The AMCOW’s knowledge management system described as a hub of hubs is now live after a successful launch graced by the first president of AMCOW and who is also Nigeria’s former Minister in charge of water resources and sanitation, Barrister Mukhtari Shehu Shagari.
The Barrister Mukhtari Shehu Shagari Resource Centre launched on November 18th, 2020, comprises a physical library at the AMCOW Secretariat and an online knowledge hub. This project which is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and partly by the Water and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) is in response to AU’s Heads of States and Governments Sharm el-Sheikh commitment to build institutional and human resources capacity, enhance information and knowledge management, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation for a sustainable and integrated water resource management.
In his speech at the launch, Barrister Shagari called on the United Nations to consider adding knowledge management among the next development goals after 2030.
The online platform demonstrates the ability to link and converge other such portals and virtual resource centre into a one-stop centre for accessing water and sanitation information and knowledge.
“The knowledge hub forms part of AMCOW’s services to its Member States” Dr Canisius Kanangire, AMCOW’s Executive Secretary said. “It is timely, considering the new working conditions caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. We also believe that such a virtual hub is an excellent way to facilitate collaboration and accelerate learning. The knowledge hub of hubs provides tools to help users enter through one door and have access to many other rooms to find information and knowledge. Users can also gain access through direct hyperlinks to other hubs or online resource centres”
Dr Kanangire added that the hub presents a rich opportunity to harness and raise the profile of the sector’s relevant home-grown knowledge, and provide students, researchers, policymakers, and development partners access to reliable data, information, and learning. These resources will help to improve decisions and offer wisdom to achieve related development goals, the African Water Vision 2025, and the Agenda 2063 – the Africa we want.
Over 109 people attended the virtual launch from AMCOW constituencies, Member States, the African Union, UNESCO, SIDA, WSSCC, Sustainable Sanitation Alliance, African Development Bank (AfDB), African Union Development Agency Water Centres of Excellence (CoE), Universities and others.
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