Frequently Asked Questions
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 into an initiative that promotes and seeks innovation in international development. The Commons online presence (www.GlobalDevelopmentCommons.net) is one of a number of core Commons activities.
Q. There seem to be two websites for the Global Development Commons. Why?
A. USAID launched the Global Development Commons site to enable collaboration so that more people can innovate and problem solve in addressing development challenges. We intend to sustain the Global Development Commons (Commons) through partnerships and to enable multiple innovation experiences through the Commons website (including interactive websites that encourage user-driven problem-solving and open development competitions or "challenges"). Today, the GlobalDevelopmentCommons.net website highlights innovations in technology and business processes that improve development impact. We are working toward making the website a truly collaborative space that invites participation from users around the world to address common development challenges.
Q. Is the Global Development Commons a real thing or an idea?
A. Good question. The Global Development Commons is currently an initiative at USAID that promotes an open approach to innovation in international development. Through partnerships, viral networking online, and engagement from people around the world, the Global Development Commons seeks to engage a wider set of partners in collaboration around the next generation of international development approaches.
Here is a sampling of just a few of our activities:
- GlobalDevelopmentCommons.net provides a space for development innovators, technology experts, and all interested international development practitioners to share ideas for better development.
- The Commons supports geographic information systems (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 mobile technology solutions to solve development challenges.
- Initiatives to make USAID's own development information more accessible, including 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 -an open approach to innovation for 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 be featured at www.GlobalDevelopmentCommons.net .
Q. Is the Global Development Commons about technology? Or a website ?
A. No. The Global Development Commons is about innovation. The Commons is interested in innovation that enables better development. Technology, particularly communications technology, often enables better knowledge sharing, participation, and collaboration. But technology is only a means to an end-and that end is cultivating more collaborative and sustainable development.
Q. Why is USAID interested in launching the Global Development Commons?
A. Through the Global Development Commons, USAID embraces a more collaborative, transparent, and open approach to development. Most importantly, the Global Development Commons seeks innovations and collaborative problem-solving to help USAID to deliver more successfully on its core development mission.
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