The ICT-KM Program of the CGIAR promotes and supports the use of information and communications technology (ICT) and knowledge management (KM) to improve the effectiveness of the CGIAR System’s work on behalf of the poor in developing countries.
The Need
The world is undergoing profound economic, technological and social changes. In addition, scientific practices are becoming more and more information intensive and multi-disciplinary, requiring up-to-date communications infrastructure and knowledge sharing practices. If it is to sustain its mission, the CGIAR must continue to generate, safeguard and share knowledge in new ways.
Program Response
The ICT-KM Program helps the CGIAR develop and sustain a culture of active information and knowledge sharing. This involves timely yet cost-effective multi-directional communications, the know-how to collaborate, and the tools to support multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams. The Program also supports champions of these changes throughout the System, explores and encourages incentives for change, and sponsors projects that show demonstrable value and impact.
Program Structure and Delivery
The Program is managed by the CGIAR Chief Information Officer out of Bioversity International in Rome, Italy. During its first three years, the Program was guided by an ICT-KM Strategy developed through broad consultations with the assistance of an Advisory Group representing most of the CGIAR’s 15 Centers and functional levels. The CIO office continues to oversee a series of projects, as well as other Program activities that include the nurturing of communities and connections, negotiating economies of scale across Centers, and ongoing evaluation and learning.
