1 RESOURCE CENTRE NETWORK (RCN)DEVELOPMENT PROJECT AN INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE WASH SECTOR.

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RESOURCE CENTRE NETWORK(RCN)DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

AN INITIATIVE TO PROMOTEINFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGEMANAGEMENT WITHIN THE WASH SECTOR

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Your people

Collaborate &

communicate ‘Modern

’Library

Genererateknowledge

Storing knowledge

DisseminatePolitical and policy stakeholders

ICT systems

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Advocacy workshop held in May 2004 to raise profile of KM and decide on priority actions

May 2004 workshop led to the establishment of an interim Task Force (TF). Periodic meetings hosted and chaired by CWSA.

Task Force was tasked with development of framework for long term development of KM within the Sector

TF has Developed framework for KM in Water Sector (Concept Paper)

Task Force carried out KM management Scan and detailed studies

Key output was a Concept Paper outlines scope of interventions, institutional requirements and financing options.

Sector Efforts to Strengthen KM

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Situation with KM in Ghana

Little effort to institutionalise Knowledge Management

Generally Capacity for KM in the Sector is weak. • Lack of awareness about importance of information and

knowledge management • Little research and lack of documentation means little

information to share within Sector (few publications and ICT based information)

• Currently commonest ways of KM sharing are through verbal channels eg. Through training, workshops, seminars, sector fora etc. (ICT often more efficient)

• Inadequate infrastructure (ICT, libraries, archives etc) and trained personnel for knowledge management

• A general lack of financial support for KM activities from Donors, Governments and from organisations.

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KEY CHALLENGES FOR KM DEVELOPMENT

More effort and resources are required to achieve the ff:

Strengthen Coordination of KM activities- Establish and equip the RCN Secretariat- Strengthen the roles of RCN, Steering Committee. RCN Secretariat, Promote learning alliances

Improve resourcing of KM activities- Core funds for RCNS, Steering Committees and LAs - Increased funding for Knowledge Development- Cost recovery for KM services?

Intensify efforts to change attitudes towards KM- Institutionalise documentation within CWSA- Intensify Knowledge sharing- Incentives for knowledge management

Ongoing effort to Improve infrastructure for KM- ICT, Resource Centres, Archives etc.

Development of KM at Decentralised Levels

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KM -STEERING COMMITTEE

KM-Secretariat

IntegratedWater

ResourceManagement

Academic-research – pre-service training in: IWRM,

Utilities,engineering

Pro-poor rural and urban Water supply and sanitation

Resource Centre (incl in-service-training) on

Community and small town water and sanitation

RESOURCE CENTRE NETWORK - GHANA

WRI TRENDWaterAidKNUST/ DCE

Learning Alliances at national level

Steering Committee: the governing body.Anchored in the MWH’s Water Directorate. Other members: government agencies, private sector representatives and NGOs

Secretariat: admin and information distribution function. Housed in CWSA.

Resource Centre Network: management and operational body on sector KM.

Institutional Set-up of Resource Centre Network in Ghana:

PROPOSED STRUCTURE FOR RCN

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PROPOSALS FOR RCN MANAGEMENT

Secretariat will be anchored in the MWRWH, initial proposal is for it to be housed in CWSA Head Office.

Specific Roles of the RCN Secretariat will include: Planning and coordinating of Steering Committee and RCN

activities, Facilitating communication between the Steering

Committee and the RCN partners, Fundraising for KM activities Coordinating and facilitating knowledge product

development, in cooperation with the Resource Centres, Administration of RCN contracts, bookkeeping for the KM

Initiative Monitoring RCN process and Promoting RCN at key sector

events

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The Steering Committee• The Steering Committee will constitute a coordination group

to oversee the implementation of various core KM activities. • Will steer policies, strategies, frameworks and projects,

define new action plans and approve new memberships.

The Resource Centre Network: Key Roles of Resource Centres will be:

• Developing new knowledge and information to fill critical gaps;

• Providing information, knowledge services and products; • Promoting the effective use of knowledge among sector

institutions and stakeholders. • Constituting a sector memory in a country or a region

where they operate. • Initially comprised WaterAid, WRI/WRC, TREND, KNUST• More members expected as more organisations adopt KM

The National Level Learning Alliance

PROPOSALS FOR RCN MANAGEMENT

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OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT EFFORT

Key Objectives:

To Strengthen Coordination of KM activities- Establish and equip the RCN Secretariat- Strengthen the roles of RCN, Steering Committee. RCN Secretariat, Promote learning alliances

Improve resourcing of KM activities- Core funds for RCNS, Steering Committees and LAs - Increased funding for Knowledge Development- Cost recovery for KM services?

Intensify efforts to change attitudes towards KM- Institutionalise documentation within CWSA- Intensify Knowledge sharing- Incentives for knowledge management

Ongoing effort to Improve infrastructure for KM- ICT Facilities, Resource Centres, Archives etc.

Development of KM at Decentralised Levels

Expected Outputs of Current Effort KM is institutionalised within the Sector:

A KM Coordinator has been appointed A well functioning and recognised KM Secretariat is in place The KM Secretariat is coordinating and facilitating

operations of the Steering Commitee Resource Centre Network Learning Alliances

Knowledge Products and Services Sector website (www.ghana.watsan.net) Regularly updated Blue Pages

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Expected Outputs of Current Effort

Promotional Materials on Knowledge Management Information Products: Factsheets, Newsletters, policy

briefs Enquiry Services, Structured Training, Knowledge gathering, dissemination institutionalised Development of walk-in and virtual libraries

Support given to promoting KM in various sector fora (with regard to KM)

Long term strategy/ Business Plan developed/update and implemented

Funding strategy developed and implemented

Communication and Advocacy strategy developed and operationalised

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WHERE ARE WE NOW?Some Progress has been made RCN Coordinator is in place More funding for KM initiatives from projects focusing on KM

initiated in the sector (WASHCOST, SWITCH, TPP, WSMP) all provide a basis for Knowledge development

Organisations like WaterAid, CONIWAS, WRC, CWSA all devoting more resources to KM

But Major Challenges lie Ahead ICT situation still weak in most organistaions Challenges in dealing with the MMDAs Attitudes about documentation and sharing of Big challenges with sustainability of the current effort unless level

of funding improves.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

CONTACT RCN Secretariat [email protected] www.ghana.watsan.net (from 1 Oct)

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