From knowledge transfer to a learning-based approach: perspectives from IDS' information services.

Abstract

IDS is a trusted and widely used ?knowledge intermediary? through its range of information services including Eldis, iD21, and BRIDGE. Understanding and responding to the changing information environment and the needs of our target audiences is a key area of its work. A quick overview of IDS experience over the last 10 years is provided: including needs, aims, services, and outcomes. Assessing the impacts of IDS? information services is challenging but the Information Department has been working with the Research Communication Monitoring and Evaluation group to share learning on this issue. IDS is currently aiming to strengthen the capacity of individuals and organizations involved in information interventions to achieve development results. It aims to take a learning and relationship based approach, to create spaces for dialogue and exchange rather than focusing on knowledge transfer and training, and to create two-way learning opportunities and new knowledge through capacity development. Involving more people from the South increases the range, relevance and quantity of content feeding into development discourse, processes and practice. IDS aims to build capacity through collaborative relationships; greater knowledge sharing; internal organizational learning; enhancing capabilities; and understanding capacity better.