There are many ways in which the Global Research Network on Sustainable Development could facilitate the sustainable development research process. However, we are still only at the beginning of a long and difficult journey towards a fully operational network. To be able to successfully join our forces in the development of GRNSD, we have to know what direction we are heading for. We must not forget the end goal of all the 'systems, structures, processes, and development': a habitable, just, and clean world for us, our children, and fellow creatures.
Instead of using more abstract terminology, a concrete example may work best to illustrate the potential of a mature GRNSD.
'After the announcement by one of the world's leading experts on natural resource management that the proposed new GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) will have disastrous consequences for the survival of the remaining ancient forests, the GRNSD Deforestation Theme Group decides that a report on the effects of the GATT proposal must be written urgently. If it can be presented to the proper negotiators in time, the potential danger may be averted.
Some interested group members write a project proposal: 'The Influence of GATT on the International Tropical and Temperate Hardwood Trade'. To be able to carry out the project they need to obtain funding quickly. A small, private foundation is contacted via its representative in the Deforestation Theme Group. This group consists of experts from many different disciplines, and has a high credibility because of excellent work done in the past. Therefore, the funding application procedure is much shorter than usual, and the money is granted within two weeks.
A GRNSD Project Group is formed. The group decides to make use of the standard GRNSD information processing and communication infrastructure. A Project Information System (PIS) is created, consisting of a directory that includes all the relevant data of the group members, electronic conferencing infrastructure, database facilities, and more. Immediately, the group can get started, not handicapped by the usual geographical constraints.
Searching the GRNSD Member Directories, the names of several researchers are found who have worked on GATT-related issues in the past. Some of them are asked to give advice on the design of the study. One of these researchers decides to join the project team.
The PIS automatically generates a list of relevant external information sources. One of them is the International Development Information Network-database, maintained by a GRNSD member. A project participant who is well versed in the use of this database, is assigned to search it and retrieve as much relevant material as possible. Another proposed source of information is the Conservation Link Network, run by the Smithsonian Institution. A group member sends out a request for help on that network. In her mail, she asks people who have experience with the effects of financial agreements on conservation issues to contact her. She receives four replies, two of which contain very valuable leads.
While the project continues, the Agricultural Economics and the Agroforestry Disciplinary Groups are asked for assistance on a number of topics. This because certain economic and agricultural expertise is not available within the Project Group. The short answers received from these peer groups have a profound impact on the project. The comments point out that an essential issue had been overlooked by the group members. Without this 'external' support, the omission would probably not have been discovered until it was too late for the report to be changed.
At some moment, it is found out that one of the ways in which the new GATT will affect deforestation is by increasing certain interest rates. This will force many of the already heavily indebted Least Developed Countries into more logging and agricultural land development to pay off their debts. To get a better idea of how this interest-debt mechanism works, the Debt Crisis Theme Group is asked for a short explanation. The answer is received within a day and contains a reference to the latest Worldwatch Institute Report. One of the project participants orders a copy of the report, which is sent by electronic mail within three hours.
Valuable related information is found in one of the hundreds of GRNSD-supported project databases: 'Economic and Political Keys to Deforestation in Canada's Primary Forests'. As the project in which this database was used, has already finished, and the results have been published, the information is now available for public use. The detailed project files are still stored by the computer centre of the University of Buenos Aires, one of the GRNSD partners. Activating a sophisticated GRNSD information retrieval tool, a project team member from Zambia searches the files and obtains some interesting case descriptions. The cases will later be used to defend the suggestions made in the report.
Finally, after three months of close global cooperation, the report is ready, just in time to be used by a GATT representative before the current round of negotiations closes. Because of the high quality of the recommendations made in the report, the proposed changes in the Agreement are slightly modified. This means an important step towards a better protection of our remaining natural heritage. But not only that. An additional result of the report, unforeseen at its conception, is that the financial burden on some of the world's poorest nations is substantially reduced. Without the support of GRNSD, this change for the better would not have been possible.'
Of course, this is only one -yet- imaginary way that GRNSD could increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the research process. Even so, the case illustrates the potential impact of a global, interdisciplinary community of committed professionals who are interactively cooperating in a systematic way.
(FUTURE V.1 / 21-FEB-94)