is to perform a selective analysis. Select
a specific group (or set of groups with similar
interests) from your Primary List Analyze the
needs, interests, and organization of this group to
detennine what they need to know about
INFOTERRA and what it can do for them. It is
important not to waste people's time with
information that is irrelevant to their needs: any
*type of promotion should be directed to the specific
needs of the audience.
•Sending Your Audience a dear Message:
You are telling the members of your audience what
you can do to support {heir mission. When you


receive a clear
to satisfy
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2'

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INFOTERRA PROMOTION AND OUTREACH
(continued frontpage!)
Choosing the Type of Promotion
There are many ways in which you can promote
your services. Consider
•Radio	"Videos and Television
•Newspapers •Journals
•Conferences "Tours
•Brochures and other Hand-outs.
•Speeches and Presentations
Once you have identified and analyzed your target
audience, you can use one or more of these media to
promote your services.
Two important considerations enter into the
selection of a promotional media. First, consider the
interests, needs, and capabilities of your audience.
Some promotional methods maybe inappropriate or
ineffective for reaching some groups. Then consider
your own skills, experience, and available tools.
Start out with promotional materials with which you
are comfortable so thatycu can manage them
effectivdy.
You are not alone~
When putting together promotional materials,
remember, there are others out there doing the same
thing. Other NFPs are in the process of designing
their promotional materials, as is the RSC. Tap into
the resources that are available to you before diving
into designing your own promotional services. The
RSC is ready to help you—all you have to do is ask.
Share information with other members of the
INFOTERRA network. There may be an idea that
someone else has used which you can adapt to your
audience. And some of your ideas may work well
for someone else. Share your problems and
successes around the network—everyone can benefit
from it!
3
For some Metis on how tovscpromotbwl media¦
page 4.^
ia, turn
PROMOTION AT THE NFPs
Here is an example of some of the promotional activities being conducted at a National Focal Point. If any other focal points
have ideas for or questions about promoting their services, Caribbean Currents would be glad to share them in upcoming
issues.
OUTREACH PROGRAMS TN BFT TZP.
\
-W
Over the past years, many people have been made aware of the INFOTERRA network by the display of posters
and distribution of photocopied promotional leaflets at various functions nationwide. On April 4-5,1992 and
later on May 1-3, INFOTERRA posters were displayed at both Agriculture and Trade shows, first at Maskall,
then at Belmopan. In September, when the Independence celebrations commence, INFOTERRA will orice again
be promoted at the Festival Grand Market which will be held in Belize City.
INFOTERRA announcements are aired on the local radio stations to make people aware of the various services
offered by the network. This was also done on the local television stations; lack of funding, however, has caused
this type of promotion to cease until funding can be provided to continue it
Much has been accomplished through the use of the mailsf Photocopied INFOTERRA Bulletins and the
Regional Service Centre bulletin—Caribbean Currents—have been sent to both government and non-government
organizations nationwide. Personal visits have also been made to some of these organizations and institutions
for the purpose of registering new sources. By using these methods of promotion, I have been successful in
making many people aware of the existence of the network. In the future, I would like to obtain some posters
from the PAC to hang in the different organizations and institutions nationwide.
With the formation of the Department of Environment, many Belizeans have become environmentally conscious.
At present, the Department of Environment is in the process of establishing legislation relating to environmental
impact assessment (EIA). This legislation will require developers to carry out an EIA before any type of
development that may have an adverse effect on the environment (especially the mangrove ecosystem) can
occur. I must conclude that much more will be done in the area of promotion of the INFOTERRA network
nationwide in the near future.
Jaime Villanueva, INFOTERRA/Belize
3

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VW/
PROMOTIONAL IDEAS
Of the promotM media listed in the feature article,
there are three that may be the most accessible to you.
\	Here are some ways to approach them:	
1) Design BROCHURES
describing your services:
USES: Hand-outs and brochures
are very versatile. You can
give them to anyone who
wants general information.
They can also be tailored to
provide detailed information
about a specific topic
CONTENT: Whatever you want
to convey. For example, a
hand-out could provide
information about the NFP—
why it exists, whom it serves,
how to access information,
and soon. Another could be a
fact sheet describing the
history of the INFOTERRA
Network.
DETAILS: When preparing a
publication for any audience,
you need to consider issues
such as color, type face, the
use of white space; overall
readability, and the layout of
text
2) Make a PRESENTATION at a
meeting of a professional
oiganization:
USES: This approach can be used
to reach a broad spectrum of
patrons within your Primary
or Secondary audiences. Each
presentation should have a
specific focus targeted at its
audience. This form of
outreach provides effective,
personal contact
CONTENT: You should have a
brief introduction of the topic,
a main "body" with examples
to illustrate each point, and a
concluding summary. Use of
hand-outs and of audio-
visuals such as overheads,
slides, or videos makes a
presentation more interesting
and involving.
DETAILS: Make sure your
supporting materials
(overheads, etzif are relevant
to your topic, otherwise they
will distract the audience's
attention away from
yourpoints. Get your
audience involved with the .
topic. (Question and answer
sessions are a good idea.) . ..
Have everything prepared in
advance. T."'
3) Publish an article in a local
NEWSPAPER:
USES: Such an article can reach a
very wide audience. This is
an excellent way to announce
new services, changes of staff,
relocation of offices, or the
release of a new report
CONTENT: Be brief and to the
point Newspaper articles
should contain as much
information as possible in a
few words. Be sure to include
the name and phone number
of a contact person in your
oiganization.
DETAILS: You are providing
information for someone else
to publish, so make it as easy
as possible for them. Type on
only one side of die paper and
use wide margins to make
editing easier. Double space
vtHir article.

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Caribbean Countries Meet On
Natural Disaster Relief
•	In June, several Caribbean and international
agencies attended the Health Disaster Coordinators
Meeting in Barbados, which permitted both sides to
better understand each other's responsibilities and
roles in disaster response activities. Members of the
Pan-American Health Organization's (PAHO)
Disaster Response Team also attended the meeting
and participated in the Tradewinds Exercise, a six-
day disaster relief exercise. Tradewinds included a
disaster simulation held June 13-14, with
participation by both national and international
disaster relief and response agencies. The PAHO
team reviewed procedures for assessing health
sector needs and coordinating response procedures
with the Health Disaster Coordinators prior to a
disaster.
•	The Secretariat of the International Decade for
Natural Disaster Relief (IDNDR) held a Caribbean
Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica May 26-29. Mere than
150 participants from 22 Caribbean countries,
departments, and territories, as well as regional
Caribbean agencies and international organizations,
bilateral donor countries, and the private sector
attended. The meeting was sponsored by the
United Nations Development Programme and the
governments of Canada, France, Germany, the
United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
The purpose of the meeting was to increase
awareness of disaster vulnerability and to formula^
guidelines and recommendations for national "s
IDNDR Committees and other entities. Working
groups:
•	made recommendations on national, regional,
and international level priority objectives during
the IDNDR
•	specified functions that should be undertaken by
national IDNDR Committees
•	met by sectors and made recommendations on
their sector's role in disaster reduction
•	and began considering activities for 1993 World
Disaster Reduction Day. Qts theme will be
Disaster Mitigation in Hospitals and Schools^.
For more information on these meetings, contact;
Dr. Jean Luc Poncelet
Emergency Preparedness Adviser, PAHO
P.O. Box 508
Bridgetown, Barbados
—adapted from the newsletter :
Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation
#51,July 1992 "¦
Pan-American Health Organization
y-T
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE
ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS
(contmued from page 1)
WORKGROUPS RECOMMENDATIONS
Delegates from the different countries, officials of
the international organizations represented at the
meeting, and officials of the Puerto Rican and US
governments were asked to split up into two
workgroups. Here is a summary of the
recommendations formulated by these workgroups.
DATABANKS AND NETWORKS
The major problem identified by this workgroup
was the underntilization of the various networks
and databases that already exist in the region. This
lack of use was attributed, in part, to the problems
of communication and information exchange
between national and regional institutions.
The group recognized the need to improve the
linkages between the systems, increase and improve
user access, and increase the number of users. Some
of the recommendations included the compilation
of an international directory of environmental
databases, the establishment of regional nodes to
facilitate access to information, and the
development of training programs for users of
networks and databases.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Some of the problems identified by this group - .
"Included the limited use of GIS by the
environmental sector of government, lack of
information m the QS-selection process, lack of
trained personnel, and insufficient funding. r ; -r.
Tlie group made several recommendations
including developing pilot programs that address
major regional problems, improving training v '
opportunities* exploring new sources of financing, *
and strengtharing communication and information
access on aiyGISkdatecl
5

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NEWSNQTES
INFOTERRA GOES TO AGRICULTURE AND TRADE SHOW:
INFOTERRA posters were once again displayed at the Fisheries Department booth at the National
Agriculture and Trade Show held on lst-3rd May 1992 at the Show Grounds in Belmopan. This event is held
annually and many Belizeans look forward to attending it-this year it was attended by twenty-three
thousand people. Earlier this year, on 4th-5th April, INFOTERRA posters woe also displayed and leaflets
given out at an Agricultural show held in MaskaD Village in the Belize District Posters were constructed
showing how INFOTERRA works, who the users are, and how one can utilize the network. Some were made
using promotional leaflets. One poster featured a photo of PAC director Dr. Wo Yen Lee. Photocopied
leaflets were issued to attendees who showed an interest in the network. Various questions concerning the
operation of the network were answered. The attendees who visited the booth showed great interest in the
network, and many promised to use it when the situation arises. As Belizeans grow more environmentally
aware, there will be mote dependency on the INFOTERRA network.
—Jaime Villanueva, INFOTERRA/Belize
WIDER CARIBBEAN INITIATIVE:
EPA is planning to establish a Caribbean Environmental Information Center (CfciC) in Puerto Rico
based on a recent Information Resource Needs Analysis. The purpose of the CEIC is to facilitate the effective
exchange and use of environmental information to serve public, private, academic, and government agencies
in Puerto Rico in support of efforts to reduce land-based sources of pollution and promote sustainable
development The plan calls for
•	the development of an archive of environment-related information
•	the creation of an environmental information newsletter highlighting the availability of information
resources in Puerto Rico
•	the design and planning of a computer-based environmental information network.
^ For more information contact Andrew Battin at (202) 260-5109. 		.	.
NFP DIRECTORY
(Please notify the RSC of any changes.)
Olrp— Ar-^cr
Department of Environmental Health Services
P.O. BoocN-3729
Nassau. THE BAHAMAS
Phone: (809) 322-4908	Fex: (809) 426-8959
Vernese Inniss
Administrative Officer (Environment)
Ministry of Labour. Consumer Affairs and
the Environment
„ Marine House. Hastings
St Michael. 29
BARBADOS
Phone: (809)427-2326	Fax: (809)426-8959
Jaime Villanueva
Fisheries Department
Princess Margaret Drive
P.O.Box 148
Belize City. BELIZE
Telephone: 501-2-44552	FAX 501-2-32983
?. Mavis TayiorK3%^
Insti tute of Applied Science and Technology:
University Campus - '
iP.O. Bcoc 101050
* Georgetown. GUYANA....			 	 	
Tefcphone: 539^2or53829^*Fax: 592-2-53042
Marguerite Blemur
Minlstere de (Agriculture et des Resources Natunefles
et du Developpement Rural
P.O. Box 1441
Port-au-Prince, HAITI
Telephone: 509-22-1867 FAX: 509-22-3599
Sharon O'Connor
Natural Resources Conservation DMson
Ministry of Tourism & the Environment
531/2 Moines Road. P.O. Box 305
Kingston. JAMAICA
Telephone: (809) 923-5155 FAX: (809) 923-5070
John Husbands
Health Planner
Ministry of Health. Labour. Information
:: Broadcasting. and the Environment
C-hausec Road
Castries. SHLUCIA ... ..	_
Telephone: $09) 453-1960 FAX: ~(809) 453-1080
Emma J. McKamara
INPOTERRA/USA
U.S. Environmental ProtecaonAgency i
Headquarters Library .^ "
Room 2904^ PM-211A r
401 M Street. S. W. I #'
Washington. DC C. 20460. USA''
Telephone: (202)260-5917 ^;:FAX: (202)260-3923

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