IK MEDIARIES CORE GROUP

REPORT BACK

4 – 6 Nov 2009

Where we come from

The beginning• May 2007, IDS – bringing together a group of actors involved in

increasing access to research, information & knowledge for development

Rationale

• The idea was to bring together actors involved in development into the front, get to know one another, talk to each other, learn from each other with the purpose of strengthening our work through

sharing and collaboration Who are the actors?• Synthesizers, signposters, communicators, librarians,

portal/gateway administrators

Where we come from cont.Objectives• Find out if there are any commonalities• Discover what we can learn from each other• Identify potential & possible areas for collaboration and exchangeWhat we did• It served as an introduction but we leanred so much of who we were, what

we could do and what we can share with each other.• ??? of what we do• Walk the talk• Highely interactive sessions• Did a supply-demand chain for information flowReflection• The 5-day workshop had been a journey - but little did we know that that it

is just the beginning of a more long term journey

Between ourselves workshop, July 2008

• Global representation• Touched on the important issues:

- reflect on conference proceedings- Strengthen our understanding of the role of intermediaries- Learn together & identify good practice- Broaden & develop the group into an ongoing platform for

collaboration • Chart a way forward • Establish a Core Group• Activities

Activities of Core Group

• Monthly meetings by phone• Developing a Membership Policy

- types of membership- requirements of membership- focus on peer learning & sharing experiences

• Funding issues - Scoping donors- Concept Note - Funding proposals

• Survey of member needs, profiles & interests• Formalize network

Opportunities

• Research undertaking• Helping others to adapt good practice• Capacity building – mentorship• Creating new products• Getting into a new country• Building thematic network members• Scholarly publication

Achievements

• Network moving from informal to formal one• Bilateral collaborations • Knowledge sharing & skills building eg. Web 2.0,

CSE• Organized events – 1 conference, & 3

workshops bringing together intermediaries 24 organisations (40 individual members)

• Publications on intermediary work• Discussion list and IKM webpage on IDS

website• Developed a Concept Note for fundraising

Report from Core Group Meeting2 – 3 November

• Network model

• Governance

• Transition Period

• Activities during transition period

• Collective responsibility: invitation to all here

• Secretariat and role of IDS