All human development is based on the acquisition, spread and use of knowledge.
Whether it is the know-how to produce life-saving medicines or the latest innovation in farm technology, access to knowledge can bring power and profitable returns. Unequal access, on the other hand, can create injustice – particularly when based on economic disparity.
This briefing outlines the main arguments supporting knowledge as a tool for development, focusing on the key sectors shaping and influencing people's lives. It challenges journalists to get behind the jargon and encourage informed public debate around the issue.