The words knowledge, learning and networking are used on nearly every page in the ICCO Alliance new business plan. The plan envisages a renewed and transformed ICCO in which the organization and other partners become a global alliance with decentralized operations across the world. It is expected that many activities will be designed and managed through regional ‘councils’ in developing regions and that some activities now managed in the Netherlands will be based in the South. This change poses a series of significant information, knowledge-sharing and communication challenges to the alliance, particularly to enhance internal and ‘network’ capacities in these areas.
In February 2007, ICCO contracted Euforic to help it tackle two main challenges:
1. To enhance the strategic information, knowledge and communication capacities of ICCO alliance partners in the South – so they can operate more effectively in a networked environment, contribute on an equal basis to ICCO alliance supported programs and projects, and learn from and share their experiences more effectively.
2. To support the same capabilities of ICCO alliance staff and programs in the Netherlands – so they can contribute to the learning and capacity building elements of the new business plan and can interact effectively with external partners and allies.
The ‘internal’ component of this four-year project started in early 2007 and will run through to mid 2008. The main ‘south’ component will be developed with a group of partner organizations and allies that will share knowledge and learning through thematic information exchange networks; a smaller group of ‘enabling’ partners in the South will provide specialist information, knowledge and communication support to the ICCO alliance partners as they move to a more networked environment.
By mid 2007, the project is taking shape: A learning platform has been established, built on open and low costs web applications. Known as ‘ComPart’, it helps Alliance staff document, publish, and share information. The ‘system’ brings together wiki’s, blogs, social bookmarks, RSS feeds, discussion groups, and more. Later this year, learning facilitators and other interested staff will get trained in this evolving social web…
See news from the ICCO alliance
See the ComPart wiki
Showing posts with label euforic_project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label euforic_project. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Euforic review of information management at Van Leer Foundation
In July 2007, Euforic submitted the reports of its review of information at the Bernard van Leer Foundation.
The report contained the finding of two studies commissioned in late 2006 and 2007. The first looked at the InfoHub, the second at the wider information management (IM) situation of the Foundation.
The review sought to understand some of the information ‘demands’ that frame why people in the Foundation seek information in the ways they do, when, how, and who from. The demand assessment revealed a complicated situation with many competing pressures on staff that directly influence their information seeking behaviours and usage.
The review also examined examples of different information uses in the Foundation, as a guide to better understanding the information sources and mechanisms that staff might have access to and actually use. These ‘cases’ showed quite different patterns of information needs according to the task at hand – grant-making, advocacy, and knowledge.
Discussions with staff also generated many general and specific insights into the information management challenges in the Foundation. These include: to find back information that should already be available; to select and filter what’s already stored; to synthesize ‘learning points’ out of various reports and reporting systems; how staff document their own ‘learning points’; learning and sharing across teams and projects in a changing organizational framework; interfacing different information management systems and services; identifying and adopting common terminology standards; and tracking external developments and events related to early childhood development.
The Bernard van Leer Foundation aims to enhance opportunities for young children (aged 0-8 years) growing up in circumstances of social and economic disadvantage, with the objective of developing their potential to the greatest extent possible. It currently supports around 280 projects in approximately 40 developing and industrialised countries. The Foundation joined Euforic in late 2006.
See also Euforic’s dossier on information, knowledge and communication
The report contained the finding of two studies commissioned in late 2006 and 2007. The first looked at the InfoHub, the second at the wider information management (IM) situation of the Foundation.
The review sought to understand some of the information ‘demands’ that frame why people in the Foundation seek information in the ways they do, when, how, and who from. The demand assessment revealed a complicated situation with many competing pressures on staff that directly influence their information seeking behaviours and usage.
The review also examined examples of different information uses in the Foundation, as a guide to better understanding the information sources and mechanisms that staff might have access to and actually use. These ‘cases’ showed quite different patterns of information needs according to the task at hand – grant-making, advocacy, and knowledge.
Discussions with staff also generated many general and specific insights into the information management challenges in the Foundation. These include: to find back information that should already be available; to select and filter what’s already stored; to synthesize ‘learning points’ out of various reports and reporting systems; how staff document their own ‘learning points’; learning and sharing across teams and projects in a changing organizational framework; interfacing different information management systems and services; identifying and adopting common terminology standards; and tracking external developments and events related to early childhood development.
The Bernard van Leer Foundation aims to enhance opportunities for young children (aged 0-8 years) growing up in circumstances of social and economic disadvantage, with the objective of developing their potential to the greatest extent possible. It currently supports around 280 projects in approximately 40 developing and industrialised countries. The Foundation joined Euforic in late 2006.
See also Euforic’s dossier on information, knowledge and communication
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Public Consultation on DFID Research Strategy 2008–2013
The Department for International Development (DFID) funds research which aims to help reduce poverty in poor countries by developing new technologies and policy-related knowledge and helping to get these used.
In 2007, DFID is seeking views to help it develop a new research strategy to begin in April 2008.
Issues for the new research strategy include discussion of 'what' research DFID should support. Urbanisation, globalisation and climate change are just some of the issues which present new challenges for development and development research. This consultation asks how the new research strategy can help countries deal with emerging issues - be they new diseases, trading opportunities, migration, changes in world economic power etc.
The consultation seeks to explore how DFID can build on its four priority research themes:
- sustainable agriculture;
- “killer diseases” and healthcare;
- states that work for poor people;
- the impact of climate change on poverty.
It also ask for ideas on 'how' DFID supported research can best be impleented, how DFID can:
- improve the way it identifies demand for research from end-users in developing countries;
- promote more cutting-edge science that will benefit poor people;
- work more effectively to help developing countries to carry out, access and use research themselves; and
- make it more likely that research will be used.
How to give your views
The electronic consultation is available on the DFID website at www.dfid.gov.uk/consultations
Thursday, July 05, 2007
CTA, Euforic, launch Brussels Development Briefings
The ACP-EU technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), the European Commission, the EU Presidency, the ACP Group, Euforic, Concord, and other partners plan to organise regular development briefing sessions in Brussels on key issues and challenges for rural development in the context of EU/ACP cooperation.
A growing number of challenges have an impact on the agricultural and rural sector of the ACP countries, including climate change, migration, low interest and funding of the agriculture sector and low priority to rural development, impact of globalization on small-scale producers, opportunities and challenges posed by biofuels...
These are other issues are being tackled by a range of development organizations (international, governmental, NGOs, networks) at national and regional levels in ACP and developing countries and in Europe. However, we believe that a more structured exchange of information and experience amongst the development community in Brussels would greatly strengthen these dispersed efforts, by enhancing communication, promoting coherence, and increasing collaboration and partnerships.
The target group of such briefings is the wider 'development' community in Brussels (EC services, European Parliament, NGOs and networks, ACP group, EU Member States representatives...)
The first briefing was held in Brussels on 4 July 2007. It focussed on key challenges to rural development: (1) the macro-economic environment and its impact on the rural poor in ACP countries; (2) the policy context, especially African regional integration processes, and (3) aid effectiveness and the harmonization of donor support directed towards rural issues in ACP countries.
A growing number of challenges have an impact on the agricultural and rural sector of the ACP countries, including climate change, migration, low interest and funding of the agriculture sector and low priority to rural development, impact of globalization on small-scale producers, opportunities and challenges posed by biofuels...
These are other issues are being tackled by a range of development organizations (international, governmental, NGOs, networks) at national and regional levels in ACP and developing countries and in Europe. However, we believe that a more structured exchange of information and experience amongst the development community in Brussels would greatly strengthen these dispersed efforts, by enhancing communication, promoting coherence, and increasing collaboration and partnerships.
The target group of such briefings is the wider 'development' community in Brussels (EC services, European Parliament, NGOs and networks, ACP group, EU Member States representatives...)
The first briefing was held in Brussels on 4 July 2007. It focussed on key challenges to rural development: (1) the macro-economic environment and its impact on the rural poor in ACP countries; (2) the policy context, especially African regional integration processes, and (3) aid effectiveness and the harmonization of donor support directed towards rural issues in ACP countries.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
IKM emergent working group on information usage starts up
Members of the IKM Emergent* Working Group 2 - making the most of information - recently met in The Hague to kick off planned activities. The group will focus on how information can be better recorded, handled, described and shaped to maximise its potential role in the construction of development knowledge.
Chris Addison and Peter Ballantyne of Euforic joined Dejan Dincic (DiploFoundation), Mike Powell (IKM Emergent) and Olivier Sagna (CODESRIA) to compare views and formulate plans for the coming period. Three main sets of activities are foreseen - generally focused on ‘production information and knowledge’, ‘finding information and knowledge,’ and ‘using information and knowledge.’
Mike Powell and Sarah Cummings introduce the Programme:
Members of the working group share their expectations:
*In April 2007, the EADI-managed 'Emergent Issues in Information and Knowledge Management (IKM) and International Development' Research Programme was funded by the Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS) for 5 years.
Chris Addison and Peter Ballantyne of Euforic joined Dejan Dincic (DiploFoundation), Mike Powell (IKM Emergent) and Olivier Sagna (CODESRIA) to compare views and formulate plans for the coming period. Three main sets of activities are foreseen - generally focused on ‘production information and knowledge’, ‘finding information and knowledge,’ and ‘using information and knowledge.’
Mike Powell and Sarah Cummings introduce the Programme:
Members of the working group share their expectations:
*In April 2007, the EADI-managed 'Emergent Issues in Information and Knowledge Management (IKM) and International Development' Research Programme was funded by the Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS) for 5 years.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Euforic joins CIMRC to extend access to DFID-funded research
In May 2007, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) announced that the CABI-led CIMRC Consortium is contracted to manage its 'Research4Development' portal. This provides up-to-date information on the activities and outputs of research projects supported by DFID.
The consortium brings together expertise of CABI, Euforic, and CommsConsult; the R4D portal provides research news, success stories and case studies, information on projects and programmes, and gives access to publications produced by the various projects and programmes.
Within the consortium, Euforic will particularly focus on 'product development' - ensuring that R4D content can be accessed through a wide range of products and services and via the services of partner organizations and 'knowledge organization' - looking to the effective indexing and organization of the portal content. We will also contribute to 'marketing and communication' efforts - ensuring that key stakeholders are aware of the R4D content.
More:
The consortium brings together expertise of CABI, Euforic, and CommsConsult; the R4D portal provides research news, success stories and case studies, information on projects and programmes, and gives access to publications produced by the various projects and programmes.
Within the consortium, Euforic will particularly focus on 'product development' - ensuring that R4D content can be accessed through a wide range of products and services and via the services of partner organizations and 'knowledge organization' - looking to the effective indexing and organization of the portal content. We will also contribute to 'marketing and communication' efforts - ensuring that key stakeholders are aware of the R4D content.
More:
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Knowledge and Information Sharing Strategies in Dutch Development
On 21 March 2007, Euforic with WOTRO organized a half-day workshop on Knowledge and Information Sharing Strategies in Dutch development organizations.
For the host organization, Cora Govers introduced the work of WOTRO - Mobilizing knowledge at the interface of science, policy and practice; Sarah Cummings talked about the KM4D Journal, the IKM Emergent research proposal, and Dgroups as examples of a development 'polder model' bringing policymakers, researchers and practitioners together in knoweldge sharing partnerships.
Thereafter, four major actors in Dutch development shared some perspectives on their knowledge and information plans.
Julie Ferguson talked about the knowledge-based programming of Hivos, 2007-2010. Under the banner 'knowledge entrepreneurship', Hivos has developed a knowledge 'integrating' strategy that will prioritize knowledge development through research, knowledge sharing through linking and sharing, knowledge leveraging for lobby and advocacy, and knowledge application through spaces for reflection and learning. These activities will be focused on in-depth programmes focused on themes like civil society building in closed societies, freedom of expression, fundamentalism and democratic pluralism, and civil society building strategies.
Maarten Boers introduced the plans for knowledge sharing and learning of the ICCO Alliance capacity building programme. The plans are based around learning networks on different themes - such as peacebuilding, religion and development, food security - in which the knowledge of different partners will be mobilized and applied to development problems.
Kathelijn Hendrikse updated participants on Cordaid's new partner-oriented information sharing portal. This has multiple objectives, such as: To strengthen relationships between Cordaid partners and to create new ones, to exchange knowledge, lessons learned and practices, to keep Cordaid partners well informed about conferences, events, workshops, and news, and to create a platform for Cordaid related initiatives and information. The first testing phase is now almost complete and 75 partner organizations will soon be invited to test the platform. Some challenges identified by Kathelijn included: initiating thematic discussions, dealing with delicate subjects, getting partner organisations enthusiastic about the tool, and the complexity of the target group.
Finally, Ingeborg Denissen introduced efforts by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to use knowledge and research effectively in efforts to combat poverty and bring about sustainable development. The issues are seen in a 'systems approach' that considers that knowledge relevant to poverty reduction (PR) and sustainable development (SD) is "not automatically generated and applied"; that PR and SD are promoted by "knowledge development and interactive learning within networks"; and that research is seen in "combination with other forms of knowledge acquisition." Two important instruments are the 'IS Academy' that promotes relations between research and policy makers; and the Ministry's 'Chief Scientist' who acts as an overall champion for knowledge management activities in the ministry.
After the plenary session, participants gathered in participatory 'world cafe' style groups - facilitated by Lucie Lamoureux - to discuss issues raised by colleagues attending from Stop AIDS Now (Adolfo Lopez), IICD (Joitske Hulsebosch), Bernard van Leer Foundation (Reinhard Skinner and Vera van der Grift), PSO (Bram Langen), and ECDPM (Niels Keijzer).
See also the Euforic dossier on information, knowledge, communication.
by Peter Ballantyne
For the host organization, Cora Govers introduced the work of WOTRO - Mobilizing knowledge at the interface of science, policy and practice; Sarah Cummings talked about the KM4D Journal, the IKM Emergent research proposal, and Dgroups as examples of a development 'polder model' bringing policymakers, researchers and practitioners together in knoweldge sharing partnerships.
Thereafter, four major actors in Dutch development shared some perspectives on their knowledge and information plans.
Julie Ferguson talked about the knowledge-based programming of Hivos, 2007-2010. Under the banner 'knowledge entrepreneurship', Hivos has developed a knowledge 'integrating' strategy that will prioritize knowledge development through research, knowledge sharing through linking and sharing, knowledge leveraging for lobby and advocacy, and knowledge application through spaces for reflection and learning. These activities will be focused on in-depth programmes focused on themes like civil society building in closed societies, freedom of expression, fundamentalism and democratic pluralism, and civil society building strategies.
Maarten Boers introduced the plans for knowledge sharing and learning of the ICCO Alliance capacity building programme. The plans are based around learning networks on different themes - such as peacebuilding, religion and development, food security - in which the knowledge of different partners will be mobilized and applied to development problems.
Kathelijn Hendrikse updated participants on Cordaid's new partner-oriented information sharing portal. This has multiple objectives, such as: To strengthen relationships between Cordaid partners and to create new ones, to exchange knowledge, lessons learned and practices, to keep Cordaid partners well informed about conferences, events, workshops, and news, and to create a platform for Cordaid related initiatives and information. The first testing phase is now almost complete and 75 partner organizations will soon be invited to test the platform. Some challenges identified by Kathelijn included: initiating thematic discussions, dealing with delicate subjects, getting partner organisations enthusiastic about the tool, and the complexity of the target group.
Finally, Ingeborg Denissen introduced efforts by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to use knowledge and research effectively in efforts to combat poverty and bring about sustainable development. The issues are seen in a 'systems approach' that considers that knowledge relevant to poverty reduction (PR) and sustainable development (SD) is "not automatically generated and applied"; that PR and SD are promoted by "knowledge development and interactive learning within networks"; and that research is seen in "combination with other forms of knowledge acquisition." Two important instruments are the 'IS Academy' that promotes relations between research and policy makers; and the Ministry's 'Chief Scientist' who acts as an overall champion for knowledge management activities in the ministry.
After the plenary session, participants gathered in participatory 'world cafe' style groups - facilitated by Lucie Lamoureux - to discuss issues raised by colleagues attending from Stop AIDS Now (Adolfo Lopez), IICD (Joitske Hulsebosch), Bernard van Leer Foundation (Reinhard Skinner and Vera van der Grift), PSO (Bram Langen), and ECDPM (Niels Keijzer).
See also the Euforic dossier on information, knowledge, communication.
by Peter Ballantyne
Monday, January 15, 2007
Infohub role and services the focus of Van Leer Foundation study
As part of its efforts to disseminate the rich variety of knowledge, know-how and lessons learned in its projects, the Bernard van Leer Foundation runs an ‘infohub’ as part of a wider set of information management, knowledge sharing, and learning tools.
Between November 2006 and February 2007, Euforic staff worked with the Foundation to clarify the niche and services offered by the infohub, with a view to extending its impact and more effectively engaging with staff and projects. Extensive discussions with staff reveal rather complex information and communication demands and needs and the need for a holistic view on the various tools and services available to staff.
As part of the project, Foundation staff were introduced to a range of emerging ‘social’ applications on the web – wikis, blogs, rss and so on – that could be part of a renewed infohub strategy to document and share lessons and information across the Foundation.
The Bernard van Leer Foundation aims to enhance opportunities for young children (aged 0-8 years) growing up in circumstances of social and economic disadvantage, with the objective of developing their potential to the greatest extent possible. It currently supports around 280 projects in approximately 40 developing and industrialised countries. The Foundation joined Euforic in late 2006.
Between November 2006 and February 2007, Euforic staff worked with the Foundation to clarify the niche and services offered by the infohub, with a view to extending its impact and more effectively engaging with staff and projects. Extensive discussions with staff reveal rather complex information and communication demands and needs and the need for a holistic view on the various tools and services available to staff.
As part of the project, Foundation staff were introduced to a range of emerging ‘social’ applications on the web – wikis, blogs, rss and so on – that could be part of a renewed infohub strategy to document and share lessons and information across the Foundation.
The Bernard van Leer Foundation aims to enhance opportunities for young children (aged 0-8 years) growing up in circumstances of social and economic disadvantage, with the objective of developing their potential to the greatest extent possible. It currently supports around 280 projects in approximately 40 developing and industrialised countries. The Foundation joined Euforic in late 2006.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
europafrica - web site on Europe-Africa relations
A new web site by ECDPM and Euforic - www.europafrica.org - is the base for public consultations on the new EU-Africa joint strategy.
See also the Euforic dossier on Africa.
See also the Euforic dossier on Africa.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Blog sobre las conferencias ACP-UE - Un fórum para el diálogo
Los días 18 y 19 de diciembre Euforic colabora en las jornadas "El acuerdo de Cotonou: ¿qué papel puede jugar en un mundo que está cambiando?
Hemos creado un blog en el que analizamos las claves y los antecedentes del papel de dicho acuerdo en el también cambiante sector del desarrollo internacional. La intención es la de informar a la amplia comunidad involucrada en ésta materia y al mismo tiempo, ofrecer un foro para recibir y movilizar otros comentarios y puntos de vista.
En la agenda:
Por favor visiten la página web para realizar un seguimiento de las discusiones sobre estas temáticas, participar en ellas, así como inscribirse para recibir correos electrónicos o avisos RSS de forma regular.
Hemos creado un blog en el que analizamos las claves y los antecedentes del papel de dicho acuerdo en el también cambiante sector del desarrollo internacional. La intención es la de informar a la amplia comunidad involucrada en ésta materia y al mismo tiempo, ofrecer un foro para recibir y movilizar otros comentarios y puntos de vista.
En la agenda:
- ¿Está contribuyendo a un mayor desarrollo el nuevo enfoque político de la cooperación África, Caribe, Pacifico – UE?
- ¿Ha supuesto el Acuerdo Cotonou una mayor participación de actores no gubernamentales ni pertenecientes al aparato de los estados?
- ¿Son los acuerdos de colaboración económica un instrumento adecuado para el desarrollo y la reducción de pobreza?
- ¿En qué medida ha supuesto a una mayor eficacia y eficiencia en la implementación de programas para el desarrollo el énfasis que se ha dado a uso y racionalización de los instrumentos disponibles y de la gestión de la ayuda?
Por favor visiten la página web para realizar un seguimiento de las discusiones sobre estas temáticas, participar en ellas, así como inscribirse para recibir correos electrónicos o avisos RSS de forma regular.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
ACP-EU conference blog - a forum for dissemination and dialogue
On 18 and 19 December, Euforic is supporting the ECDPM seminar on 'The Cotonou Partnership Agreement: What role in a changing world?'
We have set up a blog with key questions and background analysis about the role of the CPA in a changing development environment. The idea is to inform the wider community about the discussions - and also provide a channel for additional comments and reactions to be mobilised.
On the agenda:
We have set up a blog with key questions and background analysis about the role of the CPA in a changing development environment. The idea is to inform the wider community about the discussions - and also provide a channel for additional comments and reactions to be mobilised.
On the agenda:
- Is the increased political focus of ACP-EU cooperation contributing to development?
- Has the Cotonou Agreement led to greater involvement of Non-State Actors?
- Are EPAs an instrument for development and poverty reduction?
- How much has the emphasis on performance and the rationalisation of instruments and management of aid contributed to more effective and efficient development programmes?
Friday, December 01, 2006
Euforic partners with Europe's World
Euforic recently joined the advisory board of the independent policy journal Europe's World. Published three times yearly, it is the only pan-European publication that offers policymakers and opinion-formers across Europe a platform for presenting ideas and forging consensus on key issues. It also reflects the diversity of national policy debates in EU states, with particular attention being paid to newcomer and candidate countries. Here we list some recent development oriented articles:
Western NGOs and Islam: How to counter the image of "missionaries and spies"
Both practical and political pitfalls may sink the EU's disaster relief force
How Europe's Mediterranean policy went so badly wrong
If Doha dies, what then?
more...
For more articles and analysis on Europe's agricultural policies, foreign policy, security and defence policies, transport, energy, and more, please visit the web site - http://www.europesworld.org.
Western NGOs and Islam: How to counter the image of "missionaries and spies"
Both practical and political pitfalls may sink the EU's disaster relief force
How Europe's Mediterranean policy went so badly wrong
If Doha dies, what then?
more...
For more articles and analysis on Europe's agricultural policies, foreign policy, security and defence policies, transport, energy, and more, please visit the web site - http://www.europesworld.org.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Communicating Development on the ‘New’ Web: Euforic Workshop
On 9 November 2006, Euforic organised a workshop for information and communication people working in development organizations. The event was held in Brussels and was hosted by CIDSE.
The next generation web …
According to one observer, there’s a “revolution under way right now, one that is likely to fundamentally transform the way we use the Web in the coming years… The result is the equivalent of a massive software upgrade for the entire Web, what some commentators have taken to calling Web 2.0. Essentially, the Web is shifting from an international library of interlinked pages to an information ecosystem, where data circulate like nutrients in a rain forest.” Information in this ecosystem is “analyzed, repackaged, digested, and passed on down to the next link in the chain. It flows.”
Or, according to Stephen Downes, the web is “shifting from being a medium in which information was transmitted and consumed, into being a platform, in which content is created, shared, remixed, repurposed, and passed along. And what people were doing with the Web was not merely reading books, listening to the radio or watching TV, but having a conversation, with a vocabulary consisting not just of words but of images, video, multimedia and whatever they could get their hands on.”
Web 2 in development …
Individuals and organizations in the development sector are beginning to explore and experiment with Web 2.0 approaches. Blogs and Wiki’s are starting to be used more widely, there are some applications of social bookmarking, and RSS feeds are becoming more and more common. The potential to enhance information access, sharing, dissemination and collaboration geared to development purposes is immense.
To effectively grasp these potentials, organizations and individuals working with any kind of development information, data or content need to understand Web 2.0 principles, know how specific applications can be used to deliver products and services, and be able to integrate them into already existing systems of content generation, sharing and dissemination.
The workshop …
On Thursday 9 November, Euforic introduced the ideas and notions associated with this ‘new’ web, illustrating how they are being – and could be – used by development organizations. Intended for communication and information officers of development networks and groups in Brussels, the session required no technical expertise, simply an interest in communicating development activities across the web and some familiarity with the Internet.
The session was informal and participatory. After an introduction to the subject, including illustrations and demonstrations, participants explored some popular web2 applications for themselves, assessing and discussing their potential usefulness.
Participants left the session with a general awareness of the main ideas underlying the coming ‘new’ web and an understanding of how some specific tools are being used in development. They were also able to put some applications to immediate use in their own organizations – such as RSS feeds, social bookmarking, or blogs.
Euforic experiences with ‘web 2.0’ tools such as blogger, del.icio,us, dgroups, zvents, feedburner, swicki, and others was the practical basis for the course which gave also insights into ways that other organizations in development are using these tools in creative and effective ways.
To have more information on the course, or to know about future 'web 2.0' workshops, visit Euforic's information, knowledge, communication dossier or send an email to Pier Andrea Pirani at info@euforic.org.
The next generation web …
According to one observer, there’s a “revolution under way right now, one that is likely to fundamentally transform the way we use the Web in the coming years… The result is the equivalent of a massive software upgrade for the entire Web, what some commentators have taken to calling Web 2.0. Essentially, the Web is shifting from an international library of interlinked pages to an information ecosystem, where data circulate like nutrients in a rain forest.” Information in this ecosystem is “analyzed, repackaged, digested, and passed on down to the next link in the chain. It flows.”
Or, according to Stephen Downes, the web is “shifting from being a medium in which information was transmitted and consumed, into being a platform, in which content is created, shared, remixed, repurposed, and passed along. And what people were doing with the Web was not merely reading books, listening to the radio or watching TV, but having a conversation, with a vocabulary consisting not just of words but of images, video, multimedia and whatever they could get their hands on.”
Web 2 in development …
Individuals and organizations in the development sector are beginning to explore and experiment with Web 2.0 approaches. Blogs and Wiki’s are starting to be used more widely, there are some applications of social bookmarking, and RSS feeds are becoming more and more common. The potential to enhance information access, sharing, dissemination and collaboration geared to development purposes is immense.
To effectively grasp these potentials, organizations and individuals working with any kind of development information, data or content need to understand Web 2.0 principles, know how specific applications can be used to deliver products and services, and be able to integrate them into already existing systems of content generation, sharing and dissemination.
The workshop …
On Thursday 9 November, Euforic introduced the ideas and notions associated with this ‘new’ web, illustrating how they are being – and could be – used by development organizations. Intended for communication and information officers of development networks and groups in Brussels, the session required no technical expertise, simply an interest in communicating development activities across the web and some familiarity with the Internet.
The session was informal and participatory. After an introduction to the subject, including illustrations and demonstrations, participants explored some popular web2 applications for themselves, assessing and discussing their potential usefulness.
Participants left the session with a general awareness of the main ideas underlying the coming ‘new’ web and an understanding of how some specific tools are being used in development. They were also able to put some applications to immediate use in their own organizations – such as RSS feeds, social bookmarking, or blogs.
Euforic experiences with ‘web 2.0’ tools such as blogger, del.icio,us, dgroups, zvents, feedburner, swicki, and others was the practical basis for the course which gave also insights into ways that other organizations in development are using these tools in creative and effective ways.
To have more information on the course, or to know about future 'web 2.0' workshops, visit Euforic's information, knowledge, communication dossier or send an email to Pier Andrea Pirani at info@euforic.org.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Dgroup administrators meet to compare notes
Fifteen people working as administrators and moderators of discussion groups on the Dgroups platform met up last week to exchange experiences and lessons using Dgroups.
Dgroups was created in 2002 and is currently supported by some 21 organizations – such as DFID, IDRC, IICD, OneWorld and the World Bank. These have combined to create and sustain a platform that has allowed almost 60,000 people to exchange information, prepare positions, hold conferences, collaborate on joint ventures, and generally engage in dialogue that supports more inclusive and participatory forms of development.
In recent years, both the number of new groups and new users has grown rapidly and participants in the ICCO-hosted workshop in Utrecht were keen to exchange ways to make most effective use of their Dgroups.
To feed the discussions, participants from ECDPM, FAO, IICD, INASP, and KIT shared their experiences using the platform. A striking element from these, and other experiences brought to the discussions, was the great variety of uses that the platform is being used for.
Building on an earlier 2004 study on the uses of Dgroups in Latin America, participants sought to characterize their uses in the following categories: Internal communication among people individuals in the same organization; Communication between organizations; Organization of events; Virtual communities; Virtual forums of limited duration; Work groups facilitating coordination on a specific task; Publishing and distribution of news etc.
The results for the 142 groups administered by participants in the workshop showed that 33% were for virtual communities, 27% for internal communication, 14% were virtual forums, and 10% were for cross-organization communication.
In terms of processes (or purposes) of different Dgroups, participants explored the notion that a Dgroup can serve a ‘rainmaking’ function – in which people come together, ‘seed’ ideas, and ‘condense’ collaborative activities that spin off from the Dgroup and its community. This goes beyond communication or joint tasking; it seems that (some) members of a group often build on the group interactions and dynamics to generate various other (unplanned or unexpected) products.
Other processes (or purposes) identified that justify use of a Dgroup include: Consensus building; consultation; networking; facilitating collective action; promoting events, public relations; questions and answers, peer2peer help; supporting other knowledge sharing or dissemination instruments; information management with group ; sharing documents, links, resources; learning; generating new knowledge and understanding; sharing with Southern partners; generating motivation and participation; testing and teaching; and promoting professional development.
In 2006, Euforic Director Peter Ballantyne took a coordination role in Dgroups, including the preparation of a forward looking ‘roadmap’ for the partnership and contributing to this meeting. A report of the workshop is available on the Dgroups ‘administrators’ space.
Visit Dgroups at www.dgroups.org
Dgroups was created in 2002 and is currently supported by some 21 organizations – such as DFID, IDRC, IICD, OneWorld and the World Bank. These have combined to create and sustain a platform that has allowed almost 60,000 people to exchange information, prepare positions, hold conferences, collaborate on joint ventures, and generally engage in dialogue that supports more inclusive and participatory forms of development.
In recent years, both the number of new groups and new users has grown rapidly and participants in the ICCO-hosted workshop in Utrecht were keen to exchange ways to make most effective use of their Dgroups.
To feed the discussions, participants from ECDPM, FAO, IICD, INASP, and KIT shared their experiences using the platform. A striking element from these, and other experiences brought to the discussions, was the great variety of uses that the platform is being used for.
Building on an earlier 2004 study on the uses of Dgroups in Latin America, participants sought to characterize their uses in the following categories: Internal communication among people individuals in the same organization; Communication between organizations; Organization of events; Virtual communities; Virtual forums of limited duration; Work groups facilitating coordination on a specific task; Publishing and distribution of news etc.
The results for the 142 groups administered by participants in the workshop showed that 33% were for virtual communities, 27% for internal communication, 14% were virtual forums, and 10% were for cross-organization communication.
In terms of processes (or purposes) of different Dgroups, participants explored the notion that a Dgroup can serve a ‘rainmaking’ function – in which people come together, ‘seed’ ideas, and ‘condense’ collaborative activities that spin off from the Dgroup and its community. This goes beyond communication or joint tasking; it seems that (some) members of a group often build on the group interactions and dynamics to generate various other (unplanned or unexpected) products.
Other processes (or purposes) identified that justify use of a Dgroup include: Consensus building; consultation; networking; facilitating collective action; promoting events, public relations; questions and answers, peer2peer help; supporting other knowledge sharing or dissemination instruments; information management with group ; sharing documents, links, resources; learning; generating new knowledge and understanding; sharing with Southern partners; generating motivation and participation; testing and teaching; and promoting professional development.
In 2006, Euforic Director Peter Ballantyne took a coordination role in Dgroups, including the preparation of a forward looking ‘roadmap’ for the partnership and contributing to this meeting. A report of the workshop is available on the Dgroups ‘administrators’ space.
Visit Dgroups at www.dgroups.org
Monday, April 24, 2006
E-Consultations on ACP-EU fisheries relations
CTA, CFFA, and Euforic published a report of a series of e-discussions held in 2005 and 2006 on two important subjects concerning fisheries development in ACP countries: "Illegal, Unregulated, Unreported (IUU) fishing", and "access to markets." This followed from an earlier conference hosted by CTA in 2004.
The report is available online (and in French). More information on this issue is available on the Euforic ACP Fisheries dossier.
The report is available online (and in French). More information on this issue is available on the Euforic ACP Fisheries dossier.
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