Knowledge & Information Management of CIDA/Egypt Program

As a ‘Learning Organization’, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) seeks to acquire knowledge and to innovate so that it can thrive in a rapidly changing environment. It aspires to create a culture that encourages and supports continuous learning, critical thinking, and risk taking with new ideas. It values employee contributions, learning from experience and dissemination of the learned knowledge for incorporation into the organization’s various activities. As such, CIDA considers knowledge to be one of its most valuable assets, and management of this knowledge is a priority.

Broadly defined, “Knowledge Management (KM) is the process of capturing, storing, distributing implementing and developing knowledge within the framework of the internal and external environments of the organization, with the aim of increasing efficiency and effectiveness of this organization" (FakhrElDin, Hadia, Ph.D. Thesis, 2006). KM is a multi-disciplinary approach which aims at improving organizational learning and results through maximizing the use of knowledge. It involves the creation, sharing and applying of knowledge.  It is concerned with innovation, sharing behaviors, managing complexity, and overcoming ambiguity through knowledge networks, supporting technologies, and smart processes. 
 
Since the goal of the CIDA-Egypt Program Support Unit (PSU) is “to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Canadian Official Development Assistance (ODA) provided in Egypt,” one of its important outcomes is “enhanced knowledge and information management and capacity development within the CIDA-Egypt Program and with other stakeholders.”
 
To achieve this result, the PSU developed, and is currently implementing, its Knowledge and Information Management Strategy (KIM). The development of the Strategy was, by far, a highly consultative, participatory and inclusive effort involving CIDA Head Quarters, CIDA-Egypt Program, projects, consultants and other key stakeholders. 

Development of the Strategy started by a study to identify and analyze the types of knowledge available within the CIDA-Egypt Program, to assess existing and potential opportunities, and to highlight organizational prerequisites to optimize the creation and dissemination of knowledge. This was followed in January 2010 by a “Knowledge for Change: A CIDA-Egypt Lessons Learned Workshop” to further identify the program’s collective knowledge in order to build a highly relevant Program ‘knowledge package.’ In May 2010, another KIM workshop “Creating a Culture of Learning and Knowledge Sharing” was held to build a shared understanding of the new Strategy.