A new online resource, the “Knowledge Network,” provides more than 25,000 loca lgovernment professionals from across the world with tools and resources to promote best practices and innovation in local government.
The Knowledge Network is the result of a partnership of the Alliance for Innovation, Arizona State University’s School of Public Affairs, and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). The network offers information to the public, but provides additional features to all government employees who work for municipalities which are members of the ICMA, as well as Alliance for Innovation members. Available at: www.transformgov.org/knowledge_network
The network offers
Question-and-answer sessions and blogs featuring experts in many areas of local government.
Access to helpful research and strategies used by local governments to develop legislation and solve problem
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Case studies of local government practices from cities across the globe.
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A social network for county, city and town employees throughout the country to connect and share ideas.
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Daily features identifying the most-discussed topics among local governments.
“We believe this is the single best electronic resource on local government practices in the Englishspeaking world,” says Karen Thoreson, president of the Alliance for Innovation. “The Alliance for Innovation represents communities from as small as Cedar Rock NC (pop. 318), to as large as Los Angeles County, CA (pop. 9.5 M): all of which share a passion for excellence and innovation in local government.” According to James Svara, Director of ASU’s Center for Urban Innovation, “the Knowledge Network brings together academic research and exploration of emerging practices in the United States and around the world.” The project is funded by resources from ICMA and the Alliance for Innovation. The School of Public Affairs at ASU represented by the Center for Urban Innovation assisted in designing the site and providing insight on ways to make the resource most useful for university researchers and students in local government programs. The Alliance for Innovation is an international network of progressive governments and partners committed to transforming local government by accelerating the development and dissemination of innovations. It seeks out innovative practices, challenge existing business models, exchange knowledge, and provides products and services that help members perform at their best. The Alliance’s mission is to promote excellence in local government and build a community of practice in local government innovation. For more information go to
ASU’s
ICMA (International City/County Management Association) is the premier local government leadership and management organization. Its mission is to create excellence in local governance by advocating and developing the professional management of local government worldwide. ICMA provides publications, data, information, technical assistance, and training and professional development to thousands of city, town, and county experts and other individuals throughout the world.
PHOENIX, AZ
