Near East and North Africa Rural & Agricultural Knowledge and Information Network (NERAKIN)

1. Near East and North Africa Rural & Agricultural Knowledge and Information Network (NERAKIN) Magdi Latif Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building Division

2. NERAKIN: Definition NERAKIN is a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration for Rural and Agricultural Development for target groups and stakeholders on a regional level in NENA.

3. NERAKIN: Development Objective • To enhance rural and agricultural development in Near East and North Africa through strengthening information and knowledge access and exchange, providing mechanisms to: • strengthen, coordinate, and add value to national and regional agricultural initiatives • improve performance of farmers and agrarian businesses.

4. NERAKIN : Immediate Objective To strengthen the capacity of the Ministries of Agriculture and agricultural and rural research institutions for effective information management and knowledge exchange in support of rural and agricultural development in the region [The regional initiative will add value in a coherent way to national system/networks, not substitute them.]

5. NERAKIN Phase I Outputs: 2007 1- A pilot NERAKIN Regional System for content management and information exchange (May – October) 2- Identification of technical institutions committed to capacity building in IKM 3-Selected national technical staff sensitized on how to use NERAKIN Regional System 4- Pilot national knowledge and information management systems/networks (i.e. Egypt, Jordan, Oman, etc.)

6. NERAKIN Interfaces • Front end Interface( Regional or National)The front end components provide the information retrieval/browsing functionalities, and are available to any site user. • Back end InterfaceThe backend components provide the data management functionalities that enable system administrators to input/update/delete data items into the NERAKIN database.

7. October 2007 Front end Interface

8. October 2007 Back end Interface

9. October 2007 Back end Interface

11. NERAKIN CAPABILITIES • Meeting the International Data Exchange Requirements • for Information Standards and Tools for Content Management (AGMES – Agricultural Metadata Element Set, AGRIS/ Organization/ Experts/ Projects Application Profile, A/E AGROVOC thesaurus, Software – MySQL Open Source, and Open Archives). • Open System Architecture • The system is fully dynamic, built and developed under object oriented concepts using the latest technology and modern object oriented language • Portability • It is capable to be deployed easily in other machines and portable devices

12. NERAKIN CAPABILITIES • User Friendly • It has a friendly interface and it easy to use and simple to configure. • Dynamic WorkflowBack end Interfaces • The system has a dynamic workflow in the advanced Content Management System (CMS). • Centralized and Distributed System • The NERAKIN architecture on the one hand will enable all participating institutions to upload their materials in a centralized system, and on the other hand will allow for the development of distributed systems at institutional levels.

13. Benefits of partnerships & networking • A collaborative system and effective communication, • Exchange of information and knowledge, • Enhanced technical cooperation, • Reduced costs of operation, • Synergiesin information management, • Use of agreed standards, methodologies and tools.

14. Success Factors for Regional Network • Commitment for contribution/collaboration at national level; • Focus on capacity building at national level; • Existence of a regional information strategy; • Development of a Secretariat role for regional activities; • Focus on community of practice amongst the info specialists; • Raising awareness of ICM issues at Manager./political levels; • Formation of strategic partnerships amongst the major • stakeholder organizations.

15. Good Practices in National Networking • Existence of a clearly defined strategy and objectives • Tangible commitment to the strategy from major players including government • Assurance of adequate funding resources for the network members • Strong but sensitive leadership provided by a national focal point • Participatory approach in the national network with appropriate recognition of all partners • Development of information repositories of documents (metadata/full text) and people/organizations/activities • Adoption of a single model for IM with common formats and standards • Focus on content quality • Focus on development of human resources

16. Operational Framework in National Networking • Assign and build capacity of Coordinating/Focal Unit that includes National Admin/Focal point. • Develop the system steering committee that includes a national coordinator, technical director and members. • Assign stakeholders who will be responsible for managing their own information (1- Institute Admin 2- Data Entry Users). • Connect institutional entities that are not connected and enhance the infrastructure within the different connected institutions (hardware installation). • Install software system in institution servers (Plug and Work). • Building capacities of institution staff on the use of system (training). • Data collection/validation/publishing and feeding to system. • Conduct awareness workshops and promote the system.

17. NERAKIN Phase I: 2008/9 5- Development of the regional collaborative network based on partnerships for enhanced knowledge-sharing and learning at national level 6- Development of the regional thematic knowledge networks (Starting with Biotechnology Network).

18. AARINENA Regional/Inter-Regional Thematic NetworksEstablished in collaboration with GFAR, FAO and ICARDA Other Regional Specialized Networks

19. NERAKIN Phase I: 2008/9 Major Targets/Challenges • Official launch of NERAKIN regional portal • Training of selected national technical staff to contribute to NERAKIN system • Securing active commitment from stakeholders to develop national IKM systems/networks

20. Thank You For Your Attention