RAILS A framework for Strengthening & Scaling out Knowledge Sharing in NARS

1. RAILSA framework for Strengthening & Scaling out Knowledge Sharing in NARS Maputo, 25-27 October 2010 Dady Demby

2. Presentation Outline • About FARA • RAILS objectives and scope • Learning team concept • Building learning teams • RAILS focal point • RAILS Learning team • Selecting Learning team members • Expected outcomes • Supporting Learning teams • Conclusion

3. What is FARA? • FARA is theForum for Agricultural Research in Africa • It is an umbrella organization that brings together and form coalitions of major stakeholders in agricultural research and development in Africa • FARA complements the innovative activities of national, international and sub-regional research institutions to deliver more responsive and effective services to its stakeholders. • It plays an advocacy and coordination roles for agricultural research for development, while the national agricultural research systems (NARSs), advanced research institutions (ARIs) and international agricultural research centers (IARCs) develop improved technologies along the research-to-development continuum in their respective countries and coverage areas.

4. RAILS Regional Agricultural Information and Learning Systems Objectives: • Advocate for increased investments in agricultural information systems by the African governments and institutions. • Improve the access and contribution by African ARD Stakeholders in the global knowledge sharing • Facilitate agricultural information systems synergies and value-addition between international and national research for development institutions • Consolidate national, sub-regional and continental ARD information systems to create an African platform for AIS that could contribute to the global AIS.

5. RAILS Scope North African subregion ASARECA CORAF/WECARD SADC-FANR CARDESA

6. National focal point NASRO FARA-RAILS National focal point SRO AIS National focal point CORAF ASARECA SADC/ FANR National focal point Global knowledge through information and learning Facilitating Synergies and Complementarities between AIS

7. Building Learning Teams

8. Learning team concept • The learning team concept within RAILS is based on the recognition that an information system is made of the following main components: • People, • Technology, • Contents, and • Processes • The national learning team members are from various backgrounds and disciplines, working together as information intermediaries. • They should have a written approval from their institution

9. RAILS Focal Point • Contact person in an institution within a country • Responsibilities • Facilitate and coordinate RAILS related activities at the national level • Mobilizing and catalyzing the national RAILS team members • Coordinating procurement, delivery, installment and maintenance of RAILS equipments • Managing and promoting the country eRAILS portal • Advocating for investments in agricultural information and learning systems

10. RAILS Focal Point (Cont’d) • Responsibilities: • Promote and support the use of international information management/sharing standards • Actively participate in the RAILS consultations and other communication requirements

11. RAILS Learning team • From various backgrounds and disciplines: research, extension, civil society organizations, government agencies or international research and development organizations , etc. • Facilitation roles in information exchanges between the NARS stakeholders • delivering of agricultural information and communication services and products • developing relevant national information repositories • maintaining content of the national eRAILS portal • contributing to communication requirements • advocacy on the use of information and learning systems

12. RAILS Learning team • Contribute in sensitization of NARS stakeholders • Actively participate in activities organized within the RAILS framework • Contribute in building capacities of NARS stakeholders • Participate in the development of the national work plans • Contribute in building synergies in AIS

13. Selecting LT Members • Belong to a NARS institution • Have proven knowledge and/or experience in information and communication • Be currently involved in agricultural research for development • Experience in working within a multidisciplinary and multi-institutional team

14. Selecting LT Members(cont’d) • Have the mandate to manage their institutional information and communication needs • Willing to actively contribute in the implementation of activities related to RAILS in their country

15. Expectedresults • Learning teams established and active • Priority information needs identified • ICT equipments acquired and fully operational • Internet connectivity installed and functional • Server and software installed and functional • National portals activated and regularly updated with quality content • DONATA websites created and regularly updated • Information and knowledge sharing within and across NARS • Synergies with other AIS established

16. Support to Learning teams • IT infrastructure. • Computers and Accessories • Internet connectivity: VSAT or ADSL • Computers and accessories • Servers • Capacity building • Online training • F2F training

17. Building capacities, consensus and synergies at sub regional & regional levels

18. Conclusion • RAILS supports national efforts and doesn’t replace them • RAILS supports and add value to institutional efforts and doesn’t duplicate them • Therefore, RAILS activities should be embedded in the institution • National portals are the building block of eRAILS, therefore are critical to the success of the platform • Quality content development very important • National learning teams have a critical role in expanding networking and eRAILS scope at national level • ICT and connectivity support provided should be accessible to all LT members

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