27th November 1986
International Organization Information / Research: 1986
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Prepared for Union of International Associations (General Assembly, 27th November 1986)
See also searchable XPDF version (original titles, sub-headings, order and typography); also reports 1959-2006
Document also in segmented format in the Kairos indexed database
Organization profiles / networks
Yearbook of International Organizations: An overview of this series is given in Annex A, and composed of the following 3 volumes.
Organization descriptions and index (Volume 1): This volume was successfully completed on schedule for publication in July 1986. This was the first time that the publication was produced through the new computer system. No use was made of the external serv1ce bureau on which the UIA has been dependent for the past 14 years.
A number of innovations or improvements were made, partly to facilitate the integration at the computer level whic:h the computer system makes possible:
(a) The number of organization (and treaties) has been increased from 24180 for 1985 to 25124, although less effort was put into searching out new categories of organizations than in previous years/because of the emphasis on ensuring a smooth transition to the new computer system. The number of organizations from Sections A through D in fact decreased slightly from 5054 to 5018 because of some reallocations to Sections E through H which had been postponed from,the previous year. There would appear to be a tendency for the number of "classical" organizations to stabilize (taking into account creations and cessations of activity), with the major increases observable in the Sections E, F and G.
(b) Entry quality: The quality of the entries on the existing organizations continues to be improved to the point where a significant number of organizations now take the trouble to congratulate the editors ..
(c) Entry number presentation: This has now been modified under a long-debatec;l compromise formula which maintains continuity whilst ensuring the appropriate degree .of integration between the organization and caleIJ.dar.files at the computer level (previously a source of continuing frustration). Entry numbers now have the section letter (which may change if the organization is reallocated to a new section) in front of the old number (now permanent for bodies in Sections A through F), giving numbers of the form BCl828.
(d) Keywords in text: Work continues on identifying keywords in the text of entries which are extracted into the index and which are also used to identify organizations grouped by subject in Volume 3.
(e) Events paragraph: As part of the process of increasing the integration with the Calendar, an Events paragraph has been introduced ..
(f) Section modifications: The continuing proble:m of the limitation on the number of pages to 1600, supposedly because of difficulty in binding connected with the 1 printing method used, has meant that the following sections are not printed in Volume l, although they are indexed: G: Internationally-oriented national organizations H: Inactive organizations J: Unconfirmed new organizations s: Conference series R: Religious orders T: Multilateral treaties U: Unconfirmed organizations from the past The name and address of bodies in Sections G and R are however available from Volume 2, and from Volume 3. In the continuing difficulty over the number of pages the publisher has experimented for this edition with a much thinner paper. This makes the volume appear thinner.
(g) Index: Minor changes have been made to the index to make it easier to use.
(h) Introduction and appendices: For the first time it has been possible to produce these in-house, partly by sending disks to a Brussels printer for final film production, partly using the UIA laser printer (especially for statistical tables). This has proved much more convenient for all concerned, permitting much greater control over the final output. The opportunity was taken to transfer much of the material previously appearing in the.Introduction to Appendices to simplify access to the volume (see Annex l).
(i) Quality of proofs: For the first time organizations received the proof of their entry generated from the UIA laser-printer using a proportionally spaced typographical font. This is much superior to the readability of the proof generated by the service bureau.
(j) Editorial warning: Following requests made at.previous meetings of the UIA Executive Council, a prominently displayed explicit warning to users has been included indicating the degree of responsibility taken by the UIA for tquality of the information included (see Annex 2)
Policy issues:
1. Price of volume in relation to accessibility (see discussion of mini-directories.
2. Problems of coverage in relation to page restrictions (the possibilty of a second volume has been rejected for marketing reasons).
3. Access of users to the data base (whether online, on magnetic tape, or on laser disk)
International Organization Participation (Volume 2): This publication was completed on schedule for publication in August 1986. It was produced for the first time on the in-house computer using a specially commissioned set of programmes.
The main modification made was the change in the entry numbering system necessary to cross-reference Volume 1. As with Volume 1 the Introduction and Appendices were reworked and repositioned. The considerably delays previously experienced in preparing and composing the statistical tables were avoided by generating them in-house and setting them on the laser printer.
Global Action Networks (Volume 3): Editorial work was completed in October, slightly behind the schedule necessary to ensure publication before the end of 1986. It is hoped that this will still be possible.
Reasons for the delay were in large part due to the fact that a completely new approach was taken to the editorial work on this publication which takes maximum advantage of the in-house system. An extensive suite of programs had to be debugged under production conditions in addition to discovering the best way to make use of these tools under editorial conditions.
The main visible differences to this publication are as follows:
(a) Contents (see Annex 3): The volume has been increased in size from 1056 to nearly 1500 pages. This is due to the inclusion of organizations which have, in the past, either been excluded entirely or only included in the principal section. In addition entries from the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential have been included (see below) Q --
(b) Classification of material from the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential: Due to space and time limitations it proved i:npossible to cross-reference the international organizations from within the Encyclopedia. It was therefore decided to classify the world problems and strateg_ies by subject in Volume 3 with the international organizations (and treaties) from Volume l.
A first step in this direction had in fact been taken for the previous edition of Volume 3 using the pre-publication list of world problems, largely based.on the 1976 editionv Inclusion of this material did not apply any signi:f icant changes to the standard subject categories already in useo Following the established experimental approach to the category scheme of Volume 3 1 coding experim.ents have however been deliberately undertaken with the gerund term (e.g. enhancing, promoting) establishing the dynamic dimension of the strategy (in contrast to the 3 static subject dimensions also present in the name and handled in the normal way). A similar editorial experiment has been undertaken with the values identified in the values section of the Encyclopedia.(c) Organization types: Following requests made at previous meetings of the Executive Council, a first experiment has been undertaken in grouping organizations by type in a new Section z .. Unfortunately, because of shortage of time and the complications of the transition to the new system this is a very rudimentary effort limited to some exceptional categories:
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Several additional categories involving larger numbers of organizations were originally included, but these had to be excluded at the last minute to bring the size of the volume within the required page limits. Hopefully a more systematic approach can be taken for the next edition.
World problems / Strategic potential
Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential: The first copies of this publication were delivered in June 1986, following a number of delays in completing the editorial work. The delays were partly due to the innovative nature of the publication and partly due to the problems in testing out the new computer system. In effect this publication was used to debug the editorial, software and hardware problems of the in-house network prior to its use for Volume 1 of the Yearbook.
Methodology: Although this publication follows the (earlier) experimental Yearbook of World Problems and Human Potential, it is perhaps appropriate to review its function in relation to the Yearbook of International Organizations. The Encyclopedia is essentially based on the perceptions of international bodies and constltutencies as reflected in their documents.
- "Problems": Especially in the case of the world problems section,
entries are built up from paragraphs selected from such
documents in order to portray the preoccupations of
organizations in as clear and concise a manner as
possible, whether or not those perceptions are accepted
by other international constituencies. Juxtaposing
contradictory perceptions is seen as a means of
reflecting the global problematique such that different
constituencies can identify with different parts of it,
recognize the parts they do not accept, and develop an
understanding of how these differences of perception
affect coherent response to the global problematique as
a whole. This section is therefore an extension of the
editorial approach already developed by the UIA, and in
fact would be extremely difficult without that
foundation. As with the Yearbook organizations, the UIA
does not take a position on the "seriousness" of the
problems documented, but endeavours to reflect the
importance attached to that problem by the constituency
sensistive to it.
- Other sections: To counterbalance the focus on the "negative"
characteristics of the world system, six other sections
focus on different ways of engendering a more effective
"positive" response. Each of these would tend to be
favoured by a different international constituency,
which might well reject the other sections as
inappropriate or irrelevant.
The justification for a number of these sections has been reinforced by the UIA's participation (from 1978 to 1982) in the UN University project on Goals, Processes and Indicators of Development launched by Johan Galtung. In the absence of appropriately structured information:- some of the sections are based on editorial experiments in presenting information on the topic concerned (e.g. values).
- some may be considered simple exercises in assembling information (e.g. forms of presentation, symbols), which has not previously been made relevant to the development problematique.
- some are based on contributions by the UIA to the UNU's GPID sub-project (e.g. patterns, embodying discontinuity).
- some are developments of traditional interests of the UIA (e.g. transformative conferencing).
- The strategy section, inspired by a UNO GPID project, evolved as a result of encountering an extensive set of data produced by the Institute of Cultural Affairs.
- But the human development section was deliberately taken beyond the boundaries of the GPID sub-project on that theme to include modes of awareness, which constitute a major focus for many alternative groups alienated by establishment and academic approaches to the problematique.
Risks: As explicitly stated in an introductory warning to users (Annex 4), the publication remains experimental and deliberately takes risks consistent with a sense of urgency in the face of.the global problematique. Clearly such risks go beyond what is considered "acceptable'' by any one international constituency, whether academic or otherwise. But in doing so, the publication as a whole does reflect, to a greater degree than can be found in many other reference books, the diversity of views which contribute to the dynamic of the international community.
Weaknesses: The biases and weakne.sses of the Encyclopedia are explicitly noted therein (see Annex 4 and 5). Many entries could have been considerably improved had the resources been available. But experience with the Yearbook demonstrates that such improvement can be achieved over a number of editions and that it is more useful to provide inadequate information immediately rather than wait until an entry is adequate according to some strict standard.
Reviews and reactions: Review copies have been made available by Saur and by UIA to nearly 100 contacts. Only a few reviews have been received so far, presumably because of the usual delays in the periodical publishing cycle. Reactions have been very favourable. Some have been embarrassingly enthusiastic.
Meetings scheduled / Conference organization / Associate Membership
International Congress Calendar (quarterly): The report on the editorial and publishing aspects of this publication will be made separately.
Production of the Calendar, prior to final typesetting, has now been completely transferred onto the new in-house computer system. This work is now much more thoroughly integrated at the computer level with that on the organizations organizing meetings.
A final phase, not yet completed, is the transfer of the computer files (previously maintained by the service bureau) for the period 1981 to 1984 onto the new system.
By-products / CD-ROM / Online
Guides to International Organization: Saur has indicated that, because of difficulties in selling the four volumes so far produced in this series, no further plans can be made at this time. The problem is largely a result of Saur's own policies requiring publications of a certain size (400-600 pages) to be sold at an unreasonably high price, with minimum marketing effort.
Mini-directories: Although no mini-directories have as yet been produced independently of Saur, the first of these is currently being planned with UNESCO. This will be a "Directory of NGOs in Consultative Status with UNESCO" (see Annex 6), which is being produced in protype form for review by a committee of the Executive Board prior to any decision on a larger print run. From the UIA point of view, production of this prototype will establish the viability and costs of such an exercise prior to proposing similar directories to other organizations under some suitable collaborative arrangement. Where possible such directories will be sub-sets of the Yearbook Volume 1. Modifications may however be made, as well as inclusions of information characteristic of the presentation in Volumes 2 and 3, as well as the Encyclopedia.
Associations review / journal
Transnational Associations / Associations transnationales (bimonthly)
[NB: Versions of the UIA periodical: La Vie Internationale, 1912-21; Bulletin des associations internationals, 1943-44; Bulletin mensuel, 1951-53; International Associations, 1954-76; Transnational Associations, 1977-2001]
Statutes / Legal status
International Association Statutes Series: Because of the editorial work load in connection with the production of the 3-volume Yearbook and the Encyclopedia it has proved impossible to complete the editorial proof-correction of the statutes awaiting publication. These have however been transferred onto the new computer system and it is hoped to complete this work over the next six months. The main reasons for the delay are the peculiar nature of the proof reading required (legal documents) and continuing confqsion over the currency of the statutes, which are often undated.
Research / Statistics
Research publications: The main research effort since 1984 has been directed towards the preparation of the Encyclopedia. Subsequent studies include the following:
(a) Review of frameworks for the representation of alternative conceptual orderings as determined by cultural and linguistic contexts. Paper prepared for the sub-project on Coding and the socio-cultural context of information of the project on Information overload and Information Underuse of the Global Learning Division of the UN University
(b) Comprehension of appropriateness. Paper for the project on Economic Aspects of Human Development of the Regional and Global studies Division of the UN University.
(c) Navigating complexity through policy alternation. Final form of a paper for a book on Alternative Paradigms. Results from.UIA participation in the Goals, J?rocesses and Indicators of Development project of the UN University (1978-82).
Collaborative projects / External relations
IERD Series: This 3-volume series is edited by the Institue of Cultural Affairs International and arises from a 1984/86.programme built aroundthe International Exposition on Rural Development (New Delhi, 1984) and its follow-up. The UIA has provided advice on these publications, published by Saur, who tends to market them in association with UIA publications and especially the Encyclopedia.
Although UIA derives no direct financial benefit from this series, it does provide a link to those primarily interested in development issues, especially through the ICA interest in drawing the attention of their contacts to the presence of ICA research results in the Encyclopedia. This material was included as a result of a number of editorial contracts concluded with ICA (Brussels) during production of the Encyclopedia.
Secretariat / Administration / Human resources
Pattern of sales
(a) Saur and UIA are in general pleased with the sale of the Yearbook series which is now established on a a 3-volume annual basis. Saur claims that sales of Volumes 2 and 3 have stabilized at an acceptable level to justify continuation. He was obliged to print an extra 400 7 copies to fulfil demand for the last edition of Volume 1 which exceeded their estimates. From the UIA point of view sales are definitely not as great could be desired, but Saur points out that these are extremely difficult times for libraries which in most cases have found their budgets severely cut.
(b) Neither Saur norUIA are pleased with the sales of the 4-volume series of Guides to International Organization. The reasons for the poor sales were noted earlier. This has little negative impact on the UIA, but certainly has not had a positive impact as was hoped.
(c) The sales pattern of the Encyclopedia is not yet clear and will presumably be dependent on the reviews which will be appearing in the coming months, as well as on further marketing efforts by UIA.
Contractual relationship with publisher (KG Saur) The contractual relationship has taken the following form:
- contract for the Yearbook of International Organizations
- contract for the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential
- contract for the International Congress Calendar
- letters of agreement covering the series of Guides to International Organization
These contracts stipulated monthly payments by Saur to cover editorial costs, minimum royalties (whatever the sales; payable on publication) and royalties arising from sales above the minimum (payable at the end of a budgetary cycle). This arrangement proved so complicated that it was agree to pay a fixed monthly amount covering all publications and then to balance the accounts at the end of each budgetary period.
The problem with this approach is that in Saur's view the fixed monthly amount gradually ceased to be perceived as a "prepayment" to cover editorial costs. The act of balancing the accounts at the end of a budgetary cycle resulted in 'OIA "owing" amounts to Saur. Negotiations focussed on the size of the monthly amount, irrespective of the production cycle.
Because of the claims by Saur that the library market was in a difficult state, it became possible for him to argue successfully for a reduction in the monthly amounta The complexities of this situation have been clarified under a new contract which covers all publications.
The contractual situation is not particularly satisfactory but it is unclear that any more satisfactory formula could be found, whether with Saur, with another publisher or if the UIA were to return to publishinq its own books. such possibilities should of course be explored to anticipate any future change in Saur's fortunes.
Marketing:
- Marketing (via Saur) As noted above, sales are reasonably satisfactory. It is
however clear that Saur is unable to do more to market the
UIA publications. The UIA titles are handled within the Saur
marketing procedures and it is understandably difficult for
Saur to make exceptions on a systematic basis. His company
is not geared up to do what a smaller company might attempt
(but with more limited resources). It would seem that UIA
must continue to suffer the advantages and disadvantages of
the Saur machinery.
In the case of the Encyclopedia, special attempts have however been made to launch the book through saur-- s three main offices (Munich, London, New York). The success of these efforts is at the moment under review, especially in relation to UIA attempts to support their activities.
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Marketing (via UIA) One of the contractual loopholes opened as the result of
Saur's requirement that monthly payments be reduced has been
to give UIA the freedom to undertake its own marketing and
sales. Instead of new orders now being transferred to
Munich, they are invoiced by UIA. The full implications in
terms of sales discounts is in tne process of being
clarified.
In the case of the Encyclopedia, UIA has distributed sales brochures with questionnaires to Yearbook organizations, offering up to 50% discount to non-institutional purchasers for pre-paid orders. This may be considered a promotional sale, at cost to the UIA, which ensures that the book does get into the hands of those who are most enthusiastic about making its existence known.
It is important that the UIA actively explore the opportunity of marketing mini-directories now that the new computer system facilitates their production. A first exercise in this direction is being undertaken with the "Directory of NGOs in Consultative Status with UNESCO" (as noted above)
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Marketing (via ICA, New York) As noted earlier, the Encyclopedia contains a certain amount
of material adapted from documents of the Institute of
Cultural Affairs. This body is actively interested in
deriving some benefit from this in the process of marketing
its own IERD Series (discussed above). A proposal has been
received fron1 their New York office suggesting that the UIA
in effect open or support a part-time off ice in New York to
This proposal is at present under discussion. Although the
possibility is attractive as a complement to the Saur
approach, the administrative and contractual complexities
may render it non-viable. There is also the question as to
what deqree of continuity ICA could offer, although in the
American context this may be less important than it appears
from Europe.
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Marketing (via UNESCO) on the occasion of the recent UIA visit to the
Director-General of UNESCO, he proposed that the
Encyclopedia (and possibly even the Yearbook) should be
"co.,..published" with UNESCO. This raises many questions and
possibilities which are at present under discussion.
It is clear however that it would be most desirable to reach some agreement on a form of "co-distribution", although UNESCO has severe rules governing such arrangements. / The current production of the "Directory of NGOs in Consultative status with UNESCO" (mentioned earlier) should also be seen in this context.
Diversification In the light of the semi-stable nature of the contractual relationship with the publisher, K G Saur Verlag, there is clear merit in envisaging ways of diversifying UIA operations to reduce dependence on a single external body over which the UIA has little real control.
Such diversification might well take the form of producing some publications through other publishers or in collaboration with other bodies. The possible need to switch the main publications, or some of them, to a new publisher should be explored.
New forms of information packaging Given the current advances in information handling, attention should continue to be given to such opportunities as online access, laser disk distribution, laser cards, etc., especially in terms of the UIA commitment to making information more readily available at a more accessible cost.
The developing field of "desk-top publishing", for which the U.IA is fully equipped, should be explored. There is no reason why the UIA should not produce newsletters, reports; or directories for other organizations on demand. This does however call for an increased degree of personalized contact with bodies potentially interested in this form of collaboration. The UIA could produce its own periodical in this way, since the procedures have now been fully tested or the UIA could envisage the production of new specialized newsletters.
The whole question of UIA production of mini-directories, extracted from its own database, should continue to be actively explored (as discussed earlier).
Comprehension of information The developing information society is characterized by vast amounts of ir~formation of which it is difficult for an individual to make effective use. This is the preoccupation of a current project of the UN University on "information overload and information underuse", to which the UIAhas contributed. The difficulty for an individual or an institution to comprehend patterns of significance has however been neglected in the rush to exploit the market for information.
The UIA is as much a part of the problem as it is part of the solution. The coverage of the Yearbooks facilitates access to specific items of information. They do not facilitate comprehension of patterns of relationship, except to a modest degree in Volume 3. In a number of respects the Yearbook is unuseable in terms of the needs and budgetary restrictions of the bodies which the UIA aims to to serve.
This question has been explored in a number of UIA studies. Advantage should therefore be taken of the explicit encouragement received from the UN University (Division of Gobal Learning) and from UNESCO (Studies and Programming Office) to continue to explore the possibilities of producing network maps to present the pattern of relationships between organizations, between problems, and between organizations and problems. The UIA London sub-contractor is very interested in convertingUIA data into map form in order to be able to produce "atlases" of network maps. These would attract the attention of bodies otherwise uninterested in UIA information on the international community and its preoccupations.
New edition of Encyclopedia (and its by-products) The original contractual obligation with Saur was for two editions of the Encyclopedia. Clearly there is little point in pushing for a second edition before the sales of the first warrant it. Nevertheless it must be borne in mind that such a publication takes time to prepare.
Immediate advantage can however be taken of the material in various sections of the Encyclopedia, which can be produced or developed as separate publications. One of the advantages of this is that a number of the sections are of interest to quite distinct international constituencies with whom UIA could usefully develop contacts. For example, it is clear from the reaction to the section on metaphors, that this could be developed into an independent publication representing an alternative approach to the problem of comprehension of global society in an information rich environment.
Cultivation of contacts The above points all suggest the need for the UIA to
cultivate its contacts more effectively. Hitherto.this has
been-very difficult because of the priorities accorded to
publication production and the cost of individualized
correspondence. With the new computer system a more fruitful
approach can be taken (including the possibilities offered
by electronic mail in which the UIA is now engaged).
Many
organizations take the trouble to write sympathetic and
encouraging letters to the UIA expressing interest in UIA
activities. It has seldom been possible to respond to these
in the manner they deserve. Such neglect in the long run.can
only be a disservice to the UIA and to the interests it
seeks to serve. In this context, the possibility of the UIA actually hosting
an electronic mail system for international organizations
should not be ignored. The costs of doing so are relatively
low and the long term benefits to participants, including
the UIA, make it easily justifiable. such systems are in
effect the contemporary concretization of the international
networking activity which the UIA seeks to facilitate and
for which it is now well-equipped.
Computer-related infrastructure
Current hardware situation. The system currently consists of the following elements:
- Micro-computers: 10 PC clones, of 512K RAM each. Of these one is an XT version, one functions as a dedicated file server for the network, one is principally used for printing and tape-backups, and one is shared with FAIB/IAPCO/MAI. An additional PC is in process of being purchased. A further machine, incompatible with the network, is being used as a stand-alone device for word-processing purposes. Most of the screens are equipped with polarizing filers, especially when they are in continuous use for editorial.purposes. The machines linked to the network are all equipped with OlD.ninet interface cards.
- Main memory: 2 hard disk drives, totalling 146 mB (146 million characters).
- Tape unit: 1 Thorn EMI streamer tape unit for backups and transfer of tapes to Computaprint (London) for photocomposition.
- Laser printer: l Hewlett Packard Laserjet Local printers: 4 printers (1 Ericsson, I HPThinkjet, l Brother and l Olympia that is incompatible with the network).
- Modem: 1 Daisy 21, 300 baud modem, permitting access to electronic mail systems (especially in the USA)
The initial difficulties with the hardware have been overcome. Continuing difficulties, when they emerge, tend to be maintenance problems. There continues to be some doubt concerning the vulnerability of the equipment to surges in the power supply. The merit of obtaining a surge suppressor is under investigation. Although two of the micro-computers are equipped with co-processor chips to increase the speed 10 of operation, some editorial operations (e.g. on Volume 3) have been hindered by an inadequate rate of access. It is hoped to increase the speed of machines from 4.4 to 8 mH when this becomes feasible.
Current software situation The following software is currently in use:
- Network operating system: Novell Netware Text data base: Revelation, 10 user network version, Release G2B.
- UIA specified Revelation programs: The total number of Revelation programs is now 250 1 of which 50 are major programs.
- Word-processing: RWORD (compatible with Revelation) and Wordstar (convertible to and from Revelation format) are in continuous use.
- Occasional use is made of other packages such as dBase II and a wide range of utilities.
Data held on the network The current disk capacity of 146 million characters is used for the following purpose:
- Organization entry files, and initials index
- Calendar file, and index - contacts file, and index
- Correspondence file
- Procedural and control files
- Production files, including intermediary files
- Work areas for sorting
Whilst it is possible to hold the organization, calendar and problems files on the system simultaneously, this can only be done when there is no need for disk work areas for intermediary production files. However the technique of transferring non-priority files onto backu.p tapes has now been satisfactorily mastered. Whilst a core group of files is always accessible on the network, the pattern of non-priority files held on it changes a great deal from day to day.
Usage of the system A frequent concern with computer systems is whether they are appropriately used. Here the situation may be summarized as follows:
- Disk capacity: This is fully used.Whilst it would be possible to hold more files on backup tapes and thus require less capacity, the time wasted in juggling files for any particular requirements has demonstrated that the UIA requires the capacity currently installed, especially when several production jobs are being undertaken simultaneously.
- Work stations: These are fully used by editors during working hours. Machines are seldom "free". outside working hours, there are times when up to 5 machines are running over-night on production jobs.
- Laser printer: This is fully used. In fact, its use must often be scheduled.
- Local prin.ters: These are extremely convenient, but only two of them are frequently used, partly because of the noise factor.
- Tape unit: This is in regular use for backups.
In general the system is fully exploited. Although th.ere are times when work stations are not in use (as with a typewriter), there are periods when the network is in continuous operation, day and night, for several weeks running.
During the period in which the network was installed, there were 3 days on which in was not possible to work with the machines: one day due to installation procedures, and 2 days due to necessary adjustments to the new installation.
Adaptation of working methods All staff working on publication production in one capacity or another have now adapted their working methods to take advantage of the computer system. All editorial work is now done directly onto the network without any intermediate "secretarial" phase. Although programs continue to be developed to facilitate particular tasks, no irritating difficulties remain unresolved.
Knowledge of how to control particular applications is now shared more widely, although each individual has developed personalized methods of work which are not. There is now much less hesitation about how best to derive benefit from the system although new ways of organizing work continue to be discovered as each person's knowledge increases.
Because of the complexities of the many operations involved, it has been considered undesirable to devote valuable time to rationalizing the system beyond a certain degree. Now that the complete cycle of UIA publications has been transferred to the system, procedures will be progresslvely tidied up in the light of experience with the production runs. Documentation has already been built up on the more complex procedures. Further progress on this front is desirable, when time and production priorities permit.
[See Annexes in PDF format] Annexes 1. Contents of Volume 1 2. Volume l "Warning" 3. Contents of Volume 3 4. Encyclopedia "Warning" 5. Encyclopedia "Biases/Assessment" 6. Contents of UNESCO NGO Directory
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