Case Studies

Case Study 2: International Forum for Rural Transport and Development Information Strategy

It has been inferred that the organisations involved in the delivering of information in rural transport issues define their research topics based on an internal analysis of the information needs of their targets groups. There follows a description of an IFRTD internal document on the results of a meeting for the definition of its information strategy. This meeting was held in London on the 12th and 13th of July, 1996.

The main objective of the IFRTD information strategy is to broaden awareness of rural transport as a development issue. For this, three main strategies have been defined: (i) expanding the exchange of information to those involved in rural development issues; (ii) influencing transport planners, implementers and policy-makers; and (iii) encouraging the development of new ideas/thinking among research and development institutions.

For each of these strategies the target groups have been identified, along with their information needs, the sources of information and media for its dissemination. IFRTD decided to focus on national and international groups. They assumed that NFGs would keep contact with local organisations. The first group identified is the National Forum Groups (NFGs). NFGs are associated national networks that subscribe to the vision and mission of IFRTD. Their members are drawn from a wide range of organisations and disciplines. They include representatives of government agencies, multilateral or bilateral projects, universities and local and international NGOs. They are the key audience for the process of expanding the exchange of information. Their information needs include general information on the Forum's activities and other organisations in the sector. Additionally, they need information on alternatives and options for rural transport for development and implications for other sectors. Finally required is information on events on rural transport issues around the world. The main method of dissemination of this information is the Forum's Newsletter.

The countries' Departments of Transport have been identified as one of the target groups to be influenced by IFRTD's rural transport knowledge. It has been found that they need information on four main areas: (i) economic and social benefits; (ii) financial and technical options; (iii) access and mobility issues; and (iv) policy framework. This information is produced by research activities undertaken by IFRTD and other organisations in the sector and delivered through workshops, personal contact and the NFGs, amongst others. The other target group to be influenced by IFRTD comprises Transport Programmes in agencies and national and international NGOs. They need information on alternatives for improving rural transport programmes. This information should be produced by undertaking research projects on this issue.

The last group to be targeted by IFRTD's information strategy consists of the Transport Research Units of different institutions, with the objective to encourage the development of new ideas or thinking among research institutions. It has been identified that they have a need for new research topics, information about the benefits and deficits of ongoing research, and information about funds for research.

In January 2001, IFRTD undertook an evaluation of the Forum Newsletter with the objective to assess its impact and identify possible changes or improvements. This evaluation concluded, amongst another points, that people are interested on new topics of research, such as safety, children and rural transport, evaluation of projects, social assessment, culture and rural transport, spatial behaviour studies, strategy or sector wide initiatives and rural railways.

The following points can be emphasised from the IFRTD's information strategy:

• The information strategy is based on an internal analysis of the target groups, their information needs, the sources of information and media for dissemination.
  
• The dissemination of information works through National Forum Groups that represent most of the stakeholders.
  
• The countries' Departments of Transport are a key target group. They need information on economic and social benefits, financial and technical options, access and mobility issues and policy frameworks.
  
• An evaluation of IFRTD newsletter in January 2001 identified specific information needs.