At the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development side event - "The Information Society - From Declaration to Implementation" - Mr. Jeremy Wates, Secretary to the Aarhus Convention, announced the launch of a new phase in the development of the Convention's Aarhus Clearinghouse for Environmental Democracy .
The Clearinghouse has been given much more than a face-lift. The upgraded global web portal's new features, including an improved Resource Directory with more than 1000 sources of information, are described in detail at: http://aarhusclearinghouse.unece.org/help.cfm .
"The Internet has allowed a dramatic increase in the exchange of information between citizens and their Governments," said Mr. Wates. "Yet the immense potential for electronic participation in decision-making has not yet been realised."
The Aarhus Clearinghouse promotes the exchange of information on implementation of the Aarhus Convention and principle 10 of the Rio Declaration for Environmental and Development globally. Access to Information and the creative application of electronic information tools are integral parts of the Convention.
UNEP GRID-Arendal partnered with UNECE on the upgrading of the Clearinghouse.
