CONCEPT AND AGENDA
Training Workshop to update skills in the use of Traditional Knowledge collection and
storage methods in Vanuatu
8th – 10th April 2014,
Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazard Department, Port Vila, Efate, Vanuatu
Executive summary
The objective of the workshop is to provide one-on-one training to advance VMGD’s TK Project.
A training workshop to ensure that the new database and survey forms are easily interpretable and
usable by all project stakeholders – integral to ongoing project success – and that VMGD are ready to
collect and store the collected data.
Background
In June 2013, VMGD and COSPPac implemented a MoU and associated Work Plan with the
following key objectives:
1. Determine and document historical information on traditional indicators used by local
communities, particularly by communities chosen for pilot study. Sources of this historical
information may include Vanuatu Kalijoral Senta, Agricultural Department or other collaborating
agencies.
2. Identify indicators that perform well in relation to actual observations. These indicators will then
form basis of future applications.
3. Compare skill of traditional indicators with scientific approaches, and where possible determine
consensus between the two methods.
4. Determine best methods of disseminating consensus forecast back in the community.
As part of the agreed Work Plan, COSPPac was responsible for providing support such as the
development of a database to store the collected information and support for the development of
surveys for documenting traditional weather and climate knowledge.
COSPPac together with project partners have developed the following to meet objectives: (a) TK
Survey and protocol form (b) Electronic database and (c) TK monitoring form and indicator picture
booklet. This workshop will centre around training in a, b and c. Summary Workshop objectives

Update knowledge of COSPPac’s TK work: BoM officers will present on project progress to
date

Training: use of the latest TK Survey form for improved data collection

Training: use of the latest electronic database form for improved data storage

Training: use of the latest TK monitoring form for improved ongoing TK data collection –
VMGD will use this training to help train members of the Vanuatu Rainfall Network
Expected Outcomes
The proposed outputs from the workshop will be:
Output 1: Upgrade knowledge of COSPPac TK progress to date
Output 2: All project partners famailiar with and able to use the new TK Survey
Output 3: All project partners familiar with and able to use the new electronic TK database
Output 4: All project partners familiar with and able to use the TK monitoring forms – for assisting the
Vanuatu Rainfall Monitoring Network in data collection
Proposed Participants
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6 VMGD/ Climate Services
2 x BOM
Vanuatu Red Cross Society: 1
Vanuatu Cultural Centre: 1
Samoa Met Service: 1
Day 1 – Tuesday 8th April 2014
Today’s Chair: Malsale
Today’s Scribes: ?
09:00 – 09:30
Formal Greetings
-
Director VMGD
Jotham Napat
-
Climate manager VMGD
Philip Malsale
-
TK Officer VMGD
Mike Waiwai
-
VRN Liason
Peter Feke
09:45 – 10:00
Morning Tea (GROUP PHOTO)
All participants
10:00 – 10:15
Introduction to COSPPac’s & VMGD’s TK project
Plotz and Waiwai
progress, objectives and goals of Workshop
10:15 – 12:30
Introduction and Training in new TK Survey (Version
Waiwai, Chambers, Plotz
3.0) - layout, changes, how to use it,
to all paricipants
12:30
13:30 – 15:30
Formal training finished for day
Available for any questions or one-on-one training
All
Optional Participation
where needed
Day 2 – Wednesday, 9th Apr 2014
Today’s Chair: Malsale
Today’s Scribes:?
09:00- 09:10
Recap of Day 1
Plotz, Waiwai to all participants
09:10-9:25
About the Database
Chambers and Plotz
9:25 – 09:45
Morning tea
All
9:45 – 12:30
Introduction to updated Database (activity based)
Chambers, Plotz, Waiwai to
-highlight changes, how to enter data
all participants
Group excercises using surveys to input data into
the database
12:30
13:30 – 15:00
Formal training finished for day
All
Available for any questions or 1-on-1 training where Plotz and Chambers
needed
Day 3 – Thursday, 10th Apr 2014
Today’s Chair:Malsale
Today’s Scribes:?
09:00- 09:15
Recap of Day 2
Plotz, Waiwai to all
participants
9:15 – 09:30
Morning tea
All
9:30 – 11:15
Introduction to updated Monitoring form
Chambers, Waiwai and
- highlight changes, how to record and enter data
11:30-12:30
Group excercises using monitoring forms
- Includes outside activity (weather permitting)
Plotz to all participants
Waiwai, Plotz, Chambers
to all participants
12:30
Formal training finished for day
All
13:30 –
Available for any questions or one-on-one
Plotz and Chambers
onwards
training where needed
-Visit to nearby Rainfall Network Members to
show new monitoring form (subject to
confirmation)
Waiwai, Feke