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

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

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 the NCCR 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 to , 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)

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

Core problems and syndromes of global change

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

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

Research framework and major research thrusts

Involvement of IPs in JACS (planned)

Involvement of IPs in JACS (per )

4. Some practical tools of the programme

Variation of research approach

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