Knowledge Networks

The Social Dialogue Branch of the EDD has undertaken to strengthen its work by introducing the Knowledge Networks initiate.

Leslie Nyagah, EDD's network dialogue specialist, talks more about it.

What is the initiative of the Knowledge Network.
The EDD Knowledge Networks serve as an avenue for critical discussions on key job drivers as identified by the NGP. The Knowledge Networks stimulate the sharing of information, concepts, plans and strategies on economic development and also promotes strengthens social partner interaction, communication and learning capabilities.

What is the aim of this initiative?
Knowledge Network sessions with key social partners will ultimately assist in identifying and packaging issues, concepts and approaches that may ultimately influence policy, plans and strategies that relate to economic development.

What format will the interactions take?
The knowledge networks are implemented in the form of thematic sessions. The following themes have been internally identified for the development of knowledge networks and these themes are; small business, African development, green economy, competition policy, spatial planning, and infrastructure development. These themes indicate areas where impact will be created through the development and maintenance of a knowledge network.

Who will be the main audiences?
All key social partners which include the youth, business, academia, government, communities, labour, and development agencies.

How will the sessions enhance the work already being done by the Social Dialogue division of the EDD?
Dialogue is an important feature of economic development. EDD’s knowledge network function is an approach that is aimed to broaden the participation and representation of all social partners and pools together knowledge and thought processes that enhance the economic architecture of the country.

Who are some of those stakeholders that EDD will be working with, on this initiate?
All knowledge networks are driven and coordinated by the Economic Development Department. We however at times rely on some partners such as the Competition Commission, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Centre for Small Business Development for their technical support on this initiative.