This intranet/extranet system, which spans the CGIAR's 15 Centers and beyond, gives users access to CGIAR information, tools and services through a central entry point.
With CGXchange's basic technical infrastructure and content elements firmly in place, Phase II provides ongoing maintenance and management for the platform, ensures content providers are able to make their content available on a sustainable basis to those who need it, and enables easy access to collaboration tools.
More information available on www.cgxchange.org
Two major resources that were implemented under the 2004 Investment Plan are being further developed in close alignment with the CGXchange Project: the CGVlibrary (Virtual Library Services) Project and the Online Learning Resources (OLR) Project, both of which are accessible through the intranet site.
1.1 The CGVlibrary
This already popular resource gives users instant access to leading agricultural information databases, including the online libraries of all the CGIAR Centers and the full text of thousands of publications. The second phase of the CGVlibrary Project will help increase access to additional information resources in agriculture, facilitate their use by researchers, and publicize the availability of the service to researchers both within the CGIAR and beyond.
More information available on http://vlibrary.cgiar.org
1.2 Online Learning Resources (OLR)
The OLR Project established a Learning Object Repository using internationally recognized standards that allow exchanges with other learning object referatories and repositories. The second phase of the project (Digital Content for Learning) will increase the availability, accessibility and re-usability of CGIAR digital content for learning through the repository. The provision of quality training and learning materials will be further improved by establishing a quality assurance and management system, and the CGIAR network of the training community of practice and its collaborating partners will be strengthened.
More information available on http://learning.cgiar.org
1.3 CGIAR MTP Analysis Program (CG-MAP)
CG-MAP, another content application promoted by the ICT-KM Program over the last two years, is being brought into the CGXchange fold. This System-wide application will help CGIAR Centers and Challenge Programs compile information for their annual MTP submissions and make all project information available at one location, thereby promoting knowledge and information sharing and increasing System-wide analysis.
It is envisaged that CGXchange will become an indispensable tool for most if not all CGIAR staff, as well as for partners (at least, with regard to open content).
2. Improving CGIAR Effectiveness through Knowledge Sharing (KS)
Pilot initiatives supported by the KS Project successfully incorporated KS principles and approaches into the high-profile events of four Centers and demonstrated how work can be planned, conducted, and evaluated with greater efficiency by drawing more fully on the collective knowledge of all staff. A core team of CGIAR KS specialists who possess the skills and motivation necessary to move this work forward was also established.
The second phase of the KS Project will extend the lessons learned from the KS pilots and other Project activities to other Centers and Programs, and the CGIAR community of KS practitioners will be further developed to involve professionals from different disciplines. Opportunities to enhance collaborative learning and innovation in major CGIAR partnerships through the use of KS approaches will also be identified and pursued.
For more information on the subprojects of this activity: Strengthening Champions; Strengthening Knowledge Sharing in Research or visit www.ks-cgiar.org
The 2006 Investment Plan enables the ICT-KM Program to continue working towards its vision of a CGIAR without boundaries by guaranteeing the continuity of several critical System-wide projects. By consolidating the gains achieved in the 2004 Investment Plan, this crucial second phase will see the CGIAR moving towards an organic, distributed, collaborative "system".