Regional Networks, Knowledge Management, and Learning

1.2.2 Regional Networks, Knowledge Management, and Learning

Networks: With over three decades of international experience in ICM and its related areas of discipline, the role of networks of practice becomes ever more essential in helping ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness of work in this field. SUCCESS has taken an active role in supporting the EccNet Latin American based network of ICM and ICM-related practitioners in multiple countries in the region and in the Mariculture Network in the Western Indian Ocean region. Knowledge Management: With the maturing of the practice of ICM and its related disciplines, the wealth of information, data, experiences, case studies, articles, etc. on the practice is growing exponentially. In parallel, technology is making access to this information ever easier. The challenge is in sifting through this plethora of information and data to extract what is the “best of”. Knowledge generation and development of systems to manage the information that goes into knowledge, has been and continues to be an objective of the SUCCESS Program. The Program does this through its Basins and Coasts electronic newsletter, theme based pagesportals on the SUCCESS and CRC websites, and through stories from the field. Learning: SUCCESS is generating knowledge to inform ICM regionally and globally. This includes implementing a cross-portfolio learning agenda that focus on improving knowledge on the factors that lead to successful livelihood components of ICM initiatives. By the end of the SUCCESS Program, there will be a well documented assessment of the impacts of project livelihood strategies on coastal households and ICM initiatives; and there will be a package of livelihood-related materials and events geared to development project designers and implementers—e.g., a web-based information portal, a publication on good practices, a module to be incorporated into MPA certification curriculum, and selected outreach events. The SUCCESS learning strategy is to: • Conduct applied research on learning topics linked to key ICM-related issues of global concern • Form regional learning networks that can share in the results of this applied research and through which network members can also share their own experiences and knowledge on select topic areas • Develop, populate and maintain a knowledge management system that can serve as the collection vehicle for new information and the dissemination vehicle for sharing “the-best-of” information on a wide range of key ICM-related topics with a wider audience

1.2.3 Global Leadership