This document summarizes a paper that reflects on GDNet's experience building knowledge management capacity among research institutes in developing countries. It discusses a 2007 conference in Cairo that examined challenges like creating synergy between technological and social knowledge management approaches, prioritizing limited resources, promoting local knowledge creation and ownership, sharing knowledge sharing experiences, addressing inequities in access to knowledge, and facilitating partnerships. The document reviews how relevant these challenges remain today and describes how GDNet continues working to build capacity through activities like workshops, online platforms, and partnerships.
Amos Anyimadu's 2002 proposal to Canadian International Development Agency ...Amos Anyimadu
This document proposes a pilot learning exchange project between the University of Ghana and African Security Dialogue and Research to connect knowledge production and policy development for poverty eradication and security. The project would test connecting communities of practice and learning in Ghana through policy briefings, a current affairs digest, online resources, and meetings. It would focus on issues like the NEPAD process and regional integration in ECOWAS. The project aims to demonstrate how increasing a developing country's knowledge absorption capacity can help policymaking. It argues this aligns with Canada's support for linking knowledge and development through initiatives like the 1997 Global Knowledge Conference. The proposal seeks funding from CIDA given its focus on poverty reduction and knowledge management in partner organizations.
The document provides a summary of the Web4Dev 2009 conference which focused on innovation for access. Some key points:
- The conference brought together over 300 participants from the UN, academia, and private sector to discuss innovation and new technologies.
- There were two main tracks - an innovation track with workshops on access to innovation, monitoring and evaluation, and supply chains, and a knowledge sharing track with various workshops.
- The opening featured speeches from UNICEF's executive director and others, addressing the role of technology in achieving development goals.
- The innovation workshops allowed leaders from different sectors to share perspectives and ideas to advance innovation using online and mobile technologies in developing areas.
- The goal
This document discusses the importance of developing national strategies for integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) to support economic and social development in developing countries. It addresses how ICT can boost rural development through applications like accessing market and price data, distance education, and communication. Case studies of ICT rural development projects are examined. The document also explores the promises and risks of ICT, and its potential impacts on areas like education and markets. It stresses the need for developing countries to prioritize ICT adoption and diffusion through frameworks, partnerships, and policy reforms to fully harness the opportunities of the ICT revolution.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Egypt to support natural resource man...Amira Sobeih
Amira Sobeih considers the potential of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support natural resource management and local development in her piece. Recognizing the issues of limited access, training and capacity building, the paper offers a model that can help meet a real demand for the use of Global Information Systems (GIS) to support local development in Egypt.
The Commission addresses implications of the 4th Industrial Revolution for basic education in South Africa. Key points include:
- Skills need to focus on lifelong learning, self-agency, using diverse tools/resources, interacting with others/the world, and multi-literacy.
- Teachers require digital skills training and curriculum needs review to incorporate coding, robotics, entrepreneurship, and decolonized knowledge.
- Assessment policies should align with competence-based approaches and active pedagogies like projects.
- Partnerships with industry and integrating indigenous knowledge can help address skills gaps and promote social justice in education.
The Commission recommends adopting flexible frameworks, deepening digitization through grants, and focusing
This document provides a literature review and analysis of using ICTs to facilitate engagement and active citizenship between young people in the Global North and Global South. It begins with an introduction describing Oxfam Australia's motivation for commissioning the review to inform an ICT pilot project. It then describes the methodological approach, which included reviewing literature, developing 60 case studies, and conducting interviews. The context section provides background on youth trends, ICT usage, and engagement. The document analyzes factors to consider for ICT-enabled youth programs, including the role of ICTs, program design, relationship between learning and activism, and balancing outcomes. It concludes that ICTs can enhance youth engagement but also presents challenges, and programs
Speaker: Sarah Cummings, Knowledge Ecologist
Presentation at the Eldis 20th Anniversary event "Learning from 20 years of digital knowledge sharing for global development" held at IDS on Thursday 15 September 2016 and Friday 16 September 2016.
A video of this presentation is available at:
https://youtu.be/wdtP1aXInTk
Amos Anyimadu's 2002 proposal to Canadian International Development Agency ...Amos Anyimadu
This document proposes a pilot learning exchange project between the University of Ghana and African Security Dialogue and Research to connect knowledge production and policy development for poverty eradication and security. The project would test connecting communities of practice and learning in Ghana through policy briefings, a current affairs digest, online resources, and meetings. It would focus on issues like the NEPAD process and regional integration in ECOWAS. The project aims to demonstrate how increasing a developing country's knowledge absorption capacity can help policymaking. It argues this aligns with Canada's support for linking knowledge and development through initiatives like the 1997 Global Knowledge Conference. The proposal seeks funding from CIDA given its focus on poverty reduction and knowledge management in partner organizations.
The document provides a summary of the Web4Dev 2009 conference which focused on innovation for access. Some key points:
- The conference brought together over 300 participants from the UN, academia, and private sector to discuss innovation and new technologies.
- There were two main tracks - an innovation track with workshops on access to innovation, monitoring and evaluation, and supply chains, and a knowledge sharing track with various workshops.
- The opening featured speeches from UNICEF's executive director and others, addressing the role of technology in achieving development goals.
- The innovation workshops allowed leaders from different sectors to share perspectives and ideas to advance innovation using online and mobile technologies in developing areas.
- The goal
This document discusses the importance of developing national strategies for integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) to support economic and social development in developing countries. It addresses how ICT can boost rural development through applications like accessing market and price data, distance education, and communication. Case studies of ICT rural development projects are examined. The document also explores the promises and risks of ICT, and its potential impacts on areas like education and markets. It stresses the need for developing countries to prioritize ICT adoption and diffusion through frameworks, partnerships, and policy reforms to fully harness the opportunities of the ICT revolution.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Egypt to support natural resource man...Amira Sobeih
Amira Sobeih considers the potential of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support natural resource management and local development in her piece. Recognizing the issues of limited access, training and capacity building, the paper offers a model that can help meet a real demand for the use of Global Information Systems (GIS) to support local development in Egypt.
The Commission addresses implications of the 4th Industrial Revolution for basic education in South Africa. Key points include:
- Skills need to focus on lifelong learning, self-agency, using diverse tools/resources, interacting with others/the world, and multi-literacy.
- Teachers require digital skills training and curriculum needs review to incorporate coding, robotics, entrepreneurship, and decolonized knowledge.
- Assessment policies should align with competence-based approaches and active pedagogies like projects.
- Partnerships with industry and integrating indigenous knowledge can help address skills gaps and promote social justice in education.
The Commission recommends adopting flexible frameworks, deepening digitization through grants, and focusing
This document provides a literature review and analysis of using ICTs to facilitate engagement and active citizenship between young people in the Global North and Global South. It begins with an introduction describing Oxfam Australia's motivation for commissioning the review to inform an ICT pilot project. It then describes the methodological approach, which included reviewing literature, developing 60 case studies, and conducting interviews. The context section provides background on youth trends, ICT usage, and engagement. The document analyzes factors to consider for ICT-enabled youth programs, including the role of ICTs, program design, relationship between learning and activism, and balancing outcomes. It concludes that ICTs can enhance youth engagement but also presents challenges, and programs
Speaker: Sarah Cummings, Knowledge Ecologist
Presentation at the Eldis 20th Anniversary event "Learning from 20 years of digital knowledge sharing for global development" held at IDS on Thursday 15 September 2016 and Friday 16 September 2016.
A video of this presentation is available at:
https://youtu.be/wdtP1aXInTk
The document provides information about the 7th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV2013) with the theme "Beyond 2015 – Smart Governance, Smart Development". It announces a call for papers to be submitted in six topic tracks or an emerging topics track by July 1, 2013. Accepted papers will be published in the ACM conference proceedings and selected papers will appear in a special issue of Government Information Quarterly. The conference will include presentations, keynotes, tutorials and thematic sessions from October 22-25, 2013 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
A Presentation made by A.H. Monjurul KABIR during XII International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) at the strategic session on sharing information and knowledge to fight corruption. The key presentation focuses on strtaegies deployed UN - UNDP in particular..
- challenges and opportunities
This document summarizes an audit of technology use within the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). The audit found high usage of technologies like computers and smartphones among participants, facilitators, and member organizations. However, access to and reliability of the internet varied significantly depending on location. While digital literacy was generally high, experience with e-learning was more limited. The audit aims to help WAGGGS develop appropriate online educational resources and communities by understanding current technology capabilities and challenges faced by stakeholders around the world.
The document discusses the concepts of information literacy and lifelong learning. It states that to survive and develop, people and organizations need information to understand themselves, their environment, and social situations. It also discusses how information literacy is important for participating effectively in today's information society. Finally, it describes information literacy as a set of skills that includes recognizing information needs, and locating, evaluating, and using information effectively.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and local knowledge for development:...Sarah Cummings
Local knowledge is often marginalised in many different ways as can be seen from the example of local academic knowledge in the field of development studies. Unfortunately, the SDGs do not correct this and also marginalise local knowledge. Without recognition of the role of local knowledge, the SDGs probably cannot be successful.
Knowledge and knowledge societies in the SDGsSarah Cummings
A critical discourse analysis of the main 40-page SDGs document, ratified by the UN in 2015, demonstrates that knowledge is marginal but also the way in which knowledge is approached is not transformational.
This document discusses the role of mass media in higher education. It argues that mass media can help address issues of massification and lack of access to higher education in India. Specifically, it notes that mass media technologies like television, radio, computers and the internet can be harnessed for open and distance learning programs to provide cost-effective education to more people. The document outlines how India's National Policy on Education from 1986 emphasized using educational technology, and discusses how universities and institutions are now utilizing technologies and mass media channels to broadcast educational content and make higher education accessible to remote areas.
The document discusses the European Network of Territorial Intelligence (ENTI) and its current projects. ENTI aims to promote sustainable development of territories through collaborative partnerships between public, private and community actors. It uses information and communication technologies to facilitate cooperation and collective intelligence among stakeholders. Territorial intelligence integrates knowledge from multiple disciplines to understand territories and support evidence-based decision making for sustainable development.
Where have we got to in attaining and sustaining mass higher education? José ...EduSkills OECD
Mass higher education has become an irrepressible reality globally due to trends like globalization and increasing social mobility aspirations. While opening opportunities, it also brings challenges for governments and institutions to balance excellence, equity, and manage expectations. It is reshaping politics and economies worldwide and may help bring unprecedented scientific development and international academic cooperation that changes the world of knowledge and potentially world peace.
A Way Forward for the University in a Digital AgePaul Brown
Originally presented at the 2014 ACPA and NASPA National Conventions, this presentation provides an overview of the current environment in higher education and the disruptive force of technology. Opportunities for higher education are presented.
Brown, P. G. (2014, March). A Way Forward for the University in a Digital Age. Presentation at the Annual Convention of NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, Baltimore, MD.
Brown, P. G. (2014, April). University in the New Millennium: Threats, Opportunities and Change. Presentation at the Annual Convention of ACPA - College Student Educators International, Indianapolis, IN.
A short introduction to the MobiMOOC 2012 session on Mobiles for Development (M4D). More information about the course can be found at http://mobimooc.wikispaces.com/a+MobiMOOC+hello%21.
The Global Knowledge Center Network (GKCN) with The Global University System ...Ed Dodds
Acknowledgements: The author’s sincere gratitude goes to extraordinary cooperation and help for
our projects given by Dr. Hans Rudolf Herren of Millennium Institute, Profs. Victor Lawrence and Ali Mostashari of Stevens Institute of Technology, Dr. Greg Cole of the University of Tennessee, Mr. Francisco Bozzano-Barnes, Mr. Daniel P. Molina and many others.
Takeshi Utsumi, Ph.D., P.E.
Chairman, GLObal Systems Analysis and Simulation Association
in the U.S.A. (GLOSAS/USA)
43-23 Colden Street, #9L, Flushing, NY 11355-5913
Tel: 718-939-0928, Cel: 646-589-1730
takutsumi0@gmail.com, http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/
Google Profiles <https: />2312
TagsCategory
PrivacyPublicPrivateLearn more
Changes Saved
Secretariat, Emerging GLOBAL UNIVERSITY SYSTEM (GUS) CONSORTIUM
Chairman: Takeshi Utsumi, Ph.D.; Vice Chairman: Louis Padulo, Ph.D.;
Board Members: David Johnson, Ph.D., Peter Knight, Ph.D., Joseph Pelton, Ph.D., Tapio Varis, Ph.D.; Treasurer: Hisae Utsumi
The paper explores postmodernism as a worldview and its relevance to Nigerian Education. An attempt is made to show what educators can take from postmodernism in re positioning education for greater functionality, relevance and efficiency
This document summarizes a presentation on exploring the digital university given at Macquarie University. It discusses how digital technologies have profoundly impacted higher education but true transformation in teaching and learning has been elusive. It then outlines a model for the digital university with four key themes: digital participation, information literacy, curriculum and course design, and learning environments. The second part of the document summarizes a case study of Edinburgh Napier University's efforts to envision their digital future through a working group examining areas like digital literacies and infrastructure.
Software Strategies for Retooling the WorkforceEd Dodds
Professor Tapio Varis gave a keynote address at the National Software Conference in Nigeria on strategies for retooling the workforce through software and technology. He discussed how Nigeria can benefit from UNESCO's e-learning program through partnerships between education institutions, Cross River State, and UNESCO. Varis proposed recommendations such as developing strategies and educational environments to demystify technology innovation, exploring future school models, continuing the national Software Competition, and establishing an international e-learning center for research and standards.
This document provides the annual progress report (Year2 Jan-Dec 2012) and update to GDNet’s Baseline and M&E Framework. The M&E report for 2012 is structured according to the GDNet logframe – with separate chapters from the Purpose-level down through Outputs 1 to 4. From our experience, knowledge matters, partnership matters, and skills and capacity matters and our recognition of this has guided the strategic direction of GDNet throughout 2012 ad the development of a number of activities highlighted in this report.
This Output to Purpose review was carried out for DFID by ITAD and covers GDNet’s performance, lessons learnt and recommendations. It includes an executive summary and a summary of the 12 recommendations made. DFID has supported GDNet since its early pilot phase in 2002. Hence, this evaluations aims to provide an objective assessment of the results and likely impact of the programme. The evaluation addresses the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of the programme in relation to its objectives.
This document contains brief biographies of 10 speakers for the event "The Road to Democracy: the Arab Region, Latin America and Eastern Europe". The speakers include academics from universities in Lebanon, Argentina, Croatia, Tunisia, and the United States who will discuss their areas of expertise including history, economics, political science, and international affairs. Rami Khoury will moderate the event as Director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut.
The research environment is becoming increasingly interconnected, with international collaboration on the rise. The inclusion of southern knowledge is critical to transforming economic growth into sustainable social and economic development, and developing a global infrastructure that is resilient to new global challenges.This paper seeks to present the case for GDNet’s emphasis on connecting the South with global debates on sustainable development, to explore some of the challenges experienced by researchers in developing countries and to outline the work that GDNet is doing to try to meet them.
This document provides guidance on creating effective policy briefs. It defines a policy brief as a short document that presents research findings and recommendations to non-specialist policy audiences. The document outlines how to plan policy briefs by considering the audience, context, evidence, and engagement opportunities. It also discusses how to craft clear, memorable messages using the 4Cs model of comprehension, connection, credibility and contagiousness. The recommended structure includes an executive summary, introduction, methodology, results, implications, recommendations, and references. Common pitfalls to avoid are being too complicated, lacking a clear message, and not including recommendations.
This document provides guidance on creating effective policy briefs. It discusses what a policy brief is, its purpose, and why it is a useful tool for communicating research findings to policymakers. It emphasizes the importance of planning, including thinking about the target audience, context, evidence, and engagement strategies. It also covers how to develop effective messages by making them clear, compelling, credible, and memorable. The document then walks through the typical structure of a policy brief and provides examples. It concludes by highlighting some common pitfalls to avoid and providing guidelines for writing different sections of a policy brief.
The document provides information about the 7th International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV2013) with the theme "Beyond 2015 – Smart Governance, Smart Development". It announces a call for papers to be submitted in six topic tracks or an emerging topics track by July 1, 2013. Accepted papers will be published in the ACM conference proceedings and selected papers will appear in a special issue of Government Information Quarterly. The conference will include presentations, keynotes, tutorials and thematic sessions from October 22-25, 2013 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
A Presentation made by A.H. Monjurul KABIR during XII International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) at the strategic session on sharing information and knowledge to fight corruption. The key presentation focuses on strtaegies deployed UN - UNDP in particular..
- challenges and opportunities
This document summarizes an audit of technology use within the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). The audit found high usage of technologies like computers and smartphones among participants, facilitators, and member organizations. However, access to and reliability of the internet varied significantly depending on location. While digital literacy was generally high, experience with e-learning was more limited. The audit aims to help WAGGGS develop appropriate online educational resources and communities by understanding current technology capabilities and challenges faced by stakeholders around the world.
The document discusses the concepts of information literacy and lifelong learning. It states that to survive and develop, people and organizations need information to understand themselves, their environment, and social situations. It also discusses how information literacy is important for participating effectively in today's information society. Finally, it describes information literacy as a set of skills that includes recognizing information needs, and locating, evaluating, and using information effectively.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and local knowledge for development:...Sarah Cummings
Local knowledge is often marginalised in many different ways as can be seen from the example of local academic knowledge in the field of development studies. Unfortunately, the SDGs do not correct this and also marginalise local knowledge. Without recognition of the role of local knowledge, the SDGs probably cannot be successful.
Knowledge and knowledge societies in the SDGsSarah Cummings
A critical discourse analysis of the main 40-page SDGs document, ratified by the UN in 2015, demonstrates that knowledge is marginal but also the way in which knowledge is approached is not transformational.
This document discusses the role of mass media in higher education. It argues that mass media can help address issues of massification and lack of access to higher education in India. Specifically, it notes that mass media technologies like television, radio, computers and the internet can be harnessed for open and distance learning programs to provide cost-effective education to more people. The document outlines how India's National Policy on Education from 1986 emphasized using educational technology, and discusses how universities and institutions are now utilizing technologies and mass media channels to broadcast educational content and make higher education accessible to remote areas.
The document discusses the European Network of Territorial Intelligence (ENTI) and its current projects. ENTI aims to promote sustainable development of territories through collaborative partnerships between public, private and community actors. It uses information and communication technologies to facilitate cooperation and collective intelligence among stakeholders. Territorial intelligence integrates knowledge from multiple disciplines to understand territories and support evidence-based decision making for sustainable development.
Where have we got to in attaining and sustaining mass higher education? José ...EduSkills OECD
Mass higher education has become an irrepressible reality globally due to trends like globalization and increasing social mobility aspirations. While opening opportunities, it also brings challenges for governments and institutions to balance excellence, equity, and manage expectations. It is reshaping politics and economies worldwide and may help bring unprecedented scientific development and international academic cooperation that changes the world of knowledge and potentially world peace.
A Way Forward for the University in a Digital AgePaul Brown
Originally presented at the 2014 ACPA and NASPA National Conventions, this presentation provides an overview of the current environment in higher education and the disruptive force of technology. Opportunities for higher education are presented.
Brown, P. G. (2014, March). A Way Forward for the University in a Digital Age. Presentation at the Annual Convention of NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, Baltimore, MD.
Brown, P. G. (2014, April). University in the New Millennium: Threats, Opportunities and Change. Presentation at the Annual Convention of ACPA - College Student Educators International, Indianapolis, IN.
A short introduction to the MobiMOOC 2012 session on Mobiles for Development (M4D). More information about the course can be found at http://mobimooc.wikispaces.com/a+MobiMOOC+hello%21.
The Global Knowledge Center Network (GKCN) with The Global University System ...Ed Dodds
Acknowledgements: The author’s sincere gratitude goes to extraordinary cooperation and help for
our projects given by Dr. Hans Rudolf Herren of Millennium Institute, Profs. Victor Lawrence and Ali Mostashari of Stevens Institute of Technology, Dr. Greg Cole of the University of Tennessee, Mr. Francisco Bozzano-Barnes, Mr. Daniel P. Molina and many others.
Takeshi Utsumi, Ph.D., P.E.
Chairman, GLObal Systems Analysis and Simulation Association
in the U.S.A. (GLOSAS/USA)
43-23 Colden Street, #9L, Flushing, NY 11355-5913
Tel: 718-939-0928, Cel: 646-589-1730
takutsumi0@gmail.com, http://www.friends-partners.org/GLOSAS/
Google Profiles <https: />2312
TagsCategory
PrivacyPublicPrivateLearn more
Changes Saved
Secretariat, Emerging GLOBAL UNIVERSITY SYSTEM (GUS) CONSORTIUM
Chairman: Takeshi Utsumi, Ph.D.; Vice Chairman: Louis Padulo, Ph.D.;
Board Members: David Johnson, Ph.D., Peter Knight, Ph.D., Joseph Pelton, Ph.D., Tapio Varis, Ph.D.; Treasurer: Hisae Utsumi
The paper explores postmodernism as a worldview and its relevance to Nigerian Education. An attempt is made to show what educators can take from postmodernism in re positioning education for greater functionality, relevance and efficiency
This document summarizes a presentation on exploring the digital university given at Macquarie University. It discusses how digital technologies have profoundly impacted higher education but true transformation in teaching and learning has been elusive. It then outlines a model for the digital university with four key themes: digital participation, information literacy, curriculum and course design, and learning environments. The second part of the document summarizes a case study of Edinburgh Napier University's efforts to envision their digital future through a working group examining areas like digital literacies and infrastructure.
Software Strategies for Retooling the WorkforceEd Dodds
Professor Tapio Varis gave a keynote address at the National Software Conference in Nigeria on strategies for retooling the workforce through software and technology. He discussed how Nigeria can benefit from UNESCO's e-learning program through partnerships between education institutions, Cross River State, and UNESCO. Varis proposed recommendations such as developing strategies and educational environments to demystify technology innovation, exploring future school models, continuing the national Software Competition, and establishing an international e-learning center for research and standards.
This document provides the annual progress report (Year2 Jan-Dec 2012) and update to GDNet’s Baseline and M&E Framework. The M&E report for 2012 is structured according to the GDNet logframe – with separate chapters from the Purpose-level down through Outputs 1 to 4. From our experience, knowledge matters, partnership matters, and skills and capacity matters and our recognition of this has guided the strategic direction of GDNet throughout 2012 ad the development of a number of activities highlighted in this report.
This Output to Purpose review was carried out for DFID by ITAD and covers GDNet’s performance, lessons learnt and recommendations. It includes an executive summary and a summary of the 12 recommendations made. DFID has supported GDNet since its early pilot phase in 2002. Hence, this evaluations aims to provide an objective assessment of the results and likely impact of the programme. The evaluation addresses the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of the programme in relation to its objectives.
This document contains brief biographies of 10 speakers for the event "The Road to Democracy: the Arab Region, Latin America and Eastern Europe". The speakers include academics from universities in Lebanon, Argentina, Croatia, Tunisia, and the United States who will discuss their areas of expertise including history, economics, political science, and international affairs. Rami Khoury will moderate the event as Director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut.
The research environment is becoming increasingly interconnected, with international collaboration on the rise. The inclusion of southern knowledge is critical to transforming economic growth into sustainable social and economic development, and developing a global infrastructure that is resilient to new global challenges.This paper seeks to present the case for GDNet’s emphasis on connecting the South with global debates on sustainable development, to explore some of the challenges experienced by researchers in developing countries and to outline the work that GDNet is doing to try to meet them.
This document provides guidance on creating effective policy briefs. It defines a policy brief as a short document that presents research findings and recommendations to non-specialist policy audiences. The document outlines how to plan policy briefs by considering the audience, context, evidence, and engagement opportunities. It also discusses how to craft clear, memorable messages using the 4Cs model of comprehension, connection, credibility and contagiousness. The recommended structure includes an executive summary, introduction, methodology, results, implications, recommendations, and references. Common pitfalls to avoid are being too complicated, lacking a clear message, and not including recommendations.
This document provides guidance on creating effective policy briefs. It discusses what a policy brief is, its purpose, and why it is a useful tool for communicating research findings to policymakers. It emphasizes the importance of planning, including thinking about the target audience, context, evidence, and engagement strategies. It also covers how to develop effective messages by making them clear, compelling, credible, and memorable. The document then walks through the typical structure of a policy brief and provides examples. It concludes by highlighting some common pitfalls to avoid and providing guidelines for writing different sections of a policy brief.
This document provides a stakeholder analysis for a research project on improving the role of women in civil society in Argentina. It identifies 5 key stakeholders and assesses their levels of influence and interest in the project on a scale of high, medium, and low. For each stakeholder, it explains their level of influence and provides opportunities to engage them, such as presenting research findings, submitting articles, or holding briefings. The document instructs participants to complete their own influence matrices for their projects and identify ways to raise awareness, interest, and capacity among stakeholders to support implementation.
This document provides the annual progress report (Year 3) and update to GDNet’s Baseline and M&E Framework. The report covers the period January to December 2013, with data presented up to April 2014 where it is relevant and available. The document is structured according to the GDNet logframe – with separate chapters from the Outcome-level down through Outputs 1 to 4. A box summarizing the progress against the logframe indicators in Year 3 is provided at the beginning of each chapter. GDNet will close in June 30th 2014. Hence this is the final M&E report.
This document discusses various aspects of effectively communicating research to influence policy processes. It begins by outlining different theories on how evidence informs policy, noting the complexity of real-world policymaking. It then provides practical considerations for researchers, such as identifying the target policymaking process and understanding differing notions of evidence between researchers and policymakers. The document also discusses disseminating and communicating research through various means like policy briefs and targeting communications effectively to different audiences. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of analyzing target audiences and using preferred communication formats and channels to share research findings.
Srinivasa Madhur Director of Research, Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) slides
GDN 14th Annual conference
June19-21, 2013
Manila, Philippines
This is a presentation about an innovative project in India entitled "Development Pact".
Presentation by Anupama Jha, GDN Award finalist on Most Innovative Development Project.
GDN14th Annual Conference
Manila, Philippines
June 7-9, 2013
This document discusses the potential for ethical trade and inclusive business models to promote development goals. It notes that consumers are demanding more social responsibility from businesses, while development organizations are looking to partner with the private sector. Ethical and inclusive business approaches that involve poor communities in value chains as producers and consumers can help reduce poverty by increasing access to affordable, quality goods and services. Examples of emerging models discussed include BOP business, social business, and cause-related marketing that benefits small-scale producers. The document argues that combining business efficiency with ethical and development principles in overlapping areas could lead to more inclusive development outcomes.
This presentation is about the importance of financial constraints in explaining entrepreneurship among poor households by exploring the liquidity shock promoted by a large-scale conditional cash transfer (CCT) program in Brazil.
Presentation by Rafael P. Ribas, University of Illinois
GDN 14th Annual Conference
Manila, Philippines
June 19-21, 2013
The document outlines a two-day training on presentation skills for recipients of the GDNet Awards and Medals. Day one covers introducing objectives, visionary speakers, crafting presentations, preparing materials, and practicing case studies. Day two focuses on rehearsing, building principles, video critiques, presentation style guides, and wrapping up. Key topics discussed include identifying core messages, developing outlines and visual aids, receiving feedback, and reflecting on strengths and areas for improvement. The overall goal is to help participants improve their public speaking and ability to convey their research in an effective manner.
Knowledge management in universities in uganda a social perspectiveAlexander Decker
1) The document discusses knowledge management in universities in Uganda and its impact on transforming society. It assessed the relationship between knowledge management and society transformation in two private Ugandan universities.
2) The study found an average negative relationship between knowledge management and society transformation, indicating universities are not effectively applying knowledge to solve societal problems.
3) The author recommends universities strengthen knowledge sharing between students, faculty, and other institutions to better acquaint graduates with problem solving approaches that can transform society.
Knowledge mapping process in large organizationAlwi Yunus
This document discusses knowledge mapping processes in large organizations. It begins by defining tacit and explicit knowledge and explaining the need for organizations to map their knowledge assets. It then discusses the knowledge mapping process, which involves identifying organizational objectives and knowledge flows, establishing subject matter experts, and capturing knowledge to develop knowledge management programs. The goal of knowledge mapping is to identify an organization's knowledge, support knowledge sharing, and assign responsibilities for maintaining different types of knowledge. This helps organizations effectively transfer and apply knowledge across business processes.
The document summarizes discussions that took place at the 2021 Southeast Asia Internet Governance Forum (SEA-IGF) in Bali, Indonesia. It was organized around three sub-themes: 1) ICT Infrastructure and Cybersecurity, which covered issues like internet connectivity during COVID-19 and cybersecurity policies; 2) Digital Rights and Society, including topics like data governance and privacy in contact tracing apps; and 3) Youth and Innovation, focusing on promoting local languages and empowering youth to benefit from digital technology. Additional sessions discussed cyber norms, protecting human rights and data in technology, and developing digital talents and skills. The overall aim of the SEA IGF was to facilitate discussions around transparent, accountable and inclusive internet governance in
Summary South East Asia (SEA) IGF 2021 Bali - English (tata kelola internet /...ICT Watch - Indonesia
Summary South East Asia (SEA) IGF 2021 Bali - English (tata kelola internet / internet governance). Site: igf.id. E-mail: contact [at] igf.id. Uploader: donnybu.id
The document summarizes the role of the Knowledge Exchange KariaNet program, a partnership between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). It discusses KariaNet's activities in supporting knowledge generation, dissemination, and management in rural development projects across 5 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. Key activities included training, creating platforms for online collaboration, and funding project workplans. KariaNet also aimed to create national networks and enhance the effectiveness of projects by introducing knowledge management approaches through research and collaboration between practitioners, researchers, and funders working on food security, rural enterprise development, and knowledge management topics.
Knowledge Management in the UAE’s Public Sector: The Case of Dubai1 Wael Sharba
This paper examines knowledge management in Dubai's public sector. It assesses how clearly the concept of knowledge management is understood, and the ability to capture and store knowledge. The study finds that while Dubai and other UAE entities have invested in developing human capital and knowledge resources, there is low return due to underutilization of knowledge and skills, and knowledge walking out the door when employees leave. It recommends that in addition to knowledge development, Dubai and other UAE public sector organizations must focus on effective knowledge management through strategies to capture, document and disseminate employees' knowledge to improve performance and ensure expertise is retained.
1. The document discusses how ePortfolios can contribute to international development and cooperation by helping organizations reflect on their work, share knowledge, and collaborate across borders.
2. An organization called Ynternet.org is conducting a study of ePortfolio initiatives used by development agencies and organizations to understand best practices in areas like empowerment, learning, and trans-regional collaboration.
3. Preliminary findings suggest ePortfolios work best when organizations partner together on tools, move from just ICT skills to digital fluency, and develop a culture of transparency and knowledge-sharing.
Schokland Agreement: IICD and partners making a differenceEuforic Services
The document summarizes the work of IICD, an organization that uses ICT to promote development. IICD works in several countries in Africa and Latin America, focusing on projects in agriculture, education, health, governance and the environment. It partners with other organizations and provides funding, training and monitoring to support over 100 ICT for development projects annually that benefit hundreds of thousands of people. IICD's goal is to empower communities through appropriate use of ICT and its principles of local ownership and multi-stakeholder involvement help ensure project sustainability.
This report examines how emerging technologies could create new pathways for inclusive growth in developing economies. It identifies five potential pathways: 1) raising value from agriculture through data and biotechnology, 2) new global value chains in manufacturing using advanced communication technologies, 3) creating global trade in complex services enabled by virtual reality, 4) linking the informal sector to formal economies through digital platforms, and 5) fostering diverse, connected domestic economies with reduced information and logistics costs. However, these impacts are not inevitable. Policymakers must create the right environment by investing in digital infrastructure, standards, education, and guiding markets towards innovation to ensure the gains are widely shared.
First africa forum on science, technology and innovation for youth employment...Dr Lendy Spires
This document provides a concept note for the First Africa Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for Youth Employment, Human Capital Development and Inclusive Growth. The forum will take place in Nairobi, Kenya in April 2012 and is organized by several African organizations and UN agencies. It aims to facilitate sharing of best practices in strengthening STI mechanisms to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and youth employment. The two-day expert meeting will include discussions on strengthening STEM education, scientific research, applying STI to challenges, and moving ideas from research to market. The one-day ministerial conference will address integrating STI policies into development agendas and financing STI investments.
This document discusses the establishment of learning alliances in Jordan to enhance quality of life in rural areas. It proposes a three part process: 1) Identifying challenges to livelihoods, 2) Assembling and validating knowledge, and 3) Uncovering partnership opportunities to address challenges. The approach will be tested in two communities - one focused on improving olive production through training, and the other exploring ways to strengthen social organization and access to services. The goal is to develop innovative approaches and establish partnerships between researchers and local organizations to promote rural development.
4th day. Report from the Capacity Development SessionsGCARD Conferences
The document summarizes discussions from sessions at a capacity development event on various topics related to agricultural research for development. Session topics included public investments, public-private partnerships, North-South and South-South collective actions, institutional knowledge and learning, empowering women and youth, access to agricultural data and information, and knowledge advisory systems. Key recommendations from the sessions focused on collaboration, knowledge sharing, empowering underserved groups, enabling policies, and measuring outcomes.
This document discusses national innovation systems and knowledge flows within them. It describes a national innovation system as a complex set of relationships among private enterprises, universities, and public research institutions that creates and shares knowledge. It outlines four primary knowledge flows within these systems: 1) interaction between enterprises through collaboration and information sharing, 2) interaction between enterprises, universities, and research institutions through joint projects and knowledge diffusion, 3) diffusion of knowledge and technology to firms from public research, and 4) movement of personnel between sectors. The quality and fluidity of connections within a national innovation system determine a country's innovative performance.
New thinking on technical assistance to solve knowledge and capacity gapsDr Lendy Spires
This document discusses emerging approaches to technical assistance that aim to develop longer-term knowledge and capacity beyond just filling short-term gaps. It identifies twinning and peer-to-peer partnerships between similar organizations, initiatives to strengthen think tanks, and knowledge sharing between developing countries as approaches that emphasize beneficiary leadership and sustainability over donor-driven short-term impacts. Case studies provide some early positive results but note a lack of rigorous evaluations.
New thinking on technical assistance to solve knowledge and capacity gapsDr Lendy Spires
This document provides an overview of emerging approaches to technical assistance that aim to develop long-term knowledge and capacity beyond just filling short-term gaps. It discusses twinning and peer-to-peer approaches, think tank development, and South-South cooperation. Twinning approaches emphasize collaboration between countries and have been shown to transfer expertise effectively. Think tank initiatives in developing countries have helped strengthen research skills, though rigorous evaluations are still lacking. Knowledge sharing between developing countries through South-South cooperation is growing but triangular cooperation is still limited.
Lecture 12 reducing poverty by enhancing the role of indigenous knowledge a...Mr.Allah Dad Khan
Indigenous knowledge is an important resource for solving problems in local communities and reducing poverty. It represents solutions that are adapted to local conditions. There is a six step process for exchanging indigenous knowledge between communities: 1) identifying knowledge, 2) validating knowledge, 3) documenting knowledge, 4) storing knowledge in accessible repositories, 5) testing knowledge in new environments, and 6) wider dissemination of effective knowledge. The development community should work to disseminate, facilitate exchange, apply, and build partnerships around indigenous knowledge.
This document summarizes a report on gender equality and empowerment of women through information and communication technologies (ICT). It discusses how ICT can promote development but the benefits have been uneven, with a "digital divide" between men and women in access to technology. While ICT could potentially exacerbate inequalities, addressing the gender gap in access and skills can empower women. The document reviews UN efforts since 1995 to promote women's participation in ICT and identifies strategies to close the gender divide.
Gender equality and empowerment of women through ICT Dr Lendy Spires
Gender equality and empowerment of women through ICT “The so-called digital divide is actually several gaps in one. There is a technological divide great gaps in infrastructure. There is a content divide. A lot of web-based information is simply not relevant to the real needs of people. And nearly 70 per cent of the world’s websites are in English, at times crowding out local voices and views.
There is a gender divide, with women and girls enjoying less access to information technology Introduction ICT and development The role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as a tool for development has attracted the sustained attention of the United Nations over recent years. Strategic partnerships have been developed with donors, the private sector and civil society, and working groups and task forces have been established to enhance inter-agency collaboration throughout the United Nations system. In 2000, the Economic and Social Council adopted a Ministerial Declaration on the role of information technology in the context of a knowledge-based economy.
In 2001, the Secretary-General established a high-level Information and Communication Technologies Task Force to provide overall leadership to the United Nations on the formulation of strategies to put ICT at the service of development.2 The Millennium Declaration adopted in 2000 underscored the urgency of ensuring that the benefits of new technologies, especially ICT, are made available to all. To achieve this goal, a United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) was planned in two phases. The first phase, the Geneva Summit in December 2003, aimed to develop political will and to establish the foundations for an Information Society for all.
In total, 175 Governments endorsed the Declaration of Principles3 and Plan of Action at the first phase.4 The second phase of WSIS is planned for November 2005 in Tunis. Information and Communication Technologies comprise a complex and heterogeneous set of goods, applications and services used to produce, process, distribute and transform information.
New Vision for Education. Unlocking the Potential of TechnologyJuan Jesús Baño Egea
This document discusses a new vision for education that focuses on developing 21st century skills to address skills gaps. It analyzes research to define 16 critical skills grouped into foundational literacies, competencies, and character qualities. Large gaps exist in these skills within and between countries. Education technology shows potential to help close these gaps by complementing new pedagogical approaches and facilitating skills like collaboration. However, its full impact has yet to be realized. Technology works best when tailored to local contexts and integrated into a "closed loop" system aligning standards, instruction, assessment, and outcomes tracking.
Similar to Building Capacity in Research Communication and Knowledge Management: The GDNet Experience (20)
Within the framework of its Research Communications Capacity Building Program, GDNet produced, in collaboration with CommsConsult, a series of 7 handouts providing some guidelines for a great presentation. They cover several aspects starting from how you look and feel while presenting, and structuring your presentation, to how to make your messages effective. It also explains how to manage your information and research using social media, in addition to providing some tips for writing to an online audience, and ending with a template for leave-behind handouts.
Within the framework of its Research Communications Capacity Building Program, GDNet produced, in collaboration with CommsConsult, a range of learning materials with the aim to develop an influence plan. These handouts cover the influence plan’s implications, challenges and structure; setting CIPPEC’s influence plan as an example, shedding light on its communication strategy as well as some of the lessons learned from its experience.
This document provides the annual progress report (Year 1) and update to GDNet’s Baseline and M&E Framework. The document is structured according to the GDNet logframe – with separate chapters from the Purpose-level down through Outputs 1 to 4. Purpose Level - Diverse research and policy audiences make better use of development research from the global south; Output 1- Southern research better informed by current ideas and knowledge; Output 2 - Researchers better able to communicate their research to policy; Output 3 - Knowledge networking between researchers and with policy actors increased; and Output 4 - Lessons about knowledge brokering best practice in the global south learnt and communicated. An additional chapter focusses on Value for Money (VfM) and Most Significant change Technique (MSC) which examins 8 cases of knowledge into use in the policy process.
The GDNet Baseline and M&E Framework Report establishes GDNet’s baseline and details the approach GDNet will follow in order to meet its monitoring and evaluation (M&E) requirements as set out in the GDNet logframe 2010-2014. The document is structured according to the GDNet logframe, it looks into the Baseline summary, M&E tools and methods designed to generate the data for each baseline figure, Data management plan the ownership, frequency, and source of on-going M&E activities with GDNet.and specific, Tools and Templates to generate and/or store GDNet’s baselines
and on-going M&E data. Data collection activities which generated significant volumes of data.
This power point presentation seeks to present the case for GDNet’s emphasis on connecting the South with global debates on sustainable development, to explore some of the challenges experienced by researchers in developing countries and to outline the work that GDNet is doing to try to meet them.
This document summarizes a study on the adoption of web 2.0 tools for research collaboration among development researchers in the Global South. Key findings include:
- Adoption of web 2.0 tools among academics is relatively low, though regional differences exist among southern researchers in both use and reasons for lack of adoption.
- Women may have particular needs, like lack of time and security concerns, that discourage their adoption of these tools.
- Barriers to adoption include lack of awareness, inability to use tools, and choice not to use them, as well as infrastructure issues, usability, time constraints, and lack of institutional incentives.
- Lessons from reviewing academic online communities suggest building platforms with users, working with
A concept paper emerging from the K* conference held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, April 2012. It sets out the core concept and principles of K*, in addition to describing a framework for thinking about K*, which will make sharing approaches and lessons learned easier. A series of short case studies from both developing and developed worlds are presented in the paper to demonstrate how different organizations work at the intersection of several different functions simultaneously.
The document provides guidance on writing effective policy briefs. It explains that a policy brief is a concise document that summarizes research findings and recommendations for policymakers. It should be 2-4 pages and focus on a single issue. The brief must be clearly written with the target audience in mind to effectively communicate the research and influence decision making. Key elements include understanding the audience, political context, and providing a persuasive argument backed by strong evidence. The brief should follow tips like keeping a focused message and professional tone, and using a clear structure and language accessible to non-specialists.
The document discusses different theories of how evidence informs policy processes. The traditional linear model of research directly leading to policy changes is now recognized as oversimplified, as it ignores political contexts and competing demands. A more realistic iterative model sees policymakers using research to expand options rather than passively receiving information. A third approach focuses on interactions between actors and networks. The document also notes that identifying the target policy process stage and understanding differing notions of evidence between researchers and policymakers are important practical considerations for researchers seeking to inform policy.
This document provides guidance on creating effective policy briefs. It discusses what a policy brief is, how to plan for policy influence by understanding your audience and context, how to craft clear and memorable messages, and how to structure a policy brief with key elements like an executive statement, introduction, methodology, results, implications and recommendations, and references. The goal is to communicate research findings to policymakers in a concise way that will inform and influence decision making.
This document discusses the importance of research communication and policy engagement. It provides several key points:
1. To improve the success of research influencing policy, it is important to systematically map the political context and understand the roles and power dynamics of different actors.
2. Research needs to be complemented by local and practical knowledge to be most relevant.
3. Researchers should understand policy processes, identify opportunities to engage policymakers, and work to build credibility and legitimacy by establishing relationships and presenting clear, practical solutions that align with existing narratives.
This document discusses using online tools to visually present complex data and statistics in research findings. It provides a list of 10 web-based tools that can be used to create charts, graphs, timelines, word clouds and other visualizations to clarify and emphasize key points in research. These tools include StatPlanet, Xtimeline, Gap Minder, Google Chart Tools, and Tableau. Examples of blogs showcasing innovative data visualization are also provided.
A policy brief is a short, focused document that presents research findings and recommendations for policymakers in a clear, concise manner. It aims to bridge the gap between research and policy by translating complex research into an easily digestible format. An effective policy brief is tailored to its intended audience, provides context about the policy issue and evidence to support persuasive arguments and recommendations. It follows a clear structure and uses simple, jargon-free language to engage time-pressed decision-makers. Writing an impactful policy brief requires understanding audience needs and political realities to ensure the research can inform policy.
The document discusses different theories of how evidence informs policy processes. The traditional linear model of research directly leading to policy changes is now recognized as too simplistic, as it ignores political contexts and competing demands. A more realistic iterative model sees policymakers using research to expand options rather than passively receiving information. A third approach focuses on interactions between actors and networks. It is important for researchers to identify which part of the policy process to inform and use appropriate communication tactics and timing. Policymakers and researchers often have differing views of what constitutes evidence.
This document summarizes a training workshop on using policy briefs to communicate research findings to policymakers. It discusses several challenges to policymakers accessing and using research evidence, including a lack of organized research repositories and bias in sponsored research. It also outlines current policy opportunities where research could inform areas like the economy, governance, and social issues. Examples are given of where research has successfully engaged policy, such as studies influencing climate change protocols and Kenya's Vision 2030 plan. The document recommends that researchers focus on relevant and high-quality studies, and ensure they share their findings through workshops, conferences and other avenues to maximize research uptake by policymakers. It also describes how policy briefs can be an effective format as they are short,
More from GDNet - Global Development Network, Cairo Office (20)
United Nations World Oceans Day 2024; June 8th " Awaken new dephts".Christina Parmionova
The program will expand our perspectives and appreciation for our blue planet, build new foundations for our relationship to the ocean, and ignite a wave of action toward necessary change.
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
RFP for Reno's Community Assistance CenterThis Is Reno
Property appraisals completed in May for downtown Reno’s Community Assistance and Triage Centers (CAC) reveal that repairing the buildings to bring them back into service would cost an estimated $10.1 million—nearly four times the amount previously reported by city staff.
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
Food safety, prepare for the unexpected - So what can be done in order to be ready to address food safety, food Consumers, food producers and manufacturers, food transporters, food businesses, food retailers can ...
Donate to charity during this holiday seasonSERUDS INDIA
For people who have money and are philanthropic, there are infinite opportunities to gift a needy person or child a Merry Christmas. Even if you are living on a shoestring budget, you will be surprised at how much you can do.
Donate Us
https://serudsindia.org/how-to-donate-to-charity-during-this-holiday-season/
#charityforchildren, #donateforchildren, #donateclothesforchildren, #donatebooksforchildren, #donatetoysforchildren, #sponsorforchildren, #sponsorclothesforchildren, #sponsorbooksforchildren, #sponsortoysforchildren, #seruds, #kurnool
Monitoring Health for the SDGs - Global Health Statistics 2024 - WHOChristina Parmionova
The 2024 World Health Statistics edition reviews more than 50 health-related indicators from the Sustainable Development Goals and WHO’s Thirteenth General Programme of Work. It also highlights the findings from the Global health estimates 2021, notably the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on life expectancy and healthy life expectancy.
2. S. Ghoneim and C. Brown228
workshops have been targeted
at researchers, either on a sin-
gle communication theme or in
the form of ‘writeshops’. So far
more than 1100 researchers have
benefited from GDNet regional
knowledge management and re-
search communications training
events in Africa, Latin America
and South Asia. In its early years,
however, GDNet’s capacity build-
ing focused more on information
and knowledge management staff
in developing country research
institutes, recognizing the impor-
tance of this group in moving into
policy, research that has been pro-
duced locally. This paper revisits
the conclusions of a two-day con-
ference organized by GDNet in
Cairo, in 2007 (GDN, 2007) on
capacity building of knowledge
management in Africa, and ex-
plores their continued relevance3
.
CORE ARGUMENT/ESSENCE
OF PAPER
From 2005 to 2007, GDNet
ran a series of capacity building
workshops in Egypt, Uganda,
South Africa and Burkina Faso,
aimed at providing training and
skill building in knowledge man-
agement. These were delivered
in partnership with organiza-
tions such as the African Capac-
ity Building Foundation (ACBF),
INTRODUCTION
The Global Development Net-
work (GDN) is an organization
dedicated to helping social scien-
tists from across the South to gen-
erate new knowledge on develop-
ment. GDN’s goals are to build
research excellence, promote net-
working, expand outreach and
shape global policy debates in
developing and transition coun-
tries. GDN’s emphasis on build-
ing the capacity of researchers
and research institutes to gener-
ate knowledge is based on the
premise that knowledge plays a
crucial role in the advancement
of the development process1
.
GDNet is the knowledge
management and research com-
munications arm of GDN and
supports researchers from devel-
oping and transition countries
to communicate their findings to
those making decisions that affect
people living in poverty the world
over2
. GDNet does this through
its online platform, which works
as a knowledge hub, bringing to-
gether and communicating pol-
icy-relevant research from the
Global South and by building
the capacity of southern research-
ers to communicate their own re-
search more effectively. More re-
cently, GDNet’s capacity building
3. 229Reflections from the GDNet Experience
knowledge that people can use
to create, compete, and improve”
(GDN, 2006, p.1). To that end,
the conference explored knowl-
edge management through a
number of lenses including: its
role in stimulating innovation;
knowledge networks; indigenous
knowledge; organizational, sec-
toral and cross-regional approach-
es. The social, technological and
institutional aspects of knowl-
edge management were all given
attention.
Across these perspectives, the
discussions in Cairo centered on
two key themes:
In exploring these themes,
speakers highlighted a number of
challenges inherent in developing
effective communication strate-
gies and a “knowledge friendly
culture” in Africa. In the confer-
ence report (GDN, 2007), these
were summarized as: synergy, pri-
oritizing resources, ownership of
Bellanet, Busoga Rural Open
Source and Development Initia-
tive, Centre d’Analyse des Poli-
tiques Economiques et Sociales,
the Development Bank of South-
ern Africa and the World Bank
Institute. The series culminated
in a two-day conference in Cai-
ro in June 2007, which aimed to
use findings from the prior work-
shops as a foundation for sharing
and examining lessons learned
with a wider audience from across
the African continent in particu-
lar, as well as other regions in the
developing and transition world.
Entitled Knowledge Management
as an Enabler of Change and Inno-
vation: A conference for policymak-
ers and practitioners, the event
brought together experiences
from those people and organiza-
tions endeavoring to build knowl-
edge management capacity across
Africa.
Although debates contin-
ue over the definition of knowl-
edge management and whether
knowledge itself can be managed
(Ahmed, Ghoneim and Kim,
2009), a useful definition of
knowledge management for
this paper is that given during a
GDNet Capacity Building work-
shop in 2006: “the systematic
process of identifying, capturing,
and transferring information and
4. S. Ghoneim and C. Brown230
management as a social practice,
based on people-to-people inter-
actions. An argument was made
for technology to be used to fa-
cilitate the way people already
work rather than be the means
by which a new way of working is
imposed. In 2007, the view was
that countries in Africa needed
to develop an appropriate set of
tools which facilitate a people-
friendly knowledge management
approach while still increasing in-
vestments in research and devel-
opment in technology, education
and infrastructure.
How have things changed? In
just the last two or three years we
have witnessed a proliferation of
online means of creating, stor-
ing and sharing knowledge that
are freely available and easier to
use and adapt than ever before
e.g. wikis, social networking sites,
blogs. Is technology still driv-
ing knowledge management ap-
proaches in developing countries?
How often do we hear about a
new website where people will
be able to upload their learning
or a new forum where they can
share their views; but these tech-
nology-enabled opportunities to
document and share knowledge
do not lead automatically to wide-
spread adoption4
. Lack of access
to and familiarity with technology
the knowledge creation process,
sharing knowledge-sharing expe-
riences, equity in knowledge, and
partnerships. These six challenges
are presented below, with a brief
review of the extent to which
they are still relevant today to
those seeking to build capacity in
knowledge management among
African research institutes.
Challenge 1: Creating syn-
ergy between technologi-
cal and social approaches to
knowledge management
At the time of the conference,
delegates noted that knowledge
management initiatives typically
featured the practice of import-
ing information and communica-
tion technologies (ICTs) from the
North, without adaptation for the
context into which they were be-
ing introduced. These ICTs may
not be appropriate for developing
countries or allow for the various
means though which knowledge
is created (tacit, explicit, indig-
enous, modern, etc.). Danofsky
(2005), as cited in Ahmed, Gho-
neim and Kim (2009) highlights
the fact that even the more ubiq-
uitous ICTs are beyond some Afri-
can people’s reach, with millions
never having made a telephone
call. Some made the case for the
need to understand knowledge
5. 231Reflections from the GDNet Experience
conference delegates noted that
governments in the region faced
increasingly daunting challenges,
such as high illiteracy rates and
unemployment in their efforts
to alleviate poverty and deliver
economic growth (GDN, 2007).
Against this picture, it was diffi-
cult to see how knowledge man-
agement tools, especially those
centered on technology that
might only be accessible by a mi-
nority, could be viewed by Afri-
can governments as sufficiently
important to be adequately re-
sourced. However, when consid-
ering sourcing funds from donor
organizations for knowledge man-
agement and research commu-
nication, the prospect was more
positive.
If anything, resources within
developing country governments
are under even greater pressure
than they were at the time of the
Cairo conference. The financial
crisis has also put donor organi-
zations’ budgets in jeopardy or at
least, refocused where and how
money is allocated. While some
donors have reduced their over-
seas aid budget, Ireland’s 2011
budget for example saw a 35 mil-
lion Euro reduction (Department
of Finance, 2010) others are able
to maintain the same level of
funds but are under pressure to
is a significant barrier in itself but
if the motivation to share knowl-
edge does not already exist then
these innovations become more
ways of not managing knowledge.
Adoption of knowledge manage-
ment tools often implies a change
in behaviour or working culture
which may be a significant barrier
to some. GDNet’s own recent ex-
perience with piloting an online
community space for its members
is that uptake of this kind of tool
is more successful when there is a
clear objective for its use e.g. the
production of a group authored
report rather than being used as
an ongoing forum, to motivate
members to work in a new way.
In terms of access, the picture is
improving but still has a way to
go. According to the ITU (2010),
at the end of 2009 an estimated
64% of people in developed coun-
tries were using the internet, but
this was true of less than 20% of
people in the developing world.
Challenge 2: Prioritizing
resources
Linked to the challenge of in-
troducing appropriate technol-
ogy and investing in the neces-
sary infrastructure to support it,
was the challenge of persuading
governments to invest in knowl-
edge management. In 2007, the
6. S. Ghoneim and C. Brown232
(Ahmed, Ghoneim and Kim,
2009). In order to build capacity
in knowledge management, one
would need to also address the
capacity to generate and capture
knowledge which reflects local re-
alities and which is therefore more
likely to be relevant to local policy
processes. A number of delegates
highlighted approaches that could
support this aim such as that giv-
en by Enrica Porcari (GDN, 2007)
from CGIAR of engaging farm-
ers in the research process from
the outset to ensure that recom-
mendations made by researchers
were appropriate to their contexts
and to involve them in innova-
tion processes. At an institution-
al level, sustainable research insti-
tutes driven by local needs, rather
than donor agendas, were seen
to be of major importance. This
need to support local knowledge
generation for local solutions also
emerged in the workshops leading
up to the Cairo conference.
Capacity building of local re-
searchers remains high on sever-
al donor agendas and delivered
through a variety of interventions.
A DFID working paper from
2008 cites an ODI study which
found that 49 organisations had
“strengthening southern research
capacity” in their mission state-
ments or key objectives (DFID,
use these more efficiently and
demonstrate impact on poverty
reduction. In the UK, an Inde-
pendent Commission on Aid
Impact has been introduced to
assess all overseas development
assistance spending for value for
money and effectiveness. More
than ever, those making the case
for maintaining, or even increas-
ing, spending on knowledge man-
agement need to find compelling
arguments for how it leads to pov-
erty reduction, and find ways of
measuring results and demon-
strating its value. Some progress
has been made in recent months
to review and share lessons learnt
in evaluating research communi-
cation and knowledge manage-
ment programmes for develop-
ment, but these studies also tend
to highlight the challenges of
demonstrating impact5
.
Challenge 3: Ownership
of the knowledge creation
process
The Cairo conference concluded
that generating “home grown so-
lutions” to development strate-
gies was a key part of an effective
knowledge management strategy
and Steinlin, in particular, point-
ed to the largely untapped poten-
tial for indigenous knowledge to
help a broader group of people
7. 233Reflections from the GDNet Experience
2008). Building the capacity of
Southern researchers to inform
global development research and
policy is at the heart of GDNet’s
current work program. GDNet
continues to support those work-
ing in knowledge management in
research institutes through online
tools including hosting of organi-
zational research for those insti-
tutes lacking an online repository,
but also aims to build capacity of
researchers themselves. Recogniz-
ing the importance of support-
ing local research capacity, as well
as raising the profile of Southern
research globally, GDNet’s activi-
ties include: providing researchers
with access to journals and data-
sets, circulating news on funding
opportunities, an online plat-
form which showcases southern
researchers and their work, and
organizing a series of research
communication capacity building
workshops. These workshops are
run with regional partners and of-
ten facilitate inter-regional learn-
ing, for example, inviting Latin
American researchers to present
their experiences with developing
policy briefs at a workshop for Af-
rican researchers.
Challenge 4: Sharing knowl-
edge sharing experiences
The delegates in Cairo valued the
opportunity presented by the con-
ference to exchange their insights
with others working in the same
area but were conscious of the
need to find ways to integrate the
experiences of the stakeholders
involved in knowledge manage-
ment: government, businesses,
networks, academic institutions,
nongovernmental organizations,
etc. (GDN, 2007). Monisala Ola,
from the Center for Population
and Health Research, Nigeria
highlighted the need for learning
from the tacit and explicit knowl-
edge of others, so that “the collec-
tive learning experience of others
could be used by those who wish
to improve their own organiza-
tions” (Ahmed, Ghoneim and
Kim, 2009, p.19). Gelase Mutaha-
ba, Chief Technical Adviser, of
the President’s Office, Tanzania,
warned of the dangers of not hav-
ing a coherent and coordinated
approach to knowledge manage-
ment: public institutions dupli-
cating efforts, initiatives becom-
ing expensive and unsustainable
and being mostly donor driven
(GDN, 2007). In Tanzania, this
led to the development of the
Public Service Knowledge Man-
agement Secretariat, although
this still lacked sufficient power
to prevent duplication. Further-
more delegates felt that the expe-
riences of other countries could
8. S. Ghoneim and C. Brown234
of knowledge management) are be-
ing evaluated. The top case stud-
ies will be presented at an event
planned for March 2011 in Wash-
ington DC, aimed at encourag-
ing exchanges between knowledge
management practitioners.
GDNet itself has continued
to organize workshops that build
capacity in knowledge manage-
ment and draws on the experi-
ences of other organizations in
the region, and beyond. ‘Spaces
for Engagement’ is a partnership
between GDNet and the Center
for the Implementation of Pub-
lic Policies Promoting Equity
and Growth (CIPPEC) in Latin
America, that uses knowledge
management to improve the link
between research and policy. Out-
puts include study papers, a hand-
book on knowledge management
and monitoring and evaluation
(M&E) of the influence of re-
search in policy, an online course
on policy influence planning and
a regional workshop on M&E in-
volving leading think tanks in the
region to facilitate the sharing of
experiences.
Challenge 5: Equity in
knowledge
Issues of equality in knowledge
creation and use for development
be used to speed up the develop-
ment of knowledge management
practices in Africa if mechanisms
existed to support this.
As this 20th ACBF conference
demonstrates, the demand to learn
about the experiences of other or-
ganizations and other countries in
implementing knowledge manage-
ment programs is still present. The
KM4Dev network6
of practitioners
in knowledge management for de-
velopment continues to thrive and
its peer-reviewed journal Knowl-
edge Management for Development7
is
in its seventh volume. Since 2007,
a number of forums that aim to
share good practice in knowledge
management and exchange ideas
have emerged or become strength-
ened. One of the most recent of
these is the Knowledge Brokers
Forum8
which aims to “foster a
global community of peers inter-
ested in [Knowledge Brokering]
from a diversity of sectors and
practices, consolidate information
and resources on intermediar-
ies and help promote experiences
and refine practices in knowledge
brokering and knowledge transla-
tion”. While the ACBF Confer-
ence is taking place, entries into
the Knowledge Management Im-
pact Challenge9
(a USAID-fund-
ed competition to identify good
practice in measuring the impact
9. 235Reflections from the GDNet Experience
“African contribution to interna-
tional academic research in ICTD
[ICT for development] is very
low, typically between 1% and
9% percent of publications across
subdisciplines,” (Gitau, Plantin-
ga and Diga, 2010, p.5) suggest-
ing that theories about ICT for
development in Africa are being
formulated without local research
informing them adequately. In a
domain dominated by develop-
ment research from the North,
GDNet helps research from the
South to become more visible by
providing southern researchers
with a platform to profile their
work and opportunities to engage
with others working in develop-
ment policy and practice. Devel-
oping relationships and establish-
ing links with decision makers is
a natural step in the policy mak-
ing process. GDNet encourages
researchers to reach out to policy
makers and offers advice on how
best to engage with them on a
range of issues. GDNet also pro-
vides southern researchers with
guidance and support on how to
write policy relevant materials.
Particular emphasis is placed on
monitoring and evaluation in the
current GDNet work program
with baselines being produced
to measure indicators such as the
level of use of southern research,
attitudes to its quality, and the
were of particular concern to the
participants of the Cairo confer-
ence. Keynote speaker, Ismail Se-
rag Eldin, Director of the Biblio-
theca, Alexandrina referred to the
ever increasing gaps between “the
haves and have-nots in the knowl-
edge creation process” (Ahmed,
Ghoneim and Kim, 2009). Fac-
tors such as unequal access to
and ability to use technology,
and lack of nurturing of innova-
tion in education systems, were
identified as problems in ensur-
ing that there is a level knowledge
playing field and attention was
drawn to the dearth of articles
authored by African researchers
within journals focused on Af-
rican research (GDN, 2007). In
GDNet’s experience, one barrier
to publication in academic jour-
nals is access to the international
research journals needed for refer-
encing; something it aims to over-
come through partnerships with
JSTOR, Project MUSE and the
British Library for Development
Studies that give free access to
journals for southern researchers
in southern research institutes.
This inequality between the
“haves” and “have nots” in de-
velopment research creation and
use continues and is a major driv-
er for GDNet’s work program.
A recent study found that the
10. S. Ghoneim and C. Brown236
Much of GDNet’s regional
work is carried out in collabora-
tion with other organizations.
Whether it is sourcing materials
for one of the Regional Windows
on the GDNet Knowledgebase,
contributing to research commu-
nications capacity development
workshops or participating in pi-
lots for new means of exchanging
and creating knowledge online,
GDNet depends on the coopera-
tion of partners to achieve its ob-
jectives as much now as it did in
2007. For its 2010 to 2014 work
program, partnerships are key to
GDNet’s ambitions to broaden
the journals and data it makes
available to southern researchers,
to expand its regional training and
knowledge sharing events, and
add to the store of lessons learnt
about knowledge brokering.
CONCLUSION & POLICY
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Cairo conference took place
less than four years ago, however
the environment in which knowl-
edge management and research
operates changes quickly. It is
likely that if the delegates were re-
united today, they would identify
the same challenges as existing,
and note that some, such as the
need for evidence to support allo-
cation of resources on knowledge
challenges experienced most by
southern researchers.
Challenge 6: Partnerships
Not so much a challenge, but a
critical success factor for develop-
ing innovative and creative knowl-
edge management strategies, is co-
operation according to delegates
in the Cairo conference (GDN,
2007). Examples were presented
of how cooperation between those
working in knowledge manage-
ment could support learning in
this area, for example the sharing
of monitoring and evaluation data
to enable benchmarking. Another
important partnership opportu-
nity identified for researchers was
thatofferedbyGhoneim,ofknowl-
edge intermediaries who can am-
plify their research messages, help
them to reach new audiences, add
credibility, etc. (GDN, 2007). Ex-
amples were given of where coop-
eration between different parties
had reaped rewards, such as that
contributed by Reinie Beisenbach,
of the Global Research Alliance
Nerve Center, South Africa who
related a pilot project in Tanzania
where herbal medicine was pilot-
ed to treat people with HIV which
led to studies being conducted to
learn more about the herb’s prop-
erties and how it could be used ef-
ficiently (GDN, 2007).
11. 237Reflections from the GDNet Experience
outcomes and with specific
measurable indicators,
policymakers and donors
should look for opportunities
to support building the capac-
ity of local institutions which
can then provide the enabling
environment so necessary for
capacity development at other
levels,
coordination is needed among
donors that fund knowledge
management programmes to
avoid duplication of effort and
to agree to share learning on
measuring its effectiveness.
increased support is required
from donors for communica-
tion by local researchers of the
research they fund, such as
building capacity of research
communication and knowl-
edge management within Afri-
can research institutes and re-
quiring research proposals to
include appropriate budgets
and plans for communication.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Sherine Ghoneim is Direc-
tor, GDN Cairo Office and Di-
rector of GDNet, a program
which builds southern research-
er capacity to inform global
management, are more pressing
than before. Linked to this, the
need for cooperation and learn-
ing from each other’s experienc-
es in knowledge management is
even greater than in 2007, to en-
sure that restricted budgets can
be spent more wisely and dupli-
cation can be avoided. Forums
and events that facilitate sharing
of experiences around knowledge
management and research com-
munication within and between
regions in the Global South
should be encouraged and de-
signed to create peer-to-peer rela-
tionships for ongoing collabora-
tion and knowledge sharing.
Based on the review of the
challenges identified in 2007,
and from GDNet’s experience,
the implications for planners and
funders of capacity development
of knowledge management are:
capacity building works when
it is demand-driven and guided
by local contexts; this is all the
more important when the pro-
grammes involve partnerships
between North and South,
knowledge management capac-
ity building programmes need
totakeplacewithinaclearmon-
itoring and evaluation frame-
work, aligned to development
12. S. Ghoneim and C. Brown238
Cheryl Brown is a lecturer, consul-
tant and facilitator whose work fo-
cuses on using the theory and prac-
tice of marketing, communication
and behaviour change in develop-
ment research, communication
and social change. She has nine
years of experience working with
online information and knowledge
intermediaries in the development
sector and specialises in strategic
planning and using social market-
ing approaches to encourage up-
take and sharing of development
research. Her research interests in-
clude the use and dissemination
of research and adoption of web
2.0 tools among development re-
searchers, practitioners and policy-
makers, particularly those in de-
veloping countries. Cheryl has a
Postgraduate Diploma in Market-
ing from the Chartered Institute
of Marketing and has been a Char-
tered Marketer since 2007.
REFERENCES
Ahmed, A., Ghoneim, S. and
Kim, R. (2009) ‘Knowledge
management as an enabler
of change and innovation in
Africa’, Int. J. Technology Man-
agement, Vol. 45, Nos. 1/2,
pp.10–26.
DFID, (2008), DFID research
strategy 2008-2013, Working
development research and pol-
icy. She has more than 15 years
experience in knowledge net-
works, knowledge management
and research communications
capacity building within devel-
opment. Sherine is the lead per-
son on strategic development
and management of the GDNet
program since 2001 having pre-
viously worked as Information
and Communications Manager
at the Economic Research Fo-
rum for five years. Sherine holds
a PhD in Information Manage-
ment (The Management School,
Imperial College, UK), an MSc
in Management (Boston Univer-
sity, London Campus), complet-
ed a number of studies towards
an MA in Economics from the
American University in Cairo
and is a BA in Economics, mi-
nor Computer Science from the
American University in Cairo.
Sherine’s academic experience
as part-time Faculty Staff at the
Faculty of Computers and Infor-
mation, Cairo University is in
teaching strategic planning, infor-
mation systems project manage-
ment and national strategies for
developing information systems
and e-business solutions. During
that tenure teaching assignments
with the American University in
Cairo, The Management School
were also undertaken.
13. 239Reflections from the GDNet Experience
Management Capacity for Afri-
can Research Institutes and Net-
works: East Africa Workshop,
GDN, Cairo, Egypt, http://
cloud2.gdnet.org/cms.
php?id=east_africa_workshop
International Telecommunica-
tion Union (ITU). World
Telecommunication/ICT Devel-
opment Report (2010) Monitor-
ing the Wsis Targets: A mid-
term review, ITU, Geneva,
Switzerland.
Knowledge Brokers Forum, [on-
line], http://www.knowledge-
brokersforum.org/ [Accessed,
January 17, 2011]
Knowledge Management for De-
velopment, [online], http://
www.km4dev.org/ [Accessed,
January 17, 2011]
Knowledge Management Impact
Challenge, [online], http://
kdid.org/kmic [Accessed,
January 17, 2011]
Research Information Network,
(2010). If you build it, will the
come? How researchers perceive
and use web 2.0 [pdf] London:
Research Information Net-
work. http://www.rin.ac.uk/
our-work/communicating-
and-disseminating-research/
Paper Series: Capacity Build-
ing, DFID, London, UK,
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/
r4d/SearchResearchData-
base.asp?OutputID=176824
Department of Finance, (2010),
Summary of 2011 Budget Mea-
sures Policy Changes, http://
www.budget.gov.ie/bud-
gets/2011/Documents/
Summary%20of%20Mea-
sures%20Combined.pdf
Gitau, S., Plantinga, P. and
Diga, K. (2010) ICTD Re-
search by Africans: Origins,
Interests, and Impact, draft
manuscript presented at
ICTD 2010 Conference,
London, http://www.shi-
koh.org/custom/Gitau%20
et%20al.pdf
Global Development Network
(GDN) Conference Report
(2007). Knowledge Manage-
ment as an Enabler of Change
and Innovation: A Conference
for Policymakers and Practi-
tioners, GDN, Cairo, Egypt,
http://cloud2.gdnet.org/
cms.php?id=knowledge_man-
agement_conference
Global Development Net-
work (GDN) Workshop
Report (2006). Knowledge
14. S. Ghoneim and C. Brown240
of the key presentations of the
GDN Conference in Cairo.
4
A recent study from the UK
(Research Information Net-
work, 2010), a country in
which researchers typically have
reliable internet access, looks at
the rate of adoption of web 2.0
tools by UK researchers and
finds a number of barriers to
uptake among this group.
5
See for example, Research com-
munication: Insights from practice,
a working paper of the Research
Communication Strategy Group,
edited by I. Carter and K. Pau-
lus, 2010, http://www.dfid.gov.
uk/r4d/SearchResearchData-
base.asp?OutputID=185051
6
http://www.km4dev.org/
7
http://www.tandf.co.uk/jour-
nals/titles/19474199.asp
8
http://www.knowledgebrokers-
forum.org/
9
http://kdid.org/kmic
use-and-relevance-web-20-re-
searchers
Taylor and Francis. Knowledge
Management for Development
Journal. [online] http://www.
tandf.co.uk/journals/ti-
tles/19474199.asp
NOTES
1
See http://cloud2.gdnet.org/
cms.php?id=about_gdn for
more about the Global Devel-
opment Network.
2
See http://www.gdnet.
org/~gdnet for more details of
the GDNet programme.
3
In summarising the key chal-
lenges identified by delegates
this paper draws on the con-
ference report (GDN, 2007)
authored by Sherine Ghone-
im (GDNet) and Ronald Kim
(World Bank Institute). See
also Ahmed, Ghoneim and
Kim, 2009, which also consid-
ers the six challenges identi-
fied, and presents a summary