IM/KM Issues Addressed in Recent International Conferences

This document collects and categorises major issues and recommendations related to information and knowledge management (IM/KM) that have appeared in recent international conferences and meetings both in the water sector (Streams e-conference, 3rd World Water Forum and 6th Water Information Summit) and in the broader development sector (Making Knowledge Networks Work for the Poor workshop and the World Summit on the Information Society).

Most attention so far has gone to three main issues:

• Improving access to information and knowledge - covering the availability, accessibility and affordability of information (especially of scientific information in developing countries)
• Promoting knowledge sharing, through learning circles and vertical/horizontal coalitions, peer-to-peer technology, communities of practice, infomediaries, help-desks, e-learning and better interaction/mutual learning with target groups (the poor).
• Networking: international and regional cooperation – covering networking models, “digital solidarity”, collaboration tools like portals and common terminology (thesaurus), network effectiveness, strengthening existing structures and Resource Centres.

Other issues such as the development of local content in local languages and dissemination channels besides Internet, capacity building, and quality control/standards were also mentioned several times.

Surprisingly little attention was given to new or innovative ICT tools, user needs, impact measurement, and the enabling environment (policies).

Not mentioned at all were advocacy for the promotion of IM/KM and ethical dimensions.