PHASE II
Asian Climate Training (ACT)

ECE has worked to build linkages between the producers of climate information - including the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), national hydrometeorological agencies, and the scientific community - and the user community of government agencies and NGOs. This network, however, is still in its early stages. There are several barriers to the effective use of climate information for decision-making, including the need to downscale forecasts to the local level, to translate climate outlooks into impact outlooks, and to translate impact outlooks into action plans.

Climate Information Applications
To begin addressing the barriers identified above, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) and ADPC will co-organize a two-week Asian Climate Training (ACT) workshop on climate information applications, in association with the East-West Center and the International Research Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI).

The ACT partners recognize that a wealth of forecasting skill currently exists and a number of capacity building initiatives have been undertaken. The curriculum design builds upon the experiences of regionally-focused training programs conducted by the ASMC (on forecast methodology) and the East-West Center (on societal aspects).
The ACT workshop will incorporate this accumulated knowledge and focus on bringing together forecasters and users to identify opportunities for climate information applications.

Workshop Objectives

• To provide the participants with the latest information and insights from ongoing studies of climate variability and change and its impacts on society and environment
• To familiarise the participants with state-of- the-art climate prediction and assessment capabilities, decision-making processes, and the potential for applying climate information.
• To build a network of professionals in climate research, climate and weather forecasting, intermediary institutions, communications and end users.
• To test a pilot curriculum that can be adapted to the national level, as well as to other regions.

Workshop Modules and Methodology

1. Understanding Climate Variability
Patterns and predictability of the Austral-Asian monsoon. ENSO phenomenon as one of the drivers of climate variability, including monsoons, tropical cyclones, and other linear systems which impact each country’s climate and local weather elements.

2. Current and Emerging Forecasting Capabilities
Research on climate indicators. Regional downscaling techniques, particularly the experiences of ASMC. Translation techniques and methodologies for interpreting regional forecasts into local climate out looks.

3. Applying Climate Information for Decision Making
Interpretation methodologies and tools to prepare and use local climate information to support decision making. Improving the dialogue between climate forecasters and climate information users in government and business.

4. Institutionalizing Climate Information Application Systems
National experiences, constraints and opportunities for building climate information and user networks, and emerging issues on the sustainability of the institutionalization process.

Week One will include lectures and discussions on variability and climate prediction tools. Participants from the forecasters group will present national forecasts, including how they are produced and how this information is used in resource management. Week Two will focus on applying information gained from various tools presented in Week One. Participants will gain experience in the production and use of climate information tailored for addressing specific national and regional needs. In doing so, they will develop vital skills to contribute to national and regional efforts to enhance resilience to climate-related extreme events.

Participants
The workshop will target professionals in climate research, operational weather forecasts, research institutions, policy makers and end users. Mid-level managers and development workers from ASEAN countries will represent a range of sectors, including meteorology, agriculture, water resources, public health, and other users of climate information.

ACT aims for participants to be comprised of one-third with a meteorology/climatology background, and two-thirds with a background in resource management, public health and safety, disaster management, and other climate-sensitive sectors.

Funding
Course fees are funded through the generous support of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Global Programs (NOAA/OGP). This includes the costs of books and materials, room, board, and travel.

Applications
Interested persons can apply directly but preferably will be nominated by their employers, NGOs and private organizations. Apply on line at <http://www.adpc.ait.ac.th/training/form.html>. The deadline for applications is February 22nd. Participants will be notified by March 25th. The workshop committee will inform participants once their application has been accepted.

Resource Persons
Members of several leading institutes around the world, such as the East-West Center, IRI, the World Meteorological Organization’s Climate Information and Prediction Services, the Pacific ENSO Application Center, ASMC, the Environmental and Societal Impacts Group at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and the University of Colorado, will share their expertise during the two-week training workshop.

Thai Meteorological Department
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) was established in 1923, and its involvement in international activities has grown steadily over the years since its adherence to the Convention of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1949. TMD is attached to the Ministry of Transport and Communication with a wide range of responsibilities, including the application of meteorology to various fields of human activity, particularly agriculture, water resources development, land transportation, shipping and aviation. At the regional level, TMD is an active member of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Meteorology and Geophysics (ASCMG). The concept of ACT was first discussed at the ASCMG as part of its initiative on seasonal climate prediction in the ASEAN region.