Robert Pollard: Resume
Education
Cambridge University
B.A. Honours in Mathematics and Economics. 9/63 - 6/66. Open Exhibition (Scholarship) in Mathematics, Corpus Christi College.
The Johns Hopkins University
M.A. in Social Relations. 9/67 - 11/72. (completed all requirements but dissertation for Ph.D.). Graduate Fellowship.
Experience
International Synergy Institute
United Nations Representative. 1/94 - 6/95. Active participation in, and monitoring of, the proceedings of the Commission on Sustainable Development, the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Convention on Desertification, the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, the World Summit for Social Development, the International Conference on Population and Development, the Fourth World Conference on Women and the Open-Ended Working Group on the Review of Arrangements for Consultations with Non-Governmental Organizations; in all these proceedings, this has involved a leadership role in promoting the compilation and dissemination of documents in electronic format -- on disk and via electronic communications -- and the provision of support in the use of information and communication technology by representatives of non-governmental organizations participating in the above proceedings.
Project Director of the Synergistic Processes project. 1/92 - present. The principal focus of the project has been the application of information and communication technology in support of effective communication, access to information, and broad-based participation for the non-governmental organization community in the UNCED process and follow-up activities.
Member of facilitation team at the 1993 Parliament of World Religions in Chicago, co-edited Your Voice interactive bulletin, with responsibility for special issues that organized and presented reports from a Parliament of the People and from the Assembly of Religious and Spiritual Leaders.
During the UNCED preparations, project activities included the publication of the Da Zi Bao interactive bulletin at PrepCom IV and at the Global Forum in Rio; the latter involved publication of the bulletin in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French with a total staff, including volunteers, of 115 people. After Rio, the work involved compilation and publication of the Alternative Treaties, dissemination on disk of the official Rio agreements and the alternative treaties in several languages, the design, implementation and dissemination of a database of the NGOs accredited to UNCED and the organization of the text of the Rio agreements and the alternative treaties into a full text searchable database.
United Nations Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development (DPCSD)
Consultant. 7/94 - 11/94. Designed and developed an Internet gopher incorporating comprehensive documentation from the Commission on Sustainable Development and the World Summit for Social Development; developed user manual for the gopher and a procedures manual for development and maintenance of the gopher. Member of DPCSD Task Force of NGO Focal Points; drafted Task Force recommendations on an integrated database for NGO contacts in DPCSD.
Women's Environment & Development Organization (WEDO)
Consultant. 7/94 - 12/94. Support in the design and implementation of a comprehensive Internet gopher with documents from WEDO and the Women's Caucus and in the preparation of a user's guide to the gopher. Development of streamlined procedures for electronic mail, word processing and file management.
Various National and International NGOs
Consultant. 3/87 - present. Technical support and training in the use of microcomputers, including electronic mail, database development, desktop publishing, word processing, and document management. Projects included design and implementation of a database and publication of the Alternative Press Index, concept development and design of the database and layout for Who Is Who: People, Projects and Organizations in Service to the Earth and organization and publication of the proceedings of the November 1989 Globescope Pacific Assembly.
Environmental Liaison Centre International
9/91 - 12/91. Developed comprehensive proposal for information, communication and networking resources at the Roots of the Future international conference for NGOs held in Paris in preparation for UNCED; designed and implemented Da Zi Bao: An Interactive Exchange Process, an interactive bulletin for participants in the conference, supervising staff of nine people; designed and supervised database and related reports of conference invitees and participants; provided technical assistance in word processing, desk top publishing and electronic communications.
Institute for Global Communications
5/91 - 9/91. Project Director: On The Line: Interactive Preparations for the First Earth Summit. Wrote the successful proposal for the project, funded by the MacArthur Foundation, that was designed to promote the effective use of electronic communications by NGOs involved in the UNCED preparatory process, and included the publication of a newsletter that incorporated methodological breakthroughs in on-line publishing. Provided technical assistance and support to key information providers -- e.g. Centre for Our Common Future, UN Non Government Liaison Service, Environmental Liaison Centre International and the Environment & Energy Study Institute -- in disseminating their newsletters and information on-line plus training and technical support to many NGO representatives. During UNCED PrepCom III in Geneva, managed the electronic communications room for NGOs at the Palais des Nations, providing technical support, assistance and resources in word processing and electronic communications for NGO representatives.
U.S. Citizens Network on UNCED
3/90 - 6/92. Co-founder & a principal organizer of the Network; member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Communications and Clearinghouse committee. Wrote the successful grant proposal that provided initial funding for the Network; designed and maintained the original database of Network participants; designed, implemented and promoted strategies for the use of electronic conferences on the Association for Progressive Communications networks by NGOs involved in UNCED; set up and facilitated UNCED-related on-line conferences; during UNCED PrepCom I, in conjunction with Langston "Kimo" Goree, was responsible for on-line distribution of NGO reports sent from Nairobi; provided support and technical assistance in computer use to NGO representatives during UNCED PrepCom II.
Citizens Planning & Housing Association
9/89 - 6/91. Founding Co-Chair of Baltimore area Recycling Committee that successfully mobilized a broad based coalition of neighborhood, environmental and educational groups in a major re-direction of recycling policy resulting, inter alia, in weekly curb-side pick up of recyclables and a five year City Council moratorium on waste incinerators. Supervised the organization of a successful conference that played a major role in stimulating the growth and development of the committee's activities. In addition to serving as Chair of the committee, developed and maintained database of coalition participants, edited and desktop-published brochures and reports.
Baltimore Area Community Organizations
Consultant. 2/82 - 3/91. Technical support and training in the application of microcomputer technology in support of increased effectiveness of comunity organizations. Clients were community-based organizations working in community development, social justice, health, environment and peace. A primary focus was the integration of database and desktop publishing. Produced a comprehensive "Report Card on Elementary Schools" in Baltimore for the Citizens' Planning & Housing Association.
Friends Committee on Unity with Nature
2/88 - 10/91. Steering Committee and Clerk of Publications & Communications at national and state level; Clerk at Homewood Friends Meeting (local). Coordinated and edited "Queries on Unity with Nature" that were included as the Quaker contribution to the Environmental Sabbath materials published by the United Nations Environment Programme; edited and produced Unity with Nature Resource Packet.
Better Waverly Community Organization
5/87 - 5/90. Co-Chair; designed and maintained integrated database for membership and organizational records, including ownership records for all property in the neighborhood; established and edited neighborhood newsletter; initiated community gardening project.
Computer Users in Social Services
Maryland Regional Chapter. 3/84 - 6/87. Steering Committee member. Developed directory of social service professionals involved in microcomputer applications; provided training in word processing and database applications.
Baltimore Information Cooperative
Co-founder, Co-Chair and Coordinator. 8/82 - 4/84. Wrote successful grant proposal for initial funding of the organization, which was established to provide support and assistance to small charitable and community organizations in the use of microcomputers. Provided support and training in use of database, spreadsheets and word processing and recommendations for microcomputer purchase.
North Greenmount Community Development Federal Credit Union
Secretary, Board member. 9/81 - 9/84. Developed feasibility study and needs analysis that led to the development of a microcomputer-based credit union accounting system.
Baltimore Environmental Center
Held positions of Chairperson, Secretary, Board Member. 1/80 - 1/91. Organized a successful coalition of environmental and community groups opposed to incineration of Baltimore City's sewage sludge, leading to the adoption of plans to compost the sludge in place of incineration; maintained membership database; developed a Recycling Resource Packet.
Chesapeake Energy Alliance
Co-Coordinator. 9/78 - 7/82. Dissemination of information on the dangers of nuclear energy and the advantages of alternative energy sources. Represented the Chesapeake Energy Alliance in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission proceedings concerning the re-start of Three Mile Island, Unit 1.
Baltimore City Jail
Librarian and Administrative Analyst. 11/72 - 3/87. Established the first library at Baltimore City Jail; developed and implemented model for prison law libraries; initiated education programs; supervised staff of 10-12 inmate volunteers; wrote successful proposal funding 7 full time and 5 part time paid positions under the Public Service Employment Program; developed and managed budgets for the library; designed and implemented audiovisual productions; supervised inmate newsletter and inmate self-help programs. As Administrative Analyst, pioneered the use of microcomputers in the agency; edited and produced manual of policy and procedures; edited staff newsletter; developed proposal for comprehensive multi-user microcomputer network.
Social Relations Department, The Johns Hopkins University
Research Assistant. 9/67 - 7/71. Specialized in data management and analysis, research design & methodology, computer programming, and mathematical models in areas of small group dynamics, personality measurement, behavior and communication.
Institute for Human Sciences, Boston College
Research Assistant. 6/66 - 8/67. Data management and organization, and supervision of computer coding of grievances and concerns drawn up throughout France at a parish level in the course of the "Convocation of the Estates General" in the context of a research project involving quantitative analysis of the French Revolution.
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Updated: 21 May, 1995