A quarterly publication by the World Bank for professionals interested in knowledge economy issues, including on the economic and institutional regime, education, innovation and information and communication technologies (ICT).

Knowledge for Development Program Newsletter, June 2008

In this issue:

1. Highlight: “Developing Knowledge Economy Strategies to Improve Competitiveness,” Seoul, Republic of Korea, July 15-18, 2008
2. Publications
3. Presentations
4. Recent Events
5. Upcoming Events
6. Welcome New Colleagues

The 2008 KM4dev workshop was held in Almada, Portugal from June 18-21. You can find the workshop reports here on the wiki:

KM4dev workshop wiki

...and more info on the blog: KM4dev workshop blog

...and videos on You Tube: KM4dev on You Tube

... and lastly, photos on Flickr: KM4dev2008 on Flickr

This paper by Hazel Johnson examines "the concept of ‘communities of practice’ for promoting joint learning and knowledge production for international development. How and why communities of practice may or may not lead to socially inclusive and innovative outcomes in the context of international development needs further exploration."

Progress in Development Studies, Vol. 7, No. 4, 277-290 (2007). The abstract can be found here:

http://pdj.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/7/4/277

Recently launched is the "KM4dev 2008 Annual Gathering Blog".

"For those of you coming to Almada, or others interested: subscribe to this blog by email or rss. In the course of the coming weeks, the blog will provide you with updates on logistical information, some background on the methodology, and it is a place to start connecting. It will also, during the event, be a starting place to look for "reports out"."

http://km4dev2008.wordpress.com

For those who use Open Space Technology and who are on Facebook, an OST group now exists: "A place for collections of stories from the field for Open Space Technology consultants - practitioners - whatever you call yourself":

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7189220743

The new issue of the Knowledge Management for Development Journal (Vol. 4, issue 1, April 2008) is now available. This issue focuses on the subject of 'Knowledge sharing and knowledge management in Latin America and the Caribbean (Part 2)'. Produced by the team of Guest Editors comprising Margarita Salas, Kemly Camacho, Simone Staiger-Rivas and Camilo Villa, working with Julie Ferguson and Sarah Cummings as chief editors of the edition, this issue offers 7 new contributions on knowledge management in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Go to journal.

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (Unitar) and South Centre are pleased to announce the launch of their first joint e-Learning course on the theme of “Intellectual Property Policy and Development”. As providers of technical assistance and training to developing countries, South Centre and Unitar have decided to incorporate new information and communication technologies into their capacity development strategies. Concretely, this translates into user-friendly, flexible and accessible internet-based courses for delegates, officials and professionals in full-time work.

With the adoption of the WIPO Development Agenda, the international community and developing countries in particular will have to address various IP policy issues such as public health and patents, protection of traditional knowledge, and access to digital content. This instructor-led online course, which has been reviewed by leading academics and policy makers, will provide participants from the South and North with the necessary background knowledge to address IP policy issues in various areas such as public health, agriculture, traditional knowledge, and digital and internet content.

Please see website http://www.unitar.org/pft/ipdev for additional information and registration.

From the wiki introduction: "This wiki introduces some 'building blocks' - tools and applications - for open information, knowledge sharing and communication in development. It builds on the efforts of ICCO, Euforic and their partners. It supports further investments in these tools and approaches."

http://web2share.pbwiki.com

The annual KM4Dev meeting will be held this year from 18-21 June at the Pousada de Juventude Hostel in Almada, Portugal (just outside Lisbon).

If you intend to participate, please register as soon as possible because accommodation is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you require funding to participate, you will be provided with an opportunity to apply for funding (and will be given information on funding criteria and availability) as you go through the registration process. You can find the registration form here:

Registration form

Please note: Registration will be open up to 30 April, 2008! For more information:

KM4Dev Workshop - Lisbon June_2008 Information_for_participants

The EC-FAO Food Security Programme has just published an e-learning course on Collaboration and Advocacy Techniques. The course was produced in collaboration with Overseas Development Institute's (ODI) Research and Policy in Development (RAPID) Programme and Women Thrive Worldwide. The first lesson in the course, called “Techniques for improving collaborative work” is based on ODI’s publication entitled “Tools for Knowledge and Learning: A guide for development and humanitarian organisations”.

The course is available on CD and the WWW. To access this and other courses free of charge visit the EC-FAO Food Security Information for Action Programme website at: http://www.foodsecinfoaction.org

Look under the Distance Learning section for more information.