Expert Group Meeting on “Knowledge Management in the Public Sector” and “Knowledge Strategies for Development: Knowledge Networks”

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean is convening a combined Regional Expert Group Meeting on “Knowledge Management in the Public Sector”; and “Knowledge Strategies for Development: Knowledge Networks”, which will be held at its Port of Spain Office from Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 August 2011.

The findings of a report recently prepared by the ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean on the topic of Knowledge Management on the Public Sector will be presented at the meeting, and will serve as the basis for the deliberations.

The main aspects of the report are expected to be fundamental for the discussions, namely:

• Identifying existing trends, perceptions and practices that can be used for knowledge management initiatives in the Caribbean;
• Assessing current knowledge management practices used by subregional development agencies; and
• Determining how identified good practices and initiatives could be applied in government ministries and agencies in order to foster sustainable development.

The expert group meeting on knowledge management in the public sector will consider approaches to knowledge capture and sharing in order to identify good practices that could be implemented in government ministries and agencies that deal with economic, social and environmental development region-wide.

The second part of the meeting will focus on Knowledge Strategies for Development: Knowledge Networks. The findings of a report recently prepared by the ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean on the topic will be presented at this meeting, and will serve as the basis for the deliberations.

The main aspects of the report are expected to be fundamental for the discussions, namely:

• Analyse the concepts of “knowledge networks”, specifically definition, types and purpose; and
• Show the impacts that the active support and maintenance of knowledge networks could have on development by promoting better relationship between governments, stakeholders, agencies and citizens

The report is intended for Caribbean government ministries and development agencies that in their goal of achieving greater development could benefit from actively supporting and maintaining knowledge networks.

The expert group meeting on knowledge strategies for development will consider how to create awareness as it pertains to knowledge networks and the possible role that they can play in development of Caribbean countries.