Report prepared for the Experts Meeting Towards the Implementation of a Global Invasive Species
Information Network (GISIN), 6-8 April, 2004. Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Page 105
8/30/2004
Organizational Framework
Group Leaders: Keng-Yeang Lum
(ASEANET)¹, Lucie Rogo (CBD)²
Rapporteurs: Richard Smith (BioNET-
INTERNATIONAL), Shelaine Curd-Hetrick
(NBII)³
Introduction
The Organizational Framework breakout
group was tasked with identifying priorities
and the next steps that the invasive alien
species (IAS) community must take in order
to continue the implementation of the
GISIN. A draft GISIN Framework document
(
Appendix K) was discussed, as was future
funding sources and possible organizational
affiliations. This group initiated the selection
of the six-member interim Steering
Committee (iSC) for the GISIN.
Report – Mission and Vision
The mission, vision and goals of the GISIN,
as they were outlined in Section 1.1 of the
draft GISIN Framework document, were
discussed. The GISIN mission was defined
as follows:
“Facilitate the electronic assembly and
sharing of knowledge on invasive alien
species to reduce the spread of IAS
worldwide.”
The group revised the goals of the GISIN to
read as follows:
To provide a platform for sharing
invasive species information at a global
level by internet and digital means;
To offer a central place for the reporting
and tracking of new alien species
sightings via email listserv;
To develop and share information
management tools to better identify,
1
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) LOOP
of BioNET International
2
Convention on Biological Diversity
3
National Biological Information Infrastructure
map, and predict the spread of invasive
species at regional and global levels;
To build the capacity of network
members in the development of invasive
species information tools; and
To identify and prioritize critical gaps in
integrating IAS databases.
GISIN Affiliation(s)
With respect to the structure and possible
affiliations of the GISIN (sections 2.0 and
2.6 of the draft document), the group raised
and discussed the following questions:
Where will the central hub of GISIN be
located?
Do we need to develop the GISIN within
the context of the CBD² or other policy
or strategic frameworks?
Should GISIN be affiliated with
organizations such as GISP
4
, IUCN
5
,
or
GBIF
6
, and what are the consequences
of doing so or not doing so?
Can GISIN move forward without
formalizing affiliations, and what are the
disadvantages of doing so?
Who is going to use the GISIN?
GISIN's mission: Facilitate the
electronic assembly and sharing of
knowledge on invasive alien species
to reduce the spread of IAS
worldwide.
In developing the GISIN, all effort should be
made to cooperate with existing
organizations, and to avoid duplication of
effort and products. The group highlighted
the need for GISIN to develop partnerships
as a key step in the development process,
rather than developing a new and separate
organization. They recognized that there are
both advantages and disadvantages to
4
Global Invasive Species Programme
5
The World Conservation Union
6
Global Biodiversity Information Facility
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