‘Me, myself and knowledge’ (05-10-2011)

‘Knowledge goes further than data and information. The first link in the chain is data. Add context and interpretation and the data becomes information. Information only becomes knowledge when it is combined with skills, attitudes and experiences. In other words: knowledge is about how information is used. That is why knowledge cannot be seen in isolation from the people who have to use it, or from the social, political and cultural contexts that give meaning to information’. (M. Weggeman)

While working in a new context this is a very valuable starting point for me. Burundi is socially, culturally, politically and economically not to compare with the context I come from. Since I was born I have constantly been ‘gaining new knowledge’, while at school or at work. Personally and professionally I have been able to develop myself. This made me who I am and how I perceive the world.

I am a curious person, so I ask questions irrespective to the position someone has within the organization. This explicit interest in other people is my natural behavior, but I realize that my direct “Dutch” way of asking questions does not necessarily match the Burundian style. On the other hand I also sense that my colleagues appreciate my interest and that we have very interesting conversations about backgrounds, all aspects of work and sometimes even personal things. Of course I am not yet ‘one of them’, but investing in the relationships works out well, I believe. To show personal interest is the starting point of working together.

More important even for my job here, it gives me valuable insights in how my colleagues communicate within the organization, how they collaborate and learn from each other, how they share information, store information, who is responsible for what, what IT systems they use, and what they feel are key issues for Knowledge Management improvements. In a 2-day participatory introductory workshop on Knowledge Management (see pictures) my colleague Saskia Nijhof and I discussed with 15 staff members from the Burundi office what the objectives and priorities for the coming year will be.

These priorities will now be translated into activities, which hopefully bring us in a ‘learning mode’ that will contribute to the quality of our work. With these activities I will start from this week on. If you are interested in these activities, please read my next blog end of October! 

With kind regards,
Marieke van der Vliet