Mini Forum 1: Knowledge Sharing Networks and Network Governance

The Mini Forum, divided into 2 parts, will facilitate in-depth discussions on the topic of knowledge sharing mechanisms and the respective relevance and importance of networks and network governance for South-South and triangular cooperation. The event will outline and analyze emerging key South-South elements which are deemed to be incorporated at all levels of international as well as regional development cooperation. A particular point of interest will be the ability of Knowledge Exchange Networks to support and strengthen international energy, environment and climate goals and for the creation of “Inclusive Partnerships for Sustainable Development”.

 

Part 1: Networks for Prosperity. In this framework, UNIDO’s Networks for Prosperity initiative will be introduced and discussed. The Networks for Prosperity initiative (N4P) targets at facilitating international knowledge exchange and networking in the field of sustainable economic development and the respective policy-making processes. In line with this trend towards an increased importance of knowledge sharing and networking in development cooperation, the initiative launched the report “Networks for Prosperity: achieving development goals through knowledge sharing” in November 2011. This global study introduced a Connectedness Index (the first attempt to measure how countries and regions are networked) and highlighted in its recommendations that countries could significantly benefit from ensuring that national and international networks are successfully embedded. The conclusions and findings of this report plus other relevant outputs provided by the keynote speakers will be presented and discussed during the Mini Forum.  Participants are expected to take an active role in this interesting debate.

 

Part 2: ‘Industrial Knowledge Bank’ (IKB). The UNIDO Industrial Knowledge BANK (IKB) is an innovative South-South mechanism initiated in 2010. The IKB enhances the exchange of expertise and know-how between countries by leveraging the economic and distinctive intellectual resources of each of them. The IKB acts as a knowledge wheel of tripartite cooperation between countries: participating public and private institutions play alternatively the role of donors and recipients of knowledge. UNIDO plays the role of international knowledge assets repository and knowledge wheel manager. The economic resources for the international cooperations are leveraged through: knowledge donors that provide the expertise free of charge; the knowledge recipient that covers local expenses; and UNIDO that covers travel costs using its budgetary funds and a contribution from the Government of Spain. The IKB has so far organized over 40 technical cooperations (TA) with over 100 men/weeks at the fourth of the usual costs. Currently, the IKB counts with over 400 men/weeks of knowledge donations and with over 30 associated organizations. Participants at the mini forum will become acquainted with the mechanisms and achievements of the IKB through testimonials from selected participating institutions.