The purpose of the workshop is to review the revisions to the proposed standard to ensure that it can serve the requirements for data publishing and sharing on the GBIF network as envisaged in the 2009-2010 Work Programme. In addition, the small group of invited technical experts will work with GBIF Informatics staff and the DwC TDWG Interest Group Convenor, John Wieczorek, to prepare application schemas, TAPIR models, a DwC text archive specification, and development of a strategy for managing the Request for Comment on the proposed standard.

Following the workshop, the GBIF community will be invited to participate in the TDWG standards review process by reviewing and commenting on the proposed standard and supporting materials. Such active participation is essential to ensure that the technical needs of stakeholders are met.

GBIF will work towards ratification and final publication of the agreed DwC standard by April 2009.