Knowledge management and social learning: exploring the cognitive dimension of development

Resumen

The article considers the importance of improving social learning and knowledge as a dimension of development, and how to use learning and knowledge as factors for achieving development objectives. Implementation of knowledge management for development, taking the six characteristics of knowledge in society into account and with the active involvement of local actors, requires fostering of knowledge management at the local level. Local knowledge and local actors should have a greater role in development strategies and policies. The challenge is to find ways of redefining the relationship between development agencies, local governments and local actors for organizing development as a learning process. CARE?s efforts to apply knowledge management for development in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has involved a process that has taken place over the past four years and is not yet concluded. The example of the First Knowledge Fair held in Atlanta during 22-24 September 2004, and the related development of knowledge projects and knowledge communities, is examined.