Learning and Knowledge Uptake in Practice: Assumptions, Approaches and Dynamics.

On the 27th of September 2018, the Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law will host a workshop on the theme Learning and Knowledge Uptake in Practice: Assumptions, Approaches and Dynamics.

Scope

Knowledge uptake does not happen on ad hoc basis or in an isolated manner. It is part of a genuine learning culture where stakeholders are encouraged to engage on underlying dynamics of learning processes and related application. When organizations reflect regularly on their own learning practices, they are strengthening their own capacity to learn and challenge the status quo. Organizational actors become aware of, and can describe their thinking in a way that allows them to close the gap between what they know and what they need to learn.

It is therefore crucial to question on a regular basis organizational trends likely to positively or negatively influence organizational learning and knowledge uptake. This happens through a thorough scrutiny of both formal learning approaches and processes used within organizations as well as related unconscious dynamics.

Key Questions

Through this workshop, participants are challenged to reflect on their own learning practices and dynamics (both formal and informal ones), and on how their organizations include experience and knowledge generated (theirs and the ones of their field partners) in their institutional structures through policies, procedures and operational systems.

Reflection is made through the following questions:

• How is information generated(at various levels of the organization)?
• Is that information distilled and transformed into knowledge? If yes, how?
• Is that available knowledge used to develop procedures, policies, and particular approaches to work? If yes how?
• Is that knowledge generation a conscious or unconscious exercise? Or both?
• Are the necessary conditions, systems, processes and incentives in place to ensure the uptake of knowledge?(internal as well as external uptake)

Background

The overarching objective of the KPSRL is to contribute to improving policy making and program implementation in the field of Security and Rule of Law. Knowledge generation and knowledge brokering are at the heart of the KPSRL Secretariat’s work to attain this objective. By investing in research into and debate and engagement about new and emerging insights and issues, lessons learned, and best practices, the aim is to foster the uptake of knowledge in the work of policy makers and practitioner organizations, which in turn is expected to enhance its quality and impact.

The Secretariat has gathered significant experience in brokering and fostering the generation of knowledge in the past years. Reflecting on this work and in seeking to continuously improve it, however, a series of conceptual and practical questions regarding the uptake of knowledge in the security and rule of law field has been identified, which the Secretariat would like to explore further with intensive participation of network stakeholders.

With this aim in mind, the KPSRL has initiated since July 2018, the Learning and Knowledge Uptake in Practice workshop series.

The workshop series aims to unpack learning and knowledge uptake practices as well as dynamics of KPSRL’s community members, and to develop strategic approaches for:

• a better use of knowledge and research produced within the community
• the development of a common understanding of pathways to using that knowledge and research for policy and program improvement

A first workshop during which, researchers and practitioners unpacked the fundamental concepts related to learning and evidence-based policy making, and reflected on their own experiences and the relevance of their standards and traditional reference frameworks on knowledge, learning and policy making, was held on the 30th of July 2018.

The KPSRL is pleased to invite you to the 2nd workshop of the series which will take place on the 27th of September 2018 at Zeestraat 100 (2nd Floor), The Hague.

More information on the thematic scope of this 2nd workshop can be found above, along with other practical details. Participation: Registration is required.

To register or for any enquiries, please contact Messina Laurette MANIRAKIZA at m.manirakiza@kpsrl.org.

Regular updates on the workshop series programme will be found on the KPSRL’s website. We warmly invite practitioners, researchers as well as policymakers from security and rule of law field to join us in discussing why "uptake" matters and how to foster it.

• How is information generated(at various levels of the organization)?
• Is that information distilled and transformed into knowledge? If yes, how?
• Is that available knowledge used to develop procedures, policies, and particular approaches to work? If yes how?
• Is that knowledge generation a conscious or unconscious exercise? Or both?
• Are the necessary conditions, systems, processes and incentives in place to ensure the uptake of knowledge?(internal as well as external uptake)