Share-Net International’s knowledge management expert Kimberley Meijers presented the Share-Net’s Rapid Improvement Model for Knowledge Translation (SHIRIM/CRIM-KT) at the 13th Annual Neglected Tropical Disease NGO (NNN) Conference which took place inSeptember 2022 in Kathmandu, Nepal, and online.

The presentation was part of the workshop: ‘Where the real learning happens: Strengthening NTD health systems through non-formal methods of capacity building’ organized and hosted by infoNTD – Your information NTD Portal. InfoNTD is the one-stop portal of information on cross-cutting issues in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), such as disease prevention, disease management, disability, inclusion, stigma, mental wellbeing, health education, mHealth and WASH.

The workshop advocated for a behavioral change in the way we look at learning and capacity building and focused on good practices in informal learning and promoted a shift in focus from formal learning to more informal learning with the aim to increase learning and enhance NTD capacity building across the health and other sectors. Capacity building is a priority as there is a global shortage of health workers with adequate knowledge and skills to prevent and manage the NTDs in their area. According to the 10-20-70 learning model, 90% of learning occurs in an informal way. However, most NTD capacity building focuses on the 10%, e.g., formal courses. With limited resources available, it crucial to find innovative solutions that use peers and optimize informal learning across the NNN field. The workshop inspired attendants to re-think traditional ways of capacity building and promote innovation to get the most out of NTDs capacity building interventions.

SHIRIM/CRIM-KT was presented as a best practice of informal learning because of its structure and the different learning tools, techniques and methods used to strengthen capacity. CRIM-KT has the potential to be provided as a tailor-made service to other interested organisations, also within other fields than SRHR. You can find Kimberley’s presentation here.

The main identified learning point from participants was that informal learning (demonstrations, explanations, supported supervision, feedback cycles) need a strategic plan, it usually does not ‘just happen’.

Switching to more informal learning needs:

–     Ensuring a safe learning environment

–     Strategic commitments and investments

In almost every situation there is an informal learning opportunity: seize it! A combined and tailor-made approach of formal and informal learning is needed to beat the NTDs!

And these real world implications of course also apply to the field of SRHR!

To learn more about SHIRIM/CRIM-KT you can read the article on CRIM-KT published in the GHSP journal.