The knowledge center is intended to promote effective knowledge sharing, peer learning, and exchanges among Caritas Africa member organizations to support sustainable development in the region.
The knowledge center is the place for exchanging and creating knowledge, developing new ideas, and networking. It incorporates Caritas Internationalis’ knowledge and policies on safeguarding, promoting gender and youth equality, facilitates learning, and strengthens the capacities of Caritas Africa member organizations.
The foundations of Knowledge Management (KM)
Knowledge management at Caritas Africa was initiated by the A2P-DIRO/APPROCHE program between 2010 and 2023. The knowledge management approach at Caritas Africa aims to develop methods and tools for identifying, capitalizing on, organizing, and disseminating the tangible and tacit knowledge of Caritas members, including collective and individual knowledge productions such as lessons learned, best practices, and information.
This approach also includes structuring knowledge access based on future use, developing knowledge and expertise sharing and diffusion, and Fostering innovation functions.
This approach is expected to:
- Create specific know-how for Caritas members
- Strengthen the capacities of Caritas members
- Foster mutual aid among Caritas members.
Furthermore, Caritas Internationalis Management Standards (CIMS) (which apply to all members of the global Caritas Federation) include three standards related to KM. They call on all organizations to:
- Undertake formal reflection analysis (e.g. evaluations, audits, reviews, feedback, and complaints) for learning purposes and share them with relevant stakeholders (CIMS 2.8.1);
- Share knowledge and experiences through participation in sectoral and thematic networks to improve practices and better influence positive social changes (CIMS 2.8.2);
- Engage with civil society organizations and other stakeholders to avoid duplication, mobilize resources, develop and implement joint policy development and advocacy efforts, and maximize impact (CIMS 4.5.1).
A learning, training, and innovation center for Caritas in Africa for Integral Human Development.
The objective of the K-Hub is to share information and knowledge on the achievements of Caritas Africa. This knowledge and information come from the activities carried out by the 46 national Caritas organizations and their dioceses.
The K-Hub is an information management system that enables Caritas Africa to share, store, and organize knowledge and best practices related to its humanitarian and social work.
The K-Hub is accessible to Caritas Africa members and their partners, as well as external experts who contribute to Caritas Africa’s mission. It is designed to help strengthen member organizations’ knowledge management and collaboration capacities.
The K-Hub offers tools and functionalities such as a collaborative workspace, a discussion forum, document libraries, resources, and an expert directory. These tools enable Caritas Africa members to work together on projects, share experiences, disseminate best practices, and collaborate on problem-solving.
By using the K-Hub, Caritas Africa member organizations are able to improve the quality of their humanitarian and social work, strengthen their impact, and promote collaboration and innovation.