Training-Workshop on Effective Management of Climate Knowledge

Training-Workshop on Effective Management of Climate Knowledge (Report) Deliverable no. A1-01-2011 Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Nepal Climate Change Knowledge Management Center (NCCKMC) Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal Fax: 977‐01‐5547713 Phone: 01‐5547714, 5550813 E‐mail: climate@nast.org.np Date: 15 August 2011 CONTENTS Background and Objectives 2 Participation and Resource Persons 2 Training Workshop Design 2 Overview of Inaugural Session 3 Methods Applied in Technical Sessions 3 Overview of Technical Session 4 Output from Reflection Exercise 5 Experiences of Presenters and Trainees 5 Outcomes 6 Annex I: List of Participants Annex II: Program Schedule Annex III: Some Snaps Background and Objectives Nepal Climate Change Knowledge Management Center (NCCKMC) is serving as a platform for coordinating and facilitating the regular generation, management, exchange and dissemination of climate related knowledge and capacity building services to the climate knowledge management practitioners in Nepal. NCCKMC hold its role in building capacity of its staff members under Nepal Academy of Science and Technology- Climate and Development Knowledge Network (NAST-CDKN) cooperation project in which the staff members have to receive trainings on concept of knowledge management and strategy of effective tools of knowledge sharing. Beside the NCCKMC staff, it has provision of inviting some knowledge management practitioners in climate change representing major stakeholders. The trainings are planned to be facilitated by national and international resource persons. In this regard, an in-house training-workshop on Effective Management of Climate Knowledge was organized at the premises of NAST from 3-4 August, 2011. The program was jointly supported and organized by NCCKMC and CDKN in support of Nepal Government. The objectives of the training workshop were to: • Familiarize the participants with concept and application of learning strand • Develop monitoring and evaluation methodologies • Review the project objectives and approaches Participation and Resource Persons Altogether 23 participants representing various GOs, development organizations, NGOs, and knowledge management practitioners along with NCCKMC staff members actively participated in the training workshop. An international expert, Mr Carl Jackson, who is leading M&E to the project, facilitated the training workshop. Accompanying him, Dr Hom Gartaula, action learning convener, co-facilitated the sessions. Also, three experts (Mr Daan Boom, Dr Nama Raj Budhathoki and Mr Dhiraj Pradhananga) based in Kathmandu representing major stakeholders were invited as resource persons to deliver invited talk. Training Workshop Design The training workshop was designed into two session viz. i) Inaugural session and ii) Technical session. The inaugural session was organized to launch the workshop formally and make familiarize the participants on NAST-CDKN cooperation project. The technical session was scheduled with two sessions focusing on strengthening NCCKMC to perform knowledge services, functions as main objective. Technical session I was designed to focus on climate information and knowledge management while the technical session II was mainly intended to knowledge sharing and learning. Overview of Inaugural Session The inaugural session was commenced under the chairmanship of different dignitaries. Prof. Dr Surendra Raj Kafle, Vice Chancellor of NAST was the chief guest. Addressing at the program, Dr Dinesh Raj Bhuju, Chief, Faculty of Science, NAST and Team Leader of NCCKMC highlighted the program and welcomed all the participants on behalf of the organizing team. The training workshop was inaugurated by enlightening the candle by the chief guest. In addition, Dr Ali T. Sheikh, Director (Asia), CDKN, Prof. Dr Prakash C. Adhikari, Secretary, NAST, Dr Ram Hari Aryal, Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr Krishna Gyawali, Secretary, Ministry of Environment joined the ceremony. Finally, Prof. Dr Surendra Raj Kafle enunciated the closing remarks on the occasion and Ms Ramila Shrestha Raut, Chief, Promotion Division and Deputy Team Leader of NCCKMC addressed vote of thanks on behalf of the organizers. Dr Ali T. Sheikh in his address said that climate change is challenging the MDG. He focused that there is an imperative need of intertwined connection between policy makers, scientific research and community. Further he added that CDKN will help in networking Nepalese research students with international research institutions. Addressing the session Prof. Dr Prakash C. Adhikari stated that the support from MoST and MoE in successful execution of the project is imperative and outcomes of the project will be spread up to policy makers level. Similarly, Dr Ram Hari Aryal stated that climate change is emerging issues in Nepal that has to be addressed by the government. He further added that demand driven approach and awareness programs in local languages to grass root level are essential to tackle with climate change issues. Mr Krishna Gyawali delivered on the government works and plan related to climate change. He affirmed that NCCKMC has been included in five components of Pilot Project on Climate Resilience (PPCR). Finally, Prof. Dr. Surendra Raj Kafle in his closing remarks extended felicitation to CDKN and stated that the systems of climate change knowledge management are still in infancy, especially in the case of under developing countries like Nepal. He added that KM in climate change for developing countries is utmost important which NAST has already initiated. He assured NAST will also endeavor to initiate the research oriented programs on climate change issues in coming days. Methods Applied in Technical Sessions The technical session of the training workshop followed the participatory approach. The following methods were used to run the sessions. • Lecture presentation • Group discussion • Case study on knowledge management practice Overview of Technical session The technical session was categorized into two - technical session I and II. The technical session I that is Climate Change information and Knowledge Management witnessed its initiation with the brief introduction of participants. There were 23 participants representing different Governments Institutions, active NGOs, INGos, Department and Universities' Lectures. Whole program was facilitated by Carl Jackson and the Team Leader of NCCKMC. In the meantime Dr Dinesh Raj Bhuju, Chief, Faculty of Science, NAST and Team Leader of NCCKMC drew participants’ attention by presenting the objective and goal of the very workshop along with sketching NAST overall role and functions. He highlighted CDKN supported NCCKMC projects giving priority on its long term thematic research projects as well as establishing the NCCKMC as a National Climate Change Study Center. Ms Elizabeth, partnerships and technical Assistance Coordinator, Asia/CDKN introduced the CDKN programme and its necessity to strengthen the center to perform knowledge services functions about climate related information and reach policymakers, students and researchers. Carl Jackson further elaborated the projects activities. He emphasized on eight activities of the project seeking feedback from the participants for carrying the project more effectively. On the first day of the training, 4 presentations were delivered from the resource persons. The first presentation was on the "State of Art in Knowledge Management”. In this topic, Dr Nama R Budhathoki, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, McGill University, Canada, presented on the Crowd – Souring as a New Model of Knowledge Management. He gave the overall introduction of KM and how it should be applied in our work to make it more effective and productive. The second presentation was on "Knowledge Management Practices in the HKH region" presented by the Mr. Daan Boom of ICIMOD. He highlighted the work of ICIMOD, how it helps in generating knowledge and mention organizing workshops and seminars would be the best opt. and in addition to this E- learning and students exchange program would add benefit in alliance with universities. Next presentation was on “Climate change scenario of Nepal” presented by the Mr Dhiraj Pradhananga, President of SEN. He highlighted the changing scenario of climate of Nepal and its influences factor. There was a discussion on how to disseminate the projected scenario with community and policy makers. And the last presentation was on “A Bibliographical Review of Climate Change Issue in Nepalese Print media” which was presented by Mr Bijaya Kumar Pokharel, Thesis student of Central Department of Library and Information Science (CDLIS), T.U and also the grantee of NCCKMC to conduct the research on the very topic. He presented his hard work on the review of the news of climate change published in four major National Newspaper of Nepal from 2001 – 2010. The technical session II bounded with Knowledge sharing and learning strand. In the beginning Carl Jackson overviewed the previous day interaction materials. Then he presented on knowledge sharing, learning and change subject. He discussed about the knowledge management with the instances of first, second and third generation knowledge management showing inter-relationship with organization learning, knowledge management and information management. He also focused on Monitoring and Evaluation activity and shared the development context for knowledge management. Speaking in the program, he generalized how the center would mange and disseminates knowledge and stood upright in delivering climate related knowledge and capacity building services. In the procession, through Monitoring Evaluation and learning activity NCCKMC would be able to introduce Action learning groups that would enable the center to better understand the practical challenges and opportunities of knowledge management in Nepal and convey these with other research and policy organizations, governmental organizations, international development partners said, Jackson. The further session was undertaken by Dr Hom Gartaula. He discussed about the Learning strand approach. For understanding the approach, he asked the participants to do reflection on knowledge management for Climate Change and Development in Nepal, moreover, reflection exercise on that aspect. The participants raised different issues, challenges in regard of the above content and that raised opinions of individuals were discussed. Likewise, NCCKMC Action Learning group were established to share the knowledge management issues or challenges for climate change and development in Nepal to strengthen NCCKMC. In addition to these activities, student mentoring in knowledge management was carried out for which different supervisors who conduct supervision of Master Thesis has been invited from universities of T.U. Lastly, Carl projected next steps to be undertaken for strengthening NCCKMC like quarterly open dialogue technical workshop more on knowledge management. Output from Reflection Exercise This part summarizes issues and challenges that arose from action learning group set for demonstration. Most of the participants shared the major challenges/issues for knowledge management for climate change and development in Nepal through NCCKMC project. • Institutions for capacity building of knowledge managers is lacking • Research gaps on climate change and its impacts • Assurance of best utilization of NCCKMC research grant is challenging • Difficult to find out expert supervisors on climate change science • Scattered information on climate change • Curriculum on climate change for school student is lacking Experiences of Presenters and Trainees The workshop was judged as a great success by both presenters and trainees with everyone contributing to a very useful exchange of information. The participants expressed that they were acquainted on the knowledge management scenario to some extent and familiarized with learning strand and its application during M&E of the project. Participants made critical reflection about the workshop and assessed what have been achieved so far by NCCKMC and where more efforts are needed. They identified a number of areas where more solidarity is required: Coordination of NCCKMC with existing climate change related national organization, interconnection of the research grant program with policy makers, going through climate change policy of Nepal, possibility of grant to PhD students and bringing knowledge and information from other research institutions like NARC, Department of Plant Resources etc. The participants requested to the organizer to continue similar kind of the training in the coming days with some practical approaches such as technique and tools of Knowledge Management which could help in understanding the climate change and management of climate knowledge. Finally, the participants assured that they would be attending future workshops of similar kind. Outcomes After the completion of the workshop, participants can explain the fundamentals of knowledge management practices and state the climate change scenario of Nepal. They can develop M&E of the project including learning of the project. Participants can use action learning in their project as well as support NCCKMC strengthening project by sharing their experiences through the membership of an action learning group that meets at NAST every six weeks. The major outcome of the training workshop is formation of action learning groups that will act upon to enhance the project. The salient points from discussion during the technical sessions related to Strengthening Nepal Climate Change Knowledge Management Center Project are also the valuable outcome of the workshop that includes: • Dissemination of research outcomes to community • Research scientists must be included in policy making process • Focus mainly on knowledge generation and management • Imperative to work together with other organizations • Organizing action learning on NCCKMC quarterly • Organizing KM trainings including participants from outside valley Annex I: List of Participants S.N. Name of the participants Organization S.N. Name of theparticipants Organization 1 Ratna R. Timsina NTNC 13 Manju Sapkota NCCKMC 2 Suman Aryal CDES/TU 14 Aruna Thapa NCCKMC 3 Yubaraj Satyal ISET- Nepal 15 Pawan K Neupane NCCKMC 4 Madan K Silwal NAST 16 Achyut Tiwari Department of Plant Resources 5 Sudip Pandey NAST 17 Dinanath Bhandari Practical Action 6 Narayan Gaire NAST 18 Manju Ghimire DFRS 7 Dr. Janardan Dhungana TUCL 19 Anupama Upadhyaya Nepal National Library 8 Dr. A.K Gautam AEU- NARC 20 Niranjan Bista The Small Earth Nepal 9 Ashok Thapa NCCKMC 21 Suman Udas Clean Energy Nepal 10 Prakesh Timilsina NAST 22 Anil Kumar Jha ICIMOD 11 Indira Kadel DHM 23 Kamal Sah SSD- NARC 12 Narayan B. Kumar MoE Annex II: Program Schedule NAST- CDKN Training – Workshop on Effective Management of Climate Knowledge Nepal Academy of Science and Technology Nepal Climate Change Knowledge Management Center Date: August 3- 4, 2011 Venue: NAST Auditorium August 3, 2011, Wednesday Inaugural Program 09:30 – 10:00 Registration 10:00 – 11:00 Inaugural Session Chief Guest: Hon'ble Minister for Science and Technology Mr Lekh Raj Bhatta Inaugural Session Chair: Prof. Dr Surendra Raj Kafle, Vice Chancellor, NAST Welcome and Program Highlight: Dr Dinesh Raj Bhuju, Chief, Faculty of Science and Team Leader of NCCKMC Remarks: Dr Ali T. Sheikh, Director (Asia), CDKN Remarks: Prof. Dr Prakash C. Adhikari, Secretary, NAST Remarks: Mr Krishna Gyawali, Secretary, Ministry of Environment Remarks: Dr Ram Hari Aryal, Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology Remarks: Chief Guest Hon'ble Minister Mr Lekh Raj Bhatta Closing Remarks: Prof. Dr Surendra Raj Kafle, Vice Chancellor, NAST Vote of thanks: Ms Ramila Shrestha Raut, Chief, Promotion Division and Deputy Team Leader of NCCKMC 11:00-11:30 Tea Break Technical session I: Climate Change information and Knowledge Management 11:30 – 12:30 Introduction to NAST-CDKN supported NCCKMC Project Activities Feed back from the participants 12:30 – 13:15 State of Art in Knowledge Management by Dr Nama R. Budhathoki 13:15 – 14:15 Lunch Break 14:15 – 15:00 Knowledge Management Practices in the HKKH region by Mr Daan Boom 15:00 – 15: 45 Climate Change Scenario of Nepal by Mr Dhiraj Pradhananga 15:45-16:00 Tea Break 16:00 – 16:45 A Bibliographical Review of Climate Change Issue in Nepalese Print media by Mr Bijaya Kumar Pokhrel * 16:45 – 17:00 Sum up August 4, 2011, Thursday Technical Session II: Knowledge Sharing and Learning 9:00 – 9:30 Overview by Carl Jackson and Dinesh Bhuju 9:30-11:00 Knowledge sharing, Learning and Change – General overview, MEL and what this could mean for NCCKMC by Carl Jackson 11:00 – 11:30 Tea Break 11:30 – 12:15 Learning Strand – approaches, case studies (action learning, mentoring) by Carl J and Hom G 12:15 – 13:00 Reflection on KM for climate change and development in Nepal – individual time to identify KM issues / challenges by Carl J and Hom G 13:00-14:00 Lunch Break 14:00 – 15:30 Establishing Action Learning Group – Members, learning objectives around issues/challenges, process by Carl J and Hom G 15:30 – 16:00 Tea Break 16:00 – 16:45 Plan for Student Mentoring* by Carl J 16:45 – 17:15 Next Step by Carl J End of the program *Interested research scientists and potential supervisors of thesis works will be invited to join the lecture program