Features of ISO technical assistance
The technical assistance provided to ISO members in developing countries under the ISO Action Plan is based on the following key principles: it needs to be objective-oriented, demand driven, focused on delivery and geographically balanced.
Objective oriented
The ISO Action Plan for developing countries 2005-2010 is built around the following five key objectives:
- Improve awareness of key stakeholders in developing countries of the role of standardization in economic growth, world trade and sustainable development
- Build capacity of ISO members and stakeholders involved in developing the standardization infrastructure and participating in international standardization work
- Increase national and regional cooperation to share experience, resources, training and information and communications technologies
- Develop electronic communication and expertise in IT tools to participate in international standardization work, reach out to stakeholders and make efficient use of ISO e-services
- Increase participation in governance and technical work of ISO to voice priorities, contribute and influence the technical content of ISO deliverables
All technical assistance activities carried out are focused on meeting the above objectives. Also, performance is measured against those objectives.
Demand-driven
The annual technical assistance plan is established in response to needs expressed by ISO members in developing countries. The main sources for capturing needs and requirements for standardization and related matters are the annual DEVCO meetings and discussion groups, requests for technical assistance solicited by the DEVCO Secretariat and through the reports of the ISO Regional Liaison Officers.
Focus on delivery
Through the annual technical assistance plan ISO delivers a range of high level technical assistance projects, using delivery methods most adapted to the needs of ISO members in developing countries.
The main delivery methods of technical assistance are the following:
Seminars
Seminars are organized to raise awareness of a particular topic among stakeholders involved in International Standards from both the public and private sector. Seminars can be organized on a regional or national basis, they last two to three days and usually involve between 50 and 200 participants.
Workshops
Workshops enable the gathering of stakeholders and/or experts, usually for three to five days to address a predefined topic, issue or problem in a structured manner. The workshop includes an interactive element that allows for the exchange of information and experience. Workshops are mostly organized at the regional level and can host any number of participants.
Training courses
Training courses are provided on specific topics which enable the participants to take a more active role in international standardization. ISO runs a package of regular training courses at the ISO Central Secretariat in Geneva. These can also be run at the national or regional level. The training courses can host up to twenty participants.
Customized training courses are designed to meet specific requirements of developing countries and may be delivered at the ISO Central Secretariat in Geneva or be organized at the national or regional level.
Conferences
Conferences are held to share and disseminate information, rather than to teach or train. Conferences can be organized at the national, regional or international level. They are targeted at a wide audience and can attract up to 200 participants.
Training-of-trainers programmes
Training-of-trainers programmes are organized to help national standards bodies improve their capacity to provide effective training to national stakeholders and delegated organizations involved in standardization and related activities. Training-of-trainers programmes typically last a week and are often followed by a series of courses delivered by those trained.
Sponsorships
Support is offered to ISO members in developing countries to encourage their participation at ISO technical committee meetings. The provision of travel and subsistence is aimed at providing a catalyst for generating wider participation by developing countries at the meetings of ISO/TCs. Clear criteria and a predefined screening process are used to select the candidates that can qualify for a sponsorship.
Fellowships
The Robert Oteng fellowships allow for specialized training for individuals from developing countries in well established member bodies dealing with their area of expertise.
Training materials and reference publications, including e-learning
Training materials and references publications on standardization and related matters are prepared for ISO members in developed and developing countries. The ISO e-learning course on international standardization is aimed at national standardization experts that require more in-depth training.
Geographically Balanced
Technical assistance is organized to benefit all ISO members in developing countries and is distributed in an equitable manner within the eight ISO regions. The current ISO regions of liaison are the following
- Africa (Excluding the Arab Countries)
- Arab and Mediterranean
- South America
- Caribbean and Central America
- East and South East Asia
- South Asia
- Central Asia
- Central and Eastern Europe