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Knowledge Project
The Knowledge Project, a joint initiative by UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), seeks to empower sustainable development by building knowledge societies in the Arab States region and beyond. The project, extending until 2030, and since its eEstablishmented in 2008, has been at the forefront of building knowledge societies in the region, providing tools, insights, and indices to help policymakers, academia, and civil society promote knowledge as a cornerstone for economic and social transformation. Key achievements include the Global Knowledge Index, the Global Skills Coalition, the Future Skills Academy, the Future of Knowledge Foresight Reports and the Knowledge4All portal, as well as the KnowTalks, Knowledge Summit, Knowledge Weeks, the Arab Knowledge Index, the Arab Reading Index and the Arab Knowledge Reports, which guide countries in their pursuit of knowledge-driven growth.
What we do
The Knowledge Project is advancing knowledge-based development through data-driven initiatives, global partnerships, and skilling programmes. Key activities include developing influential advocacy tools like the Global Knowledge Index (GKI), the Arab Knowledge Index, and the Future of Knowledge Foresight Reports, which assess national knowledge capacities and identify strengths and areas for improvement. These tools help shape policies and strategies for sustainable development, influencing countries like Egypt and Jordan, where knowledge councils and committees have been established to foster knowledge-driven growth.
A cornerstone element of the Knowledge Project is the Future Skills Academy, the next phase of the FutureSkills4All initiative launched in 2023. The programme aims to equip 10 million people with the skills needed for tomorrow’s job market by 2030, building a resilient and future-ready workforce.
Platforms like the Knowledge Summit and KnowTalks are integral to the project’s efforts. The Knowledge Summit gathers global experts to share insights and foster collaboration on shaping a knowledge-driven future. KnowTalks serves as a dynamic forum for exploring key topics shaping knowledge and industry trends.
Knowledge Week events in Jordan (2019), Egypt (2020), and Kuwait (2024) have sparked important dialogues between youth and policymakers, driving collaboration toward sustainable development goals.
Overall, the project shapes forward-thinking strategies that lead to knowledge-driven development.
Mohammad Al-Husseini: "Thanks to the advanced skills I gained in data analysis, IT, and digital technologies through the FutureSkills4All initiative, I was able to transition to a better career in the tech sector."
Amany Fahid: "In the face of war, the FutureSkills4All initiative gave me hope and the strength to continue learning. It empowered me to not only survive but to help rebuild my community."
Harry Anthony Patrinos, Former Senior Adviser, Education at the World Bank: “It is important that we promote knowledge for development. It is equally important that we measure global knowledge. The Global Knowledge Index puts knowledge measurement at the forefront.”
Our Team
The project team consists of experts from UNDP RBAS, supported by an advisory board as well as consultants that guide the Global Knowledge Index and other project outputs. Together, they collaborate closely with UNDP Country Offices and key stakeholders across the Arab States region and beyond.
- Hany Torky, PhD - Chief Technical Adviser and Project Manager
- Stéphanie Boustany - Project, Research and Communications Specialist
- Myriam Sadaka - Project and Research Associate
- Amany Abdelnour - Research Assistant
- Nizar El Kotob - Research Assistant
- Rasha Alsabbagh - Communications Associate
- Bayan AlSutari - Web Editor
- Mahmoud Abdelqader - Project and Coordination Associate
- Aseer Ali - Project Assistant
Partners
The Knowledge Project is jointly supported by UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS) and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF).