Q. What is the Global Development Commons initiative?
A. The Global Development Commons promotes innovation in international development through knowledge sharing, partnerships and collaboration. Launched by former Administrator Henrietta H. Fore in the fall of 2007, the Commons has evolved to promote an ecosystem of innovation through open approaches to improve international development.
Q. There seem to be two sites for the Global Development Commons. Why?
A. USAID hosts a Global Development Commons site because the agency is working to catalyze the creation of a global Commons that enables collaboration so that more people can innovate to problem solve around development challenges. In the future the Global Development Commons (Commons) is designed to become a truly collaborative ecosystem—no longer owned by USAID or any single donor— that invites participation from users around the world to address common challenges. It seeks to be sustained through partnerships and to enable multiple innovation experiences (including interactive websites that encourage user-driven problem-solving, open competitive challenges, and online and physical labs that enable co-creating solutions). GlobalDevelopmentCommons.net is a doorway to that Commons ecosystem beyond the walls of USAID. Today, it highlights innovations in technology and business processes that improve development impact. Soon, it will feature social networking so that users around the world can communicate and problem-solve around development challenges.
Q. Is the Global Development Commons a real thing or an idea?
A. Good question. The Global Development Commons is currently an initaitive at USAID that enables an open approach to innovation. Through partnerships, viral networking online, and engagement from people around the world, the Global Development Commons seeks to become an ecosystem of openness and collaboration that inspires many small Commons around specific challenges.
To outline some of our activities...
- GlobalDevelopmentCommons.net attracts and provides a space for innovation and technology experts and international development practitioners to share ideas for better development.
- The Commons funds geospatial information system (GIS) and market information system (MIS) mapping systems to identify needs and opportunities and inform decision-making.
- The Commons launched The 2008 USAID Development 2.0 Challenge and invited innovators to propose innovative mobile phone solutions to solve development challenges.
- Initiatives to make USAID’s own development information more available, inclding search tools that enable people to more effectively search and share development information.
Q. Is the Global Development Commons seeking partners?
A. Yes! Contact us if you would like to discuss possibilities for partnership toward furthering and promoting the Commons ecosystem- an open approach to innovation to enhance international development.
Q. How do I join?
A. It’s easy to join the Global Development Commons and it doesn’t cost a thing. You can browse, comment, or send us your ideas. Please join the listserv by filling out the upper right box here. Join our group on Facebook, watch Commons and USAID videos on Youtube. Are you on Twitter and Delicious? Follow us there. Better yet, tag your postings with "#globaldevelopmentcommons" so we can hear what you say— and if you've got an innovative project it may end up featured at www.GlobalDevelopmentCommons.net.
