Global Research Net. on Sustainable Development (GRNSD)

Dear colleagues,

The Global Research Network on Sustainable Development (GRNSD) is a recently established, independent scientific network that aims to to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the sustainable development research process. The network will analyze and facilitate all stages of the research process: the planning and conduct of research activities, and the dissemination and implementation of the results.

GRNSD wants to help answer many questions. What does sustainable development mean in different branches of science? What are the goals and characteristics of the various participants who are involved in the production, distribution, and use of research information? What kinds of interrelationships exist between these participants? Which technical, financial, organizational, and political problems prevent researchers from cooperating more closely? How can the redundancy of current research activities be reduced, and their relevance to society be increased?

GRNSD consists of a Scientific Meta-Network (SMN) and a Development Team. The SMN facilitates the research process by providing an open, neutral and professional discussion forum for researchers and other research process participants. The SMN strives for unbiased and strict discussion procedures. This promotes objectivity and a systematic approach, making the network credible, so that its recommendations will be taken seriously by governments, the corporate sector, and NGOs.

The Development Team models the sustainable development research process, and develops the required network infrastructure and procedures. The team has just started work on the creation of the GRNSD Charter. This important document will formalize the goals, organization, and activities of the network, as well as the rights and responsibilities of its members.

On behalf of the current members of GRNSD, I cordially invite all other interested individuals and representatives from organizations and networks professionally involved in the production, distribution, or use of research information related to sustainable development, to join the discussion on the final contents and form of the Charter. Your participation in this difficult, yet necessary endeavour would be highly appreciated.

If you feel you can constructively contribute to the development of the Charter, or would like to be involved in GRNSD in any other way, please contact us at the following address:

GRNSD Development Team E-Mail: grnsd@kub.nl Fax : +31-13-663069 Phone : +31-13-663020 S-Mail: c/o Infolab Dept. of Information Management Tilburg University P.O. Box 90153 5000 LE Tilburg The Netherlands

Sincerely, Aldo de Moor General Coordinator