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Every member of AfCAA shall promote a learning environment where critical thinking and dialogue are encouraged and celebrated. Every member shall institute policies to promote knowledge management within the organization in order to keep abreast with best practice and technology upgrades for their area of focus. The organization shall strive for a better understanding of the social, economic, political and spiritual elements of its environment. Innovation, research and development shall be part of the organizational culture.

Scriptural Basis

“For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it” (Eccl.7:12) and “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge… For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful…” (II Peter.1:5-8)

• Need for life-long learning and research (Exodus.31:1-11; Ps.78:3-8; Prov.1:5; 9:9; 25:2; Isaiah.28:9-10; Hosea.4:6)
• Striving for excellence, building skills and competence (2 Tim.2:15; Titus.2:7; Prov.22:29)
• Need for consistency, firmness in developing and applying policies ( “Woe to those who enact unjust policies and institute unfair regulations” – Isaiah.10:1ff; “Let your yes be yes, and your no, be no” Matt.5:37)
• Mastery of technology for good/right use – (1 Chron.12:32 – “understanding the times;” Isaiah.10:15; ICor.6:12

Elaboration of Standard

1 The key components of an organization’s knowledge management plan shall include the following:

1. A knowledge management policy.
2. The strategic plan shall include knowledge management objectives and activities.
3. Processes to enable the storage, updating and easy retrieval of key information such as reports, contacts, and research findings.
4. Systems which ensure that the security and integrity of information is safeguarded, together with processes which facilitate the recovery of such information in the event of damage or loss brought about by unforeseen events.

2 A member shall seek to apply the outcome of its knowledge management activities on innovation with a view to improve its competitiveness and service delivery.

A member shall have a system of disseminating information and its research findings in a timely manner to its staff, partners and the general public, in order to promote innovation and such appropriate action as each situation may require.

4 A member shall seek to remain relevant to its operational context by continuously investing in research and development. This shall include constantly updating its understanding of its political, economic, social, environmental, technological, and legal context.

5 A member shall have a system to encourage and reward innovation.