Development through dialogue: report of a research initiative

Dgroups is a tool, which is simple to use, requires a low bandwidth, is free of publicity, and has the endorsement of a partnership of organizations working in development themes. These are all characteristics that make it an excellent choice for an important group of social organizations. (Lo and Salas 2004)

This report by Sarah Cummings covers a research study of Dgroups which took place from September 2006 to July 2007. Dgroups is a number of things at the same time. It is:

• a web-based technical platform which supports and provides for the creation and use of discrete e-mail based discussion lists and web workspaces that are used to support knowledge networking by people and institutions working in development
• the plural name for these online networks, individually known as a dgroup
• partnership of development organizations who share a commitment to collaboration in development and who are developing a common vision of the need for such a platform and such online groups

The study examines whether and how dgroups can facilitate:

• the spread of information and knowledge among the actors (individual and institutional) working in the thematic areas of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
• learning processes (individual, social, and organizational learning) in the diverse institutions working in areas related to the MDGs
• the bridging of the multitude of ‘knowledge divides’ in development between the North and South, and South-South; between different sorts of institutions (multilateral, bilateral, NGOs, universities, ministries) and professional groups (practitioners, researchers and policymakers); and in terms of language

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