Academic literature on the topic 'Benin art'

This research focuses on how many African cultural objects found their way to Western museums or private collections. Therefore the author examines to what extent African states have succeeded in their quest for the return of their cultural objects and what the inadequacies in the current international legal regime for the return of cultural objects are. Can the return of African cultural objects properly be identified as a human right issue and will such identification present better chances for their return? Also look at how existing international human rights mechanisms are applied in the quest for the return of African cultural objects. Focuses on the specific African countries of Nigeria and Ethiopia in respect of their efforts towards the return of their tangible and moveable cultural heritage.
Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2007.
A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Prof. Andreas Eshete of the Faculty of Law, University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
http://www.chr.up.ac.za/
Centre for Human Rights
LLM

Cette thèse s’intéresse particulièrement à un aspect de la durabilité sociale des transports urbains à Cotonou au Bénin :la mobilité des populations pauvres. L’objectif global est de contribuer à l’amélioration des transports à Cotonou en faveur des populations pauvres de la ville. De façon spécifique, la thèse se propose de mettre en lumière le processus de mise à l’écart des citadins pauvres depuis les origines de la ville jusqu’à la formation des quartiers précaires, et d'en observer les ruptures et continuités. Dans un deuxième temps, elle ambitionne analyser l’offre de transport à Cotonou et étudier fondamentalement la mobilité des citadins pauvres. Elle propose enfin des solutions de politiques améliorantes afin de mieux intégrer la satisfaction des besoins de mobilité et d’accessibilité des populations défavorisées dans le système de transport urbain et d’y assurer plus d’équité.

Le recours à l'approche historique a permis d'analyser le processus de mise à l'écart des pauvres, tandis qu'une enquête individuelle de mobilité a permis d'étudier leurs habitudes de déplacement. Cette enquête a pris en compte un échantillon représentatif de 660 personnes pauvres âgées de 15 à 59 ans, issus de 4 quartiers très pauvres de Cotonou. Elle a été complétée par une démarche plus qualitative par l'administration de questionnaires semi-structurés à 20 enquêtés. La dernière démarche a consisté à investiguer le système de transports urbain dans ses trois dimensions (infrastructures, services de transport et aspects institutionnels) afin d'en saisir les contraintes et réalités.

Cette étude montre une expression de mobilité atypique des citadins pauvres. Les analyses entreprises sur les caractéristiques socio-économiques de cette population pauvre montrent un sous équipement en moyens de transport dans un contexte de difficulté d’accès aux transports publics. On note de rares utilisations du transport public, les déplacements sont courts, rares et s’inscrivent dans l’utile, il s’agit prioritairement des déplacements contraints. Mais ces habitudes coopèrent également avec des stratégies d’auto-emploi à domicile ou dans le quartier qui permettent ainsi à beaucoup de pauvres d’éviter les dépenses en transport. Les témoignages permettent de lire également les stratégies de gestion à moindre coût des déplacements lorsque les populations se résolvent à les mener :combinaison de la marche avec d’autres moyens, aides de proches, etc. D’autres logiques gouvernent également à certaines habitudes et qui sont plus culturelles avec des orientations liées au genre. Dans cette même mouvance, on note différents rapports des individus à l’espace et qui participent de la logique des courts déplacements dans les environs du domicile. Les habitudes de déplacement des pauvres participent d’un isolement qui n’autorise que fort peu leur contribution à la vie de la cité et à son développement. Dans ces conditions, leur sortie du cercle vicieux de la pauvreté est mise à l'épreuve.

D’un autre côté, le système de transport à Cotonou révèle des défaillances qui, à l’analyse, renforcent la pénibilité des déplacements des citadins pauvres. L’offre de transport évolue dans un désordre favorisé par la démission des puissances publiques et l’afflux dans le secteur de milliers d’opérateurs artisanaux qui gèrent en partie, exploitent et régulent le système. Le réseau routier est dégradé et faiblement revêtu alors que l’aménagement des routes bitumées et pavées n’intègre guère leur exploitation aisée et planifiée, par des services de transport public structurés.

L’ampleur des défaillances dans les divers compartiments de l’offre de transport ainsi que la pénibilité des conditions de déplacement des pauvres nécessitent impérativement un remède adapté. De là vient la prospection de plusieurs pistes pour l’amélioration du système de transport. Mais le fonctionnement de ces pistes nécessite à la fois un effort d’organisation et de régulation du système. D’où des analyses et suggestions pour un portage institutionnel adéquat. Mais l’opérationnalisation d’une telle option équivaut au réglage d’une suite de complexes défis.

Doctorat en Art de bâtir et urbanisme
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Au cours de l’entre-deux-guerres, certains textes pontificaux, tels Maximum Illud (1919) de Benoît XV et Rerum Ecclesiae (1926) de Pie XI, ont marqué un tournant très important dans la réflexion missiologique, donnant non seulement une nouvelle impulsion aux missions elles-mêmes mais encore suscitant une nouvelle pratique de l’art chrétien dans les pays de mission. Après avoir été foncièrement européocentrique, la politique iconographique des missionnaires s’efforça désormais d’aboutir à la création d’un art sacré mieux adapté à l’imaginaire, aux langages d’images et aux sensibilités diverses des pays de mission. Forts de ces orientations et surtout encouragés par la prédisposition de l’art local à offrir à la pensée chrétienne de nobles formes d’expression, les missionnaires de la Société des Missions Africaines œuvrèrent activement pour l’émergence de l’art chrétien au Bénin. Les caractéristiques particulières que présente, dans ce pays, l’émergence de l’art chrétien et la richesse des collections d’objets de facture chrétienne par rapport à celles des autres pays d’Afrique méritaient qu’on leur consacre une recherche approfondie. Outre la constitution d’un corpus iconographique, la thèse propose la contextualisation des œuvres, l’examen de leurs diverses fonctions et l’analyse des paradigmes successifs répondant à la nouvelle perspective missiologique : l’inculturation
Papal texts such as Maximum Illud (1919) by Benedict XV or Rerum Ecclesiae (1926) by Pius XI show that the interwar period represented a watershed in missiological thought which gave a new impetus to missions. Hence a new strategy concerning Christian art in “mission countries” was adopted. Because it had beforehand been centred on Europe, the missionaries’ iconographical policy then consisted in creating a form of sacred art which fitted the various cultural characteristics of “mission countries” better. Armed with these tendencies and above all encouraged by the fact that local art could give noble expressions to Christian thought, the missionaries of “La Société des Missions Africaines” worked for the emergence of Christian art in Benin. Christian art in Benin is highly distinctive and the collections of this country boast a significant number of objects of Christian craftsmanship which deserve a thorough research work. Thus, as well as putting an iconographical corpus together, this thesis will describe the background of the works, examine their various functions, and analyse their successive paradigms which correspond to the new missiological perspective: inculturation

Ce projet de thèse vise à aborder la sociologie de l’expertise en matière de médiation culturelle du masque africain. Il est observable au Bénin que les musées et les arts de la scène n’exposent pas certaines catégories de masques dont égoungoun et abikou, alors qu’ils en exhibent d’autres, zangbéto et guèlèdè en l’occurrence. Cela suscite l’attention, d’autant qu’à Porto-Novo, ville où on peut dénombrer une pluralité de sanctuaires de masques, le musée ethnographique se sert paradoxalement de dessins pour présenter le égoungoun et le zangbéto qu’on retrouve en revanche physiquement dans des expositions en Occident. Lesdits masques appartiennent à deux grandes aires culturelles (adja-tado et yorouba-nago) densément présentes dans trois pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest : le Bénin, le Nigéria et le Togo. Cette zone géographique, mais surtout le Bénin méridional et central sert donc de cadre à notre étude qui tente de comprendre les pesanteurs sociologiques défavorables à des formes d’exposition du masque sur le territoire béninois et si les populations concernées peuvent s’inscrire dans une démarche d’ouverture noétique et de dialogue avec d’autres cultures. Ainsi, en menant des enquêtes de terrain auprès d’un public varié, constitué d’intellectuels, de dignitaires de sociétés de masque, de responsables politico-administratifs, d’autorités religieuses, de médiateurs culturels, d’initiés aux traditions rituelles et de personnes ordinaires que nous jugeons représentatifs de la population pour révéler les vrais visages des croyances populaires actuelles, pensons-nous apporter aux sciences sociales, une première définition et classification des moyens de vulgarisation du masque africain, dans un environnement culturel mondial qui se veut globalisant
This thesis is aimed to deal with the sociology of expertise in the african mask cultural mediation. In Benin country, it is observable that museums and performing arts do not exhibit certain categories of masks including égoungoun and abikou, while they show some others, zangbéto and guèlèdè in this case. This arouses attention, insomuch as in Porto-Novo, a city where a plurality of masks’ sanctuaries is noticed, the ethnographic museum paradoxically uses drawings to present the égoungoun and the zangbéto which on the other hand, are physically seen in exhibitions in western countries. These masks belong to two large cultural areas (adja-tado and yorouba-nago) densely present in three west african countries : Benin, Nigeria and Togo. This geographic area, but especially southern and central Benin will serve as framework for our study. It attempts to understand the sociological constraints unfavorable to some forms of mask exposure in beninese territory and whether the concerned populations can adopt a noetic openness approach and dialogue with other cultures. By doing field surveys with varied public made up of intellectuals, dignitaries of mask societies, political and adminitrative officials, religious authorities, cultural mediators, ritual traditions insiders and ordinary people that we deem, representative of the population to reveal the true faces of current popular beliefs, we hope we’ll provide social sciences with a first definition and classification of means to popularize the african mask, in a globalizing world cultural environment

L'étude porte sur deux oeuvres capitales de Nicolas Poussin (l'autoportrait et les bergers d'arcadie), et sur les projets du Bernin pour le Louvre de Louis XIV en 1665, oeuvres et faits dont le sens et la portée historique sont restitués. La première partie fonde les méthodes d'investigation dans l'esthétique, entendue comme travail hermeneutique particulier. Le constant souci éthique de la pensée de l'art est dégagé qui peut être saisi comme le horizon du sens donné à l'art dans un contexte historique, et qui permet d'approfondir la compréhension des oeuvres et des processus creatifs. Les oeuvres de Poussin sont interprétées en accord avec l'analyse de l'idée de l'art du peintre, Nicolas Poussin, idée morale conciliant le don individuel et le travail méthodique et rationnel de la représentation. La troisième partie rouvre le dossier des plans du Bernin pour le Louvre rejetés au profit de l'actuelle colonnade. La base des investigations est constituée par l'édition critique du journal de Chantelou à laquelle est joint un nombre important de documents d'archives ( en annexe). L'interprétation concentre les aspects multiples de l'affaire Bernin sur le divorce entre le génie artistique et le decorum princier. À travers l'échec de l'artiste, l'idée d'une autonomie morale de l'art s'est trouvée singulièrement affirmée
The study concerns essentially two paintings of n. Poussin (the self-portrait and the arcadian shepherds), and the architectural projects of Bernini for the louvre in the reign of louis XIV (1665), a new approach restoring the sense and the historical importance of this works. The first part of the study intends to found the methods of its enquiries on the aesthetics, philosophical discipline which is supposed to be preceeding in this case as a particular hermeneutics. Constant ethical solicitudes for the thought concerning art are elucitated, solicitudes which are recognised in the study as horizons of sens attributed to art in particular historical contexts and which allow to go further in the comprehension of the works of art as well as of processes of creation. The paintings of poussin are thus interpreted according to the painter's conception of art, a moral conception which reconciles his personal, individual talent, and his rational work on the pictorial representation. The third part of the study deals with bernini's plans for the louvre, plans finally rejected and replaced by the present colonnade. The enquiry is based upon a new (critical) edition of chantelou's diary, and upon an important number of archive documents (edited in annex). The interpretation of facts and projects is focused on the esential gulf introduced between the genius of the artist and the decorum of the prince

In this thesis I explore human-animal relations amongst the Bebelibe of the Commune of Cobly, in the northwest of the Republic of Benin, West Africa, with a focus on how they relate to their tikedimɔmɔnte (true totem(s), literally “interdict(s)-true”). I start with an historical review of totemism, the debates it generated and how these contributed to the recent ontological turn in anthropology. I then explore the theoretical ideas I use for my analysis, which include “presencing” and the “ontological penumbra” (J. Merz 2017b; J. Merz and S. Merz 2017). Presencing builds on semiotics by explaining how people make meaning present through their engagement in and with the world around them, whilst ontological penumbras are the shadowy spaces of limbo that affect our whole being and that people need to negotiate as part of making sense of their engagement with the world. As part of these theoretical frameworks, I examine the “onton”, as introduced by Johannes Merz (2017b). Ontons are experiential, agentive and relational entities that are the result of presencing processes. Ontons, however, cannot be divided into representations (signifiers) and represented (signified) as signs can. An engagement in the world between different entities in an ontonic and thus nonrepresentational sense necessitates my introducing further notions including shared “ontonity” (instead of shared humanity) and “ontonhood” (rather than personhood). I demonstrate how these theoretical ideas work with reference to human-animal relations primarily amongst the Bebelibe in the Commune of Cobly. In order to do this, I provide an in-depth, “thick description” (Geertz 1973) ethnography that explores how people perceive and relate to animals through hunting, domestication, attitudes to eating meat, animal commodification, reincarnation, shapeshifting and totemism. As part of my analysis I also examine the impact of Christianity on human-animal relations by exploring several incidents involving Christians and their tikedimɔmɔnte.

It seems appropriate to begin by acknowledging that the evolution of a field or discipline is subject to invention and discovery but, perhaps, even more so to political and social forces. It is also worth noting that advances proceed erratically for these same reasons. This is certainly the case for Engineering and its sub-disciplines of Bioengineering and Rehabilitation Engineering. Hopefully this will become evident in the following discourse.

Non-destructive rock art recording techniques are getting special attention in the last years, opening new research lines in order to improve the level of documentation and understanding of our rich legacy. This paper applies the principal component analysis (PCA) technique in images that include wavelengths between 400-700 nm (visible range). Our approach is focused on determining the difference provided by the image processing of the visible region through four spectral images versus an image that encompasses the entire visible spectrum. The images were taken by means of optical filters that take specific wavelengths and exclude parts of the spectrum. Simulation of rock art is prepared in laboratory. For this purpose, three different pigments were made simulating the material composition of rock art paintings. The advantages of studying the visible spectrum in separate images are analysed. In addition, PCA is applied to each of the images to reduce redundant data. Finally, PCA is applied to the image that contains the entire visible spectrum and is compared with previous results. Through the results of the four visible spectral images one can begin to draw conclusions about constituent painting materials without using decorrelation techniques.

Abstract Currently most MEMS designers begin the geometric design of a new device by creating the masks that would lead to a geometric model. At the macro level, this is analogous to generating a geometric model from the tool paths, which would be a very difficult task. In contrast to MEMS designers, designers of macro devices have the advantage of starting with a geometric model and being able to directly visualize or manipulate their designs. The geometric model is then queried to generate the process specific data. In the case of MEMS, there is no systematic means to generate the mask data after the geometric model of a MEMS device has been refined through behavioral simulations. This paper focuses on automatically generating masks, given a geometric model of the MEMS device and the process sequence (referred to here as the inverse problem). This necessitates the systematic solution of the forward problem, which involves automatically generating a geometric model of the MEMS device given the masks. A systematic and implementation-independent framework for the geometric modeling of MEMS is presented in order to solve the forward and inverse problems for general surface-micro-machined devices. However, all implementations and examples are two-dimensional, i.e., they do not deal with complexity in the third dimension.

Rotordynamic instability, commonly observed as subsynchronous vibration, is a serious problem that can cause heavy damage to a turbomachine or make it incapable of operation due to high vibration levels. However, all subsynchronous vibrations are not necessarily unstable. If the amplitude of the subsynchronous vibration is large, it can cause damage to seals, bearings, or process wheels. If it is small, the question arises as to whether it has the potential to grow larger (“instability”) or whether it is benign and harmless. A way to know would be helpful. The objective of this study is to signal-analyze subsynchronous vibration in turbomachinery and distinguish benign subsynchronous vibration from true rotordynamic instability. Effort is also made to identify unique signatures to a cause, thereby aiding in faster diagnosis. A computer simulation study is conducted on four rotors, including two gas-reinjection compressors that went unstable, to examine the possibility of using the change in synchronous phase angle as a possible indicator of impending instability. Two other rotors in laboratory test rigs were also studied, both experimentally and with computer simulations of the phase angle response. The computer simulations and experimental results agree very closely on the test rigs. Measured signals from another rotor, with bearings having a dead-band clearance are studied as an example of a benign cause that can result in subsynchronous vibration. The effect is studied with the rotor in both horizontal and vertical positions and clear indicators are discovered that confirm the subsynchronous vibration to be benign in nature. Signatures from another rotor with internal friction are also presented. The experimental data clearly shows indicators that distinguish it as a genuine instability. Dry friction whip is also experimentally produced on a test rig. The measurements show that dry friction whip defies all general rules of thumb for diagnosing a true instability and at the same time is a very violent one as well.

The research is devoted to the study of the phenomenon of mediatization of art on the example of virtual museums. Main objective of the study is to give communication characteristics of the mediatized socio-cultural institutions. The subject of the research is forms, directions and communication features of virtual museums. Methodology. In the process of study, the method of communication analysis, which allowed to identify and characterize the main factors of the museum’s functioning as a communication system, was used. Among them, special emphasis is put on receptive and metalinguistic functions. Results / findings and conclusions. The need to be competitive in the information space determines the gradual transformation of socio-cultural institutions into mass media, which is reflected in the content and forms of dialogue with recipients. When cultural institutions begin to function as media, they take on the features of media structures that create a communication environment localized by the functions of communicators and audience expectations. Museums function in such a way that along with the real art space they form a virtual space, which puts the recipients into the reality of the exhibitions based on the principle of immersion. Mediaization of art on the example of virtual museum institutions allows us to talk about: expanding of the perceptual capabilities of the audience; improvement of the exposition function of mediatized museums with the help of Internet technologies; interactivity of museum expositions; providing broad contextual background knowledge necessary for a deep understanding of the content of works of art; the possibility to have a delayed viewing of works of art; absence of thematic, time and space restrictions; possibility of communication between visitors; a huge target audience. Significance. The study of the mediatized forms of communication between museums and visitors as well as the directions of their transformation into media are certainly of interest to the scientific field of “Social Communications”.

This policy note seeks to elucidate the opportunities for development in Republic of Benin’s digital code, as the country attempts to become a regional example of progress in the digital sphere. The note examines the Digital Code of Benin which sets out a comprehensive set of laws and regulations aimed at providing a secure and conducive environment for digital transformation and innovation. By assessing the key strengths and opportunities for development, this policy note can also inform regional approaches to regulation of the digital economy, especially since Benin is seen as a model for the region.

"Are you taking a closer look at “learning transfer”? Are you wondering how to make sure the lessons taught through your leadership training and development efforts stick weeks, months, or years later? As a professional interested in learning and development, you may be in a position to acknowledge and help overcome the challenges to learning in your organizations. You are likely in a position to influence supervisors and executives, as well as potential participants, in leadership development efforts. You may also have a role in creating and supporting a learning environment. With a better understanding of learning transfer, you can help your organization realize multiple benefits, including bigger impact from developmental experiences, more effective leaders, and a stronger organizational ability to learn and adapt. Read on to learn CCL’s perspective on and best practices for learning transfer for leadership development. We share a framework—and specific tactics—that we use in designing leadership development solutions. With this information, you can begin to help leaders and your organization overcome challenges to learning transfer—and earn greater benefit from leadership development investments."

This paper presents projections for 18 Latin America and Caribbean countries of pensions and health expenditures over the next 50 years, compares them to advanced countries, and calculates estimates of the fiscal gap due to aging. The exercise is crucial since life expectancy is increasing and fertility rates are declining in virtually all advanced countries and many developing countries, but more so in Latin America and the Caribbean. While the populations of many of the regions countries are still relatively young, they are aging more rapidly than those in more developed countries. The fiscal implications of these demographic trends are severe. The paper proposes policy and institutional reforms that could begin to be implemented immediately and that could help moderate these trends in light of relevant international experience to date. It suggests that LAC countries need to include an intertemporal numerical fiscal limit or rule to the continuous increase in aging spending while covering the needs of the more vulnerable. They should consider also complementing public pensions with voluntary contribution mechanisms supported by tax incentives, such as those used in Australia, New Zealand (Kiwi Saver), and the United States (401k). In addition, LAC countries face an urgent challenge in curbing the growth of health care costs, while improving the quality of care. Efforts should focus on improving both the allocative and the technical efficiency of public health spending.

Studies have shown that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has some of the highest electricity and water consumption rates in the world. To understand the barriers to the adoption of energy and water efficiency, Emirates Wildlife Society in association with the World Wildlife Fund conducted 363 face-to-face interviews with representatives of companies tasked with energy and water management. The purpose was to understand the most important barriers hindering the UAE’s private sector from achieving wide-scale energy and water efficiency and to begin to identify solutions to mitigate these barriers. This paper focuses on technology costs as a barrier to energy and water efficiency in the commercial sector. Preliminary analysis indicates that, for the commercial sector, a contributing factor to the perception that efficient technologies are costly is the lack of accurate information on the full range and life cycle costs and benefits of efficient products. The most immediate solutions would be to address the financing and informational aspects of the technology cost barrier, as well as potentially provide incentives, such as rebates. In addition, attention must be given to barriers underlying many of the technology cost issues, such as subsidized tariffs and relatively few standards that would encourage adoption.

The Smart Energy Design Assistance Center assessed the administrative, technical, and economic aspects of feasibility related to the procurement and installation of photovoltaic solar systems on IDOT-owned buildings and lands. To address administrative feasibility, we explored three main ways in which IDOT could procure solar projects: power purchase agreement (PPA), direct purchase, and land lease development. Of the three methods, PPA and direct purchase are most applicable for IDOT. While solar development is not free of obstacles for IDOT, it is administratively feasible, and regulatory hurdles can be adequately met given suitable planning and implementation. To evaluate IDOT assets for solar feasibility, more than 1,000 IDOT sites were screened and narrowed using spatial analytic tools. A stakeholder feedback process was used to select five case study sites that allowed for a range of solar development types, from large utility-scale projects to small rooftop systems. To evaluate financial feasibility, discussions with developers and datapoints from the literature were used to create financial models. A large solar project request by IDOT can be expected to generate considerable attention from developers and potentially attractive PPA pricing that would generate immediate cash flow savings for IDOT. Procurement partnerships with other state agencies will create opportunities for even larger projects with better pricing. However, in the near term, it may be difficult for IDOT to identify small rooftop or other small on-site solar projects that are financially feasible. This project identified two especially promising solar sites so that IDOT can evaluate other solar site development opportunities in the future. This project also developed a web-based decision-support tool so IDOT can identify potential sites and develop preliminary indications of feasibility. We recommend that IDOT begin the process of developing at least one of their large sites to support solar electric power generation.

A fundamental responsibility of the National Park Service is to ensure that park resources are preserved, protected, and managed in consideration of the resources themselves and for the benefit and enjoyment by the public. Through the inventory, monitoring, and study of park resources, we gain a greater understanding of the scope, significance, distribution, and management issues associated with these resources and their use. This baseline of natural resource information is available to inform park managers, scientists, stakeholders, and the public about the conditions of these resources and the factors or activities which may threaten or influence their stability. There are several different categories of geologic or stratigraphic units (supergroup, group, formation, member, bed) which represent a hierarchical system of classification. The mapping of stratigraphic units involves the evaluation of lithologies, bedding properties, thickness, geographic distribution, and other factors. If a new mappable geologic unit is identified, it may be described and named through a rigorously defined process that is standardized and codified by the professional geologic community (North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature 2005). In most instances when a new geologic unit such as a formation is described and named in the scientific literature, a specific and well-exposed section of the unit is designated as the type section or type locality (see Definitions). The type section is an important reference section for a named geologic unit which presents a relatively complete and representative profile for this unit. The type or reference section is important both historically and scientifically, and should be recorded such that other researchers may evaluate it in the future. Therefore, this inventory of geologic type sections in NPS areas is an important effort in documenting these locations in order that NPS staff recognize and protect these areas for future studies. The documentation of all geologic type sections throughout the 423 units of the NPS is an ambitious undertaking. The strategy for this project is to select a subset of parks to begin research for the occurrence of geologic type sections within particular parks. The focus adopted for completing the baseline inventories throughout the NPS was centered on the 32 inventory and monitoring networks (I&M) established during the late 1990s. The I&M networks are clusters of parks within a defined geographic area based on the ecoregions of North America (Fenneman 1946; Bailey 1976; Omernik 1987). These networks share similar physical resources (geology, hydrology, climate), biological resources (flora, fauna), and ecological characteristics. Specialists familiar with the resources and ecological parameters of the network, and associated parks, work with park staff to support network level activities (inventory, monitoring, research, data management). Adopting a network-based approach to inventories worked well when the NPS undertook paleontological resource inventories for the 32 I&M networks. The network approach is also being applied to the inventory for the geologic type sections in the NPS. The planning team from the NPS Geologic Resources Division who proposed and designed this inventory selected the Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitoring Network (GRYN) as the pilot network for initiating this project. Through the research undertaken to identify the geologic type sections within the parks of the GRYN, methodologies for data mining and reporting on these resources was established. Methodologies and reporting adopted for the GRYN have been used in the development of this type section inventory for the Chihuahuan Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network. The goal of this project is to consolidate information pertaining to geologic type sections which occur within NPS-administered areas, in order that this information is available throughout the NPS...

A fundamental responsibility of the National Park Service (NPS) is to ensure that park resources are preserved, protected, and managed in consideration of the resources themselves and for the benefit and enjoyment by the public. Through the inventory, monitoring, and study of park resources, we gain a greater understanding of the scope, significance, distribution, and management issues associated with these resources and their use. This baseline of natural resource information is available to inform park managers, scientists, stakeholders, and the public about the conditions of these resources and the factors or activities which may threaten or influence their stability. There are several different categories of geologic or stratigraphic units (supergroup, group, formation, member, bed) which represent a hierarchical system of classification. The mapping of stratigraphic units involves the evaluation of lithologies, bedding properties, thickness, geographic distribution, and other factors. If a new mappable geologic unit is identified, it may be described and named through a rigorously defined process that is standardized and codified by the professional geologic community (North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature 2005). In most instances when a new geologic unit such as a formation is described and named in the scientific literature, a specific and well-exposed section of the unit is designated as the type section or type locality (see Definitions). The type section is an important reference section for a named geologic unit which presents a relatively complete and representative profile. The type or reference section is important both historically and scientifically, and should be available for other researchers to evaluate in the future. Therefore, this inventory of geologic type sections in NPS areas is an important effort in documenting these locations in order that NPS staff recognize and protect these areas for future studies. The documentation of all geologic type sections throughout the 423 units of the NPS is an ambitious undertaking. The strategy for this project is to select a subset of parks to begin research for the occurrence of geologic type sections within particular parks. The focus adopted for completing the baseline inventories throughout the NPS was centered on the 32 inventory and monitoring networks (I&M) established during the late 1990s. The I&M networks are clusters of parks within a defined geographic area based on the ecoregions of North America (Fenneman 1946; Bailey 1976; Omernik 1987). These networks share similar physical resources (geology, hydrology, climate), biological resources (flora, fauna), and ecological characteristics. Specialists familiar with the resources and ecological parameters of the network, and associated parks, work with park staff to support network level activities (inventory, monitoring, research, data management). Adopting a network-based approach to inventories worked well when the NPS undertook paleontological resource inventories for the 32 I&M networks. The network approach is also being applied to the inventory for the geologic type sections in the NPS. The planning team from the NPS Geologic Resources Division who proposed and designed this inventory selected the Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitoring Network (GRYN) as the pilot network for initiating this project. Through the research undertaken to identify the geologic type sections within the parks of the GRYN methodologies for data mining and reporting on these resources was established. Methodologies and reporting adopted for the GRYN have been used in the development of this type section inventory for the Northern Colorado Plateau Inventory & Monitoring Network. The goal of this project is to consolidate information pertaining to geologic type sections which occur within NPS-administered areas, in order that this information is available throughout the NPS...

A fundamental responsibility of the National Park Service (NPS) is to ensure that park resources are preserved, protected, and managed in consideration of the resources themselves and for the benefit and enjoyment by the public. Through the inventory, monitoring, and study of park resources, we gain a greater understanding of the scope, significance, distribution, and management issues associated with these resources and their use. This baseline of natural resource information is available to inform park managers, scientists, stakeholders, and the public about the conditions of these resources and the factors or activities which may threaten or influence their stability. There are several different categories of geologic or stratigraphic units (supergroup, group, formation, member, bed) which represent a hierarchical system of classification. The mapping of stratigraphic units involves the evaluation of lithologies, bedding properties, thickness, geographic distribution, and other factors. If a new mappable geologic unit is identified, it may be described and named through a rigorously defined process that is standardized and codified by the professional geologic community (North American Commission on Stratigraphic Nomenclature 2005). In most instances when a new geologic unit such as a formation is described and named in the scientific literature, a specific and well-exposed section of the unit is designated as the type section or type locality (see Definitions). The type section is an important reference section for a named geologic unit which presents a relatively complete and representative profile. The type or reference section is important both historically and scientifically, and should be protected and conserved for researchers to study and evaluate in the future. Therefore, this inventory of geologic type sections in NPS areas is an important effort in documenting these locations in order that NPS staff recognize and protect these areas for future studies. The documentation of all geologic type sections throughout the 423 units of the NPS is an ambitious undertaking. The strategy for this project is to select a subset of parks to begin research for the occurrence of geologic type sections within particular parks. The focus adopted for completing the baseline inventories throughout the NPS was centered on the 32 inventory and monitoring networks (I&M) established during the late 1990s. The I&M networks are clusters of parks within a defined geographic area based on the ecoregions of North America (Fenneman 1946; Bailey 1976; Omernik 1987). These networks share similar physical resources (geology, hydrology, climate), biological resources (flora, fauna), and ecological characteristics. Specialists familiar with the resources and ecological parameters of the network, and associated parks, work with park staff to support network level activities (inventory, monitoring, research, data management). Adopting a network-based approach to inventories worked well when the NPS undertook paleontological resource inventories for the 32 I&M networks. The network approach is also being applied to the inventory for the geologic type sections in the NPS. The planning team from the NPS Geologic Resources Division who proposed and designed this inventory selected the Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitoring Network (GRYN) as the pilot network for initiating this project. Through the research undertaken to identify the geologic type sections within the parks of the GRYN methodologies for data mining and reporting on these resources were established. Methodologies and reporting adopted for the GRYN have been used in the development of this type section inventory for the Klamath Inventory & Monitoring Network. The goal of this project is to consolidate information pertaining to geologic type sections which occur within NPS-administered areas, in order that this information is available throughout the NPS to inform park managers...

1.1 Macroeconomic summary Economic recovery has consistently outperformed the technical staff’s expectations following a steep decline in activity in the second quarter of 2020. At the same time, total and core inflation rates have fallen and remain at low levels, suggesting that a significant element of the reactivation of Colombia’s economy has been related to recovery in potential GDP. This would support the technical staff’s diagnosis of weak aggregate demand and ample excess capacity. The most recently available data on 2020 growth suggests a contraction in economic activity of 6.8%, lower than estimates from January’s Monetary Policy Report (-7.2%). High-frequency indicators suggest that economic performance was significantly more dynamic than expected in January, despite mobility restrictions and quarantine measures. This has also come amid declines in total and core inflation, the latter of which was below January projections if controlling for certain relative price changes. This suggests that the unexpected strength of recent growth contains elements of demand, and that excess capacity, while significant, could be lower than previously estimated. Nevertheless, uncertainty over the measurement of excess capacity continues to be unusually high and marked both by variations in the way different economic sectors and spending components have been affected by the pandemic, and by uneven price behavior. The size of excess capacity, and in particular the evolution of the pandemic in forthcoming quarters, constitute substantial risks to the macroeconomic forecast presented in this report. Despite the unexpected strength of the recovery, the technical staff continues to project ample excess capacity that is expected to remain on the forecast horizon, alongside core inflation that will likely remain below the target. Domestic demand remains below 2019 levels amid unusually significant uncertainty over the size of excess capacity in the economy. High national unemployment (14.6% for February 2021) reflects a loose labor market, while observed total and core inflation continue to be below 2%. Inflationary pressures from the exchange rate are expected to continue to be low, with relatively little pass-through on inflation. This would be compatible with a negative output gap. Excess productive capacity and the expectation of core inflation below the 3% target on the forecast horizon provide a basis for an expansive monetary policy posture. The technical staff’s assessment of certain shocks and their expected effects on the economy, as well as the presence of several sources of uncertainty and related assumptions about their potential macroeconomic impacts, remain a feature of this report. The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, continues to affect the public health environment, and the reopening of Colombia’s economy remains incomplete. The technical staff’s assessment is that the COVID-19 shock has affected both aggregate demand and supply, but that the impact on demand has been deeper and more persistent. Given this persistence, the central forecast accounts for a gradual tightening of the output gap in the absence of new waves of contagion, and as vaccination campaigns progress. The central forecast continues to include an expected increase of total and core inflation rates in the second quarter of 2021, alongside the lapse of the temporary price relief measures put in place in 2020. Additional COVID-19 outbreaks (of uncertain duration and intensity) represent a significant risk factor that could affect these projections. Additionally, the forecast continues to include an upward trend in sovereign risk premiums, reflected by higher levels of public debt that in the wake of the pandemic are likely to persist on the forecast horizon, even in the context of a fiscal adjustment. At the same time, the projection accounts for the shortterm effects on private domestic demand from a fiscal adjustment along the lines of the one currently being proposed by the national government. This would be compatible with a gradual recovery of private domestic demand in 2022. The size and characteristics of the fiscal adjustment that is ultimately implemented, as well as the corresponding market response, represent another source of forecast uncertainty. Newly available information offers evidence of the potential for significant changes to the macroeconomic scenario, though without altering the general diagnosis described above. The most recent data on inflation, growth, fiscal policy, and international financial conditions suggests a more dynamic economy than previously expected. However, a third wave of the pandemic has delayed the re-opening of Colombia’s economy and brought with it a deceleration in economic activity. Detailed descriptions of these considerations and subsequent changes to the macroeconomic forecast are presented below. The expected annual decline in GDP (-0.3%) in the first quarter of 2021 appears to have been less pronounced than projected in January (-4.8%). Partial closures in January to address a second wave of COVID-19 appear to have had a less significant negative impact on the economy than previously estimated. This is reflected in figures related to mobility, energy demand, industry and retail sales, foreign trade, commercial transactions from selected banks, and the national statistics agency’s (DANE) economic tracking indicator (ISE). Output is now expected to have declined annually in the first quarter by 0.3%. Private consumption likely continued to recover, registering levels somewhat above those from the previous year, while public consumption likely increased significantly. While a recovery in investment in both housing and in other buildings and structures is expected, overall investment levels in this case likely continued to be low, and gross fixed capital formation is expected to continue to show significant annual declines. Imports likely recovered to again outpace exports, though both are expected to register significant annual declines. Economic activity that outpaced projections, an increase in oil prices and other export products, and an expected increase in public spending this year account for the upward revision to the 2021 growth forecast (from 4.6% with a range between 2% and 6% in January, to 6.0% with a range between 3% and 7% in April). As a result, the output gap is expected to be smaller and to tighten more rapidly than projected in the previous report, though it is still expected to remain in negative territory on the forecast horizon. Wide forecast intervals reflect the fact that the future evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant source of uncertainty on these projections. The delay in the recovery of economic activity as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in the first quarter appears to have been less significant than projected in the January report. The central forecast scenario expects this improved performance to continue in 2021 alongside increased consumer and business confidence. Low real interest rates and an active credit supply would also support this dynamic, and the overall conditions would be expected to spur a recovery in consumption and investment. Increased growth in public spending and public works based on the national government’s spending plan (Plan Financiero del Gobierno) are other factors to consider. Additionally, an expected recovery in global demand and higher projected prices for oil and coffee would further contribute to improved external revenues and would favor investment, in particular in the oil sector. Given the above, the technical staff’s 2021 growth forecast has been revised upward from 4.6% in January (range from 2% to 6%) to 6.0% in April (range from 3% to 7%). These projections account for the potential for the third wave of COVID-19 to have a larger and more persistent effect on the economy than the previous wave, while also supposing that there will not be any additional significant waves of the pandemic and that mobility restrictions will be relaxed as a result. Economic growth in 2022 is expected to be 3%, with a range between 1% and 5%. This figure would be lower than projected in the January report (3.6% with a range between 2% and 6%), due to a higher base of comparison given the upward revision to expected GDP in 2021. This forecast also takes into account the likely effects on private demand of a fiscal adjustment of the size currently being proposed by the national government, and which would come into effect in 2022. Excess in productive capacity is now expected to be lower than estimated in January but continues to be significant and affected by high levels of uncertainty, as reflected in the wide forecast intervals. The possibility of new waves of the virus (of uncertain intensity and duration) represents a significant downward risk to projected GDP growth, and is signaled by the lower limits of the ranges provided in this report. Inflation (1.51%) and inflation excluding food and regulated items (0.94%) declined in March compared to December, continuing below the 3% target. The decline in inflation in this period was below projections, explained in large part by unanticipated increases in the costs of certain foods (3.92%) and regulated items (1.52%). An increase in international food and shipping prices, increased foreign demand for beef, and specific upward pressures on perishable food supplies appear to explain a lower-than-expected deceleration in the consumer price index (CPI) for foods. An unexpected increase in regulated items prices came amid unanticipated increases in international fuel prices, on some utilities rates, and for regulated education prices. The decline in annual inflation excluding food and regulated items between December and March was in line with projections from January, though this included downward pressure from a significant reduction in telecommunications rates due to the imminent entry of a new operator. When controlling for the effects of this relative price change, inflation excluding food and regulated items exceeds levels forecast in the previous report. Within this indicator of core inflation, the CPI for goods (1.05%) accelerated due to a reversion of the effects of the VAT-free day in November, which was largely accounted for in February, and possibly by the transmission of a recent depreciation of the peso on domestic prices for certain items (electric and household appliances). For their part, services prices decelerated and showed the lowest rate of annual growth (0.89%) among the large consumer baskets in the CPI. Within the services basket, the annual change in rental prices continued to decline, while those services that continue to experience the most significant restrictions on returning to normal operations (tourism, cinemas, nightlife, etc.) continued to register significant price declines. As previously mentioned, telephone rates also fell significantly due to increased competition in the market. Total inflation is expected to continue to be affected by ample excesses in productive capacity for the remainder of 2021 and 2022, though less so than projected in January. As a result, convergence to the inflation target is now expected to be somewhat faster than estimated in the previous report, assuming the absence of significant additional outbreaks of COVID-19. The technical staff’s year-end inflation projections for 2021 and 2022 have increased, suggesting figures around 3% due largely to variation in food and regulated items prices. The projection for inflation excluding food and regulated items also increased, but remains below 3%. Price relief measures on indirect taxes implemented in 2020 are expected to lapse in the second quarter of 2021, generating a one-off effect on prices and temporarily affecting inflation excluding food and regulated items. However, indexation to low levels of past inflation, weak demand, and ample excess productive capacity are expected to keep core inflation below the target, near 2.3% at the end of 2021 (previously 2.1%). The reversion in 2021 of the effects of some price relief measures on utility rates from 2020 should lead to an increase in the CPI for regulated items in the second half of this year. Annual price changes are now expected to be higher than estimated in the January report due to an increased expected path for fuel prices and unanticipated increases in regulated education prices. The projection for the CPI for foods has increased compared to the previous report, taking into account certain factors that were not anticipated in January (a less favorable agricultural cycle, increased pressure from international prices, and transport costs). Given the above, year-end annual inflation for 2021 and 2022 is now expected to be 3% and 2.8%, respectively, which would be above projections from January (2.3% and 2,7%). For its part, expected inflation based on analyst surveys suggests year-end inflation in 2021 and 2022 of 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding the inflation forecasts included in this report due to several factors: 1) the evolution of the pandemic; 2) the difficulty in evaluating the size and persistence of excess productive capacity; 3) the timing and manner in which price relief measures will lapse; and 4) the future behavior of food prices. Projected 2021 growth in foreign demand (4.4% to 5.2%) and the supposed average oil price (USD 53 to USD 61 per Brent benchmark barrel) were both revised upward. An increase in long-term international interest rates has been reflected in a depreciation of the peso and could result in relatively tighter external financial conditions for emerging market economies, including Colombia. Average growth among Colombia’s trade partners was greater than expected in the fourth quarter of 2020. This, together with a sizable fiscal stimulus approved in the United States and the onset of a massive global vaccination campaign, largely explains the projected increase in foreign demand growth in 2021. The resilience of the goods market in the face of global crisis and an expected normalization in international trade are additional factors. These considerations and the expected continuation of a gradual reduction of mobility restrictions abroad suggest that Colombia’s trade partners could grow on average by 5.2% in 2021 and around 3.4% in 2022. The improved prospects for global economic growth have led to an increase in current and expected oil prices. Production interruptions due to a heavy winter, reduced inventories, and increased supply restrictions instituted by producing countries have also contributed to the increase. Meanwhile, market forecasts and recent Federal Reserve pronouncements suggest that the benchmark interest rate in the U.S. will remain stable for the next two years. Nevertheless, a significant increase in public spending in the country has fostered expectations for greater growth and inflation, as well as increased uncertainty over the moment in which a normalization of monetary policy might begin. This has been reflected in an increase in long-term interest rates. In this context, emerging market economies in the region, including Colombia, have registered increases in sovereign risk premiums and long-term domestic interest rates, and a depreciation of local currencies against the dollar. Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in several of these economies; limits on vaccine supply and the slow pace of immunization campaigns in some countries; a significant increase in public debt; and tensions between the United States and China, among other factors, all add to a high level of uncertainty surrounding interest rate spreads, external financing conditions, and the future performance of risk premiums. The impact that this environment could have on the exchange rate and on domestic financing conditions represent risks to the macroeconomic and monetary policy forecasts. Domestic financial conditions continue to favor recovery in economic activity. The transmission of reductions to the policy interest rate on credit rates has been significant. The banking portfolio continues to recover amid circumstances that have affected both the supply and demand for loans, and in which some credit risks have materialized. Preferential and ordinary commercial interest rates have fallen to a similar degree as the benchmark interest rate. As is generally the case, this transmission has come at a slower pace for consumer credit rates, and has been further delayed in the case of mortgage rates. Commercial credit levels stabilized above pre-pandemic levels in March, following an increase resulting from significant liquidity requirements for businesses in the second quarter of 2020. The consumer credit portfolio continued to recover and has now surpassed February 2020 levels, though overall growth in the portfolio remains low. At the same time, portfolio projections and default indicators have increased, and credit establishment earnings have come down. Despite this, credit disbursements continue to recover and solvency indicators remain well above regulatory minimums. 1.2 Monetary policy decision In its meetings in March and April the BDBR left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.75%.