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The objective

To show how, over the last 23 years ILEIA has developed the worldwide LEISA (Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture)

NETWORK

Highlighted will be:

• The process of collecting and validating “knowledge”

• The methodology underlying the editorial approach

• The role of networking in this process

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ILEIA’s Mission:

The development and promotion of LEISA to smallholders in developing countries:

• Contribute to the alleviation of poverty

• Enhance ecological sustainability

• Safeguard social and cultural integrity

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Exchange of informationExchange with partner organisations → with broader

community → authors/readers and beyond: visitors website

Aim: Building and Sharing LEISA knowledge

Tools:

• LEISA Magazines

• Regional partner organisations

• Interactive LEISA Website

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Developing the LEISA concept: ILEIA started in 1984

Options for agriculture more relevant to small scale farmers

Only tacit knowledge

Reports, memos and stories only available in grey sector

Building up knowledge about LEISA

Publish this knowledge

Well-known collection of articles LEISA Magazines

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•Regional editions

•More languages

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Strength of approach Collection criteria: practical experiences with LEISA

at the community level

Editorial approach: validation of knowledge quality, reliability, “peer reviewed”, lessons learned didactic editing

Networking: sharing knowledge authors world wide network 40,000 subscribers in 173 countries Each magazine shared with on average 5 readers Digital archive of >3000 articles

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Wider networks

Local LEISA experience

Regional networks

Local networks

Local networks

Regional networks

Wider networks

Interaction of networks

InformationSystem

Mutual learning

Body of KnowledgeMutual Learning

Encouragement Visibility

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Challenges for LEISA network

From dissemination to exchange

Reach the field level and the policy level

Get people to document their experiences

Ensure continuous funding

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Policy: beyond 2007 Learning network:

LEISA series Farming matters Documentation programme Capacity building partners

Increase network: Find new partners more languages/regions Synergy Website with Magazines

Improve network: Regional networks (partners) Involvement partners, authors, readers Advocacy

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Discussion points

Increase exchange of knowledge

Use of website in networking

Monitoring impact of networking

the leisa network

Education