Network focal points

1. Network focal points • Globalization and marginalization. Multi- and interdisciplinary research on development paths in the South

3. The Research Council's system of governing bodies Research Board Bioproduction and Processing Research Board Industry and Energy Research Board Executive Board Executive Board Culture and Society Research Board Director General Medicine and Health Research Board Environment and Development Research Board Organisation and Finance Science and Technology Public Relations and Information Strategic Planning

4. The division of Environment and Development • Target areas and priorities on the research agenda • natural processes and man-made changes • the use and management of natural resources and the environment, including cultural aspects • social change, economics and governance • population, public health and quality of life • values for sustainable development

5. Development research • An ongoing debate: What is ”development research”? - moving toward a new definition • Globalization presents new and challenging issues that must be addressed in research about poverty and development generally • Little interest in global and international affairs among researchers? • Must focus on how such relations affect Norway? • RCN in dialogue with relevant ministries: increasing interest • Research projects in the field of development need: • more focus on processes of change • more attention to global and international perspectives • more international cooperation

6. Main objective of the Globalization and Marg. program • Help strengthen free, critical research which will contribute to an improved understanding of globalization and marginalization issues, especially with regard to mechanisms that create and reduce poverty, improve welfare and strengthen democracy and sustainable development

7. Main objective contd. • To improve the knowledge base and strengthen expertise that contributes to policy making in the areas of Norwegian foreign affairs and development aid. This aims at: • an overall understanding of the problems related to globalization and marginalization linked with the most relevant topics • free, critical research and a pool of expertise that is diverse and inter-disciplinary

8. How • Fund research • Contribute to debate around key issues and dissemination of findings • Support national networks and international research cooperation • at least 2/3 of projects in the program will finance cooperation bw/ different institutions and disciplines • Promote the establishment of network focal points that are building partnerships on the international research arena • Promote international research cooperation in other ways

9. Thematic focus • Globalization and marginalization • Poverty • Economic policy and commercial and industrial development • Political development, democracy, human rights and armed conflicts • Health, education and population growth • The environment and resource management • Cross-cutting issues: gender, children and urbanization • Comparative perspectives

10. Other initiatives of the RCN • New programs funding development research • CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) • Bilateral agreements, such as with South Africa • Norwegian researchers/ PhD candidates to collaborate with World Bank researchers (ongoing dialogue to establish program) • Partnership with EADI (European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes)

11. Role of the research networks (RN) • Serve as a national center and meeting place of expertise • Establish mechanisms for cooperation with international research groups and multilateral organizations in selected areas • Create meeting points for disseminating and exchanging information • Promote communication with the general public • Contact forum for the integration of various disciplinary and thematic issues • Researchers and “users” can set the agenda together

12. Role and responsibilities of the RN Focal points • Coordinate • a national network which should include most researchers in Norway working in the selected field • a web site (in Norwegian and English) providing services that connect people to a virtual network • an electronic forum for discussion and a list serv • links to international networks, especially in the South • scientific conferences every other year • dissemination of information among research groups and other interested parties in Norway and the South (such as management bodies, voluntary organisations, politicians, media, business), setting up physical and electronic meeting places

13. NETREED • Funding has been granted since 1. jan 2001 • The support is granted for the period of 2001 to 2003 • The network has been awarded a total of kr 1.161,900 (apx. $ 130,000) from the Research Council’s Globalization and Marginalization program

14. NETREED Main objective • To enable Norwegian researchers within the area of education and development to learn from each other, build alliances and form a strong research base within this field in Norway • Alliance-building in Norway • Include researchers, evaluators and research administrators in the effort • Strengthen partnerships in the South

15. To enable Norwegian based researchers and evaluators to learn from each other, to avoid duplication and instead form a strong research base within the area of education and development • To create and maintain a web page where relevant research and evaluation reports are presented, and where other relevant information, which is useful for the network, is available • To facilitate a meeting point - physically and virtually - for people in the target group

16. To establish contact with other relevant networks, including in the South • To facilitate contact and knowledge transformation between research interests and "user interests" in Norway and in the South

17. Progress made by NETREED • Creation of a website • Launch:18 oktober 2001 • Invitation to researchers and the development community to join the network • Newsletters - relevant news in the field • The first big meeting place: the Gausdal Conference

18. Challenges ahead • Strengthen sense of ownership to the network among Norwegian members and ”users” • Facilitate opportunities to meet regularly, e.g. through working groups on different issues related to E&D • Facilitate international cooperation • between researchers • about topics of common interest • positioning for financing from multilaterals • Establish and strengthen partnerships in the South - the core of network activities should be centered around this

19. Capacity building - how to build a critical mass of research capacities based in Norway while benefiting from cooperation with networks in the South • Extend degree of cooperation with already established networks, e.g.: • ADEA Association for the Development of Education in Africa- a network of partners promoting the development of effective education policies based on African leadership and ownership • Financial security in the future: RCN provides seed-money, how to finance the network in the future? • Need to define the value added of NETREED?