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The GRID Network: A Community of Practice for Disability Inclusive Development

COCKBURN, Lynn
MBIBEH, Louis
AWA, Jacques Chirac
2019

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Purpose: This paper aimed to provide an overview of the evaluation of the GRID Network (Groups for Rehabilitation and Inclusive Development) and the impact it had on its members.

Method:  Information was collected through a compilation of the resources developed during the project, and a summative evaluation process was employed at the end of the project. The paper is a short report on the summative evaluation.

Results: GRID Network members reported that the network was effective and beneficial. They developed new information and knowledge that was relevant to their local contexts; shared knowledge from local, national, and international sources; and, increased their skill in using social media for professional purposes. Recommendations include continuing with this kind of community of practice, with greater opportunities for more engagement and training; inclusion of more partner organisations; large group workshops and conferences; increased attention to advocacy for policy change; and, for more research to be carried out locally.

Conclusion and Implications: This project demonstrated that it is possible to develop and maintain a community of practice in a low-resource context on a minimal budget, even during times of political crisis. Further programme development, evaluation, and research are warranted to ascertain how this model can be scaled up to include a broader group of rehabilitation and other practitioners involved in disability inclusive development.

 

Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development, [S.l.], v. 30, n. 2, p. 84-94,  (2019)

Facilitating inclusion in disaster preparedness: A practical guide for CBOs

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RURAL RECONSTRUCTION (IIRR)
Give2Asia
November 2018

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This guidebook was produced to build the capacity of Communities of Practice members on inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). IIRR and Give2Asia hope that this guidebook will help CBOs in Asia make their disaster preparedness programs more inclusive and sensitive to the needs of vulnerable groups in communities.

There are 3 parts: 

Part 1: Principles and practice of inclusion in DRRM and disaster preparedness 

Part 2: Dimensions of Inclusive Disaster Preparedness

Part 3: Practical tools and strategies in inclusive disaster preparedness - including: Hazard vulnerability and capacity assessment; Early warning system and Emergency preparedness

 

This guidebook aims to:

1. Enable partner CBOs to delve into strategic planning, approaches and tools on Inclusive DRR;

2. Provide alternative learning avenues for sectors to shift paradigm: from looking at excluded groups as “the recipient, or an object” into a more equitable gender-fair and humane categorization, such as intervenors or pro-actors;

3. Provide samples of standard platforms and protocols on inclusive disaster risk assessment, structural framework, gender-mainstreaming and paralegal support systems

4. Develop a community of learning (COL) in sharing inclusion on rights, advocacy, livelihoods, and entitlements

Communities of practice and networks : reviewing two perspectives on social learning

CUMMINGS, Sarah
VAN ZEE, Arin
May 2005

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This article examines the similarities between the concepts of 'community of practice' and 'networking for learning'. This article examines the common elements, and discusses the approaches, the characteristics, theoretical background and importance for development of each model. Next, similarities based on conceptions of social learning are explored. Finally, it is argued that communities of practice and networks for learning are part of the same continuum with varying degrees of formality, ranging from informal communities of practice to highly formal networks for learning. This article provides a valuable, relatively accessible introduction to the ideas of "networking" and "community of practice", discusses how they have evolved and explores how they can be useful to the development sector

Straight from the source : perspectives from the African free and open source software movement

BRIDGES.ORG
TACTICAL TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
May 2004

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This essay is drawn from the proceedings of AfricaSource, a workshop that brought together free and open source software (FOSS) developers from across Africa. Participants shared technical skills and experiences, discussed key challenges in realising FOSS projects, and developed concrete strategies for strengthening the nascent community of FOSS technologists working in African contexts. The workshop offered a mixture of structured discussions and hands-on work with an emphasis on practical and intense knowledge exchange. This essay carefully and sensitively summarises the views of the AfricaSource participants on the obstacles facing the FOSS community in Africa. A dialogue on the topic may help to catalyse changes that will reduce or eliminate barriers to free and open source software development in Africa

The 10/90 report on health research 2003-2004

GLOBAL FORUM FOR HEALTH RESEARCH
2004

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This report, the fourth since Global Forum for Health Research formed in 1998, covers progress in helping correct the 10/90 gap (that only ten per cent of health research funds are spent on 90 per cent of the world's problems) over the past two years. It focusses on health and health research as sound economic investments; priority setting in health research; progress in measuring the 10/90 gap; research capacity strengthening; information networks in health research; gender; the MDGs and health research; and networks in the priority research areas

Knowledge networks : guidelines for assessment

CREECH, Heather
RAMJI, Aly
2004

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This paper focuses on research and 'knowledge' networks rather than more informal or emergent networks and communities. It explores five major elements of network performance and related indicators of success: effectiveness, structure and governance, efficiency, resources and sustainability, and life cycle. At the end, the paper offers a sample process for undertaking a network assessment

The 10/90 report on health research 2003-2004

GLOBAL FORUM FOR HEALTH RESEARCH
2004

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This site contains up-to-date information on progress in helping correct the 10/90 gap in health research. It includes reports from 1999, 2000, 2001/2002 and 2003/2004. The most recent, the fourth since Global Forum for Health Research formed in 1998, covers progress in helping correct the 10/90 gap (that only ten per cent of health research funds are spent on 90 per cent of the world's problems) over the past two years. It focusses on health and health research as sound economic investments; priority setting in health research; progress in measuring the 10/90 gap; research capacity strengthening; information networks in health research; gender; the MDGs and health research; and networks in the priority research areas

Programme experiences : youth AIDS network - Latin America and the Caribbean

COMMUNICATION INITIATIVE
2004

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In an effort to build networks for youth HIV/AIDS prevention, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has collaborated with international organisations and YouthNet to create an email network of adolescent health specialists. PAHO's Child and Adolescent Health and HIV/AIDS/Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) units are leading the effort, which focuses on youth AIDS prevention in Latin America and the Caribbean. This article examines the experiences of organisers of the programme, in which members receive the Youth HIV Action newsletter and Breaking the Silence advocacy sheet, among other publications

Using knowledge management to make health systems work

BAILEY, Christopher
December 2003

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The discipline of knowledge management aims to bridge the gap between information availability and its communication in areas where the it is needed most. This editorial looks at two programmes that demonstrate how knowledge management can work

Strategic intentions : managing knowledge networks for sustainable development

CREECH, Heather
WILLARD, Terri
2001

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This book deals with the operation and management of formal knowledge networks, which the authors consider to be a valuable tool for sustainable development. Looking beyond simply using the technology of the internet, the book contends that such tools, strategically deployed, can engage decision makers and aggregate and build on the knowledge of southern-based organisations. The book addresses specifically: definitions of knowledge networks and different models of collaboration; engaging decision makers; specific management issues; challenges and lessons learned from IISD work; and planning, monitoring and evaluating knowledge networks

Building online communities

MORROW, Katherine
Ed

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Whether the goal is an online meeting or the creation of a global network, the resources listed here aim to help groups: choose the appropriate collaboration tools, develop facilitation techniques, and plan a strategy for successfully working together online

Google groups

GOOGLE

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Google is a powerful Internet search engine that also allows users to search, using keywords, for messages posted in newsgroups and discussion forums on the Internet. When searching for topics in newsgroups, the advanced search facility allows users to select options such as dates or newsgroups. Under a general search using keywords such as 'community-based rehabilitation' users can access all messages posted on that topic, any 'thread' (replies or messages on a similar theme), details of which discussion group the message originated from and links to relevant websites

CBM Australia self-help group enquiry

CBM AUSTRALIA

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This guidance considers how self help groups are supported and the factors that are needed to ensure that they are functional, inclusive and sustainable.

This was a small-scale enquiry that involved looking at case studies from six partners that employ self-help group development for a range of purposes and in a range of geographical locations. A questionnaire was used by project officers with each of the six selected projects, and the resulting information was analysed by a group from CBMA’s International Programs department, with key areas of learning identified from this discussion. Findings are not comprehensive or conclusive and there is not one model for success. Instead the aim is to draw some useful tips from partners’ experiences.

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