Cooperating in research

Joining with other groups or people in investigating the material, processes or dynamics of a phenomena for the sake of establishing the validity or invalidity of a hypothesis.

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends developing major collaborative projects between research programmes in developed and developing countries, particularly for the enhancement of poorly known or neglected crops.

1. Far more research can be done if coordinated with others.

1. (a) Common frames of reference and approaches on mutual assistance have first to be agreed. (b) Consolidation of research efforts into joint or multi-institutional activities leads to intellectual conformism and stifles the creativity of independent research.

1. Coordinating research planning
2. Cooperating

1. Stimulating cooperative research
2. Initiating cooperative research