information fromnewsagencies andthemediaandfromUnitedNations information centres ondevelopments related topeaceandsecurity forusebythe Secretary-General andseniorofficials; (c)Maintaining andfurther developing, aswellascomputerizing, acentral databasesystemrelated topeace,security andemergency situations forusebythe Secretary-General andseniorofficials; (d)Assessing globaltrendsbasedonpublicly available information and research workandpreparing fortheuseoftheSecretary-General country, regional, subregional, andissue-related profiles incloseconsultation withofficials dealing withnegotiations andconflict resolution, bearing inmindthenecessity to avoidduplication; (e)Enhancing consultative andinformation sharing arrangements withother political departments andoffices; promoting co-ordination ofthelong-range research, .analysis andinformation functions oftheSecretariat regarding political affairs andemergency situations; andorganizing thematic interdepartmental task forcesbytheSecretary-General onissuesofspecialinterest tothe Secretary-General andtotheinternational community; (f)Establishing andmaintaining contact withorganizations withintheUnited Nations system, research institutions, non-governmental organizations andthe academic community inordertokeepabreast ofresearch relating tothedischarge bytheSecretary-General ofhisresponsibilities regarding themaintenance of international peaceandsecurity; (g)Monitoring ofinformation anddevelopments relating topossible flowsof refugees, inaccordance withGeneral Assembly resolutions 41/70and44/164. -6- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library