Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Development The design of effective systems to harness research- based knowledge for sustainable development.

 What are the characteristics of effective knowledge systems?  How does the effectiveness of such systems depend on social and environmental contexts?  How can knowledge systems be made more effective in specific circumstances?

Examples of Successful Knowledge Systems Cassava resistant to Cassava Mosaic Virus in Uganda Social Science research enhancing methods for enhancing community participation in Uganda Improving rural tax policy by economic research Epidemiological research help reduce HIV incidence Modern Rice Varieties in Bangladesh

1. Solution-driven: focus on solutions not just problems or impacts alone. 2. Tacit knowledge: integrate tacit (practice-based) knowledge with research-based knowledge 3. Co-production: knowledge as a joint product of experts and decision makers (avoid one-directional "pipelines" or "transfers.)" 4. Integrated impact assessment: evaluate potential solutions in terms of impacts across the social, ecological and economic dimensions. 5. Learning orientation: design knowledge systems to facilitate an ongoing, dynamic process of experimentation, evaluation and learning, not just one-time findings or interventions. Propositions from Knowledge Systems Research

6. SCL: produce information that is perceived to be simultaneously salient, credible and legitimate by multiple relevant stakeholders. 7. Scale: Knowledge systems should linking information producers and users across (national, regional, local) scales. 8. Boundary organizations: incorporate distinct and dedicated boundary organizations for linking knowledge producers and users. 9. Contextualized design: attune efforts to the context of specific places, sectors or syndromes.

Health Related Knowledge Systems Insecticide Impregnated Bed Nets Oral Rehydration Therapy

Insecticide Treated Bednets Africans used bednets thousands of years ago; In WWII the Soviets applied Juniper oil to bednets, and U.S. soldiers impregnated bednets with DDT; Pyrethrum is the oldest effective pesticide known; Interest in synthetic-pyrethroid insecticide treated nets arose in the early 1980’s, when malariologists faced the development of insecticide resistant mosquitoes and drug resistant malaria agents; Some countries began programs at that time; A number of small-scale tests were done in the 1980’s showing improved child survival rates; The first major study demonstrated effectiveness of a combined insecticide treated bednet and chemoprophylaxis program in 1991; TDR then sponsored four studies in Africa in different ecological and social studies, which also proved effective. Epidemiological research on bednets continues.

From Research to Practice: Tanzania case study Efficacy research phase: 1984 to 1996 Insecticide Treated Net programs could reduce vectors; reduce morbidity and reduce mortality. Effectiveness research phase: 1995 to 2001 Home treatment kit for impregnating nets; Social marketing of nets and treatment kits; District scale evaluation of the approach; Changing norms phase: 1999 – continuing 1999 Tanzania hosted international meeting on ITN; National stakeholder forum created and operational; National scale-up strategy developed; DfID project to develop private sector supply of ITN; National ITS voucher scheme Tanzania now produces more nets and net treatments than any other country in Africa.

New Crop Variety Knowledge System

Why does Africa Lag in Adopting New Varieties African governments have not established policies fostering economic growth, which in turn would induce technological innovation; Weakness of institutions required for technology transfer and innovation in African; Green revolution varieties generally require irrigation; levels of investment in irrigation have been low; Green revolution varieties generally require a package of inputs to perform well, including fertilizers and pesticides; markets for such inputs are weak in Africa; Among many other reasons.

Summarizing the Lessons of the Case Studies Analysis of Knowledge Systems helps to understand both health and agricultural innovations; Important innovations have their own individual histories; There is a great deal of basic and applied research that underlies even apparently simple technological innovations; For innovations to pay off, there has to be a suitable policy, institutional and economic climate; Even when a technology greatly improves efforts to achieve an important goal, there is a lot of work to see the innovations accepted and disseminated! Insecticide Treated Bednets, Oral Rehydration Therapy. And Modern Crop Varieties Are the Successes! There Are Many More Failures!