GRID-Arendal celebrates 20 Years!

1996

• GRID-Arendal became technically responsible for the development and implementation of the UNEPnet/Mercure telecommunications system.

• More than 1.2 million hits were registered in our web site and 12 000 data sets were disseminated online to users, making GRID-Arendal a major online provider of environmental information in the Nordic region.

• GRID-Arendal’s report State of the Environment Norway 1995 received the prestigious "Princes’ Award 1996" for best audiovisuals on Europe’s environment. The award was presented by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Fredrik of Denmark and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Felipe of Spain.

• GRID-Arendal led a comprehensive initiative, BALLERINA, to address the regional needs of the Baltic sea area for improved access to environmental and sustainable development information.

• GRID-Arendal hosted 5 major international meetings: the "Second Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Mapping Workshop" in May; the "Third Annual UNEP/CGIAR/GRID Wworkshop on the Use of GIS in Agricultural Research" in June; the Nordic Policy Seminar “Arctic Development and Environmental Challenges: Information Needs for Decision-making and International Cooperation" in September; the International Arctic Environment Data Directory workshop “Arctic Environmental Information on the Net: Implementing a Gateway to the Arcti"c in November; and, the "Workshop on Cities’ State of the Environment on the Internet" in December.

1997

• GRID-Arendal intensifies its activities relating to state of the environment reporting and indicators.

• The Internet version and the Arctic section of UNEP's Global State of the Environment Report. were prepared by GRID-Arendal.

• GRID-Arendal assisted in the establishment of a GRID centre in Budapest, Hungary, which was inaugurated in April.