Subject: maESTRO software  1997-15 DOS version

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UNEP Information Note.

For use as information.  Not an official
record.

New Publication

New Software, maESTro, Launched by UNEP IETC at the
Fifth 
Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development

April 1997 - The UNEP International Environmental
Technology Centre (IETC) launched a Searchable
Information Directory on Environmentally Sound
Technologies (ESTs) during the Fifth Session of the
Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD), held from
7 to 25 April 1997 in New York.  Information and data of
this directory will be collected and disseminated through a
newly developed PC software tool called "maESTro". 
Through its Directory Interchange Format (DIF), maESTro
is fully compatible with UNEP's Global Resources
Information Database (GRID), NASA, CEOS, NASDA and
others. 

The IETC Searchable Technology Directory currently
includes:

(a) EST information systems (of which a printed version,
"UNEP Survey of Information Systems Related to
Environmentally Sound Technologies", was also presented
to the CSD); (b) A compilation of currently about 130
institutions worldwide dealing with ESTs; and (c) An
overview on "hard", "soft" and indigenous eco-friendly
technologies in IETC's field of activity.

All three avenues of the Directory will be continuously
amended and updated.  For this purpose, technology owners
and other interested institutions are invited to add their 
EST
information to the Directory.  Assisted by maESTro, each
institution can also manage their internal information
collection and exchange.  All entries made will be accessible
throughout a global network of EST information suppliers
and users, and also linked to UNEP IETC's homepage
<http://www.unep.or.jp/~rbehrensn/pn/listarch?list=MJRB-TRAINING@world.std.com>  for internet browsers.  For those
without access to the worldwide web, in the future maESTro
will feature an automatic report function to also disseminate
hard copies of its contents. 

UNEP Information Note 1997/15

-------------------------------------------------------------
----------------
------------------------------------ Please address your 
queries
and requests regarding maESTro to:

maESTro, UNEP IETC Osaka Office, 2-110 Ryokuchi-koen,
Tsurumi-ku, Osaka 538, Japan; or maESTro, UNEP IETC
Shiga Office, 1091 Oroshimo-cho, Kusatsu City, Shiga 525,
Japan; or Email:  maestro@unep.or.jp

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About IETC - IETC is a new institution created at the
request of the UNEP Governing Council.  Its offices at two
locations in Japan - Osaka and Shiga - officially opened in
April 1994.  The Centre's main function is to promote
cooperation in facilitating the transfer of environmentally
sound technologies (ESTs) to developing countries and
countries with economies in transition.   IETC pays specific
attention to urban problems such as sewage, air pollution,
solid waste, noise, and to the management of freshwater lake
and reservoir basins.

IETC is supported in its operations by two Japanese
foundations - the Global Environment Centre Foundation
(GEC), which is based in Osaka and deals with urban
environmental problems; and the International Lake
Environment Committee (ILEC) which is located in Shiga
and contributes accumulated knowledge on the sustainable
management of freshwater resources.

The Centre's mandate is based on Agenda 21, which came
out of the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and
Development (UNCED).   Consequently, IETC pursues a
results- oriented work plan revolving around three issues,
namely:  (1) Improving access to information on ESTs; (2)
Fostering technology cooperation, partnerships and transfer;
and (3) Building ogenous capacity.

The Centre's activities are closely coordinated with
substantive organizations within the UN system.  For
example, within the framework of the joint UNCHS
(Habitat)/UNEP Sustainable Cities Programme, IETC is
promoting the preparation of Local Agenda 21 documents
for selected cities.  This is complemented by Action Plans
focussed on the sustainable management of selected
lake/reservoir basins.  Under the auspices of the joint
IETC/IE Environmental Technology Assessment (EnTA)
Programme, the Centre has undertaken a range of activities
including training needs assessment surveys in the field of
decision-making on technology transfer and management of
ESTs; design and implementation of pilot training
programmes for adaptation and operation of ESTs; training
materials for technology management of large cities and
lake/reservoirs and others.  Through the achievement of
these results IETC has rapidly established itself as a Centre
of Excellence in the field of EST transfer.  In order to 
build
on these achievements, IETC has jointly established the
UNEP EST Information Network Programme and is
developing stronger partnerships with international and
bilateral finance institutions, technical assistance
organizations, the private, academic and non-government
sectors.  IETC also publishes a quarterly newsletter; a
technical publication series and other media materials
creating public awareness and disseminating information on
ESTs.

For more information:  John Whitelaw, Director, Osaka
Office, 2-11 Ryokuchi Koen
Tsurumi-ku, Osaka 538, JAPAN, Tel: 81-6-915-4580/81,
Fax: 81-6-915-0304.
Email: ietc@unep.or.jp
URL: http://www.unep.or.jp/~rbehrensn/pn/listarch?list=MJRB-TRAINING@world.std.com



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