knowledge+fair

//Knowledge transfer between practitioners//
 * KNOWLEDGE FAIR**

An event designed for sharing large amounts of information from numerous expert sources at a common venue with the help of visual aids and displays. A face-to-face method for sharing experience, encouraging exchange and promoting new ideas and concepts.
 * What it is**


 * When to use it**

- to display resources - to share experiences - to promote best practices - to understand peer perspectives - to provide a networking platform - to empower people - to solve problems


 * How it is applied**
 * Advance preparation is required for any knowledge fair, particularly if travel is involved.
 * Identify key objectives and outline the major themes for the contributors to explore.
 * Invite relevant actors, institutions and individuals to participate. Include people from diverse groups, with different backgrounds, to contribute to the complexity of ideas shared.
 * Provide practical guidelines and individual assistance and allow time for participants to create their displays in advance. Standard templates and common display tools will minimize visual distractions and maximize the amount of information that is absorbed and retained.
 * Select a site for the fair itself in a high-traffic area, to attract as many visitors as possible. This has to be done well in advance.
 * Ensure that support is available early enough to assist the presenters in setting up their displays.
 * Identify in advance who will require power supplies, projectors or other materials for their presentations.
 * Publicize the fair as widely as possible, using a method appropriate to the target audience.
 * Arrange to have technicians on hand, as well as access to a secretariat, should anyone require logistical support.
 * Ensure that interested parties have barrier-free access to the fair, including sufficient time to explore it.
 * Record the progress and reflections in “real time” using discussion forums, blogs, or Twitter for micro-blogging.
 * Collect the relevant documentation and end-of-activity reports in a central location for accessible future reference.


 * How to adapt it**
 * Broadcast the Fair on-line using Web 2.0 tools if there may be a wider audience for the content, or if the Knowledge Fair itself may benefit from outside input. The first objective will require that participants share key points and insights on-line, whereas the second (complementary) goal requires a significant level of publicity within the relevant community before the activity itself to stimulate participation.
 * A Virtual Knowledge Fair is an approach to sharing large amounts of content among key stakeholders at a distance. This can be done in view of an event that will take place afterwards or as part of it (e.g. annual meeting of OHCHR field presences, thematic discussion at the Human Rights Council, international conference of national human rights institutions, Forum on Minority Issues, Human Rights Day). Select pertinent themes and provide outlines of the type of information to share. Good practices, case studies or particular challenges can be presented using video clips, collections of photos and links to resources. Ensure that there is adequate technical support.


 * What to consider**
 * Capture the results and outcomes in an accessible on-line format to create continuity of knowledge-sharing. Ensure that other interested practitioners are aware of the resource.
 * Name the activity by objectives or other features. For example, the agricultural community, led by the FAO, has coined the term Share Fair for their events of this type.
 * Keep the atmosphere light and fun so as to encourage openness and creativity.
 * Encourage ownership by contributors and participants. This will create high-quality presentations and good interaction as people follow their own interests.
 * Running a Knowledge Fair in multilingual contexts is particularly complex and costly.
 * Gain support from the upper echelons of key organizations in order to achieve open and honest participation by all stakeholders.
 * Create incentives that motivate a competitive approach to making and presenting displays.

Knowledge fairs can take up from one to three days. It really depends on the context and whether it is combined with other events. You can also dedicate for example a complete afternoon to a knowledge fair with specific activities and than leave it standing in the background for demonstration and illustration purposes.
 * Timing**

- displays or movable boards - flipcharts - laptops and projectors - big posters - pencils and markers - microphone - summary sheets of every stand - name labels of every stand
 * What you will need**

Visit the KSToolkit wiki for an overview of the method: [] Quick tips from an organizational perspective: [] Article about the ILO's experience: “The culture of a knowledge fair: lessons from an international organization”, available at: [] Example of a Virtual Knowledge Fair: []
 * Where to learn more**

" I attended the "Human Rights and New Technology" event. There were presentations, shows, and stands. One could sign up for a segment of interest or simply walk around the various stands. It was an excellent opportunity to understand how technologies can be harnessed for human rights monitoring and investigations. I was also impressed by the generosity of people with technical expertise, who were so willing to make their technology and expertise available for human rights work free of charge". (Ahmed Motala)
 * Quotes:**