29 October 2012: The UN University (UNU) Institute for Water, Environment and Health (INWEH) has published a concept paper emerging from the “K*” conference held in Hamilton, Canada, from 24-27 April 2012. K* is defined as the interface between knowledge, policy and practice.

The report indicates that the conference outcomes demonstrate the value of sharing experience across: sectors, such as health and water; geographies, including country experiences; and scales, including between international financial institutions (IFIs) and country programmes.

The report, titled “Expanding Our Understanding of K* (KT, KE, KTT, KMb, KB, KM, etc.),” highlights aspects of K* including: knowledge management (KM); knowledge transfer; knowledge translation (KT); knowledge exchange (KE); knowledge brokering (KB); and knowledge mobilization (KMb). The report includes sections on: case studies – K* in action; the concept of K*; K* – moving knowledge inwards, outwards and between; how does the context for K* help shape the approach; developing a strategy for investing in K* – what impacts could it have, or help to achieve; and conclusions. Among the case studies presented is IW:SCIENCE a Global Environment Facility (GEF) project aiming to enhance science in GEF International Waters (IW) projects.

In conclusion, the report highlights the value of K* frameworks to accelerating and up-scaling outcomes through knowledge mobilization, noting that success requires supportive systems that acknowledge the importance of different approaches and application by skilled practitioners who understand how they fit together and understand potential impacts. [Publication: Expanding Our Understanding of K* (KT, KE, KTT, KMb, KB, KM, etc.)]