The state of environment: information networking in Rwanda

Environmental assessment and reporting are a key catalyst in the drive towards sustainable development. This report reflects an assessment of the state of environment in Rwanda, and provides a number of recommendations for consideration in setting up the Rwanda Environment Information Network (REIN).

The author indicates that the scale of future environmental changes, their impact on Rwanda’s development and the feedback from these changes in human behaviour cannot be forecast without adequate information. In this respect, the paper finds that: 

• networking appears to be well established among institutions working in the environment sector in Rwanda; however, there are barriers to sharing of data 
• identically, data collection is largely sectoral with each institution focused on meeting specific needs

Recommendations include: 

• establishing the REIN to undertake activities that promote the use of environmental information in decision-making processes at all levels within the country
• developing a system for documenting all research findings brought by REIN network members in order to address the lack of awareness of existing and available environmental information
• establishing an environmental resource centre in order to improve access to information
• developing an outreach strategy to enhance dissemination and use of generated information, as well as increase awareness of the REIN 
• developing policies and strategies to guide access to and management of environmental information