GRID-Arendal Annual Report 2002

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2002 in review GRID-Arendal Annual Report 2002 Section 1 Board report

A key focus of GRID-Arendal activities during 2002 was the WSSD in Johannesburg, where we, together with UNEP, organized a joint UNEP and GRID-Arendal stand at the Ubuntu Village . This presence provided high profile to our products and services. At this Summit, agreement was reached to establish the Global Virtual University at GRID-Arendal. During the year, we benefited from the findings of an independent external evaluation of GRID-Arendal – the second such evaluation in the history of our institution. We were encouraged by its conclusion that GRID-Arendal has been successful in implementing its mission. Its recommendations will help us improve our technical competence and professional capacity. Efforts have been made to improve the management capacity in GRID-Arendal. This has led to a reorganization of the program structure. Recruitments were completed for new Program Managers for the Polar, Web and Information, and the Nordic-Baltic programs. Our Nordic profile has been strengthened by the co-location of our Swedish branch office at the Stockholm Environment Institute. We owe our colleagues in UNEP warm appreciation for very close and productive working relationships. GRID-Arendal has been strengthened by a growing network of partners and donors. We are particularly encouraged by a growing support from the users of our products and services. During the year they provided more than 10 000 responses through our new on-line user feedback system. We express our special gratitude to members of the Board for their sage advice and guidance, and to our staff, whose impressive professionalism and strong motivation have ensured a strong institutional performance.

Leif E. Christoffersen Chairman of the Board

Svein Tveitdal Managing Director