Calling all knowledge champions: join our write-shop and contribute your vision to the Agenda Knowledge for Development

The Knowledge for Development Partnership (K4DP) is embarking on an ambitious update to the Agenda Knowledge for Development¹. First published in 2017, this global agenda provides a universal framework for nurturing knowledge societies and achieving the UN’s Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals².

The fourth edition of the Agenda Knowledge for Development is an initiative of the Knowledge for Development Partnership, sharing a vision of how knowledge and knowledge societies can contribute to an inclusive approach to human development. The third edition of the Agenda Knowledge for Development featured 14 Knowledge Development Goals designed to complement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the perspective of knowledge. It also includes 130 personal statements in which leading individuals put forward their personal views and perspectives on knowledge societies. The Agenda is available in 4 different languages: English, Bengali, French, and Spanish. Developed by an international coalition of civil society organisations, enterprises, and academics, and led by Knowledge Management Austria, the Agenda emphasises that knowledge is indispensable to individuals, communities, enterprises, governments, and the global community, making it an intrinsic part of sustainable development.

The 4th edition of the Agenda is currently in progress and is to be published in July 2024. K4DP is determined to reflect the latest understandings of how knowledge and knowledge management can drive sustainable development worldwide. It will feature statements from individuals with diverse societal and regional backgrounds, showcasing the variety of perspectives, issues, and considerations related to knowledge for development. This updated Agenda will play a pivotal role in our advocacy efforts leading up to the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024. Adopting the Agenda Knowledge for Development is the main call of the RealKM Cooperative Limited, Knowledge Management for Development (KM4Dev) community and K4DP campaign to the United Nations and its member states which can be read about in the newly launched journal editorial³ and February’s open letter⁴.

Diverse voices wanted

To ensure this new edition captures a true diversity of perspectives, K4DP is issuing an open invitation to stakeholders across all sectors to actively contribute their voices, visions and ideas. We want to hear from governments, businesses, NGOs, international organisations, academia, and passionate individuals dedicated to creating positive change through knowledge.

Ways to get involved:

1. Submit a personal statement (<250 words) expressing your vision for knowledge management and the knowledge society, the key challenges, and proposed solutions or actions in English or French.
2. Participate in a write-shop on 29 May to write your statement with others.

The write-shop

To empower new contributions, K4DP is hosting a special interactive write-shop on Wednesday, 29th May from 3-4:30 pm CEST with Madina Ba from K4DP facilitating and Andreas Brander speaking. The write-shop will be held as KM4Dev Knowledge Café 34 with support from RealKM Magazine. This collaborative virtual write-shop will guide participants step-by-step through articulating their perspectives into clear, compelling personal statements for inclusion in the updated Agenda.

In this write-shop, you’ll also have the opportunity to engage with other participants from diverse backgrounds from across the globe, witnessing firsthand the richness of how personal experiences and cultural lenses shape our understanding of knowledge for sustainable development.

Your statement, our collective future

Whether your statement focuses on envisioning an ideal knowledge society, shedding light on urgent challenges, or proposing concrete actions, it will help inform the new Agenda‘s roadmap and recommendations. This updated Agenda will serve as a vital tool for advancing peaceful, prosperous, sustainable and inclusive knowledge societies across the globe.

We urge you to be part of this important work by participating in the write-shop and submitting your statement.  Together, we can elevate the vital role of knowledge and knowledge management in catalysing positive change and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Don’t miss this unprecedented opportunity! Please register. Together, through this updated agenda, we can shape a future where knowledge empowers and transforms lives worldwide. Join us in this exciting journey and be part of a global movement towards sustainable development and inclusive knowledge societies. We look forward to your active participation and to seeing the innovative ideas and perspectives you will bring. Let’s unite our voices and ideas to create a future where knowledge empowers transformation for all.

Authors:

Madina Ba
Knowledge for Development Partnership

Sarah Cummings, PhD
Knowledge for Development Partnership

Professor Andreas Brandner
Knowledge for Development Partnership

References: