Switzerland topped the global ranking, followed by Sweden, The Netherlands, the United States, Finland, Singapore, Norway, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Israel, Slovenia, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand according to UN’s Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) establishing a new Connectedness Index, the first attempt to measure knowledge networks for private sector policy. Link Between Prosperity & Connectedness: Titled Networks for prosperity: achieving development goals through knowledge sharing, the report was funded by the Spanish MDG Achievement Fund (MDG-F) as part of a project that aims to establish a global knowledge system for private sector development. The report lays the basis for policy recommendations that will help developing countries acquire and adapt private sector development know-how. (Read –“Internet Security Openness/Privacy Forum” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/internet-security-openness-privacy-forum-concludes-by-ambassador-mo/35706 ). Networks for Prosperity demonstrates that the ‘connectedness’ of a country has a strong positive relationship with various measures for its economic performance, justifying the growing interest of policy-makers in knowledge networks. Specific issues related to the governance of international, inter-organizational and intra-organizational networks are discussed in separate chapters. These are illustrated with detailed examples from twelve countries: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Panama, Peru, Serbia, Turkey and Viet Nam, all of which are currently implementing MDG-F private sector development programs. The report has been jointly produced by UNIDO and the Centre for Global Governance Studies in Leuven, Belgium. “This report shows that new networks are emerging as a distinct form of governance to meet ever-changing policy challenges in international development. It establishes for the first time a Connectedness Index covering a wide range of countries and correlating strongly with indicators on government effectiveness, regularity quality, industrial development and economic development. 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,” said UNIDO Director-General, Kandeh K. Yumkella. Creative Solutions: Spain’s Secretary of State for International Development Cooperation, Soraya Rodriguez Ramos: “With this support, the Government of Spain is demonstrating its commitment to international development and to a strengthened multilateral system, and U.N. in particular. Knowledge management and knowledge networks are crucial elements in order to exchange information and experiences that consolidates good practices that are generated through MDG-F joint programme implementation which can then be used for future initiatives.” According to Director of the MDG Achievement Fund, Sophie de Caen: “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.” Connectedness Between Consumer-Labor-Enterprise: Connectedness though is not just about the capitalist edge. It is about those who follow and try to shape the balance between making profits and securing fundamental rights and freedoms. Depending on governments or corporations is illusionary without consumers, workers, small business as well as larger enterprises finding a common forum for exchange. One such facilitator is Business Insider and its CEO/Editor in Chief Henry Blodget. (www.businessinsider.com/author/henry-blodget ). UNIDO’s Statement further emphasizes that although: “…not a new phenomenon, knowledge networking and network governance have gained importance with the rapid globalization in all spheres of our societies: economic success, social cohesion and environmental sustainability in a country depends more than ever on the performance and behaviour of its neighbours, regional leaders and global economic powers. Knowledge about these, with a focus on the driver of development, private enterprise, has therefore become of crucial importance, and knowledge management and knowledge networking are important topics for change agents and policymakers.” Related - Read: “Kazakhstan Call for Cybersecurity Treaty to Address Hacking” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/kazakhstan-call-for-cybersecurity-treaty-to-address-hacking-by-ambassador-mo/35315 . By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey


 Facebook - Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect”


 Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX