mation management, but also many collaborative tools and mechanisms to manage data generated and used externally. Issues such as policy, standardization, and access to data are very important as they impact the collection, analysis, marketing, dissemination and use of the information.

Given that a number of institutions and sectors are involved either as information users, producers or both, there is a need to establish institutional, legal and technical mecha- nisms for environmental data and information manage- ment and reporting. Against this background there is a case for the establishment of an environment information network that can allow for greater synergies by sharing and coordinating facilities, approaches and efforts in diverse but interlinked areas such as environment, health, agriculture, economy and education.

Employing an integrated approach

As already indicated, a major ongoing challenge is the sec- toral approach to environmental management in Rwanda. A critical capacity weakness of this approach is the lack of ap- preciation of the inter-linkages that exist across seemingly unrelated sectors. Many sectoral specialists, for instance economists may have little understanding of the environ- mental consequences or challenges associated with differ- ent economic activities such as agricultural intensification, irrigation or dam construction (UNDP 2005). There is thus a need to transform the ‘sectoral thinking’ into a more in- terlinked and holistic approach.

To ensure sustainable development in Rwanda, it is required that each of the individual line ministries or sectors adopt an integrated approach to natural resources management. Indeed, a key target of the EDPRS is to strengthen links and improving information management.

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