Knowledge Sharing for Development

13 April 2007

On 21 March WOTRO hosted a workshop on Knowledge and Information Sharing Strategies in Dutch Development Organizations organised by Europe's Forum on International Cooperation (EUFORIC). The presentations focused on the role of partnerships and cross-cutting initiatives in bridging knowledge divides and on mobilizing knowledge at the interface of science, policy and practice. Four organisations presented their knowledge sharing strategies. These contributions showed that organisations deal with different kinds of knowledge sharing: knowledge and learning among professionals and practitioners, the interaction between researchers and policy makers and the use of research for policy and practice. This was reflected in a variety of strategies. Many organisations focus on enhancing access to information, raising public awareness for development, and on internal as well as external communication through ICT (management knowledge systems, websites, tools). Other organisations design monitoring and evaluation networks and guidelines to improve knowledge sharing on which projects work well and which methodologies work best. The challenge for research for development lies in developing instruments for linking researchers, policy makers and stakeholders at all levels: in the designing of priorities and actual research projects, during the implementation of research and how to promote and influence the utilization of results in policy and practice. For more information please visit the Euforic website.