Lessons Learnt From The Last Mile Workshop
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Climate Innovations Network
Jun 21, 2016, 11:55:23 AM6/21/16
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LESSONS LEARNT FROM THE LAST MILE WORKSHOP: 14-18 MARCH, 2016, AT AVANI VICTORIA FALLS RESORT, ZAMBIA.
By Dr. Robert K. Rutaagi
Experts from 11 countries in Africa, gathered in AVANI Victoria Falls Resort [AVFR], in Livingstone Town, Zambia from 14-18 March, 2016 for a high level Workshop, dubbed The Last Mile, organized by the UNDP/GEF Climate Information for Resilient Development in Africa (CIRDA). These included but were not limited to: UNDP/GEF Supported Climate Information Early Warning Systems [SCIEWS] Project Managers, leaders of National Meteorology and Hydrology Services (NMHS), representatives from the Departments of Disaster Risk Management and implementing partners engaged in communicating climate information to communities.
I led the Ugandan Delegation,in my capacity as the Chairperson of the Board of the Uganda National Meteorological Authority [UNMA]. The other members of my delegation were: Mr. Gerald Menhya, the Assistant Commissioner, Relief, Disaster Preparedness & Management-Office of the Prime Minister [OPM],Mr. Deus Bamanya, the Director Applied Meteorology and Data Analysis [UNMA], Mr. Pascal Onegiu Okello, the Project Manager for the UNDP/GEF/SCIEWS Project and Mr. Robert Kintu, the Director of Fit Uganda, a Private Sector Investor in Meteorological Services – probably, one of its own kind in Uganda and a potential Partner for UNMA.
The Workshop was financially and technically supported by UNDP/GEF/CIRDA Team led by Ms Bonizella Biagini, assisted by Mr. Allan Miller, Prof. John Snow and others.
The Last Mile, was a very unique integration, synthetization and harmonization of UNDP/GEF/CIRDA Project outputs after one and half years of operations and about same time before they come to the end. Hence, The Last Mile – was a sort of ‘photo-finish’ initiative, to use the athletic expression when the athletee marshals up all adrenaline and hormones to win a race! And so it was for the Team Leader – BonizellaBiagini,her CIRDA Team and Workshop Participants trying to finish the race in Livingstone Town, in the vicinity of the most beautiful Mosi-Oa-Tunya Victoria Falls!
The objectives of The Last Mile included but were not limited the following to:
Later, when modern ICT became the order of the day, replacing landline telephones, postal services and delivering mails on foot or bicycles, I had heard of and many times experienced internet Hackers – clever guys who, playing about with ideas and new technologies, generate novelle ideas. Little did I know that the CIRDA Workshop in Livingstone, would bring me face to face with the ‘Hackathoners’’ who play about with ICT to provide pragmatic solutions to Meteorological and Hydrological challenges of today. All courtesy of CIRDA Workshop – The Last Mile.
THE LAST MILE ACHIEVEMENTS:
These included but were not limited to the following:
“3 main groups emerged across countries in the CIRDA program:
1. Ready to engage with selected private sector companies: Tanzania, Zambia and Burkina Faso
2. Moderate capacity building required before extensive engagement with the private sector: Benin, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Malawi and Uganda and-
3. Intensive capacity building required before extensive engagement with the private sector: Liberia, Sao Tome and Principe, and Sierra Leone. Conclusions: phased transition.
Even before the Last Mile Workshop, a Uganda specific commercialization [of Met. Services] had been carried out under UNMA/UNDP/GEF/SCIEWS, Stakeholders’ meetings held and bilateral discussions held with several Private Sector Companies who showed much interest such as UMEME [Power Company] and Sugar Manufacturing Apex Association. During The Last Mile Workshop, one of my delegates, Mr. Robert Kintu [Managing Director of Fit Uganda], a private operator, immediately expressed enthusiasm to partner with UNMA. Soon an MOU will be signed between UNMA and Fit Uganda following two successful meetings. HNI and awhere [USA] were invited to Uganda to explore PPP opportunities. As I write this article, two aWhere representatives have visited Uganda exchanged communication and held a meeting with UNMA teams, one of which I chaired. HNI and AWhere, interalia, have been invited to attend a Stakeholders’ Conference scheduled to take place in Entebbe, Uganda from 20-23 June, 2016. Finally, Uganda already has a PPP Law and Unit, under the aegis and auspices of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. All the above, suggest that, probably, Mr. Anthony Mills, should put Uganda under Group one [01] because, clearly, Uganda is already in the first lane of The Last Mille.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UGANDA:
By end of The Last Mile workshop, the Ugandan Delegation had come up with what it considers some of the pragmatic recommendations which Uganda hopes to use to generate more accurate and timely hydrometeorological products and services to benefit end-users in various sectors of its economy. These include but are not limited to the following:
1. Intensify distribution of meteohydrological information through efficient and effective channels like schools, churches, Rotary Fraternity, Police and Media.
2. UNMA’s Meteorological terminologies to be translated into simpler and better understandable languages (toning down all technical jargons and semantics).
3. UNMA to explore opportunities for partnering with Fit Uganda and other Private Companies on dissemination of weather and climate information. To this end, an opportune and appropriate Forum has been jointly organized by UNMA and UNDP/GEF/SCIEWS Project to take place from 20-23 June, 2016 in Entebbe, Uganda.
4. Unpacking weather data and tailoring it for different audiences depending on the devices to be used, and the needs of the end-users.
5. UNMA’s Expatriate Technical Advisor [already in place under USAID/GIZ Technical assistance] to analyze all available raw materials/resources including Consultancy Reports, so as to develop practical follow up implementable actions.
6. UNMA and Office of the Prime Minister [OPM] Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management to urgently meet and harmonize issues of intersection of mandates in generation and dissemination of climate and weather information.
7. The CIRDA Mission scheduled for 4-8 April [now rescheduled], to include a meeting between OPM and UNMA, to evaluate technical environment for EWS, review design for Automatic Weather Stations including option for hosting in School premises, as well as lay the foundation for the June workshop.
8. Uganda to downscale weather product dissemination during the planned PPP workshop scheduled for 20-23June 2016. This should provide an important building block for new product development needed by the Country.
9. Hackathon Satellite Group to be established in Uganda comprising of brilliant, dynamic, highly self-motivated ICT-survey youths from higher institutions of learning like Makerere University [MAK], Makerere University Business School [MUBS], Uganda Technology and Management University [UTAMU], Kyambogo University [KYU] and others.
Like Stephen Kiprotich, the Ugandan marathon Champion, bracing up to win the Gold Medal, UNMA & UNDP/GEF/SCIEWS/CIRDA and other Partners, inspired by The Last Mile Workshop, are on their “get – set” mode- from 20-23 June, 2016 [in Entebbe] for a ‘photo-finish’ deliberations designed to improve meteohydrological products and services to Uganda, EAC and the World
The Author was the Leader of the Ugandan Delegation in The Last Mile Workshop held in Livingstone, Town, Zambia from 14-18 March, 2016. He is also the Chairperson of the Board of Uganda National Meteorological Authority [UNMA], Management Consultant, and Writer& Author. I acknowledge, with thanks, CIRDA Management, Partners and fellow Participants who contributed to and shared the ideas discussed in this article. AVANI Victoria Falls Resort Management is acknowledged for providing the enabling environment for the Workshop.
By Dr. Robert K. Rutaagi
Experts from 11 countries in Africa, gathered in AVANI Victoria Falls Resort [AVFR], in Livingstone Town, Zambia from 14-18 March, 2016 for a high level Workshop, dubbed The Last Mile, organized by the UNDP/GEF Climate Information for Resilient Development in Africa (CIRDA). These included but were not limited to: UNDP/GEF Supported Climate Information Early Warning Systems [SCIEWS] Project Managers, leaders of National Meteorology and Hydrology Services (NMHS), representatives from the Departments of Disaster Risk Management and implementing partners engaged in communicating climate information to communities.
I led the Ugandan Delegation,in my capacity as the Chairperson of the Board of the Uganda National Meteorological Authority [UNMA]. The other members of my delegation were: Mr. Gerald Menhya, the Assistant Commissioner, Relief, Disaster Preparedness & Management-Office of the Prime Minister [OPM],Mr. Deus Bamanya, the Director Applied Meteorology and Data Analysis [UNMA], Mr. Pascal Onegiu Okello, the Project Manager for the UNDP/GEF/SCIEWS Project and Mr. Robert Kintu, the Director of Fit Uganda, a Private Sector Investor in Meteorological Services – probably, one of its own kind in Uganda and a potential Partner for UNMA.
The Workshop was financially and technically supported by UNDP/GEF/CIRDA Team led by Ms Bonizella Biagini, assisted by Mr. Allan Miller, Prof. John Snow and others.
The Last Mile, was a very unique integration, synthetization and harmonization of UNDP/GEF/CIRDA Project outputs after one and half years of operations and about same time before they come to the end. Hence, The Last Mile – was a sort of ‘photo-finish’ initiative, to use the athletic expression when the athletee marshals up all adrenaline and hormones to win a race! And so it was for the Team Leader – BonizellaBiagini,her CIRDA Team and Workshop Participants trying to finish the race in Livingstone Town, in the vicinity of the most beautiful Mosi-Oa-Tunya Victoria Falls!
The objectives of The Last Mile included but were not limited the following to:
- Understand challenges and opportunities for UNDP-Supported Climate Information and Early Warning Systems Projects as we journey toward the Last Mile.
- Share best practices, innovative technologies and cutting-edge methodologies.
- Define actionable recommendations to cover the Last Mile.
- Build relationships and partnerships.
- Ensure long-term sustainability of investments made.
- Embrace innovation.
- Connect, listen and explore…
- An overview of the CIRDA support in the participating countries.
- Challenges, opportunities and successes in crossing the “The Last Mile”.
- Country specific presentations on the status of SCIEWS Project implementation.
- Identifying meteorological messages for dissemination.transforming meteorological data into usable information.
- Private Sector and market assessment of the Early Warning Systems [EWS].
- Commercialization of weather products and services.
- The Climate Action Hackathon [CAH] exhibitions…
Later, when modern ICT became the order of the day, replacing landline telephones, postal services and delivering mails on foot or bicycles, I had heard of and many times experienced internet Hackers – clever guys who, playing about with ideas and new technologies, generate novelle ideas. Little did I know that the CIRDA Workshop in Livingstone, would bring me face to face with the ‘Hackathoners’’ who play about with ICT to provide pragmatic solutions to Meteorological and Hydrological challenges of today. All courtesy of CIRDA Workshop – The Last Mile.
THE LAST MILE ACHIEVEMENTS:
These included but were not limited to the following:
- Networking and bonding between the 11 participating countries.
- Presentations by different Experts led by Meteorological Guru, Prof. John Snow.
- Expert Panel Discussions on different topical issues.
- Brilliant Hackathon Presentations.
- Field Missions planned for April to June, 2016.
- Commercialization Study by Anthony Mills of C4Eco Solutions of South Africa.
- A taste of Good Living & Feeding &‘Clima-tourism’.
- AVANI Victoria Falls Resort.
- Mosi-oa-Tunya Victoria Falls.
- UNESCO World Heritage National Park.
- Zambezi River/Bridge [once upon a time, the longest in the world]!
“3 main groups emerged across countries in the CIRDA program:
1. Ready to engage with selected private sector companies: Tanzania, Zambia and Burkina Faso
2. Moderate capacity building required before extensive engagement with the private sector: Benin, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Malawi and Uganda and-
3. Intensive capacity building required before extensive engagement with the private sector: Liberia, Sao Tome and Principe, and Sierra Leone. Conclusions: phased transition.
Even before the Last Mile Workshop, a Uganda specific commercialization [of Met. Services] had been carried out under UNMA/UNDP/GEF/SCIEWS, Stakeholders’ meetings held and bilateral discussions held with several Private Sector Companies who showed much interest such as UMEME [Power Company] and Sugar Manufacturing Apex Association. During The Last Mile Workshop, one of my delegates, Mr. Robert Kintu [Managing Director of Fit Uganda], a private operator, immediately expressed enthusiasm to partner with UNMA. Soon an MOU will be signed between UNMA and Fit Uganda following two successful meetings. HNI and awhere [USA] were invited to Uganda to explore PPP opportunities. As I write this article, two aWhere representatives have visited Uganda exchanged communication and held a meeting with UNMA teams, one of which I chaired. HNI and AWhere, interalia, have been invited to attend a Stakeholders’ Conference scheduled to take place in Entebbe, Uganda from 20-23 June, 2016. Finally, Uganda already has a PPP Law and Unit, under the aegis and auspices of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. All the above, suggest that, probably, Mr. Anthony Mills, should put Uganda under Group one [01] because, clearly, Uganda is already in the first lane of The Last Mille.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UGANDA:
By end of The Last Mile workshop, the Ugandan Delegation had come up with what it considers some of the pragmatic recommendations which Uganda hopes to use to generate more accurate and timely hydrometeorological products and services to benefit end-users in various sectors of its economy. These include but are not limited to the following:
1. Intensify distribution of meteohydrological information through efficient and effective channels like schools, churches, Rotary Fraternity, Police and Media.
2. UNMA’s Meteorological terminologies to be translated into simpler and better understandable languages (toning down all technical jargons and semantics).
3. UNMA to explore opportunities for partnering with Fit Uganda and other Private Companies on dissemination of weather and climate information. To this end, an opportune and appropriate Forum has been jointly organized by UNMA and UNDP/GEF/SCIEWS Project to take place from 20-23 June, 2016 in Entebbe, Uganda.
4. Unpacking weather data and tailoring it for different audiences depending on the devices to be used, and the needs of the end-users.
5. UNMA’s Expatriate Technical Advisor [already in place under USAID/GIZ Technical assistance] to analyze all available raw materials/resources including Consultancy Reports, so as to develop practical follow up implementable actions.
6. UNMA and Office of the Prime Minister [OPM] Department of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Management to urgently meet and harmonize issues of intersection of mandates in generation and dissemination of climate and weather information.
7. The CIRDA Mission scheduled for 4-8 April [now rescheduled], to include a meeting between OPM and UNMA, to evaluate technical environment for EWS, review design for Automatic Weather Stations including option for hosting in School premises, as well as lay the foundation for the June workshop.
8. Uganda to downscale weather product dissemination during the planned PPP workshop scheduled for 20-23June 2016. This should provide an important building block for new product development needed by the Country.
9. Hackathon Satellite Group to be established in Uganda comprising of brilliant, dynamic, highly self-motivated ICT-survey youths from higher institutions of learning like Makerere University [MAK], Makerere University Business School [MUBS], Uganda Technology and Management University [UTAMU], Kyambogo University [KYU] and others.
Like Stephen Kiprotich, the Ugandan marathon Champion, bracing up to win the Gold Medal, UNMA & UNDP/GEF/SCIEWS/CIRDA and other Partners, inspired by The Last Mile Workshop, are on their “get – set” mode- from 20-23 June, 2016 [in Entebbe] for a ‘photo-finish’ deliberations designed to improve meteohydrological products and services to Uganda, EAC and the World
The Author was the Leader of the Ugandan Delegation in The Last Mile Workshop held in Livingstone, Town, Zambia from 14-18 March, 2016. He is also the Chairperson of the Board of Uganda National Meteorological Authority [UNMA], Management Consultant, and Writer& Author. I acknowledge, with thanks, CIRDA Management, Partners and fellow Participants who contributed to and shared the ideas discussed in this article. AVANI Victoria Falls Resort Management is acknowledged for providing the enabling environment for the Workshop.
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