THE FUTURE OF HUMAN, NATURE and KNOWLEDGE
by : Md Santo – MobeeKnowledge Services - http://mobeeknowledge.ning.com

“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.” - Stephen Covey
"Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." - Albert Einstein
....“I think the next century will be the century of Complexity.” - Stephen Hawking
..... Dear Hawking, it seems the next century will be the century of Knowledge.” - Md Santo

PROLOG
Considering, Human Knowledge evolved and generated from Human Knowing Tools (HKT) and most likely that “WE ARE KM-REGULATED BY NATURE vice-versa BY NATURE WE ARE KM MODEL” ( KM = Knowledge Management ) - http://mobeeknowledge.ning.com/forum/topics/we-are-kmregulated-by-nature

? Therefore, on redefining Knowledge :

Ten Landmarks Toward Next Generation Knowledge Management
Published: Feb 26, 2010 by Md Santo - http://bit.ly/fNCO9e
Category: How-To Guides/Manuals
Description : Discover the signs towards next generation Knowledge Management

KNOWLEDGE 'R' US (not KNOWLEDGE 'R' OURS)
Published: April 1, 2010 by Md Santo - http://bit.ly/eRWQD7
Category: Research > Science
Description : We are as Human Being in fact is the Knowledge itself because the Knowledge essentially behaving as Human Consciousness since beginning of our life functioning to lead us in our journey through the path of Physical Realities – Data – Information – Knowledge (narrow meaning) – Wisdom and above. So Knowledge should be treated as something which has broad meaning to our understanding. This paradigm surely will give significant impact on how we look at next gen KM as well as to the influence of how Science and Technology should developed

Please visit our blog and let us know what you think of this contribution - hoping we can help stimulate conversation on KM practice in Africa.

http://theknowledgecore.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/dont-start-a-km-project...

Hope to connect with people in this forum, please feel free to get in touch: David@theknowledgecore.com

Africa is perhaps the most culturally imaginative and creative region in the world. It is extremely diversified, rich in talents and ingenuity with unlimited resources and potential. It has colonized the planet and it enriches humanity through inimitable arts. Yet, one African out of two lives in dismal human conditions. And despite spectacular progress here and there, it also remains profoundly socially and culturally conditioned, corrupted, domesticated and debased by two self-inflicted intellectual and ritual servitudes – koranic and evangelical - and overwhelmingly regimented, disciplined and deceived by a host of indigenous erroneous beliefs, faulty dogmas, half-truths, intoxicating mythologies, life-denying superstitions, theological entrappings, mystifying fictions, unknown foundational assumptions, pipe-dreams, fantasies, charlatanisms, junk science and a flood of nonsense.

Transparency International, self-described as “the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption,” has released its 2010 league table of corrupt countries. Guess what: about 3/4 of the world’s nations are corrupt!

With governments committing huge sums to tackle the world’s most pressing problems, from the instability of financial markets to climate change and poverty, corruption remains an obstacle to achieving much needed progress. The 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index shows that nearly three quarters of the 178 countries in the index score below five, on a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt).

This is it , Collence Takaingenhamo Chisita with Dr.Chifeng from Taiwan and another Professor from India at a conference on LIS pedagogy.This was one of the greatest meeting which brought together LIS professionals and Knowledge management experts from different parts of the world.The seminar discussed current trends in LIS , for example, Web.2.0, Library 2.0, Knowledge Management, Multimodal literacies among other issues.The trio represents a new crop of Information professionals who are shaping the direction of the Information profession in the developing world.It was a blessing that the trio was able to meet and share ideas and experiences on how best to improve the profession.

As the flood waters begin to recede across Pakistan, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani says the government is now “seriously concerned” about the potential spread of epidemic diseases.

The flooding has left more than 1,600 people dead and approximately six million homeless. According to the BBC, about 17 million of Pakistan’s 166 million people have been affected by the disaster. In addition, the United Nations warns that without enough doctors or proper facilities, over 100,000 pregnant women are now at risk of infection and disease.

“As human misery continues to mount, we are seriously concerned with the spread of epidemic diseases,” Yousuf Raza Gilani said, adding, “There is a likelihood of water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and dysentery, especially in children who are already weak and vulnerable.”

The world today is faced with several challenges like the economic recession, climatic change, disease outbreaks, increased organized crime, information explosion, and uncontrolled migration. Like any other calamity, the harsh effects are mostly felt by the vulnerable third world states. Zimbabwe, coming out of an economic crisis characterized by record inflation, high unemployment, heavy brain drain and a large reduction in the Gross Domestic Product, has plenty to do with regards to enhancing the recovery path and rejuvenating the economy. With the Unity government having managed to tame the legendary inflation and the economy expected to grow, focus is now on which sectors of development should be prioritized over others given a background of an economy thriving on limited resources.

Abstract

International librarianship and international cooperation in Library and information Science are critical concepts that have become topical in the current global world. Librarianship is a dynamic profession that is affected by the cultural, technological, economic, technological and political milieu. The paper will explore the extent to which international cooperation in Library and Information Science has contributed towards development. The treatise will also find out how ICT’s have helped to promote international cooperation. It also looks at the challenges that Affects international cooperation..The paper highlights significant developments that have taken place in international library cooperation since the beginning of the twentieth century .The new millenium is a bracve new year that requires focussed professionals who understand the value of cooperation or srategic partnerships at both regional and international levels.

Introduction

Africa is perhaps the most culturally imaginative and creative region in the world. It is extremely diversified, rich in talents and ingenuity with unlimited resources and potential. It has colonized the planet and it enriches humanity through inimitable arts. Yet, one African out of two lives in dismal human conditions. And despite spectacular progress here and there, it also remains profoundly socially and culturally conditioned, corrupted, domesticated and debased by two self-inflicted intellectual and ritual servitudes – koranic and evangelical - and overwhelmingly regimented, disciplined and deceived by a host of indigenous erroneous beliefs, faulty dogmas, half-truths, intoxicating mythologies, life-denying superstitions, theological entrappings, mystifying fictions, unknown foundational assumptions, pipe-dreams, fantasies, charlatanisms, junk science and a flood of nonsense.

CapacityPlus is a USAID-funded global project focused on the health workforce needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. CapacityPlus offers state-of-the-art expertise, models, tools, training, and analyses adapted to each context. These services help countries move closer to having the right health worker in the right place with the right skills and support. We work with public, nonprofit, faith-based, and for-profit organizations contributing to better human resources for health. The site features:

• News and stories from the project

• Tools, resources, and publications in our Knowledge Library
• A weekly summary on health workforce news from around the globe, with links
• A listing of relevant conferences and meetings
• A blog with perspectives on the global health workforce challenge—and solutions.

By: Eng. Mousatafa Wahba, Competency Assurance & TVET Consultant

What is Knowledge Management KM within Enterprises & TVET Institutions?

1. In the present day, in a very simplified manner, Knowledge Management KM within an Enterprise or Technical and Vocational Education and Training TVET Institution can be considered as an approach that enables each member of the Enterprise / Institution to individually know and apply what the Enterprise or TVET Institution knows as a whole, enables the Enterprise or TVET Institution to know what each member knows individually and reuse it at group level, and allows each member to recognize what he / she do not know and should learn.

"Indigenous African knowledge has much to offer science — but only if science can be translated into local languages" Charles Dhewa.

Africans have a rich cultural heritage and a wealth of traditional knowledge on topics ranging from agricultureand forestry to medicines and medical practices — all of which could make valuable contributions to modern science. For example, traditional knowledge of drought-resistant crop varieties could prove crucial in helping small farmers across the continent adapt to climate change. Much of this type of knowledge is embedded in the diverse local languages and cultures found in Africa.

Yet despite centuries of scientific undertakings on the continent, there is still no vernacular word for 'science'. In Southern Africa, science remains a minority, English-language based, pursuit that reinforces the domination of English at the expense of local languages such as Ndebele, Swahili and many others.

Will Knowledge ‘R’ us (not “Knowlege 'R' ours”) shape the future of knowledge and KM?

By : Dr Md Santo – http://mobeeknowledge.ning.com

Collence.T. Chisita and fellow professionals on a study visit in Germany. This was a learning session on new trends in interlending and document supply initiatives

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs highlights the issue of how to reconstruct public administration in post-conflict situations so as to enable it to promote peace and development in countries that have been affected by civil war and destruction.

Countries emerging from conflict situations are almost always plagued by social upheaval, damaged infrastructure, reduced productive capacity, severe revenue shortfalls, seriously weakened human resources and greatly diminished security.

This is a free reflection on the power of modern science, technology, innovation and knowledge systems (STI) for revealing some distinctive style of modernity in Africa.

GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE TOWARDS 2012 or “CONTINUUM OF PHYSICAL REALITY WITH KNOWLEDGE AND BEYOND : GREAT TURNING FROM MIND BRAIN TO CONSCIOUSNESS DNA” (see the Attachment) showing global trends towards 2012 in which the domain of Knowledge evolved in continuum universe as emergent behavior within human body as complex (adpative) system, having consciousness and free will (mind and value) as well as behaving dynamically as subject

A brief description about the sentence ..."After Singularity between Human Mind and Technology reaching its peak (in 2012 ?)"... :

Water is vital to life. It is the essential component in all aspects and activities related to our well-being and existence – including food and energy production and manufacturing in general. It’s clear that if our water supply continues to dwindle, and/or, if water became unaffordable, our lives would be detrimentally transformed. Billions of people are already experiencing and suffering from the mismanagement and unequal allocation of water. Between 1.1 and 1.5 billion people in the world lack access to safe drinking water and 2.6 billion people lack access to basic sanitation. 2.2 million people die each year due to low quality drinking water and/or lack of sanitation – that is 42,000 people per week, 90 percent of whom are children (WHO/UNICET:2005). Exclusion to socially necessary goods and services such as fresh water has horrific consequences that are catastrophic, yet entirely preventable.

The Ibrahim Index of African Governance is a comprehensive ranking of African countries according to governance quality. Funded and led by an African institution, the Ibrahim Index aims to be Africa’s leading assessment of governance that informs and empowers citizens to hold their governments and public institutions to account. Thus it is hoped to stimulate debate in a constructive way and establish a framework for good governance in Africa.

The Ibrahim Index measures the delivery of public goods and services to citizens by government and non-state actors. The Ibrahim Index uses indicators across four main pillars: Safety and Rule of Law; Participation and Human Rights; Sustainable Economic Opportunity; and Human Development as proxies for the quality of the processes and outcomes of governance.

By Prof. Joseph O. Malo. KNAS and University of Nairobi

Abstract

The paper examines the role of traditional and indigenous knowledge and technology including the role of citizens in knowledge management of sustainable environment, health, water resources, education, habitat, disaster and emergency response, food security, clean energy etc.

The motivating factor is that most of the villages in developing countries are small and literally cut off from the rest of the world and hence under serviced. Social services particularly in health must therefore promote a combination of traditional and scientific approach. This calls for recognition of people who apply natural and traditional methods to sustain life.

Author : Shastry Njeru, Midlands State University, P. Bag 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Author: Dr Andreas Gerhardus (Dries) Velthuizen

Organizational Affiliation: Centre for African Renaissance Studies, University of South Africa (Academic Associate)

Contact Details: dries@africanwisdom.info - Mobile: +27834736478

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the potential for governments to create 'green jobs' in developing countries by funding public employment activities to preserve biodiversity, restore degraded land, combat erosion, and conserve water. The paper draws on the experiences of the Working for Water programme in South Africa and the National Rural Employment Guarantee in India.

By :Maikel R. Lieuw-Kie-Song Discussion Paper, April 2009

UNDP Poverty Resources UNDP Website
Wet-Africa.org Waterway Transformation Africa Wet-Africa Website

Information Provided by Carol Lombard, Department of Social Development Population Website

Authors: White,N.; Lamoureux,L.; Staiger-Rivas,S.
Produced by: Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (2009)

The Institutional Knowledge Sharing (KS) Project together with CGIAR Center partners has been experimenting with a range of KS tools and methods over the past five years and has recently been assembling these and many others into this toolkit. It is an evolving resource, continually updated, edited, expanded, and critiqued and it's aimed at scientists, research support teams, and administrators working in international development agencies, with a special emphasis on those engaged in agriculture and agricultural research.

This is a useful guide from the UNDP Oslo Governance Centre on the evaluation of the many tools to measure Local Government. Specifically the guide covers:

1. Urban Governance Index (UN-HABITAT)

2. Local Governance Barometer (Impact Alliance)
3. Good Governance for Local Development – GOFORGOLD Index (Afghanistan)
4. Local Democracy Assessment Guide (International IDEA)
5. Indicators of Local Democratic Governance (Tocqueville Research Centre & OSI)
6. Methodological Guidelines for Local Governance Analysis (UNDP)
7. Governance Index (Indonesia, Kemitraan - Partnership)
8. Measuring Municipal Performance – MIDAMOS (Paraguay)
   

The European PSI Platform is funded under the European Commission’s eContentplus Programme and builds upon the work of the ePSIplus Thematic Network (September 2006 to February 2009) . The current site will remain but over the next few months you will notice changes to the design and structure as the European PSI Platform develops. All of the content published by the ePSIplus Network will be maintained and new content will be published. The European PSI Platform is an interactive one-stop shop which provides:

• News about European PSI re-use developments

• Emerging good practices
• Examples of new products and services
• Information about legal cases on the re-use of PSI
  

By: Dr Nhamo W. Samasuwo, Learning and Innovation Subunit, Development Programme Services Unit (DPSU) Independent Development Trust (IDT), South Africa

Introduction

By: Raed M. Sharif Ph.D. Candidate in Information Science and Technology at the School of Information Studies, Syracuse University, NY, USA. Research Fellow at the Intellectual Capital Unit,The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) Email: {raedsharif@gmail.com} Phone: +27-72-419-4097, Mail Address: 337 Hinds Hall, Syracuse University. Syracuse, 13244, NY. USA

Abstract

Although it has always been an important asset to those who posses it, in the current knowledge society, information is considered as one of the most important goods in our daily life (Porat, 1977; Machlup & Mansfield, 1983; Mueller 1995; Stiglitz, 2000).

By: Dr Yousuf Maudarbocus

INTRODUCTION

In this modern era, development is largely based on technology. Africa is lagging behind other regions mainly because of its inability to make optimal use of modern technological development.

By: Dr Xola Mati - Xola@assaf.org.za,, Mr Takalani S. Rambau Simon@assaf.org.za Academy of Science of South Africa

Abstract:
Scientific policies cannot be formulated in a scientific vacuum, it is essential that the government must ensure that its science-related policies and decisions are based on scientific evidence. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to discuss ways that can contribute towards the development of Academies of Science in Africa so that they can play an important role towards the generation of evidence-based policy advice to their governments and the public. It is necessary to ensure that the best practices on providing ‘good advice’ are embedded in the now established African Academy bodies that have capacity to provide evidence-based science advice.

By: Kgabo Masehela and Isaac Nkuna, Limpopo Legislature

Background

The Republic of South Africa is a democratic state as stated in the Constitution of South Africa of 1996; it therefore has an obligation to ensure the maximum realization of the values of accountability, transparency, effective oversight agencies and institutions, agencies that are accountable to the public. In terms of the Constitution, parliament and legislatures as one arm of government at the provincial spheres play a crucial role in ensuring amongst others:

• Conduct oversight S 114(2)(b)/133(2)5 and-the-PPMA;

• Hold the executive accountable -S 114 (2)(a); and
• Protect and ensure maximum realization of the values of transparency, accountability, and open democratic process with respect to parliament itself

Corresponding author: Dr Lulama Makhubela - Intellectual Capital, Development Bank of Southern Africa, 1258 Lever Road, Headway Hill, Midrand; lulum@dbsa.org
Dr Robert Van Niekerk Centre for the Analysis of South African Social Policy, Oxford University, UK; Robert.vanniekerk@socres.ox.ac.uk

Abstract

By: Jack Fine and Thembisa Norushe

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Director-General: Provincial and Local Government, Msengana-Ndlela, (2006), identified that the provision of basic service delivery and infrastructure still has to face the challenge of the slow pace and poor quality of service delivery. Specific mention was also made of the water, sanitation, and housing backlogs (Msengana-Ndlela, 2006:28).

BCM has made significant progress in meeting the basic needs of the majority of its population through the provision, expansion, upgrading and building of the necessary services. However, service delivery still has to overcome a number of challenges and setbacks in order for BCM to fully realise its aims and objectives to service the entire population within its jurisdiction.

By: Graeme Bloch (Education Specialist, DBSA) graemeb@dbsa.org

Introduction: Theoretical Issues

This paper examines a policy intervention process, in which the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) played a central facilitating role on behalf of government in drawing up an Education Roadmap for the new incoming government of South Africa.

Questions are raised about the conditions that led to the specific request to DBSA as well as about DBSA’s positioning to participate as credible broker in this education policy development process. The wider social conditions and concerns that opened up space for critical policy development are clearly a part of this complex equation.

In addition, the limitations and specificity of the whole process are identified. This leads to some critical questions relating to follow up and implementation, and thus about the efficacy and impact of the particular policy intervention.

* NTIC = New Technologies of Information and Communication / Nouvelles Tecnologies de l’Information et de la Communication

By: Amadou Mahtar M’bow and Madiagne Diallo

Abstract :The sector of Information Technologies (IT) is now among the most dynamic of the globalized world. The rapidly changing and growing telecommunications sector ensures to the IT sector its easiness and power to shorten distances, in particular bringing people through its great nucleus called the Internet network.

The technological convergence that allows to combine data, voice and video in a single package and send it with Internet Protocol (IP) makes this huge network a considerable player in today and in future societies. In this article we provide an analysis on the evolution of IT and respectively its impact on societies and universities.

This overview attempts to present useful key ideas necessary for the development of a community animation model in language that is clear and empowering in such a way that it emphases the application of Know-How. The structure as presented here draws together experiences from using the following models in an African context: Isivivane for Change and Transformation (Banhegyi 2001-2007) Isivivane . Additionally, the model draws inspiration from models developed by Walsh & Ungson (1991), Collison & Parcell (1998), Nonake & Takeuchi (1995) in that it emphasises the cultural context, group dynamics and linkages between participants. The approach stimulates a community into action and provides a basic know-how useful in the design and support of a sustainable system and guides a user through that which needs to be done in order to attain success.

If you are new to social media and are still exploring the area, here are 4 steps to help you get the best out of it:

• Step 1: Explore - search & browse for content that interests you. Find out where your friends, colleagues and peers spend their time on the web. Particularly look for notable commentators and figures in the area in which you are interested, subscribe to their personal blogs and follow the comments and conversations.

Knowledge results from humans interacting with their environment and upon each other. As human interaction is the source of knowledge, it is necessary to ask what factors may impede the effective generation of knowledge and the sharing of know-how. Knowledge sharing / creation can only occur in the context of a 'safe space' but unfortunately many organisations find it difficult to maintain those conditions of culture and lived values that make for a safe space. This represents a paradox and a challenge to all key role players in such institutions who profess to support KM to take an honest, objective look at themselves. There are a number of behavioural factors related to power politics which are known to impede KM activities. These behaviours are particularly important because they are emulated in a cultural context (Katz and Kahn). Behaviours that negatively impact knowledge sharing and the practice of KM include:

• Uninvolved, disinterested leadership

It is always advocated that knowledge sharing is important for improved service delivery. The question is how do you measure the impact? Is it possible to measure knowledge? If we cannot measure the contribution of knowldge sharing to improved service delivery why are we doing it. Programmes such as knowledge sharing and management are initiated to fill a specific gap.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT FOR SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC SECTOR

• The purpose of this paper is to share with the Conference the findings of the research conducted on Knowledge Management for Service Delivery in the South African Public Sector in 2007/2008 .

• The concern was why is it that after the new Government in South Africa took office in 1994 and have addressed so many of the service delivery challenges, service delivery strikes have continued from the community and public servants perspectives.
• Experiences from different countries (e.g. Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand) have shown that service delivery through knowledge management can be fast tracked. There is unfortunately no African experience on how knowledge management can be leveraged to improve service delivery.
  

Barasa Chrispinus Kuloba M.ED (VOX) B.EDISU (EU)

ORGANISATION AFFILIATION: Nang'eni Secondary School, PO Box 819, Bungoma, 50200, Kenya

How organisations can leverage intellectual capital to enhance capability & Performance - Rachel Muga Monyoncho

PREPARED BY: RACHEL MUGA MONYONCHO-DIVISION HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER, NORTH AND EAST AFRICA DIVISION-COCA-COLA SABCO
P. O. Box 73577 Nairobi-Kenya, Tel +254733461230
Email: rmonyoncho@ccsabco.co.za or rmonyoncho@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION

The concept of knowledge management is not new; it is rapidly getting a lot of attention in many areas in business. It encompasses identifying and mapping intellectual asset within the organization and generating new knowledge for competitive advantage.

Corporate governance on the other hand refers to the framework within which organizations are structured and how decisions are made in an organization. It is therefore impossible to discuss knowledge management in isolation of leadership and governance practices in an organization.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

TITLE: Fluid Populations. Porous Borders: Can a Regional Emergency Early Warning mechanism mitigate against the impact of disaster situations? (working title)

AUTHOR: Miss H. Nanjala Nyabola

ORGANISATION: The University of Oxford

POSTAL ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 61666
Nairobi 00200
KENYA