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direct or indirect at the household, community, local, regional, national or international levels 4
(adapted from FAO 1998).

Stakeholders bring an understanding of what is relevant to society, and offer the “bigger
picture” view of what is important. By including stakeholders in the information development
process, it is easier to gain both buy in for the project as well as greater stewardship over the
natural and social environment. Stakeholders may also benefit the process by bringing local
knowledge and data (Meadows 1998). Abu Dhabi, UAE

Experts are scientists, researches and specialists who have technical or scientific expertise
in aspects of the project. Experts bring an indepth understanding of issues, what can be
measured, where to find and how to analyze the data. They bring credibility to the assessment
process by ensuring the data are robust ansd meet technical criteria for a sound assessment
(Meadows 1998).

Besides thinking about participation, within the context of collecting data and developing indicators and

indices, you may find it useful to identify the following:

1. What are the most appropriate levels of participation for each group or individual? Participatory
involvement can range from one-way communication to two-way consultation and collaboration.
The stronger the stake a group or individual has in a project, the more important it becomes
to ensure there is two-way communication. Two-way communication can range from asking for,
and listening to, feedback on selected issues and indicators, to more direct involvement in the
monitoring, data/indicator/index selection or development process.
2. What are the most relevant stages of the process for including stakeholders? The data and indicator
development process can be driven by both experts and non-experts, depending on the stage in
the process. For example, non-experts are helpful when deciding what issues to address and why,

while experts are helpful when deciding how to collect the data and process them. These roles
may be combined.
3. What are the most efficient and effective mechanisms to include various people in the process,

given available resources?
* To inform the broader public about indicators, for example, you may set up a website early on,
launch or partner with a radio programme or develop a newspaper insert or column.
* To ask for feedback from a large group of stakeholders on their views about the indicators that
have been selected, you could set up a phone number people can call or a website with an online

IEA Training Manual Workshop for the National Reporting Toolkit (NRT) 15