Institutional Development of the Center for Strategic Knowledge Management in Science and Technology (preparatory phase)

Project BRA/00/034 -- Start Year: 2000; Approved Budget: US$ 361,525; End Year: 2001; Implementing Agent: NEX (National Execution); Related Projects: BRA/92/047, BRA/94/002, BRA/95/031, BRA/99/021; Executing Agent: Ministry of External Relations (MRE).

Project background and rationale: Knowledge has become a key element in the development process due, on the one hand, to the importance of product innovation for the country's assertion in the global economy and, on the other hand, to the development of a Knowledge Society, of which e-work, knowledge management, e-business, distance learning and e-governance are its most important manifestations. Therefore, it is imperative for the Federal Government to assist the private sector in its effort of fostering technological breakthroughs and to promote their diffusion to the whole economy. One of its main instruments is the Department of Scientific, Technical and Technological Cooperation (DCT) of the Ministry of External Relations, which contributes to the strategic management of knowledge on the foreign policy level, acting as an institutional interlocutor with partners operating within the country and abroad. Within this context, the new Center for Strategic Knowledge Management in Science and Technology (CGECon) should act as an antenna that perceives technological innovations, monitors the evolution of the Global Knowledge Society, fosters the creation of scientific-technological cooperation through the establishment of networks and assists the policy makers in the field of S&T in the decision-making process.

Project development goal: The project, which is still in the preparatory assistance phase, aims at strengthening the participation of the country to the Global Knowledge Society through the establishment of the Center for Strategic Knowledge Management in Science and Technology (CGECon).

Project immediate objectives and expected outputs: Expected results of the Preparatory Assistance include:

1. the Project Document "Institutional Development of the Center for Strategic Knowledge Management in Science and Technology" elaborated and approved;

2. existing computer and communication infra-structure of the Ministry of External Relations (in Brazil and abroad) identified and evaluated;

3. requirements for hardware, software and communication of the CGECon and its related structure identified;

4. information network for the Center, including the description of main interpersonal and inter-institutional information networks (in Brazil and abroad) identified.

Contact details:
Departamento de Cooperação Técnica, Científica e Tecnológica (DCT), Ministério das Relações Exteriores
Anexo I, Sala 432
Brasília-DF Brazil