Some innovations in current and future scientific cooperation The Example of the NCCR North-South

2. EPFL Scientific Cooperation 13 February 2004 10:40 – 11:00 Hans Hurni Some innovations in current and future scientific cooperation The Example of the NCCR North-South

3. Overview of contents 1. The role of research for development 2. The unique setting of the NCCR North-South 3. Innovative approach of the programme 4. Some practical tools of the programme

4. CA: Satellite TM image of Chuy Valley

5. 1. The role of research for development

6. Role of research for development • Modern development is a blessing and a curse

7. Role of research for development • Modern development is a blessing and a curse • Research for sustainable development is yet insufficient and needs much more efforts

8. Role of research for development • Modern development is a blessing and a curse • Research for sustainable development is yet insufficient and needs much more efforts • Research and cooperation with developing and transition countries need to be enhanced

9. Role of research for development • Modern development is a blessing and a curse • Research for sustainable development is yet insufficient and needs much more efforts • Research and cooperation with developing and transition countries need to be enhanced • Strengthening research capacity in developing and transition countries is of mutual benefit both to the North and the South

10. 2. The unique setting of the NCCR North-South

11. The unique setting of theNCCR North-South: Research partnerships for mitigating syndromes of global change • A programme implemented by the Swiss Association of Research Partnership Institutions (SARPI) • Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the participating research institutions North and South • Following the guidelines for research partnerships established by KFPE • Secured for a first phase from 1.7.2001 to 30.6.2005, with prospects for a continuation until about 2013

12. Long-term objectives of the NCCR North-South The 12-year programme has three long-term objectives: (a) Research:To further disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research aiming at sustainable development; (b) Capacity development:To help strengthen institutions and train staff in partner countries to build competence and capacity for developing socially robust knowledge for mitigation action; (c) Empowerment:To support the societies of partner countries and their institutions in their efforts to address the syndromes of their regions more autonomously.

13. The core partners in Switzerland:Swiss Association of Research PartnershipInstitutions (SARPI)

14. NCCR North-South:Network of “Joint Areas of Case Studies” (JACS)

15. 3. Innovative approach of the programme

16. The syndrome mitigation framework • Assessing syndromes of global change:Patterns of problems occurring in different contexts • Appraising and negotiating sustainable development:Patterns of potentials for working towards syndrome mitigation and sustainable development • Supporting actions towards sustainable development:Patterns of processes supporting or endangering sustainable development

17. Syndrome Waste Dumping Syndrome Smokestack Syndrome Urban Sprawl Syndrome Green Revolution Syndrome Mass Tourism Syndrome Dust Bowl Syndrome Sahel Syndrome Contaminated Land Syndrome Favela Syndrome Asian Tigers Syndrome Aral Sea Syndrome Scorched Earth Syndrome Katanga Syndrome Rural Exodus Syndrome Overexploitation Syndrome Major Accident Syndrome Core problems        Climate change                Loss of biodiversity                 Soil degradation Scarcy and pollu- Tion of freshwater           Threats to world health         Threats to food security              Population growth And distribution Man-made diasters        Pollution ofthe world‘S oceans   Global disparities in development         Core problems and syndromes of global change

18. The ‚syndrome concept‘ as basis for sustainability-oriented research Syndrome contexts Basic assumption: Specific clusters of core problems for each syndrome Core problems of non-sustainable development

19. Research framework based on the ‚syndrome concept‘

20. Searching for ‚syndromes of global change‘

21. Highland –lowland context Foto: U. Wiesmann

22. Semi-arid context Foto: U. Wiesmann

23. Urban-periurban context Foto: U. Wiesmann

24. Research framework and major research thrusts

25. Involvement of IPs in JACS (planned)

26. Involvement of IPs in JACS (per 30.6.2003)

27. 4. Some practical tools of the programme

28. Variation of research approach

29. Intervention levels and activities in a multi-level stakeholder approach (here with reference to sustainable land management)

30. Highland-lowland context in the Tajik Pamirs

31. Pamirs: Self-sufficiency level

32. Multi-Objective Decision Support System

33. Informal settlement in Dâr as-Salâm (South Cairo)

34. Environmental sanitation in urban areas NCCR North-South, IP3, 2002

35. Practical implications • Syndrome mitigation is a key prerequisite for sustainable development

36. Practical implications • Syndrome mitigation is a key prerequisite for sustainable development • Managing scarce resources requires innovative thinking and appropriate technologies

37. Practical implications • Syndrome mitigation is a key prerequisite for sustainable development • Managing scarce resources requires innovative thinking and appropriate technologies • Software skills combined with hardware offer the best potentials for successful partnerships

38. Practical implications • Syndrome mitigation is a key prerequisite for sustainable development • Managing scarce resources requires innovative thinking and appropriate technologies • Software skills combined with hardware offer the best potentials for successful partnerships • Technology transfers are likely to succeed if there are similarities in frame conditions and levels of development between involved partners

39. Drip irrigation at family level in Eritrea

41. IT for sustainable regional development in the Pamirs

42. Thank you