Organizers: Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)
Time: UTC 1300-1500 ( 7-9 pm Dhaka Time)
Date: 18 January, 2021

Knowledge brokers act as the link between producers and users of knowledge, to enable the dissemination, exchange and use of relevant information for policy and practice change. Their role goes beyond working only with knowledge, as they also facilitate processes that connect stakeholders and enhance their collaboration, they support learning and strengthen capacities, and often seek to address systemic issues, to bring about change. Through the variety of activities they undertake, knowledge brokers play a critical role in enhancing community resilience.

The session will start by providing a brief background about what the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) understands by knowledge brokering in its broadest sense. It will follow with a talk show with a panel of speakers who have been implementing knowledge brokering activities in Ghana, Uganda and India / Nepal. This last question will then be further explored with session participants in a number of breakout groups. The session will also include a presentation by David Mfitimukiza, from Makerere University, Uganda who will share some of the lessons that have emerged by grassroots groups and the knowledge brokering role they have played during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lessons from this session will help to inform more effective climate action at the local level, thanks to the multi-faceted roles played by knowledge brokers.