The ICT Network discussed the topic of knowledge management in two areas, as a priority of the ICT Strategic Framework, and as a tool for exchanging ICT-related information amongst the organizations.

Within the ICT Strategic Framework, Mr. Ken Herman (CEB Secretariat) presented an overview of the work underway for a system-wide knowledge sharing strategy. He explained that the HLCP, first at its eighth session in September 2004 and subsequently at the Greentree retreat in July 2005, requested the CEB Secretariat to prepare a draft terms of reference for a system-wide knowledge sharing strategy, and that this work must proceed in an interdisciplinary manner by including a range of stakeholders from around the system. Discussion in the meeting focused on the need to avoid duplication between this work and the ICT Network business case initiative on knowledge sharing.

In terms of exchanging ICT related information amongst organizations, Mr. Richard Maciver (CEB Secretariat) presented the revised CEB web site currently under development, along with the section of the new web site devoted to the management networks, including the ICT Network. This new web site allows the Network to share documents, meeting calendars, and many other group-related tasks, which would assist the group in working together to create the business cases. The web site should be launched by the end of the year. While created using free and open source software, the extent of other costs to host or enhance the site have not yet been determined. The Network thanked the CEB Secretariat for work on the new web site. The Network also discussed ways to increase knowledge sharing amongst the ICT community of the system, including exploring creating communities of practice for ICT-related areas such as information security and infrastructure operations, while noting that a significant amount of knowledge sharing already exists in less formal arrangements.

Decision 6

The Network agreed that the interagency knowledge sharing strategy development should proceed within the context of the UN ICT Strategic Framework by creating a working group around the knowledge sharing initiative, in this way avoiding any duplication of effort.

Decision 7

The network agreed that it should explore, under the knowledge sharing working group, and in conjunction with the developing system-wide knowledge sharing strategy, communities of practice around critical areas of ICT operation, like information security, help-desk services, and infrastructure operation.