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Possibilities in connection with the Encyclopedia of World Problems and Human Potential in relation to development of on-line data on "world problems" and "organizational strategies" and its specific development with respect to sectoral interests

Introduction

Information from the various databases and commentaries constituting this Encyclopedia are currently accessible via the web. The totality of this information will be accessible within a few months. Various possibilities for collaboration are currently being explored.

Forms of collaboration

Additions to text: The 13,000 "world problems" and 20,000 "strategies" are the subject of profiles developed from a variety of sources. These texts can be augmented, especially when the profiles are inadequate. Of special interest is the addition of opposing claims that clarify the position of constituencies that contest the articulation of the problem or strategy profile (as in the case of overpopulation).

Amendments to text: The existing profiles may be inadequately worded, or may use older data when newer data and arguments could usefully be used instead.

Additions to internal relationships: The profiles are interlinked by over 250,000 relationships that function as hyperlinks in a web environment. Additional links can be supplied both to improve the hierarchical organization of the information as well as to sharpen the causal relationships between problems and/or strategies. The distinction here is between logical relationships and functional relationships, remembering that the information structure allows data to be in several hierarchies.

Amendments to relationship loops: The pattern of relationships lends itself to complex analysis, notably to identify feed-back and feed-forward causal loops -- "vicious" and "serendipitous" cycles. This analysis is important both for error detection (redundancies, etc) and to sharpen relationships through amendment. This calls for development and improvement of powerful algorithms to detect loops and potential errors efficiently given the constraints even on rapid computers.

Additions to external relationships: Profiles are also linked externally to other relevant websites from which complementary information can be obtained. This information can be improved. Techniques can also be developed to identify new websites as potential candidates for such hardlinks. Query links can also be embedded in profiles to trigger queries by search engines for new data. The quality of these techniques calls for constant revision.

Addition of relations to associated databases: The problem and strategy profiles are explicitly linked, where possible and relevant, to bibliographic data and to organizations (preferably international). These links call for constant improvement. There is provision for links to associated databases on human development and human values, each with their own sets of profiles. Again these links call for elaboration. Note that it is the values which provide the mindset through which problems are detected and strategies are initiated by organizations. The objective is usually some form of human development.

Development of visualization tools: The pattern of relationships calls for exploration and development of suitable visualization tools to improve comprehension of complexity. A range of tools may be required to satisfy the needs of different kinds of users with different approaches to information and complexity -- whether children or policy-makers.

Interface design: It is expected that users may have different preferences for interfaces. It is also expected that some of these may be focused on specific kinds of data (subject areas, geographic areas, etc). Some interfaces may be specifically designed to facilitate educational courses, notably the exploration of sequences of profiles and relationships, for example. Collaboration could take the form of development of such interfaces, whether for use on the UIA site or from the sites of course providers (such as a university) using data on the UIA site.

Improving comprehension: In a world characterized by information overload, navigational tools are of course vital. Equal importance is attached to comprehension of context, the obstacles to it, and the visualization and other multi-media tools that can be developed to facilitate contextual understanding. This work has both a psychological and a technical dimension. It may involve the use of aesthetic as well as purely logical techniques. Can sound, for example, facilitate understanding of complex patterns and the detection of discordant information? Can new metaphors be used to reframe issues and possibilities more fruitfully? Continuing work is required in these areas.

Enabling participative editing: The information gathered through this Encyclopedia process is above all dependent on an ongoing relationship with users and especially with user-sources. Ideally the information at any one time will evoke responses from users concerning the need for specific improvements, including information as indicated above. The techniques whereby this information is fed back and incorporated need to be developed, taking account the need for fast-track updates from "accredited" user-editors and slower tracks from others -- possibly using a semi-automated rating system that allows immediate access to most levels of feedback, but permitting users to exclude new information below a certain rating.

Access and payment techniques: The aim is to ensure that the above process is economically sustainable without creating insurmountable barriers to un-resourced users. Techniques will have to be developed experimentally to control access at a variety of tariffs, ranging from free to commercial and adjusting access according to the type of user requesting the service. As with many Internet services on the drawing board, payment issues need to be clarified. Of special interest in this case is how to ensure access from developing countries from which payments are problematic. A particular area of interest is adaptation of LETS-type systems to facilitate relationships between users as providers of information and users as exploiters of information provided by others.

Sponsorship relationships: There is scope for developing relationships with industrial and other groups interested in the development of particular parts of the data. These might range from direct funding of improvement of the data to subsidizing access to that data. They might also include, in the case of software producers, special arrangements for the use of proprietary access tools, such as visualization and navigation tools.

Cognitive and behavioural issues: The problem and strategy databases endeavour to capture cognitive biases, especially as they reinforce particular patterns of collective action or inaction. As such the profiles may juxtapose quite controversial and incompatible perspectives. This approach calls for a measure of study and monitoring, notably to detect poorly represented perspectives that would enrich the data.

Developing sectoral approaches: As with the current sectoral project on Information Context for Biodiversity Conservation, sectoral approaches to improvement of the information are encouraged. Areas of interest might include: environment, health, urban and rural development, organization and community development, energy, social security, alternative concerns and approaches. Areas of application might include: distance learning, media, on-line publishing, policy-making and development planning, citizen empowerment and action, conflict resolution.