STRUCTURED DOCUMENTATION

MANAGEMENT(An Open Governance

Initiative)

JIAMCATT 2015 NEW YORK, 9 APR 2015

Definitions

Open Governance

• Ensuring access to information to be able to engage with governments/organizations more effectively.

• A willingness of the data holder to work collaboratively with others.

Definitions

XML

• “Extended Markup Language”: a set of rules for structuring information (e.g. documents) in a way that allows for the exchange, display, and storage of data independent of proprietary Software, and Hardware devices. proprietary operating systems and hardware devices.

Definitions

Akoma Ntoso

• An open XML standard used in Parliamentary processes• Started in 2004 within the “Africa i-Parliament Action

Plan” promoted by UN/DESA• Akoma Ntoso means “Linked Hearts” and it is a symbol

used by the Akan people of West Africa to represent understanding and agreement

Definitions

Interoperability

• The ability of computer systems to exchange data.• Isolated data sets have limited value, their value

increases significantly only when interlinked and re-used freely.

• XML enables users to compare, contrast, and create new data sets.

Definitions

FAO Governance

• Conference, Council and other Governing Body Decisions

• Summit outcome documents• Basic Texts

Definitions

FAO’s Normative Work

Why is XML of interest to FAO?

Each biennium150+ FAO meetings

several hundred documents [authored, transcribed, edited, translated, printed and

distributed to a vast audience]

but …Data bound up in closed formats (pdf and Word) not easily

accessible, nor open for sharing and re-use

Current Workflow

• Complex and rigid Word template

• Manual work in six languages

• Word template needs regular updating

• Lack of interoperability

• Amendments are collected in TC mode or e-mails

New Workflow

• Flexible XML Schema

• XML Mark-up once (multilingual context)

• Not subject to software updates

• Full interoperability with other systems

• Open Platform for amendments/comments

Open Governance at FAO

Giving Greater Access and Visibility to FAO’s Normative and Governance Work

by…

supporting a more effective authoring process through an XML document schema

Key Objectives

1. Improve access and visibility to FAO’s normative and governance information.

2. Improved consultation with stakeholders in normative/governance work.

3. Make FAO normative and governance information interoperable.

Key Outputs

1. An XML schema for FAO governance and normative information.

2. A document management system for production workflow.

3. Tools/Web services to improve consultation and use of data by stakeholders.

Key Outcomes

GREATER:

1. Stakeholder participation in key areas of FAO’s work.

2. Accessibility and visibility of governance/normative information.

3. Interoperability.

4. Consistency.

5. Long term preservation of information

Proof of Concept

• Started in October 2014

• Letter of Agreement signed with Bologna University

• Advisory Committee/Information Sharing Group Set-up

• Meetings with Internal Stakeholders

• Prototypes

Proof of Concept (Prototypes)

1. Consultation Process (Normative Secretariats)

2. Accessibility of Food Standards (Codex Alimentarius)

3. Improvements on FAOLEX (Legal Office)

4. Tracking of Modifications of Procedural Texts

5. Interactivity between Pre-Session/In-Session Meeting Docs

6. Production and Publication of Multilingual Meeting Documents

Open Data in National Governments

Open Government Partnership, September 2011Open Data Charter by the G8, June 2013

Use of XML at National Level

• From the World e-Parliament Report 2012• 78% use or plan to use XML in Parliament

THANK YOUANY QUESTIONS?