(Sorry for cross-posting)

The latest issue of the Knowledge Management for Development Journal (May 2015) is dedicated to: “Facilitation for development. Concepts, practices and approaches to share, learn and improve outcomes for societal development, based in the experience of knowledge management for development practitioners.”

Find the issue here: http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/index

And a description of the papers below.

We are very happy with this issue and hope you will like it too. Read more about our impressions on this field of ‘facilitation for development’ in the editorial (http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/article/view/275/348).

Ewen Le Borgne, Pete Cranston, Philipp Grunewald, Blane Harvey, Carl Jackson, Lucie Lamoureux, Linda Morris, Simone Staiger

Guest Editors, Knowledge management for development journal, issue 11.1 (May 2015)

Papers

Two recent phenomena related to sustainable agricultural development converge to frame the article ‘Facilitating gender-inclusive agri-business’ (by Anna Laven and Rhiannon Pyburn) namely the prioritization of gender and the expanding role of the private sector in agro-businesses. The authors distinguish three arrangements used by large private sector players that operate in international agricultural value chains to link business to sustainable development goals and look at the role of facilitation in getting gender higher on the corporate agendas. The authors use concrete examples from their professional experiences within the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT). Read it here: http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/article/view/203/343

Ashley Mullinax and Cydney Gumann outline in ‘The facilitator role within learning networks at USAID’ how the United States Agency for International Development approaches learning networks and translates some of the lessons they have generated into a facilitation framework available for others to adopt and adapt. In their work they attempt to address learning objectives on industry, network and organizational levels; the authors share insights from these attempts. Additionally, they outline recommendations for the planning of a learning network and show various aspects, related to inter- and intra-personal dynamics, that a facilitator should be aware of when involved with a learning network. Read it here: http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/article/view/243/344

In ‘Designing facilitation for a knowledge share fair: practical steps’ Sophie Treinen et al. then take us through the practical steps for designing the facilitation of a knowledge share fair, based on the experience of several share fairs organized between 2009 and 2014 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This paper details the role of the facilitator in the design process and the importance of selecting a good mix of knowledge sharing methods to support knowledge exchange and the event’s overarching goals. Read it here: http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/article/view/200/345

Case studies

Petra Herout and Elisabeth Schmid offer a case study ‘Doing, Knowing, Learning. Systematization of Experiences based on the Knowledge Management Approach of HORIZONT3000’ in which they argue that to enable successful processes of learning, rather than information exchange, they recommend a facilitative approach that actively involves all stakeholder on equal footing. The shared experiences gained in such processes can lead, through self-awareness and self-reflection, to changes in practice. In particular, they consider internal vs. external facilitation in the ‘systematization of experiences’ method. Read it here: http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/article/view/253/349

In ‘Group facilitation: Experiences and lessons from international agricultural research organizations’, Simone Staiger-Rivas, Ewen Le Borgne, Michael Victor, Juergen Hagmann, Cristina Sette and Petr Kosina put their collective experience as well as results from a survey and follow-up interviews into an overview of group facilitation at CGIAR over a 10-year period, thereby reflecting on how the practice of event facilitation has evolved as to spread onto much wider processes of engagement. Read it here: http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/article/view/211/350

‘Co-Design for Collaborative Problem Solving’ (Carl Jackson) uses Human-centered design approaches to encourage staff in the international development sector to experience alternative ways of exploring problems and forming solutions by drawing on humanitarian disciplines such as art, theater or craft. Jackson walks us through a complete co-design process using an example of a program that focuses on issues of governance and accountability by enabling citizen engagement and open, responsive government in 12 countries in Africa and Asia. Jackson makes the case for this approach to build enthusiasm for a more engaged, interactive, collaborative, and learning orientated form of group work. Read it here: http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/article/view/197/351

In ’Where lectures meet KM4Dev practice’ John Akude, Peter J. Bury, Philipp Grunewald and Jaap (W.J.) Pels track their efforts to transform a conventional conference with lectures to a more inclusive and interactive learning and sharing event, inspired and supported by the global KM4Dev community. They analyze crucial moments that shaped the facilitation process, report on its unfolding and review the effectiveness of facilitator notes, providing information and insights for others who might wish to take a similar path. Read it here: http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/article/view/277/352

Shifting slightly away from the use of facilitation, Lefore’s contribution ‘Strengthening facilitation competencies in development – Case study of the processes, challenges and lessons of a learning alliance to develop facilitators for local community engagement’ makes a case investing into developing local facilitation capacities among those who hold an ongoing stake in the development challenges being confronted. She describes the case of the IMAWESA network’s systemic approach to building facilitation capacity within water users’ associations. Lefore concludes with a series of lessons learned to be considered for similar initiatives, including the need for senior-level buy-in to the undertaking, and continuity in the group of participants engaged in capacity development efforts. Read it here: http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/article/view/197/353

Community note

In their community note on this issue’s theme, ‘The Heaven and Hell of Facilitation’, White and Lamoureux, two experienced facilitators, reflect on multiple dimensions of facilitation - describing the ‘heaven’ and ‘hell’ scenarios for each, and giving practical tips to ensure facilitation success. Read it here: http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/article/view/197/354

Review

In what is actually not a publication review, ‘Blogosphere review: Facilitating interactions through blogs and posts’ draws a list of blogs and blog posts that editors of this issue and KM4Dev members have found particularly inspiring on the topic of facilitation and facilitated collective action, and have crowdsourced for this issue. Read it here: http://journal.km4dev.org/index.php/km4dj/article/view/197/355