1. Introduction The World Bank and the USDA Forest Service are offering a series of awareness raising seminars through the Global Distance Learning Network (GDLN). The subject is strengthening forest governance with spatial analysis technology, i.e. the operational use of remote sensing and GIS based information tools to support government decision-making. These seminars will provide an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge, sharing of experiences, and a discussion of good practices and lessons learned. This series will enable participants from national governments to up-date their understanding of how to use spatial analysis and information tools to promote good forest governance. The target audiences of this seminar series are decision makers in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines and Vietnam. As appropriate, all information and resources developed through these discussions will be made available to interested governments, NGOs, agencies, and other development partners by the Bank. A summary will be published of the presented information in a World Bank discussion paper.Seminar This seminar is the first of four that will be offered in the series. It will emphasize the importance of accurate and timely information for good forest governance, as well as well-defined disclosure policies. This seminar will provide insight into the use of spatial information and the requirements for handling access to crucial types of information within government agencies. The seminar will also discuss the typical consequences of free access to information. During the second part of this seminar participants will have the opportunity to present and discuss their governance needs for spatial information. The remaining seminars will be offered every three to four weeks and will discuss: (a) spatial analysis concepts and tools; (b) case studies; and (c) design of custom-tailored information tools. Specialists in the use and management of spatial information will participate from the World Bank and USDA Forest Service, and their partners. In cooperation with the following World Bank Offices and GDLN affiliates: Seminar One of a Four-part Series Information and Governance April 25, 2007 in Asia Sites A series of four awareness raising seminars organized by the World Bank and USDA Forest Service through the Global Distance Learning Network An Inter-Regional Knowledge Sharing Series on the Strengthening Forest Governance with Spatial Information Tools Global Development Learning Network Featuring Moderator - Ralph M. Ridder, World Bank Presenters:  Richard Damania, World Bank - The Need For Information And Monitoring To Enable Good Forest Governance  Luca Tacconi, Australian National University - Requirements (Institutional, Legal, Other) To Overcome Typical Forest Sector Information Deficits And Consequences Of Information Access (Organizational Restructuring, Changed Stakeholder Interaction, Etc.)  Stephen Lintner, World Bank - Disclosure policies (components of disclosure policies, freedom of information acts, disclosure mechanisms)  Theodore S. Greenberg, World Bank - Opportunities, requirements and limitations to strengthen law enforcement with remote sensing Online Resources Webcast Live at: http://vcg01.worldbank.org/vc/http://vcg01.worldbank.org/vc/ Website: www.worldbank.org/eaprural Locations, Local Times, & Contacts  Hanoi, Vietnam Development Information Center, 08:30 AM - 11:30 AM, April 25, Nuong Dieu Nguyen. Email: nnguyen2@worldbank.org  Jakarta, World Bank Office, 08:30 AM - 11:30 AM, April 25, Prabha Chandran. Email: pchandran@worldbank.org  Manila, Philippines Development Learning Center, 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM, April 25, Robbie Macalde. Email: jmacalde@aim.edu  Phnom Penh, World Bank Office, 08:30 AM - 11:30 AM, April 25, Bou Saroeun. Email: sbou@worldbank.org  Vientiane, World Bank Office, 08:30 AM - 11:30 AM, April 25, Viengsamay Srithirath (Nou). Email: vsrithirath@worldbank.org  Washington DC, GDLN Studio, 09:30 PM, April 24 - 12:30 AM, April 25, Cesar Gordillo. Email: cgordillo1@worldbank.org Program Contacts  Sonya Woo. Knowledge Coordinator, East Asia & Pacific Vice Presidency. Email: swoo1@worldbank.org  Bob McGough. Instructional Designer. Email: rmcgough@worldbank.org Vietnam Development Information Center U.S.A. (Washington D.C.) GDLN Studios World Bank Office Indonesia World Bank Office Lao PDR World Bank Office Cambodia Philippines Development Learning Center