engaging in waterwiki opportunities for un-water knowledge & coordination support

Engaging in Engaging in WaterWikiWaterWiki

Opportunities for UN-WaterOpportunities for UN-Waterknowledge & coordination knowledge & coordination

support support

Proposal by Juerg Staudenmann, Proposal by Juerg Staudenmann, Water Governance Advisor, UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre Water Governance Advisor, UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre

Presented by Andrew Hudson / Joakim Presented by Andrew Hudson / Joakim HarlinHarlin

To the UN-Water Meeting, Rome – 15-17 January To the UN-Water Meeting, Rome – 15-17 January 2008 2008

UN-Water - Rome, 15-17 Jan 200822

What isWhat is WaterWikiWaterWiki ? ? ((www.WaterWiki.netwww.WaterWiki.net))

UNDP’s UNDP’s Knowledge Portal and On-line Knowledge Portal and On-line Collaboration Platform Collaboration Platform for practitioners working for practitioners working

on water governance in Europe &CIS on water governance in Europe &CIS

THE NEEDTHE NEED: requirement to systematically : requirement to systematically document & map projects, reports, key documents document & map projects, reports, key documents & organizations, “who-is-who and does what”, and & organizations, “who-is-who and does what”, and UNDP’s on-going work on “Water Governance” (in UNDP’s on-going work on “Water Governance” (in Europe & CIS) Europe & CIS)

THE APPROACH:THE APPROACH: to create a web-based and to create a web-based and interactive repository of info, knowledge and interactive repository of info, knowledge and experiences (instead of “storing it all on a C: drive”) experiences (instead of “storing it all on a C: drive”)

THE SOLUTION:THE SOLUTION: a Wiki-Platform, just like a Wiki-Platform, just like WikipediaWikipedia, which would allow any interested practitioner to , which would allow any interested practitioner to draw upon, but also to contribute directly … draw upon, but also to contribute directly …


What isWhat is WaterWikiWaterWiki ? (cont.) ? (cont.)

Wikis, as compared to “regular websites”:Wikis, as compared to “regular websites”:– Easy-to-use and -maintain – by anyone (no HTML or IT language Easy-to-use and -maintain – by anyone (no HTML or IT language

needed) needed) – While webpages usually are centrally owned (by an organization that While webpages usually are centrally owned (by an organization that

also bears the responsibility of creating, updating and approving also bears the responsibility of creating, updating and approving content), Wikis aim to be “publicly owned” web-spaces content), Wikis aim to be “publicly owned” web-spaces

– Any (identified and logged-in!!) user can add or edit any content; all Any (identified and logged-in!!) user can add or edit any content; all edits can easily be monitored and undone by others (full “page edits can easily be monitored and undone by others (full “page history” and roll-back function)history” and roll-back function)

Wiki vs regular website:Wiki vs regular website: – A “Potluck-cooking party” A “Potluck-cooking party” vs restaurant visitvs restaurant visit – Or: A knowledge base that “Or: A knowledge base that “grows organicallygrows organically” with each user-” with each user-

contribution, instead of “being constructed” by one or more contribution, instead of “being constructed” by one or more “responsible info-providers” “responsible info-providers”

Quality control?Quality control? – Is decentralized / democratic / peer controlled: the user-group itself Is decentralized / democratic / peer controlled: the user-group itself

mutually monitors, comments and directly edits its contributions mutually monitors, comments and directly edits its contributions – Few facilitators (“knowledge farmers”), mainly to assist users and Few facilitators (“knowledge farmers”), mainly to assist users and

guide the way contributions are made & managed (updated) guide the way contributions are made & managed (updated) – AND: AND: Who says a restaurant meal necessarily has to be of higher Who says a restaurant meal necessarily has to be of higher

quality than self-cooked food? quality than self-cooked food?


WaterWiki over timeWaterWiki over time Started “bottom-up” in Aug 2005:Started “bottom-up” in Aug 2005: – zero budget, but 100% commitment plus 2 interns zero budget, but 100% commitment plus 2 interns

Aug 05 – Mar 06: Aug 05 – Mar 06: – From 0 to 600 From 0 to 600

visitor/day visitor/day – Some 200 pagesSome 200 pages

(incl. 32 “country-pages”, (incl. 32 “country-pages”, 25 projects, 50 reports, 25 projects, 50 reports, 40 practitioners, …) 40 practitioners, …)

Now (Jan 08): Now (Jan 08): – Over 1,800 pages + 800 uploaded files Over 1,800 pages + 800 uploaded files

(incl. 98 projects, 287 reports, 192 practitioners & 58 (incl. 98 projects, 287 reports, 192 practitioners & 58 contacts, 97 thematic articles, 39 experience write-ups / contacts, 97 thematic articles, 39 experience write-ups / case-studies, 127 organizations & networks, 213 case-studies, 127 organizations & networks, 213 definitions/concepts, …) definitions/concepts, …)

– Current average:Current average: 700-900 genuine visitors/day 700-900 genuine visitors/day (approx. 15,000 page-views/day) (approx. 15,000 page-views/day)


3 years of Wiki-experience3 years of Wiki-experience atat UNDP Bratislava Reg. Centre UNDP Bratislava Reg. Centre

Major benefits of using WaterWikiMajor benefits of using WaterWiki: : – WaterWiki greatly improved access to information and knowledge on water in the WaterWiki greatly improved access to information and knowledge on water in the

region region ((Client survey 2007Client survey 2007: Our own little Britannica“) : Our own little Britannica“)

– Used by practitioners as (a) Used by practitioners as (a) info-baseinfo-base, (b) , (b) learning resourcelearning resource (!), and (c) “ (!), and (c) “to stay to stay connectedconnected to other practitioners” to other practitioners”

– An easy-to-use platform, not only serving as info-base, but used to exchange An easy-to-use platform, not only serving as info-base, but used to exchange experiences & case studies experiences & case studies

– WaterWiki is WaterWiki is broad enoughbroad enough covering all relevant information, yet covering all relevant information, yet focused/specific focused/specific enoughenough to be relevant, “to-the-point” and of real practical use for practitioners to be relevant, “to-the-point” and of real practical use for practitioners

– People like the “look and feel” of WaterWiki People like the “look and feel” of WaterWiki

Current work to improve WaterWikiCurrent work to improve WaterWiki: : – Upgrade and add useful (AND attractive!) functionalitiesUpgrade and add useful (AND attractive!) functionalities: WYSIWYG | “Add new : WYSIWYG | “Add new

page” wizard | print/send/link this | random page | Google Maps | “Rate this page” wizard | print/send/link this | random page | Google Maps | “Rate this page” | Video/YouTube | RSS-fed news & meta-pages… page” | Video/YouTube | RSS-fed news & meta-pages…

– Better structured Better structured navigation and “exploring mechanisms”navigation and “exploring mechanisms”, incl. monitoring & alert , incl. monitoring & alert functions (What’s new? | What’s top? | what’s needing your input? …) functions (What’s new? | What’s top? | what’s needing your input? …)

– Emphasis on Emphasis on support for on-line collaborationsupport for on-line collaboration & joint drafting (articles, reports, & joint drafting (articles, reports, definitions, case studies, …)definitions, case studies, …)

– ””mash-ups”mash-ups” with other e-tools like e-mail groups, blogs, social networks with other e-tools like e-mail groups, blogs, social networks (facebook?), SKYPE, etc (facebook?), SKYPE, etc

– increase support and incentivesincrease support and incentives for contributors for contributors: How/Where to add wizards, : How/Where to add wizards, recognition & visibility (author- and “top contributor”-lists, indications that shared recognition & visibility (author- and “top contributor”-lists, indications that shared experiences are actually accessed & used by others, … experiences are actually accessed & used by others, …


WaterWiki 2.0 – WaterWiki 2.0 – The recommended* way The recommended* way aheadahead**incl. web4dev conference, Nairobi Nov 2007incl. web4dev conference, Nairobi Nov 2007

EXPAND ! EXPAND ! – GeographicallyGeographically: all regions - while keeping (sub-)regional “chapters” (?) : all regions - while keeping (sub-)regional “chapters” (?) – InstitutionallyInstitutionally: More (all?) UN-agencies – and possibly even beyond UN: More (all?) UN-agencies – and possibly even beyond UN– Possibly “de-brand”:Possibly “de-brand”: no specific (UN-) agency (visible) behind it; or not no specific (UN-) agency (visible) behind it; or not

even “UN”? even “UN”? Legally a “slim solution” solving the author/property-rights Legally a “slim solution” solving the author/property-rights issue issue

– BUT KEEP THE THEMATIC FOCUSBUT KEEP THE THEMATIC FOCUS: Water (& Sanitation) : Water (& Sanitation)

Use WaterWiki as (interactive) publishing-platformUse WaterWiki as (interactive) publishing-platform: : Invite Invite partners to “copy-paste” their original publication onto WaterWiki for partners to “copy-paste” their original publication onto WaterWiki for direct editing & discussiondirect editing & discussion

– Mark as “edits welcome”, while providing a link to the original / official Mark as “edits welcome”, while providing a link to the original / official – Interlink with other content on WaterWiki Interlink with other content on WaterWiki – Make use of edits / discussions for future updates Make use of edits / discussions for future updates Examples: Examples: 1.1. Confirmed: Confirmed: UNECE’s First River Basin AssessmentUNECE’s First River Basin Assessment: Create new page : Create new page

for each River Basin (with dynamic links to relevant projects, reports, for each River Basin (with dynamic links to relevant projects, reports, contacts, articles, …) contacts, articles, …)

2.2. Under discussion: Under discussion: EC ‘Water Management Guideline’EC ‘Water Management Guideline’: New topics, : New topics, articles, “How-to..?”-pages (linking also to related reports, projects, articles, “How-to..?”-pages (linking also to related reports, projects, articles, …) articles, …)

3.3. PotentiallyPotentially: Publish (or create) joint UN-Water Publications as live : Publish (or create) joint UN-Water Publications as live documents, accessible and editable by the registered users (WWDR, JMP, documents, accessible and editable by the registered users (WWDR, JMP, IWRM report, etc.)? IWRM report, etc.)?


WaterWiki for adoption !WaterWiki for adoption !UNDP’s “offer”: UNDP’s “offer”: – Existing WaterWiki structure and info / knowledge base (1800 pages, 800 uploaded Existing WaterWiki structure and info / knowledge base (1800 pages, 800 uploaded

files, …) files, …) – 3 years experience developing and maintaining Wiki platforms (and other advanced 3 years experience developing and maintaining Wiki platforms (and other advanced

IT-tools) for web-based knowledge management, coordination and collaboration IT-tools) for web-based knowledge management, coordination and collaboration – Active support to establish a joint, UN-coordinated, living knowledge base and Active support to establish a joint, UN-coordinated, living knowledge base and

collaboration platform (part-time “knowledge farmer” position planned for 2008) collaboration platform (part-time “knowledge farmer” position planned for 2008) – Started upgrading and expanding: Perfect time for partners* to come on board and Started upgrading and expanding: Perfect time for partners* to come on board and

join forces! join forces! * To date, interest to collaborate actively on WaterWiki has been expressed by UNEP, UNECE, UN-Habitat, * To date, interest to collaborate actively on WaterWiki has been expressed by UNEP, UNECE, UN-Habitat,

UNICEF (and EU/EC)UNICEF (and EU/EC)

A suggested approachA suggested approach: : a a Wiki-based knowledge base – Wiki-based knowledge base – consciously open consciously open for adding / editing / file uploading / commenting – complementing the official for adding / editing / file uploading / commenting – complementing the official UN-Water & agency websites (with “officially endorsed content”) UN-Water & agency websites (with “officially endorsed content”) Link with (build on) existing webpages & portals Link with (build on) existing webpages & portals (e.g. UNESCO water portal) for (e.g. UNESCO water portal) for

basic info, facts, official documents basic info, facts, official documents Aim at (joint) generation and exposition of Aim at (joint) generation and exposition of value-added content/knowledge value-added content/knowledge that is that is

of (UN-) joint value and importance of (UN-) joint value and importance High flexibilityHigh flexibility in terms of content, structure, presentation, but providing pro-active in terms of content, structure, presentation, but providing pro-active

facilitator-support to the publishers (facilitator-support to the publishers (àà la Wikipedia) la Wikipedia)

UN-Water UN-Water could make use of WaterWiki tocould make use of WaterWiki to: : – Write-up (and present to external partners & clients) Write-up (and present to external partners & clients) issues, case studies, and issues, case studies, and

“the UN’s work on water & sanitation” “the UN’s work on water & sanitation” – Map out Map out Who’s-who and Who’s-doing-what (people & agencies) for better inter-Who’s-who and Who’s-doing-what (people & agencies) for better inter-

agency coordination agency coordination – Develop joint (= UN-coordinated) oeuvresDevelop joint (= UN-coordinated) oeuvres such as definitions, position papers, such as definitions, position papers,

practical tools & notes, possibly in the future even reports (WWDR?), …practical tools & notes, possibly in the future even reports (WWDR?), …– Expose water- (and UN-) related issues for discussion Expose water- (and UN-) related issues for discussion within the UN family, within the UN family,

partners and publiclypartners and publicly– ……? ?


Thank you !Thank you !

Discussion: Discussion: 1.1. Interest of UN-Water partners? Interest of UN-Water partners?

2.2. Roles and responsibilities for the way Roles and responsibilities for the way ahead? ahead?

3.3. Concrete next steps? Concrete next steps?


WaterWiki 2.0 – The new look WaterWiki 2.0 – The new look ((linklink))

Google-Map

Revised navigation

Making knowledge sharing easier


WaterWiki 2.0 – New extensions WaterWiki 2.0 – New extensions

RATE IT!

Using templates for easier navigation & orientation


WaterWiki 2.0 – WaterWiki 2.0 – The way ahead The way ahead (concept & technical approach)(concept & technical approach)

Continue expanding documentation Continue expanding documentation (News? Events?) and put (News? Events?) and put heavier heavier focus onfocus on

1.1. ““genuine knowledge” (= articles, experience write-ups & case-studies, how-to’s, genuine knowledge” (= articles, experience write-ups & case-studies, how-to’s, etc.)etc.)

2.2. on-line collaboration & joint drafting (knowledge base with articles, concepts, reports on-line collaboration & joint drafting (knowledge base with articles, concepts, reports (?), …) (?), …)

UpgradeUpgrade to to newest MediaWiki version (1.11)newest MediaWiki version (1.11) and and – expand functionalities (e.g. tag-clouds, Google Map, rating stars, tutorials, interfaces expand functionalities (e.g. tag-clouds, Google Map, rating stars, tutorials, interfaces

(WYSIWYG) and context-support, …) (WYSIWYG) and context-support, …) – ””mash-up” with other e-tools like e-mail groups, blogs, social networks (facebook?), mash-up” with other e-tools like e-mail groups, blogs, social networks (facebook?),

SKYPE, etc SKYPE, etc (A bit) more(A bit) more structure & orientationstructure & orientation to make finding (and to make finding (and contributing!) of knowledge even easier:contributing!) of knowledge even easier: – advanced tagging / categorization; advanced tagging / categorization; – automated listings & navigational tools/aid; automated listings & navigational tools/aid; – powerful “exploring mechanisms”: entry- and meta-pages (e.g. by river basin), powerful “exploring mechanisms”: entry- and meta-pages (e.g. by river basin),

thematic sub-portals, dynamic cross-linking, etc.)thematic sub-portals, dynamic cross-linking, etc.)For contributorsFor contributors, increase incentives :, increase incentives : – support (Where to add my knowledge? How to start a new article?); wizards … support (Where to add my knowledge? How to start a new article?); wizards … – recognition & visibility: author- or “top content”-lists, indications that knowledge & recognition & visibility: author- or “top content”-lists, indications that knowledge &

experience is experience is actually accessed & usedactually accessed & used by others, etc. by others, etc. Overcome the language barrierOvercome the language barrier

The time has come to professionalize The time has come to professionalize ( = review the underlying “knowledge management concept” and ( = review the underlying “knowledge management concept” and raise raise

funding!! )funding!! )

engaging in waterwiki opportunities for un-water knowledge & coordination support

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