GBits

GBIF Newsletter

No. 21 - March 2011
The mission of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is to facilitate free andopen access to biodiversity data worldwide via the Internet to underpin sustainable
development. Priorities, with an emphasis on promoting participation and working throughpartners, include mobilising biodiversity data, developing protocols and standards to ensure
scientific integrity and interoperability, building an informatics architecture to allow theinterlinking of diverse data types from disparate sources, promoting capacity building andcatalysing development of analytical tools for improved decision-making.

CALLS FOR ACTION AND PARTICIPATIONThe GBIF Secretariat seeks a Senior Programme Officer for Participation
The Senior Programme Officer post is a full time, professional-level position responsible forleading on development and implementation of strategies and activities for the Participation
work area. Broadly this encompasses leading on engagement with GBIF Participants. Deadline
for application is 18 March. [Read more...]The GBIF Secretariat seeks a Science Writer
The GBIF Secretariat (GBIFS) is seeking a committed and proactive Science Writer to be part ofour communication team and be responsible for the planning, preparation and delivery ofscientific publications produced or commissioned by GBIF. Deadline for application is 21 March.
[Read more...]The GBIF Secretariat seeks a Communications Officer
The Communications Officer is a full-time general service level position created primarily toincrease timely and effective awareness of GBIF events, reports and publications, tools andservices etc. in different media and on the GBIF web-site. The Communication Officer will help
implement the overall GBIF communication strategy. Deadline for application is 21 March.
[Read more...]The GBIF Secretariat seeks a Data Administrator
The Data Administrator is a full-time position created to ensure the quality and up-to-datenessof information indexed and available through the GBIF Data Portal is to the highest possible
degree. The Data Portal is a flagship GBIF product providing discovery and access services to alldata shared through the GBIF network, and this position is key to ensuring satisfied users.
Deadline for application is 22 March. [Read more...]COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS
2011 Grantees for Regional Training Support Selected
Five proposals directly benefitting 29 countries and organisations have been selected to receive
support under the 2011 call for "GBIF Support of Regional Training Events". The five proposals
involve partners from 25 countries and 4 international organisations. [Read more...]TOOLS AND SERVICES
GBIF release the Integrated Publishing Toolkit version 2.0
The GBIF Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT) is a web based tool that enables scientists andtechnicians to publish and register their content through the GBIF network and has beenreleased for early adoptors. Through the uploading of text files or connection to an existing
database, the IPT enables the publication of taxonomic checklists and primary biodiversityoccurrence data in a standard format (the Darwin Core standard). [Read more...]Layout & design © GBIF

No. 21, March 2011

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PARTICIPATIONGBIF – now 102 Participants
GBIF is happy to welcome the Central African Republic as a new Associate Participant. The
Central African Republic became an Associate Country Participant as of 5 March 2011.
The total number of GBIF Participants is 102, comprising 56 GBIF country members and 46
international organisation members. For a full list of GBIF’s current Participants, please click
here.

PUBLICATIONS
A Beginner’s Guide to Persistent Identifiers published by GBIF
GBIF has published a Beginner’s Guide to Persistent Identifiers. The guide covers the practice ofissuing and maintaining Persistent Identifiers for primary biodiversity data from a beginner'sperspective. It also includes information explaining the costs and benefits of implementing
Persistent Identifiers. [Read more…]
GBIF eLearning Task Group report available
The Task Group on Electronic Learning submitted its final report and recommendations to theSecretariat in December 2011. This report is now available, together with a response from theSecretariat on its plans for the implementation of such recommendations. [Read more...]MEETINGS & EVENTS
New dates for the Governing Board meeting in Argentina
The dates for the official GBIF Governing Board meeting in Argentina (GB18) have been changed
to 4-6 October 2011 with GBIF committee pre-meetings taking place in the days prior to theofficial meeting. [Read more...]Meeting of the Nodes Portal Toolkit Advisory GroupThe Advisory Group of the Nodes Portal Toolkit met in Madrid on 4-6 March, with the objective
to produce the first complete draft of requirements for the development of the NPT Version
1.0. This workshop was kindly hosted by GBIF Spain. [Read more...]NEWS FROM THE NETWORK
Data Publishing Workshop in Lomé, March 2011
The Data Publishing workshop was organised by GBIF Togo with the participation of GBIFFrance, as part of the mentoring project between these two countries. [Read more...]NEWS FROM THE SECRETARIAT
Staff changes at the GBIF Secretariat
After four years working as Senior Programme Officer for Nodes at the GBIF Secretariat, Juan
Bello is going back to his home country, Colombia, mid-May. The GBIF Nodes Capacity Officer,Mélianie Raymond, will be on maternity leave as of end-May. [Read more...]CONTACTS
Postal and physicaladdress:

GBIF Secretariat
Universitetsparken 15
DK-2100 Copenhagen ØDenmark

Contact information for GBIF
Secretariat staff:

Tel: +45 35 32 14 70
Fax: +45 35 32 14 80
E-mail: info@gbif.org

http://www.gbif.org/communications/directory-ofcontacts/gbif-secretariat/

GBits archive: http://www.gbif.org/communications/resources/newsletters/
Layout & design © GBIF

No. 21, March 2011