Knowledge Management (and Capacity Development) for

Sustainable Water Management‘Knowledge for all - All for knowledge’

Ewen Le Borgne – IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

Outline

• The wider picture: Connectivity in the water sector

• Knowledge management, learning: What is it all about?

• Knowledge management and learning in the water sector

• Water and KM challenges and opportunities

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

THE WIDER PICTURE – CONNECTIVITY

IN THE WATER SECTOR

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

From ICT to ICT

• Internet and the connectivity revolution• Mobile technology: making it

happen• Web 2.0: from push to pull• The new dogma: connect or perish• In development: Connectivity for

empowerment

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

Connectivity in the water sector

• From working to networking

• The Information systems’ craze

• From organisational learning to ‘sector learning’?

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT, LEARNING…

WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

Some definitions

• Information? • Knowledge? K=I*ESA(-ish)• Learning?• Information management?• Knowledge management?

• Find your own definition!

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

The facets of knowledge

• The knowledge cycle

• Three generations of knowledge management: 1) stock 2) flow 3) co-create

• From knowledge management to knowledge sharing & learning

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

‘KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT’AND LEARNING

IN THE WATER SECTOR

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

Learning fields in the sector

Sector learning, coordination, networks and

learning alliances

Organisational learning, org.

capacity development

Skills training, education,

exchange visits

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

Barriers to learning in the water sector

• Many fishes in the pond

• Social exclusion (remember: empower)

• The research silo

• Reflect, learn, communicate, coordinate: capacity, capacity, capacity, capacity

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

WATER AND KM CHALLENGES

AND OPPORTUNITIES

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

Challenges in the Water sector

• Scaling up

• Going beyond urban

• Supporting decentralisation

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

KM challenges in the water sector

• Connecting actors• Translating messages• Encouraging:

– Joint vision – Joint action – Joint reflection

• Proving the value of (sector) learning• It’s all about doing things together

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

Some opportunities

• A wealth of tools to support learning and sharing

• Learning alliances: digging for deeper learning

• Resource centre networks: connecting the dots

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1

Other opportunities?

• What can you share today?

Thank you

Istanbul, 20 March 2009 - session 6.1.1