EXPERT GROUP MEETING ON KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS FOR DEVELOPMENT AT HEADQUARTERS 4-5 SEPTEMBER

EXPERT GROUP MEETING ON KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS FOR DEVELOPMENT

AT HEADQUARTERS 4-5 SEPTEMBER

NEW YORK, 3 September (DESA) -- The Division for Public Administration and Development Management in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs is organizing an Ad Hoc Expert Group Meeting on Knowledge Systems for Development, from 4-5 September 2003 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. 

Given the central role of knowledge in economic and social development, in governance and public sector reform, and its linkage to information and communication technologies for development issues, the Division considers the systems surrounding knowledge creation, management, adaptation, and dissemination and productive utilization, an important topic for examination.  As such, the Ad Hoc Expert Group Meeting will be devoted to four interrelated topics:  theoretical and historical underpinnings of the knowledge society; various approaches by governments to the development of national knowledge systems; measurement of the knowledge assets of a nation; and, the role of knowledge in government and governance.

It is expected that the meeting will identify major issues and trends in knowledge systems for development and further develop the knowledge of United Nations staff, United Nations missions and partner organizations on these important issues.  Moreover, as an advisory meeting, it will provide recommendations on the role of the public sector in the development of a national knowledge systems, or components thereof, and on how the Department and the Division can assist States in building their knowledge capacities, at a national level and within the public sector.  This will include consideration of the development of specific tools and practical next steps.

The meeting will be structured around four sessions covering each of the main themes outlined above.  Each session will consist of expert presentations, presentation by a discussant and a general discussion.  During the general discussion, all participants will be invited to make interventions, thus further enriching the debate.  The final session will be dedicated to a summary of the meeting and a discussion of recommendations.

Additional information about the meeting, including the aide memoire, agenda, background papers, presentations and the final report of the meeting can be found at the conference Web site at:  http://www.unpan.org/dpepa-kmb-ksranda.asp.

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