There will be a mission from the HQ Rome at the end of November until mid December.

The draft terms of reference for this mission are the following:

• Review progress made in implementation of VERCON since last mission in November 2006;
• Review VERCON platform with National consultant and VERCON Content Manager as well as with new NPC;
• Visit all the pilot sites in the three Dzongkhags (Districts): Thimphu (ICS and Baap Geog Extension Centre), Wangdue Phodrang (RNR-Research Centre in Bajo and Gaseylo Geog Extension Centre), and Punakha (Limbu Geog Extension Centre to check equipment and its use by district officers, extension and research staff members. See how VERCON is integrated in the work of pilot sites and problems faced in the use of the system;
• Assist ICS’s staff in identifying needs in the area of capacity building;
• Assist with formulation of recommendations for system’s expansion at national level;
• Follow up the project proposal to Fundecooperarcion linking the VERCON projects in Costa Rica and Bhutan
• Assist with the design and participate at the final  national workshop;
• Review of all the reports (national consultant, TCDC, NPC, steering committee, etc.) and training material produced in the last three years in relation with TCP;
• Prepare a mission report including findings and recommendations.
  

The draft programme is the following:

• Arrival in Bhutan, Paro on 28 November
• Travel to Thimphu either on 28 or 29 depending on arrival time
• Work with ICS and national consultant (29-30 November)
• Visit of pilot sites and (5 days including travel)
• Ideally the final workshop of VERCON Bhutan should take place the week of 10 December 2007 (from 10 to 12 December – 3 days), which would give the opportunity of both FAO headquarters staff members to be present.
• Departure from Thimphu to Paro in afternoon of Thursday 13 December.
• Departure from Paro to Bangkok on 14 December.

More updates will be added as and when deemed necessary.