Some innovations in current and future scientific cooperation

The Example of the NCCR North-South

EPFL Scientific Cooperation 13 February 200410:40 – 11:00

Hans Hurni

Overview of contents

1. The role of research for development2. The unique setting of the NCCR North-South3. Innovative approach of the programme4. Some practical tools of the programme

CA: Satellite TM image of Chuy Valley

1. The role of research for development

Role of research for development

•Modern development is a blessing and a curse

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

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

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

2. The unique setting of the NCCR North-South

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

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.

The core partners in Switzerland:Swiss Association of Research Partnership Institutions (SARPI)

STI SANDEC

GIUZ

SPF CDE

LaSUR

IUED

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

3. Innovative approach of the programme

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

W

aste

Dum

pin

g

Syndro

me

Conta

min

ate

d La

nd

Syndro

me

Sm

oke

stack S

yn

dro

me

M

ajo

r Accid

ent

Syndro

me

Urb

an S

pra

wl S

ynd

rom

e

Favela

Syn

dro

me

A

sian T

igers S

yn

dro

me

G

reen R

evolu

tion

Syndro

me

A

ral S

ea S

yndro

me

Sco

rched E

arth

Syndro

me

Mass T

ourism

Syn

dro

me

K

ata

nga S

yn

dro

me

Dust B

ow

l Synd

rom

e

Rura

l Exod

us S

yndro

me

O

vere

xplo

itatio

n

Syndro

me

Sahel S

yndro

me

Climate change

Soil degradation

Loss of biodiversity

Scarcy and pollu-Tion of freshwater

Population growthAnd distribution

Threats to worldhealth

Threats to foodsecurity

Man-made diasters

Pollution of the world‘S oceans

Global disparities in development

Core

pro

ble

ms

Syndro

me

Core problems and syndromes of global change

Syndrome contexts

Basic as

sum

ptio

n:

Spec

ific clus

ters

of

cor

e pr

oble

ms

for ea

ch syn

drom

e

Core

pro

ble

ms o

f n

on

-su

sta

inab

le d

evelo

pm

en

t

The ‚syndrome concept‘ as basis for sustainability-oriented research

Syndrom e Contexts

Core Problem s

ScientificRealm s

Political& insti-tutional

Socio-cultural &econom ic

Population&

livelihood

Infra-structure

Bio-physical

&ecological

Urban andperi-urban

areas

Sem i-aridareas in

transition

Highland-lowland

areas

Research framework based on the ‚syndrome concept‘

Searching for ‚syndromes of global change‘

Foto: U. Wiesmann

Highland –lowland context

Foto: U. Wiesmann

Semi-arid context

Foto: U. Wiesmann

Urban-periurban context

IP1 Wiesmann

IP2 Hurni

IP5 Bolay

IP3 Schertenleib

IP4 Tanner

IP6 Müller Böker

IP7 Goetschel

IP8 Milbert

Syndrom e contexts

Core problems

Scientificrealm s

Political& insti-tutional

Socio-cultural &econom ic

Population&

livelihood

Infra-structure

Bio-physical

&ecological

Urban andperi-urban

areas

Sem i-aridareas in

transition

Highland-lowland

areas

Research framework and major research thrusts

Involvement of IPs in JACS (planned)

Involvement of IPs in JACS (per

30.6.2003)

4. Some practical tools of the programme

Variation of research approach

Environmental and economic agreements

Environmental conventions and treaties

Participatory watershed management

Community land use plans

Extension systems

Market developmentNational land use plans

Social organisation

Agricultural calendar

Inter-household collaboration

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

Highland-lowland context in the Tajik Pamirs

Pamirs: Self-sufficiency level

Multi-Objective Decision Support System

Informal settlement in Dâr as-Salâm (South Cairo)

Environmental sanitation in urban areas

NCCR North-South, IP3, 2002

Practical implications

• Syndrome mitigation is a key prerequisite for sustainable development

Practical implications

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

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

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

Drip irrigation at family level in Eritrea

IT for sustainable regional development in the Pamirs

Thank you