The challenge of HIV/AIDS: Where does agroforestry fit in? - World ...

Chapter 20: Strengthening institutions165involved collaborate. The Centre shouldhelp build capacity for joint resourcemobilization and encourage institutionallinks, especially among different disciplinesand across countries and regions. Bringingtogether researchers in such disciplines asagriculture, forestry and animal sciencesis the key to forming links among differentdisciplines.Another aspect is the need to raise the humanresource capacity, especially throughpostgraduate fellowships. This is a priorityfor many institutions, irrespective of disciplinarybackground. In this context, thesisresearch should be aligned to national prioritiesand, preferably, implemented as partof a national agenda. Weak areas, suchas biometrics and participatory research,require special attention. Follow-up andsupport of alumni are necessary to enhancefuture research collaboration and networking,especially across disciplines.New approaches and opportunitiesIt is vital to establish mechanisms to mentorinstitutions, as well as institutionallinks, partnerships and networks throughNorth–South and South–South collaborativeprogrammes. One way to do this isto establish peer review mechanisms.Colleges, universities, research institutesand extension organizations generallyoperate as independent, de-linked institutionsand would benefit from mechanismsto facilitate better coordination. IntegratedNARS that include research, education andextension, should be promoted.Strategic partnershipsStrategic partners for national research institutionsinclude universities, internationalagricultural research centres, investors,regional economic bodies, advanced researchinstitutions and funders of researchand postgraduate education.Improving knowledgemanagementGoalsTo make stakeholders in agroforestry moreconscious and more active in advancingknowledge management as well as increasingthe application of knowledge todevelopment. This will lead to a better flowof knowledge on agroforestry and naturalresources management through knowledgesystems at all levels.Strategic issuesKnowledge is increasingly playing a centralrole in development. Knowledge managementis therefore very crucial for everysociety and institution. Advances in electronictools for sharing information areenhancing our capacity to gather, analyse,systematize/organize, store, retrieve andapply knowledge. Indeed, the World AgroforestryCentre is lending support to theConsultative Group on International AgriculturalResearch (CGIAR) Learning ResourceCentre (see Chapter 19, in this volume).All materials posted here must be peerreviewedand partners must participate inthe development and management of webbasedtools. However, in some countries theelectronic infrastructure is still weak. Thereis therefore a need to also work with moretraditional tools to make sure stakeholderswith poor access to electronic resources arenot excluded. On-farm practical learningfacilities enhance the participation of localcommunities and guarantee capture and useof indigenous knowledge.Research scientists should adopt knowledgemanagement principles and practices.To achieve this, it is important to mentorresearchers in communication and publicawareness. The Centre should also developa content taxonomy/classificationfor agroforestry knowledge and shape it toaddress the needs of different stakeholders(research and academic institutions anddevelopment partners).New approaches and opportunitiesThere is a need to strengthen the use ofnetworks. Available knowledge is largelyin print format and in English. It shouldbe produced in multimedia formats andtranslated into other languages to facilitateaccess by the majority of stakeholders.ConstraintsIn knowledge sharing, there is a real risk ofbeing technology-driven, rather than demand-driven,in delivery strategies. Manypartner institutions have inadequate informationand communication infrastructureand the Centre should be sensitive to this.Knowledge should be managed in closecollaboration with national institutions, sothey increasingly take leadership. This isnecessary for the long-term sustainability ofthe effort. Maintenance costs for databasesand web sites should be mainstreamed intonational and private systems.ConclusionsThe World Agroforestry Centre continues toplay a leading role in agroforestry capacitybuilding. In the future, national institutionsand regional networks are expected to playincreasing roles. They will only succeed ifstrategies and resources are made availableto facilitate the mentoring of national institutionsand networks. The Centre will needto work closely with its partners, especiallyin developing strategic programmes andmobilizing resources. In this context, farmers’organizations should be recognized asinstitutions and be supported, especiallyin their approaches to dissemination ofknowledge. The Centre’s new ‘StrengtheningInstitutions’ theme is a timely initiativeand will help address the new challenges.