As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen national capacity for monitoring the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Economic and Social Commission
for Western Asia (ESCWA), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Operations Coordination Office (UNDOCO) in New York and the UNICEF’s MENA Regional Office in Amman, has organized two workshops to train trainers (ToT) on DevInfo 6.0 from 13 to 24 July 2009 in Beirut.

DevInfo is a tool designed to support governments in monitoring the MDGs and can be adapted to include additional user-defined indicators that are

linked to key national monitoring frameworks. This cost-free software offers an effective solution to address the needs of national partners to set up a MDG-based information management system. The updated version (6.0) released in 2009 offers a range of new user- and administrator-friendly tools and features, including a fully web-enabled version for effective dissemination and presentation of MDGs and key development indicators.

There is an urgent need for Member countries to enhance their capacities in compiling, disseminating and exchanging data and metadata. DevInfo provides the statistical community with a tool for an effective working partnership among different data producers at the national level and in particular among line ministries to facilitate the exchange of

compiled and harmonized official statistics. DevInfo facilitates the development and maintenance of a database warehouse for national development indicators used in policy making. The database provides planners with evidence in user-friendly formats and sophisticated analytical presentations.

The DevInfo workshop for Users and Administrators, held from 13 to 17 July 2009, trained participants from national statistical offices, ministries, and UN agencies on the User and Data Administration modules of the newly-released version, DevInfo 6.0. Participants will also share their experiences and good practices in customizing and implementing DevInfo at the country level.

The DevInfo ToT, which runs from 20 July to 24 July 2009, will further enhance the capacity of key

professionals from national authorities and UN agencies in DevInfo technology, with the aim of establishing the Arab DevInfo Training Team (ADTT).

Source: Press Release, “UN Starts Training in Beirut on Development Goals’ Monitoring,” UN Information Services, 13 July 2009.