Currently, there are 2 categories of data that form the GLEC database namely, hardcopy and electronic, with plans to extend into the third category namely an online database.
Hardcopy database: This database basically comprises a collection of ethnomathematical-related articles, research reports, etc, written by various authors that are currently stored in the filing cabinets. The intention here is to continually add more hardcopy data not only on ethnomathematics, but also on indigenous knowledge in general in other disciplines so that we have a very comprehensive database fulfilling one of GLEC's roles as a resource centre.
Electronic database: The electronic database mainly consists of the late Dr Glen Lean's analysed data on counting systems from PNG and Ocean region, which is mainly in summarized form using FilemakerPro database software.

The Glen Lean Ethnomathematics Centre (GLEC) is the first research Centre of its kind on ethnomathematics in the Southern Hemisphere and the rest of the world. The term 'ethno' is a Greek word for 'culture' and the coining of the word 'ethnomathematics', which in short means cultural (or everyday) mathematics, is credited to Professor Ubiratan D'Ambrosio of Brazil. Professor D'Ambrosio who is currently the President of the International Study Group on Ethnomathematics (ISGEm) was one of the first overseas academics to send his congratulatory message through the e-mail to the Department of Mathematics & Computing and University of Goroka on the establishment of GLEC. This is part of what he said on the establishment of GLEC in April 2000,
"... I was so glad to read the news of the creation of the Glen Lean Ethnomathematics Centre. I think it will be very important to have such a Centre. I believe the first one in the world, not only for your region but also for the entire world..."
At the moment, GLEC still has an electronic posting created by Dr K. Owens on the web page of the International Study group on Ethnomathematics (ISGEm). More information on GLEC can also be accessed through website of the University of Goroka at www.uog.ac.pg

In April and May 2000, Dr. Kay Owens and her husband Mr. Chris Owens, then at the University of Western Sydney, Australia, and now at Charles Sturt University, created the database, which subsequently formed the basis of the electronic database currently available from the Centre. The data consists of some 800 counting systems from PNG and Oceania region. Other available data comprises hard copy of Dr. Lean's original collected papers. It is our aim to add to these collections not only data from PNG, but also other ethnomathematical related materials produced by scholars from around the world. The electronic postings about the Centre created by the Owens at UWS in 2000 via the e-mail have generated so much excitement from around the world as far as Brazil, US, Spain and UK. The exposure that the UOG has gained internationally through the establishment of the Centre has been immense. The following samples of e-mail excerpts from a couple of international scholars are testimonial to the kind of responses we received on the establishment of GLEC.

The Glen Lean Ethnomathematics Centre (GLEC) wish to acknowledge several individuals and organisations who have generously given their time, resources, and service in its establishment as a research centre and have also helped in attracting international recognition. In particular, the following individuals and organisations need mention.

• Dr Kay Owens, her husband Mr. Chris Owens, with the support of the University of Western Sydney and Charles Sturt University for giving up their time and service in not only creating the database for the Centre but also the electronic posting that attracted the international recognition.

• Professor Alan Bishop of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and Professor Ubiratan D'Ambrosio of University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, for their valuable advice and for promoting GLEC internationally. Professor Bishop was academic executor for Dr Lean and arranged for the transportation of all hardcopy materials to the Centre.

• The Management of University of Goroka for their moral support and encouragement, and separate funding for the new office, the Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Sinebare, for initiating the establishment, and the former Vice Chancellor, Dr Solon, for taking a personal interest in the Centre's activities.

• Pacific Region Educational Library, especially Nancy Lane, for initiating and funding the establishment of the on-line resources through a National Science Foundation Grant.

• A special tribute goes to the founder of Glen Lean Ethnomathematics Centre (GLEC) in eternal rest namely, the late DR GLENDON ANGOVE TOLELE LEAN for donating all of his life-works documentation on counting systems to the Centre, which now forms the basis for future expansion of GLEC's database system, both hardcopy and electronic. His family have given their support to the Centre honouring their son.

• All the staff of the Department of Mathematics and Computing who have been very supportive all along from the start in successfully establishing GLEC at the University of Goroka. In particular, Mr. Yoshihiro Nozaki and his Japanese volunteer agency JICA(Japan International Cooperation Agency), for the development of the website and configuration of the server.