OBJECTIVE 1: Significantly improve the accuracy, completeness and currency of information available in the World Database on Protected Areas

1.1.1 Prepare a paper on draft standards as a basis for discussion, drawing on existing standards and common usage wherever possible

1.1.2 Working in close collaboration with IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA),review the discussion paper with a wide range of protected areas professionals and other key stakeholders

1.1.3 Prepare a draft common data standard based on the feedback received and incorporating other identified standards (e.g. categories, metadata)

1.1.4 Secure endorsement of the draft standard by IUCN WCPA and widely disseminate the agreed standard

1.2.1 Prepare guidelines on data management as one of the WCPA guidelines series, and promote these through WCPA etc.

1.2.2 Review ways in which protected area management agencies and governments currently manage and make available protected areas data

1.2.3 Test means of directly accessing national or agency data with a number of countries with a view to moving towards a distributed database

1.2.4 Based on the review and experience, develop a strategy for capacity building and extending direct access to national data and identify what tools are required

1.2.5 Work with WCPA regional meetings to increase the flow of information to the WDPA, including promoting development of a distributed approach

1.2.6 Work with other agencies and organizations holding protected areas data to increase its incorporation within the WDPA

1.2.7 Prepare a report on improvements in the WDPA over the year for communication to stakeholders

1.3.1 Document and test the data check and quality control processes implemented during the redevelopment of WDPA

1.3.2 Review the database to identify site data which does not pass these new checks and either quarantine the data or correct inadequacies/errors

1.3.3 Prepare a discussion paper on options for a structured WDPA peer review by IUCN WCPA and its membership

1.3.4 Convene a workshop with the WCPA Steering Committee (particularly regional vice-chairs) to review and agree on a process for WDPA peer review

1.3.5 Test the agreed WDPA peer review process in one IUCN WCPA region and review the results with the IUCN WCPA Steering Committee

1.3.6 Prepare, publish and disseminate a quality control and peer review plan based on the outcomes of these activities

1.4.1 Prepare a marketing and communications strategy for the WDPA, working in collaboration with IUCN WCPA

1.4.2 Use the World Conservation Congress, the World Protected Areas Leadership Forum and Durban+5 meetings as a major opportunities to promote the WDPA

1.4.3 Disseminate other marketing materials as agreed, including briefing materials in appropriate languages to all protected area management agencies

OBJECTIVE 2: Provide integrated access to information on sites important for biodiversity identified by a wide range of internationally active organizations

2.1.1 Review opportunities and needs with key stakeholders as a basis for identifying key datasets and characteristics of necessary data capture and management tools

2.1.2 Review the essential characteristics of decision support tools with data providers and those we anticipate will ultimately use the tools

2.2.1 Develop partnership agreements with key data providers on data sharing, access and use, to ensure clear understanding of roles, responsibilities and resources

2.3.1 Work with partner organizations to review key datasets and identify data that needs to be added, modified or updated in the context of this programme

2.3.2 Provide individual partner organizations with the support necessary for making identified improvements as specified in partner-specific TOR

2.4.1 Design tools for integrating and managing the datasets available within UNEP-WCMC and from partner organizations, either as a central or distributed database

2.4.2 Begin to develop and test the tools, incorporating data from multiple sources and combining them with other necessary data (e.g. country boundaries, topography)

2.4.3 Prepare initial analyses based on overlays of information for use in promotional materials (see below)

2.5.1 Prepare initial design of decision support tools based on the input received from stakeholders through the review process

2.6.1 Prepare the first draft of a marketing and communications strategy for review and comment

2.6.2 Prepare and disseminate promotional materials on the project and what it aims to achieve for data providers to use within their own organizations/networks

OBJECTIVE 3: Increase access to up-to-date information on the distribution and status of coastal and inshore marine ecosystems

3.1.1 Review opportunities and needs with key stakeholders as a basis for identifying key datasets and characteristics of necessary data capture and management tools

3.1.2 Review the essential characteristics of decision support tools with data providers and those we anticipate will ultimately use the tools

3.2.1 Develop partnership agreements with key data providers on data sharing, access and use, to ensure clear understanding of roles, responsibilities and resources

3.3.1 Work with partner organizations to review key datasets and identify data that needs to be added, modified or updated in the context of this programme

3.3.2 Provide individual partner organizations with the support necessary for making identified improvements as specified in partner-specific TOR.

3.4.1 Design tools for integrating and managing the datasets available within UNEP-WCMC and from partner organizations, either as a central or distributed database

3.4.2 Begin to develop and test the tools, incorporating data from multiple sources and combining them with other necessary data (e.g. country boundaries, topography)

3.4.3 Begin to develop and test a geo-wiki component for incorporating data, including necessary checking, review and endorsement processes

3.4.4 Prepare initial analyses based on overlays of information for use in promotional materials

3.5.1 Review available tools and the ways in which they could be used to present data now and in the future

3.5.2 Initiate dialogue with those developing and marketing the visualization tools with a view to collaboration in delivery of information and services

3.6.1 Prepare initial design of decision support tools based on the input received from stakeholders through the review process

3.7.1 Prepare a communications strategy for encouraging the collaboration of those who can contribute to data content

3.7.2 Prepare and disseminate promotional materials on the project and what it aims to achieve for potential data providers and project partners and their networks