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Communicating Knowledge Assisi, Italy - 18 to 22 June 2006
CONTENT
Experience has shown that knowledge is a key element of any development effort. Its use and application by project stakeholders can significantly shape the outcomes of a project. Agricultural producers in rural settings require information on input and production markets, weather, calamities etc., as well as on technology and quality standards. In addition they need the capacities to use information and to generate knowledge. Achieving further increases in productivity is greatly dependent on knowing how to fine-tune natural resource management and make judicious use of inputs. A knowledge-intensive type of production also implies that those who provide support services are adequately skilled to respond to farmers needs and to keep abreast of market trends, and that more demand-oriented research, technology transfer and training are also required. Institutions, organizations and in particular development projects need efficient internal and external knowledge management: the knowledge base (data, information, experience and skills) needs to be analyzed, synthesized and made available in a systematic way to be productively put to use. Active knowledge management leads to increased efficiency and quality in planning and implementation of programs.
Today the information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as the Internet and mobile telephones, have become a crucial force in world economic and social development and can significantly assist countries in addressing major obstacles in agriculture and rural development. Particularly in rural areas, which are characterized by a dearth of information and skills due to remoteness, poor infrastructure, low population density and lack of resources, they can significantly increase the possibilities for knowledge creation, sharing and dissemination. Knowledge transfer and sharing processes however, are far more complex than the simple transfer of information.
Existing knowledge is often not readily useful for solving local problems. Whether it is locally generated or acquired from global resources, knowledge must be shared and delivered to users in appropriate formats and channels that are relevant to them for solving their problems and making informed decisions. Everyone has to use knowledge that is specific to his or her own situation. While more knowledge is available, it is even more critical to develop local capacity to actually absorb and interpret this knowledge. Yet, knowledge is also an economic good that has a price and may be difficult to access. Therefore the question for rural dwellers in low-income countries is who generates and controls the relevant knowledge.
While access to an abundance of information and knowledge could not be possible without information technology, the key issues around communication and knowledge management, the rules, concepts and structures are not about technology. Communicating knowledge requires the conveying of insights, skills or experiences which cannot be simply communicated through a channel as facts or figures.
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