worldbank/devforum/ Shobha Kumar, Jeeyeon Seo

1. WBI Multimedia Center Introduction to http://www.worldbank.org/devforum/ Shobha Kumar, Jeeyeon Seo

2. E-discussions, Virtual Communities of Practice, and Online Consultations E-discussions:a limited time activity, multi-way discussions/dialog on a specific topic, contributors interact with one another and the moderators. Communities of Practice: an ongoing virtual community of interest informally bound together by shared expertise, contributors interact with one another and the moderators. Consultations: a limited time activity, comments and critique invited on prepared material.

3. Source: The Wireless Internet Opportunity for Developing Countries, 2003 Source: http://globstat.unctad.org/html/index.html Wide spread internet connection but Bandwidth issues still there

4. What is DevForum? • The Bank’s main space for e-discussions and consultations since 1998 (also support communities of practice). • Promotes and stimulates public debate • Facilitates multi-directional knowledge-sharing and learning on key development issues • Currently managed by the Multimedia center of the World Bank Institute

5. Evolution of technical Platform 1998-2000 2000-2004 2004-current Lyris + customized web interface Lyris Majordomo • Mailing List Off-the-shelf products • Registration • Calendar • File uploading functions Mailing List Off-the-shelf products Maintained by ISG Maintained by Bellanet

6. What is DGroups? • A joint initiative sponsored by 8 different development organizations, Bellanet, DFID, Hivos, ICA, IICD, OneWorld, UNAIDS, and World Bank. • An aggregation of online groups working in the development sector on various issues • The DGroups server is maintained by Bellanet, a small NGO connected to CIDA, located in Ottawa.

7. Why the mailing list is so special? • Use email as the core of its technical operations • Help your target audience with low bandwidth connections, make it easier for their voices to be heard

8. DevForum Homepage (www.worldbank.org/devforum)

9. Sample

10. Sample

11. How does it work? • Email & web-based discussions • Mostly open to the public and moderated • Focused on a particular subject • Limited in duration • Archived on the web for future reference • Complies with the Bank’s accessibility audit of its electronic and information technology environment • Sponsored by the Bank and/or partner organizations

12. Send an email Content Moderator Technical Admin.

13. Features • share different types of resource files • access subscriber activity reports • access to convenient member profile forms • access message sending statistics • add list members easily • use a built-in group calendar

14. How can I use DevForum for my work? For Bank staff and its partners interested in: • complementing their learning and knowledge sharing activities, VCs, f2f meetings, annual conferences • enhancing the impact of their programs through sustained knowledge-sharing • using an online tool for working groups and task teams • soliciting comments and critique on prepared materials

15. How can I use DevForum for my work?(contd.) • sustaining an ongoing virtual community of interest • collaborating with partners and stakeholders in planning for events • conducting needs assessment for planned activities • initiating and sustaining outreach activities (newsletters mailings, announcements) More than 500 discussions involving 100,00 + participants

16. Strategic Approaches/Applications • E-discussion: Corporate Social Responsibility http://dgroups.org/groups/worldbank/CSR-Competitiveness/ 495 members, 287 messages, 8 resources • Community of Practice: Off-the-Shelf Initiative http://www.dgroups.org/groups/worldbank/off-the-shelf/ 73 members, 130 messages, 18 resources • Consultation: WDR Initial Draft 2006http://www.dgroups.org/groups/worldbank/WDR2006/ 571 members, 107 messages, 3 resources

17. Contact For specific assistance and advise on how to set up your discussion, contact: Shobha Kumar, skumar1@worldbank.orgX87021 Jeeyeon Seo, jseo@worldbank.org X30188

18. Key steps and generic timeline for organizing a discussion Before launch: • 3-4 weeks :set the topic for discussion, contact the DevForum team, plan and design, set the objectives and clear indicators of success, allocate resources, define roles and responsibilities, select and recruit partners (if needed) • 2 weeks:publicize, hire content moderators Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ Æ

19. Key steps (contd) Launching the Discussion:ÆPost introductory message, Æset direction, Æapprove members, Æpost responses from members During the Discussion:Æpost messages daily, Æguide participation, Æguide quality and tone, Æsynthesize the discussion weekly/daily.

20. Key Steps(contd) • Concluding the Discussion:Æpost participant survey (if needed), or seek informal participant feedback,Æsummarize the discussion, Æformally close the discussion. • Follow-up to Discussion:ÆReview participant feedback, Æintegrate the conclusions/discussion feedback in the final product/activity/document etc.

21. Next Steps: Fill out the form Download a form at: http://info.worldbank.org/etools/library/viewlatest.asp?160805 A discussion space will be created for you within a week.