The Introduction template
The Introduction consists of several sections:
1st section: definition of the topic (a draft definition exists for most topics) in one or two lines:
For example for Trade Facilitation Audits: systematic review and analysis of all elements of the trade and transport chain to identify weaknesses and define remedial actions.
2nd section: Overview/description of the topic and of the related problematic (critical 3 to 5 points) in one paragraph.
For example : An increasing number of practitioners from various institutions conduct reviews of the trade and transport environment, of access to trade logistics services and of business environment. Some of these reviews are all encompassing, while others are very focused. Most of these analysis are carried out using local/global surveys, interviews, forums and desk reviews of existing literature and sometimes include references to global trade and transport facilitation indicators. There is a strong need to standardize the auditing tools available to conduct these analytical reviews. These standardized audit methods should: (i) enable more systematic cross-country and historical benchmarking; (ii) be readily reusable by multiple institutions (through an integration of their requirements in surveys/instruments); (iii) improve effectiveness of reviews; (iv) reduce the present duplication of efforts; and (v) enable countries to conduct their self assessment.
3rd section : The activities undertaken by the GFP or its members to address the issue.
For example : The GFP developed in 2000 an audit methodology to facilitate the preparation of reviews of the trade and transport facilitation environment. The latest edition was released electronically in 2003 (see Trade and Transport Facilitation: a Methodology for Audit, Analysis, and Remedial Action). A first application of this tool took place in the Caucasus in 2000. The World Bank has scheduled a number of audits in 2004 using the updated version of the document. The UNECE, UNECA and ESCWA will also launch such review under the e-med initiative. A list of countries where the audit is scheduled will be posted by December 2003 on this page.
4th section: Others’ activities (based on feedback –one or two paragraphs)
5th section: Where to start. Identify out of the various resources in the lower part of the page the ones, which are the most essential to consult. 1 paragraph with links.
Please note that if you wish to give as important reference in the "Where to start" part a reading not present on the site, it should also be entered in the Reference reading list and linked to the topic. In this way, an user who performs keyword search would be able to find it without having to click his (her) way to the to the topic.
At the end of this introduction a template sentence:
The GFP welcomes feedback/additions/new tools from practitioners, that would respond to this topic. The GFP web team is particularly interested in collecting and assembling all the methods, survey instruments and results developed and used by its Partners. Please post relevant documents under your partner profile and assign them to this topic.
This topic is maintained by “Mr./Ms. xx (link to his/her profile)” from the “Core Partner Name” (linked to the partner profile).
Maintenance guidelines, tasks and responsibilities
While the page is under the responsibility of a Core Partner, the Partner in question should not aim at presenting only itself or its activities but rather to present what the GFP/UNTF community does, based on feedback from GFP users.
Provided the topic's nature and scope allow for this, it would be desirable for increasing the value added to the user that the maintaining partner researches the existing work, builds a core knowledge base on available materials and activities related to the topic and available in the GFP/UNTF community and ideally also builds up a competence center providing Q&A, support etc. and promoted by all partners involved in the topic.
The Partners present their activities under their respective profile.
Editing policies: The text of t a topic's upper part is edited by its topic manager. Admins do not usually interfere but also have access to it so in case of problems the topic manager can write to
or ask the Admin from his/her partner organization to help out with the editing. Each time the upper part of a topic is edited, an e-mail is sent to the topic manager showing the updated content so he will know who entered what, and change it if needed to correspond to the concept for the topic's content. The upper part will be subject of a periodic peer review from the Admins who may suggest changes.
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