In an effort to assist the thousands of aid workers in Haiti responding to the aftermath of the 7.0 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, K4Health has published the Haiti Relief Toolkit which provides practical and technical health-related information for those on the ground.

The results of this Survey Questionnaire are expected to inform a Paper on the links between documenting experience and innovation. It will be presented at the coming IAALD Congress scheduled on April 26-29, 2010 in Montpellier, France. The paper will be submitted to the Scientific Committee of the aforesaid Congress by February 1st, 2010.

The Questionnaire targets experienced institutions and resource persons in terms of documenting experience. The aim is to clearly establish a link between documenting experience and innovation.

The objectives of the questionnaire are to:

• have a situation of reference in documenting experience in West and Central Africa: aim, organisational structures, process, products, resources, lessons and challenges;

• identify the arguments allowing to show the articulation between documenting experience and innovation;
  

(This post was originally published on the K4Health Blog)

Whether you’re passionate about the health information needs of community health workers and policy makers in Malawi, or are interested in learning the preferred formats and methods to receive and find that information, you’re sure to find something interesting in K4Health’s latest report, Malawi: Assessment of Information Needs Among Health Managers and Service Providers.

As emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs) diffuse throughout the world, the transference of knowledge, ideas and perspectives has become more seamless, instant and affordable. On the same token, however, the ability to reach the right audiences amidst all the noise is becoming more difficult.

ICTs have democratized publishing, allowing organizations, large and small, to sidestep traditional media outlets and step onto their own digital soapboxes and broadcast their perspectives, knowledge and news in real-time. While empowering, the ease and affordability of publishing have also increased the amount of available content exponentially. Audiences are now inundated with volumes of information and messaging of varied quality, which can lead to information overload.

New HIV infections have been reduced by 17% over the past eight years, according to a joint report released today from UNAIDS and WHO. Needless to say, there is much to be proud of as we mark the 21st anniversary of World AIDS Day. However, as we take time today to reflect on the struggles and successes of the past three decades, it’s important we also prepare for the battles to come.

Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibé said, “The good news is that we have evidence that the declines we are seeing are due, at least in part, to HIV prevention.” He added, “However, the findings also show that prevention programming is often off the mark and that if we do a better job of getting resources and programs to where they will make most impact, quicker progress can be made and more lives saved.”