MDG-F Culture and Development Knowledge Management: our approach
What are we doing?
Through the MDG-F Knowledge Management project, UNESCO seeks to gather the information and knowledge generated across the Culture and Development Thematic Window in relation to:
- Achievements and impact on the targeted MDGs
- National ownership
- Success factors
- Operational challenges
- Joint Programme teams
- UNESCO Chair on Cultural Policies and Cooperation of the University of Girona, Spain
- “Silvia Santagata Research Centre”, one of the founding partners of the International Research Centre on the Economics of Culture and World Heritage Studies, a recently established category 2 centre under the auspices of UNESCO
- AECID Madrid, Department of Cooperation and Cultural Promotion
Why are we doing it?
Information about effective methodologies, challenges faced, and successful projects can serve as a useful resource for development practitioners. Such information can also contribute to optimising the relevance, efficiency and impact of future projects and programmes that may be implemented in the field of culture and development.
How are we doing it?
In order for the MDG-F Culture and Development Knowledge Management project to be effective, relevant, useful and cross-cutting across all 18 Joint Programmes, UNESCO followed a bottom-up participative approach. Consultations with JP teams were undertaken to facilitate an ongoing and comprehensive inventory of best practices and needs assessments.
Furthermore, UNESCO encouraged academic experts in the fields of economy of culture and social and cultural policy to contribute to the debate, in an effort to further enrich and inform the discussion.
UNESCO used three primary tools to collect, analyse and disseminate the knowledge generated about the JPs’ impact, success stories, and lessons learned:
(1) MDG-F Knowledge Management Culture and Development Questionnaire on impact and achievements, success stories and operational challenges
(2) Knowledge Management workshops
(3) Teamworks, an electronic platform developed by UNDP and adapted to the operational needs of the MDG-F
It is worth noting that the KM strategy and tools used were very specifically created within the framework of the MDG-F Joint Programmes of the Culture and Development Thematic Window, and often adapted to the unique challenges, opportunities and limitations associated with the MDG-F experience. Notwithstanding this specificity, these tools can still serve as a useful foundation upon which to inform future similar KM programmes on culture and development.
Whom are we partnering with?