Under the current program Assistance to Sustain Local Democratic Practices in Lebanon, SUNY/CLD organized a workshop on July 20, 2009 for the Mayor, council members, and employees in Batroun Municipality focused on the Municipal Geographic Information System (MGIS). USAID was represented at the workshop by Project Management Assistant Rola El Solh.

Developed under the program by SUNY/CLD, the MGIS project component complements a number of activities to modernize work processes and organizational structures, to improve efficiency and fairness in the delivery of citizen services, and to expand the municipal revenue base.

During a presentation of the system, experts from SUNY/CLD highlighted the difference between public understanding of a GIS system and the Municipal GIS that has been developed as a powerful tool to support enhanced taxation, inspection, auditing, and planning capacities at the local government level.

Experts also noted that in contrast to conventional application systems the MGIS utilizes a modern technology that - by offering a mechanism for better visualization and understanding of available data from multiple sources - facilitates improved administrative, financial, and engineering practices and can support enhanced planning and decision-making.

SUNY/CLD experience related to the practical benefits in terms of municipal performance from the use of the MGIS was discussed, and the critical need for the Municipality to commit the necessary internal resources to ensure efficient capacity-building based on the SUNY/CLD training and support was addressed.