On the 14^th of July 2010, Rwanda Environment Management Authority, REMA, organized a workshop that took place at Laico Hotel, Kigali. The objective of the workshop was to present and review a draft report on the Current Status of Environmental Information Management in Rwanda as well as to reflect and exchange ideas on setting up a network for environment information which will improve collection, sharing and dissemination of environmental information.

Participants were from different institution such as Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees Affaires; Ministry of Infrastructure, MININFRA; Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Rwanda,ISAR; National Forest Authority, (NAFA); Rwanda environmental NGOs forum, RENGOF; Rwanda NUR-GIS Environmental Awareness Services Organisation Network, REASON; REMA’s Staff and Interns…

The Director General of REMA mentioned that the whole nation of Rwanda is dependent on natural
resources; therefore reliable information is required for the protection of environment “When you don’t have data, you can’t plan”, she added.

Furthermore, according to the constitution of Rwanda, every citizen has freedom of information and the right of a healthy and satisfying environment. The Director General recommended that environmental data should be interpreted in the language that is understandable by the population. REMA has a great task of coordinating all sources of environment information and Data in order to provide quality information.

The programme of Environment Information Network, EIN and a proposal of a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework for the Environment were presented to the participants, followed by discussions on key elements such as identification and collection of data and how to establish a productive network.

The participants realised that, the programme of the environmental information network has challenges such as absence of an environmental resource centre which would enhance access to the environmental information, lack of enough professionals in environment sector and lack of enough financial resources. However, the mandate law No. 16/2006 to collect, manage and disseminate environment information, the positive political will of REMA as well as the partners such as GRID-Arendal will be supportive to network.

The workshop ended with presentation of recommendations which includes a set up of a quality insurance committee  for monitoring the activities of the network.