Global connectedness rankings show value of knowledge networks – UN

A United Nations report released today has for the first time established a Connectedness Index that measures countries’ knowledge networks and links their level of connectedness with economic development indicators.

To determine the Connectedness Index, the report takes into account international, inter-organizational and intra-organizational networks established by each country.

The report provides a global connectedness ranking, which was topped by Switzerland and followed by Sweden, The Netherlands, the United States and Finland.

The report, jointly produced by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Centre for Global Governance Studies in Leuven, Belgium, argues that a country’s connectedness has a strong positive impact on its economic and industrial development.

“Economic success, social cohesion and environmental sustainability of a country depend more than ever on the performance and behaviour of its neighbours, regional leaders and global economic powers, making knowledge management and knowledge networking crucial for policymakers,” said UNIDO in a news release.

In addition, Networks for Prosperity: development goals through knowledge sharing, discusses governance issues on all levels of networking, and provides recommendations for policy-makers to help countries acquire and adapt private sector development knowledge.

“This report shows that new networks are emerging as a distinct form of governance to meet ever-changing policy challenges in international development,” said UNIDO Director-General Kandeh K. Yumkella.

“The report provides solid recommendations on the next steps to be taken in deepening this index, and in leveraging the role of networks for private sector development.”

The report was funded by the Spanish Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund (MDG-F) as part of a project that aims to establish a global knowledge system for private sector development.

Public and private institutions from more than 15 countries contributed to the report, as well as programme managers, practitioners and experts.

“New and innovative solutions will be needed to overcome development challenges as we approach 2015. Networks for prosperity provides solid recommendations for such solutions in the area of development and the private sector,” said Director of MDG-F, Sophie de Caen.

“I look forward to the implementation of these proposals in the next phase of the programme, and to the further strengthening of our global partnership for development,” she added.