We urgently need multiple knowledges to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

Najeeb Al-Shorbaji; Paul Atsu; Bruce Boyes; Andreas Brandner; Kemly Camacho Jiménez; Sarah Cummings; Peterson Dewah; Rajesh Dhillon; Fitsum Habtemariam; Gladys Kemboi; Maureen Kenga; Joseph Kiplang’at; Kingo Mchombu; Chris Prom; Vincent Ribière; Rocio Sanz; Thomas Senaji; Denise Senmartin; Isaac Tarus; Stacey Young; Chris Zielinski

Authors

Najeeb Al-Shorbaji President, eHealth Development Association, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3843-8430
Paul Atsu Country Representative, Young Professionals For Agricultural Development (YPARD), Ghana https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9114-4486
Bruce Boyes RealKM Magazine, Australia https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2840-8297
Andreas Brandner Knowledge for Development Partnership, Austria https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9258-3462
Kemly Camacho Jiménez Cooperativa Sulá Batsú, Costa Rica https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2360-0124
Sarah Cummings https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9722-0517
Peterson Dewah Department of Records and Archives Management, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3856-7921
Rajesh Dhillon Adjunct Faculty, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore University of Social Science https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2927-0645
Fitsum Habtemariam President, Rotary Club of Alexandria Central, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9136-3567
Gladys Kemboi University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6063-2939
Maureen Kenga https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6683-4495
Joseph Kiplang’at Professor of Information Science, Africa International University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2438-0648
Kingo Mchombu Professor and Head of Faculty, University of Namibia
Chris Prom Associate Dean for Digital Strategies, University Library, University of Illinois, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3682-1719
Vincent Ribière Institute for Knowledge and Innovation Southeast Asia (IKI-SEA), Bangkok University, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7202-3602
Rocio Sanz Senior Knowledge Management Consultant for UNICEF and IFAD https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4632-4021
Thomas Senaji East African University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8745-5152
Denise Senmartin Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Argentina https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9868-5846
Isaac Tarus Department of Philosophy, History and Religious Studies, Egerton University, Kenya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5015-0184
Stacey Young Chief Knowledge Officer, US Agency for International Development, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2878-1486
Chris Zielinski Visiting Fellow, University of Winchester and Vice-President, World Association of Medical Editors https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6596-698X

Keywords:

United Nations, Sustainable Development Goals, sustainable development, SDGs, multiple knowledges, knowledge management

Abstract

This editorial calls on the United Nations, political leaders, and development professionals to recognize explicitly that knowledge and knowledge management are of key importance to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 20230 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and to adopt the knowledge-based goals of the Agenda Knowledge for Development (Brandner & Cummings, 2018). This editorial is being published simultaneously in knowledge management and development journals around the world calling for change at a time when the UN is revisiting the SDGs at the Summit of the Future in September 2024.

Author Biographies

Najeeb Al-Shorbaji, President, eHealth Development Association, Jordan

Dr. Najeeb Al-Shorbaji has been working as a freelance consultant since 10 March 2017. His areas of expertise include knowledge management, eHealth, health informatics, medical librarianship, ePublishing and health information systems. While consulting for a number of organizations, he works as a lecturer/researcher at the the Peter L. Reichertz Institute for Medical Informatics University of Braunschweig – Institute of Technology and Hannover Medical School, Germany. Prior to moving to consulting he worked as Vice-President for Knowledge, Research and Ethics at the Knowledge World Company for Digital Content in Jordan (2015-2017). He retired from the World Health Organization Headquarters in Geneva as Director of the Department of Knowledge, Ethics and Research Geneva (2008-2015). During this period, he led the WHO global programmes for eHealth and Telemedicine, Publishing and Dissemination, Research and Knowledge Translation, Networking and Information Services and Global Health Ethics.

Paul Atsu, Country Representative, Young Professionals For Agricultural Development (YPARD), Ghana

Paul Atsu works with international organizations, NGOs and private companies in rural and urban communities to enable farmers to develop profitable and sustainable business models, access competitive markets and facilitated business network and linkages. His work experience has exposed me to both subsistence and commercial farmers. He is an expert in knowledge management, communications, youth in agribusiness development programmes and impact sharing for youth and women in the agriculture value chain.

Bruce Boyes, RealKM Magazine, Australia

Bruce Boyes is a knowledge management (KM), environmental management, and education professional with over 30 years of experience in Australia and China. His work has received high-level acclaim and been recognised through a number of significant awards. He is currently a PhD candidate in the Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group at Wageningen University and Research, and holds a Master of Environmental Management with Distinction. He is also the editor, lead writer, and a director of the award-winning RealKM Magazine (www.realkm.com), and teaches in the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) Certified High-school Programme (CHP).

Andreas Brandner, Knowledge for Development Partnership, Austria

Dr Andreas Brandner has been Managing Director of KM-A Knowledge Management Associates GmbH since 2001 and a KM-pioneer in Europe, providing educational, advisory, research and innovation services to international customers. Andreas brings deep experience with more than 20 years of work in the field of consulting, training and research in relation to knowledge management and policies of knowledge. In 2002, he established the Knowledge Management Academy, which provides International Certification Courses in Knowledge Management at the highest level of expertise. In 2018, he founded the Knowledge for Development Partnership (www.k4dp.org) and is currently its Managing Director. He also initiated and developed the Agenda Knowledge for Development (Brandner & Cummings, 2018).

Email: andreas.brandner@k4dp.org

Kemly Camacho Jiménez, Cooperativa Sulá Batsú, Costa Rica

Dr Kemly Camacho Jiménez has dedicated herself to the research and development of processes of social appropriation and impact of information and communication technologies in the Latin American region. Currently, she is the president and research and development coordinator of the self-managed professional cooperative Sulá Batsú, which is dedicated to research, action, and evaluation of the social aspects of ICT, information management, and knowledge exchange, especially in social organizations, networks, and enterprises. Kemly is the coordinator of the Latin American regional office of Bellanet, located within the same cooperative. Her educational background includes Anthropology and Computer Engineering, with a master's degree in program and project evaluation for development, and she has a doctorate from the Open University of Catalonia in the Information Society and Knowledge program. Kemly also teaches at the University of Costa Rica.

Peterson Dewah, Department of Records and Archives Management, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe

Peterson Dewah PhD is a Professor in the Department of Records and Archives Management at National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe, and Honorary Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Information Studies Programme (2016–2019). He has served as a high school teacher, an archivist and a teaching assistant before joining NUST as a lecturer. His research interests are in knowledge management, records and archives management, indigenous knowledge systems and ethics in information management.

Rajesh Dhillon, Adjunct Faculty, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore University of Social Science

Rajesh Dhillon spent 21 years as a US naval officer and has been blessed with the second wave of his passion for human interaction. Balancing teaching at the Nanyang Technological University and the Singapore University of Social Science, with KM and SharePoint optimisation with Acies Innovations. Being a people person, he sees potential in linking up the elements of Knowledge management and Agile with organisational development internally and externally. His experience in the navy allowed him to understand leadership from both angles, on the receiving end and on the giving end. An advocate of servant leadership, he is fully convinced that the role of the leader is to serve and make the journey of the team better than it was yesterday.

Fitsum Habtemariam, President, Rotary Club of Alexandria Central, USA

Fitsum Habtemariam is a passionate communication professional with a strong commitment to contributing to the achievement of the various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Fitsum has 15+ years of international experience (in Africa, Asia, Europe, and now here in the US) with UNICEF, UNDP-GEF (United Nations Development Program - Global Environment Facility), UNFPA, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) of the United Nations, and Save the Children - USAID/Food by Prescription. Fitsum has a proven track record of delivering impactful outcomes through strategic communication, social behavior change, and knowledge management. From leading award-winning campaigns to fostering strong partnerships, Fitsum’s expertise drives tangible results.

Gladys Kemboi, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA

Gladys Kemboi is a Knowledge Management (KM) and Communities of Practice leader with 10+ years of experience in global, regional, national and local level in providing strategic vision, developing and implementing KM strategies, building and sustaining Communities of Practice, and performing oversight of KM projects to meet evolving needs in Local and International Development. She has a a track record in building strategic alliances and knowledge partnerships, facilitating and moderating knowledge cafés, mentoring youth, unlocking community archives and restoring indigenous knowledge in addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation, championing safe spaces, decolonisation of knowledge, and advocating for vulnerable groups, peace and security, epistemic justice and transparent communications to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Maureen Kenga

Maureen Kenga is an experienced Information Scientist and Librarian with a demonstrated history of working in the libraries industry. Skilled in Management, Cataloging, Social Media, Collection Development, automation, digitization, dissemination and Public Speaking. Records Manager with experience on management, creation, classification and indexing, distribution, handling, use, tracking, storage, retrieval, protection and disposal of records. Knowledge management with an interest in communities of practice, organizational learning, Knowledge mapping, KM strategies and knowledge capture.

Joseph Kiplang’at, Professor of Information Science, Africa International University, Kenya

Professor Joseph Kiplang’at holds a PhD in library and Information Science from University of Zululand, South Africa (2004) and a Master of philosophy in Information Science (1995) in addition to BSc. in Information Science (1991) from Moi University, Kenya. He served in various capacities including lecturer, senior lecturer, associate professor and campus director at Moi University before his appointed as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of administration, planning and development at the African International University, Kenya.

Kingo Mchombu, Professor and Head of Faculty, University of Namibia

Professor Kingo Mchombu is Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Namibia. In addition to his Pan African interests, his expertise is in information and knowledge sharing for the development of grassroots groups in Africa.

Chris Prom, Associate Dean for Digital Strategies, University Library, University of Illinois, USA

Chris Prom PhD is the assistant university archivist and associate professor of library administration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he is responsible for managing digital projects, supervising archival processing, and overseeing records scheduling. His research interests address the ways in which archival users seek information relevant to their needs and how they use electronic tools. Chris was the recipient of a 2003-04 National Historic Publications and Records Commission fellowship and a 1997-98 Fulbright fellow. He holds a PhD in history from the University of Illinois, where he wrote a dissertation regarding mutual aid societies in late-Victorian Britain, and he also studied at the University of York, UK.
Email: prom@illinois.edu

Vincent Ribière, Institute for Knowledge and Innovation Southeast Asia (IKI-SEA), Bangkok University, Thailand

Vincent Ribière PhD is the Managing Director and co-founder of the Institute for Knowledge and Innovation Southeast Asia (IKI-SEA) hosted by Bangkok University, Thailand. As a consultant he has worked with a number of organizations, including: Essilor, the Petroleum Authority of Thailand Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), AIS, Bayer Material Science (Rayong), PTT Global Chemical, Amadeus Asia, Petronas (Malaysia), the Peace Bureau (USAID) in Washington DC; Counterpart International in Washington DC; and, as CIO for EyeFlight in Washington DC. He is the founder and Animator of the iklub (the Innovation and Knowledge Management Club) in Thailand and the founder and organizer of Creative Bangkok Week. He is the co-founder and the Program Director of the PhD program in Knowledge and Innovation Management (KIM) and the Founder and Co-Program Director of the newly created Master in Business Innovation (MBI). He delivers keynote speeches in various International Professional and Academic conferences related to KM , Innovation and Creativity (ISPIM, KM Asia, KM Australia, KM Singapore, KMAP, KM Iran, Global KM Congress, KM Middle East, KM Russia). He is an Associate Professor at Bangkok University‘s Graduate/Business School.

Rocio Sanz, Senior Knowledge Management Consultant for UNICEF and IFAD

Rocio Sanz is currently based in Geneva, Switzerland and has over 25 years of international experience in the fields of communication, public information, media and humanitarian emergency response, knowledge management, information architecture as well as monitoring and evaluation. She works with organizations, teams and individuals as knowledge broker to improve their knowledge management strategies, competitive and business intelligence, developing frameworks, engaging networks, facilitating, building capacity or assessing and evaluating programmes, projects or policies for development. Her work experience also includes assessments, profiling, capacity building, development of training materials, document management and other targeted and tailored innovative tools required for knowledge elicitation, sharing and generation. Rocio is also actively engaged in many knowledge-based communities of practice such as the Knowledge Management for Development (KM4Dev), the Swiss Knowledge Management Forum and is co-signatory member of the Knowledge for Partnership Development (K4DP). She holds an MSc (Kent State University, USA) in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management, a Master’s Degree (Complutense University, Madrid, Spain) in International Relations and Communication, she is an accredited Expert on Evaluation of Policies, Programs, Projects for Development (Complutense University, Madrid, Spain). Rocio held an Erasmus Scholarship in Political sciences & Journalism (Universität Bremen, Germany), and a BA in English Literature and Language (Universidad Cordoba, Spain).

Thomas Senaji, East African University, Kenya

Professor Thomas Senaji is a seasoned academic and consultant specializing in Strategy, Knowledge Management, and Information and Communications Technologies (ICT). With extensive experience in policy and regulation consulting, he also conducts research in Leadership, Organizational Development, and Change. Currently serving as an Adjunct Professor of ICT Strategy and Management at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, he also operates as an E-applications consultant and provides strategic management and knowledge management consulting services to corporates. In addition to his consultancy work, Professor Senaji is an executive coach and trainer, assisting professionals in honing their leadership skills and achieving their full potential. His expertise spans a wide range of areas, including policy formulation, ICT strategies, e-applications, and strategic management planning. With a strong academic background, Professor Senaji holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration and Management, specializing in Strategic Management. He also possesses a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. Complementing his academic achievements, he holds a Certificate in Marketing from the Marketing Society of Kenya (MSK, 2002).

Denise Senmartin, Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Cordoba, Argentina

Denise Senmartin has followed a transformative journey through facilitation, leading her from social work and alternative conflict resolution to international development, knowledge management, and project coordination. With proven experience across multilateral, public, and non-profit sectors in various regions, Denise excels in co-designing and implementing collaborative planning and peer-to-peer learning strategies within policy-oriented and organizational change contexts. Adept at managing communities of practice and facilitating diverse workshops and events, both online and offline, she brings extensive qualitative research and report-writing skills in English and Spanish. As a Senior Editor of the Knowledge Management for Development Journal and a pivotal member of the Latin-American Community of Practice, she actively fosters knowledge exchange and collaboration. Currently finalizing her Ph.D. dissertation on social media group participation and sustainable architecture for tourism in Argentina's Córdoba sierras, Denise remains open to new consulting opportunities, eager to apply her expertise to drive positive change and innovation.

Isaac Tarus, Department of Philosophy, History and Religious Studies, Egerton University, Kenya

Isaac Tarus PhD joined the Department of History, Egerton University in 1990 as a Teaching Assistant and has risen to the position of Senior Lecturer and Head of Department (May 2017-June 2021). He holds a BA (Honours) and MA (History) from the University of Nairobi and a PhD from Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. His PhD was on the ‘Direct taxation of Africans in Kenya’ which has generated a number of articles published in refereed Journals, among them CODESRIA’s Africa Development. He has successfully supervised more than twenty MA (History) students and one PhD. Has attended many local and international conferences in South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malaysia and USA. Currently serving as External Examiner for Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi (2020/2021) academic year. In addition, he has served as Postgraduate External Examiner for Kabarak, Kisii and Laikipia Universities. Between May and August 2021) he was a Carnegie Africa Diaspora Fellowship Programme Host for Prof Shadrack Wanjala Nasong'o, Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. After serving as Head of Department for a period of four years, he is now back to active teaching, research and student academic advising and mentorship.

Stacey Young, Chief Knowledge Officer, US Agency for International Development, USA

Stacey Young PhD is USAID’s first Agency Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning Officer, leading Agency-wide knowledge and learning approaches. Dr. Young also co-chairs the Multi-Donor Learning Partnership of 11 major donor organizations working to advance organizational learning and knowledge management in international development. From 2011-2019, she served as a Senior Learning Advisor for USAID’s Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning. Through her vision and leadership, USAID developed a holistic approach to Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) that is integrated across USAID’s country programs. Part of a long-term Agency effort to more firmly anchor USAID programmes in strong evidence and local leadership, CLA is acknowledged as leading the field in learning and adaptive management for international development. She also served as the Senior Technical Advisor for USAID’s first Agency-wide learning agenda, on the Journey to Self-Reliance. Dr. Young joined USAID in 2003 as the Senior Knowledge Management Advisor for USAID’s Microenterprise Development office, where she led an award-winning knowledge management program to facilitate learning in microfinance, market development and poverty reduction. She also led the development of USAID’s congressionally mandated poverty measurement tools; managed the congressionally mandated Microenterprise Results Reporting activity; and co-led an external affairs portfolio to support USAID’s engagement with Congress and industry groups around microenterprise development and poverty reduction. From 1993-2003, Dr. Young lived and worked in Kenya, Uganda and the US as an independent consultant specializing in research and policy analysis in philanthropy, development policy, HIV/AIDS and family planning, and agriculture and food security. Dr. Young has published several books and articles on development and knowledge management, and has taught political science, women's studies and writing at Skidmore College and at Cornell University, where she earned a PhD in Government.

Chris Zielinski, Visiting Fellow, University of Winchester and Vice-President, World Association of Medical Editors

Chris Zielinski is a Visiting Fellow and the director of the Partnerships in Health Information (Phi) programme of the Centre for Global Health, University of Winchester, UK. His academic work is on knowledge management and indicators. My earlier career included over 20 years as a UN system translator, editor and publisher. In 1996, I became CEO of a British authors agency (ALCS), distributing some $15 m a year of copyright revenue to British authors. In 2002, I rejoined WHO in Geneva as a senior internal consultant focusing on policy, partnerships (writing the first extended study of WHO's role in global health partnerships), resource mobilization and knowledge management. At WHO's African Regional Headquarters in Brazzaville, I developed an African Health Observatory. Recent consultancy activities included: conducting an evaluation of UNICEF staff use of evidence in South Asia; acting as a lead implementing partner in the Building Bridges programme with the US National Library of Medicine, African Health Sciences, the Association of Health Care Journalists, the Alfred Friendly Press Partners, and the African Journal Partnership Programme); drafting the world first national strategy on knowledge management for the health sector for Ethiopia with WHO support.

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