Forum for Agricultural Research in AfricaForum for Agricultural Research in Africa

Cotonou, Benin24-29 May 2010

RAILS A Framework for Knowledge Management and

Information Exchanges in Africa

CORAF 2nd Science Week and 9th General Assembly

Dady Demby

Forum for Agricultural Research in AfricaForum for Agricultural Research in Africa

RAILS Main objectives RAILS Main objectives

1. Contribute to advocacy for increased investments in agricultural

information & learning systems by the African governments and

institutions

2. Improve the access and contribution by African ARD Stakeholders in

the global knowledge sharing

3. Facilitate agricultural information systems synergies and learning

between international and national research for development

institutions

4. Build an African platform for agriculture information and learning

system through consolidation of national to sub-regional to

continental and global information systems

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RAILS continental perspectiveRAILS continental perspective

North African subregionNorth African subregion

ASARECAASARECA

CORAF/WECARDCORAF/WECARD

SADC-FANRSADC-FANRCARDESACARDESA

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Forum for Agricultural Research in AfricaForum for Agricultural Research in Africa

RAILS continental perspectiveN

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National focal pointNational focal point

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NorthernNorthernAfricaAfrica

SADC/SADC/FANRFANR

Global knowledge Global knowledge through information and through information and

learninglearning

National focal pointNational focal point

SRO AISSRO AIS FARA-FARA-RAILSRAILS

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Building Learning Teams

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What is a Learning team?What is a Learning team?

• The learning team concept within RAILS is based on the recognition that an information system is made of the following main components: – People, – Technology, – Contents, and – Processes

• The national learning team members are from various backgrounds and disciplines working together as information intermediaries.

• They should have a written approval from their institution management

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Learning team responsibilitiesLearning team responsibilities• Facilitation roles in information exchanges among and within

between the NARS stakeholders and the building of a national agricultural information and learning system;

• Contribute in sensitization of NARS stakeholders on the use of international information management and sharing standards

• Actively participate in activities organized within the RAILS (online discussion, distance training, face to face training and meetings, surveys, etc.)

• Build capacities of NARS stakeholders on defined topics as need be

• Participate in the development of the national work plan in relation to the RAILS activities

• Contribute in building synergies, wherever possible, between RAILS activities and national initiatives undertaken by national partners

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eRAILS PlatformeRAILS PlatformThe African Portal on AgricultureThe African Portal on Agriculture

• An online platform for communication, content mobilization, knowledge sharing at various levels:– National– Sub regional– Regional– http://www.erails.net

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eRAILS: A glance at the features

The concept…

Individuals & Org. create sites

The user’s backend allows to:• edit and design sites and pages, • provide links to external web-resources• classify information

All the sites are linked and searchable through a single gateway

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1. eRails.net – the African Portal on Agriculture2. A glance at the features

• The gateway• The search window• Country-views• Account-page• The individual - Site• Structure

3. Potential4. A Collaboration of partners

Menu with two hierarchies

Content can be individually designed

Adapt logo and titles

Search: this site and related external pages

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Some eRAILS FeaturesSome eRAILS Features• Decentralized Content management system (CMS)• Range of thematic national portals• Integrated and structured environment for enhanced

collaboration• Clear categorization of contents: Thematic portals (TPs) • Easiness of creation of thematic portals (5 min.)• Focus on content and not on technology• Easy integration of external web-resources• Powerful meta-search engine: simultaneous search of all TPs

and related external web-resources• Tool-box for interaction• Etc.

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Thank youThank youwww.fara-africa.org