§         There is a need to take better advantage of the SRB data that are collected, and to establish early warning and vulnerability links.  Scientific data in particular need to be used and integrated from the research into policy and decision making whenever appropriate. §         There is a role for the scientific community in the policy process.  Scientists can act as policy entrepreneurs to help bring issues to the attention of decision makers and the public, and particularly by cooperating with OMVS and its administrative and technical staff.
	§         For data collection and analysis, as well as for the use of the data in decision making, there are political and ideological biases and barriers.  An important issue is the requirement for clear credibility on the part of the data holders and decision makers in the SRB.  This requires or would be aided by a high level of transparency in the data holdings as well as in the decision-making process.  An up-to-date and complete Web-based system with a geospatial clearinghouse for both spatial data and relevant documents would go a long way toward achieving such transparency.
	Related to the previous issue is the need to involve all stakeholders, including the people from the communities directly affected, in the problem management and policy formation.  Potential participants in decision making include:  government agencies, industry, nongovernmental organizations, and the public, which would include representatives of local inhabitants and fishermen, herders, and farmers (both flood-recession and irrigation).
	Two other issues identified during discussions included
	§         The capital cities of Mauritania, Senegal, and Mali (Nouakchott, Dakar, and Bamako, respectively) are located outside of the SRB, and there appears to be a disconnect between the decision making in these cities and local needs.  A disconnect also exists between Saint-Louis, where the Diama dam is located, and Dakar, where the OMVS is headquartered.  The broad availability of relevant data and information online would help mitigate those asymmetries.
	§         The absence of Guinea in the OMVS has weakened the success of the water management and infrastructure development, operation, and maintenance because of the lack of upper basin data for planning and management purposes.