Knowledge, Learning and Change in International Development

Overall Objective

Learning focused and knowledge management focused approaches to change often co-exist within the same organisations / networks, have distinctive terminologies. Some people work clearly in one area, some work across the spectrum and some people wear learning or knowledge management hats to suit different circumstances. However there have been few gatherings to explore whether these apparent differences are superficial or profound in relation to change within elite / powerful international development organisations / networks. Frequent change initiatives within international development organisations, networks and alliances would appear to be the norm (to refocus, reform or re-engineer internally to meet external political or economic demands). Finding common ground and ways to harmonize learning and knowledge management interventions could have significant consequences for processes of change (e.g. less cancelling out of competing initiatives, lower opportunity costs of duplication, potential for methodological innovation and learning).

The workshop will aim to achieve the following outcomes:

· people come away knowing more things and people (Change Indicator: participants report that understanding and relationships in the topic area have been influenced positively)

· people are enthused (Change Indicator: participants report that enthusiasm for further action within and without the KM4Dev Community has been sustained or increased)