The WaterWiki Effective Communication for Knowledge Exchange Is Anarchy the Key?

1. The WaterWiki Effective Communication for Knowledge Exchange Is Anarchy the Key? Juerg Staudenmann Water Governance Advisor (Bratislava Regional Centre) Communication WorkshopUNOV / Danube Reg. Project Vienna, 19/20 January 2006

2. Background and UNDP/RBEC’s approach • Large project portfolio and water-related activities last 12-15 years (GEF-IW, also CO level); • Network of WatGov experts and practitioners • 2005 ff.: Water Governance as Priority Area in UNDP/RBEC • Additional HR in Bratislava & CA to support to projects, colleagues and CoP) • Integration of GEF and non-GEF projects (& staff) • New knowledge management initiatives  Aim: To better capitalize on what we DO and CAN ! UNDP Regional Centre for Europe & CIS – Bratislava SK

3. UNDP/BRC’s Strategic Approachto strengthen the Water Governance Sub-Practice 4 pillars: • Regional & national Project Portfolio • Capture & making available regional knowledge, experience & expertise( Knowledge products and networks to “replicate good practice”) • Develop regional Capacity & Community of Practice (CoP) • Strategic Partnerships & R’ Mobilization  For 2 & 3, e.g.: WaterWiki UNDP Regional Centre for Europe & CIS – Bratislava SK

4. Briefly, WaterWiki is.. • An interactive website: • To access and share information, knowledge, experiences • For on-line collaborate and to build CoPs • Other uses as users deem useful… • A knowledge map and collaboration tool for Water Governance Practitioners • A flexible system to be adapted and adopted..  NOT a “normal website”! UNDP Regional Centre for Europe & CIS – Bratislava SK

5. Why WaterWiki ? • Desire to map projects and activities (on Water Governance), and have knowledge and experience (lessons) “At your finger-tips” • Aim to better connect practitioners and experts • Insight to keep it simple and flexible • Awareness that there are already many databases, websites, info portals, etc. etc. UNDP Regional Centre for Europe & CIS – Bratislava SK

6. Why WaterWiki ? (cont.) Therefore: • Should not duplicate, but rather guide to already existing info, databases, resources (knowledge map with “sign-posts”) • No aim to be 100% comprehensive (=too much) or correct (=too slow) • BUT: Provide a useful on-line tool (one-stop-shop) for practitioners in Europe & CIS developing and implementing Water Governance projects / initiatives UNDP Regional Centre for Europe & CIS – Bratislava SK

7. What is Wiki software? “Wiki Wiki” (Haiti) = Quick, flexible, informal • “Anyone” can edit anything in real-time • No hierarchal structures: all entries at same level but cross-linked (network) and/or ‘tagged’ with categories • No central control  publicly owned information (and thus “peer quality control”) • Simple to use Anarchy (but not disorder!) (Global example: http://wikipedia.org) UNDP Regional Centre for Europe & CIS – Bratislava SK

8. DEMONSTRATION... http://europeandcis.undp.org/WaterWiki (www.undp.sk Energy & Environment  Water Governance)

9. Other Knowledge Maps, Guides, Tools • http://mdg-guide.undp.org/ • http://europeandcis.undp.org/?wspc=HowToGuide_EE_Financing UNDP Regional Centre for Europe & CIS – Bratislava SK