The challenges for this new mode of knowledge sharing in the ECA region are to quickly expand GDLN’s presence, increase the business of the GDLN centers, and to broaden the use of multimedia tools in course design. In specific terms, the Bank is working on:

• Creating content appropriate to the cultural, linguistic, and developmental diversity in the countries of the region.
• Developing secondary networks to expand the reach of GDLN using the best available local connection infrastructure.
• Helping to identify revenue sources for the centers both in terms of potential clients and participants.
• Helping the centers formulate marketing and promotion campaigns and business plans.
• Identifying partners who can help finance and/or produce content.
• Introducing new technologies such as Internet2 to lower the cost of connectivity. Developed to connect universities and research institutions around the world, Internet2 provides a global high speed network capable of supporting video-conferencing.

Strategy

The current efforts in ECA focus on using GDLN to build the knowledge infrastructure necessary to support long-term, sustainable economic growth.

The target audience for most GDLN dialogues is primarily middle-level managers and government officials, and young professionals in the public and private sectors. These target groups, usually responsible for implementing reform, are most responsive to opportunities for knowledge and skill upgrades.

The areas of dialogue include Public Governance and Institution Building, Private Sector Development (with an emphasis on small and medium size enterprises), Health Sector Reform, Anti-Corruption Measures, and other topics of sub-regional interest.

To foster the financial independence of centers, ECA is integrating the concept of distance learning and the use of GDLN into Bank funded projects as well as those funded by other partners and donors.

Centers are being encouraged to develop their own national networks. This will extend GDLN’s reach and has the potential to expand revenue opportunities.

To develop targeted high quality content in local languages, the Bank is pursuing cooperative arrangements with governments, international organizations, universities, and private sector partners.