Conference: Research for Global Transformation

3rd International Conference on Research for Development (ICRD 2012)

The aim of the conference is to share and discuss the most recent insights on development-oriented research conducted in North-South partnerships and to develop an agenda for research partnerships with developing and transition countries.

The conference will thus contribute to the international agendas currently being redrawn in view of Rio+20. Indeed, the post-Rio+20 era will require adapted policy frameworks, research approaches, and donor environments in order to seek synergies between research partnership projects in the North and the South and jointly identify entry points and pathways to sustainable development.

Focus and experiences

Addressing multiple challenges of global change – among them mitigating climate change, reducing population growth, producing sufficient food, and eliminating poverty – will require fundamental changes to the way we do things. In order to make what is now known as “global transformation” a reality, societies in the global North and South will need to agree to work towards sustainable development together. This requires mutual understanding of global differences and existing disparities, one another’s values and norms, the different visions, strategies and political tools, the need for more cooperation, and mutual respect for cultural diversity. The role of science, research, and capacity development has been acknowledged in all nations of the global North, in transition countries, and increasingly also in the global South. Among the tools that have proved adequate for furthering research and education are inter- and transdisciplinary research, as well as North-South research partnerships. The latter have so far helped to overcome some of the persistent disparities in capacity and institutional settings between like-minded institutions of different countries. The organisers of this conference have conducted a research partnership programme together since 2001. The programme involves individuals institutions in over 40 countries worldwide. These individuals and institutions are eager to learn from other programmes’ experiences, to share their own experiences with them, and to help shape research partnership policy for the future.

Goals and expectations

The objectives of this 3rd International Conference on Research for Development
(ICRD) are:
- to share the most recent insights on development-oriented research conducted in North-South partnerships, and
- to outline an agenda for research partnerships with developing and transition countries in support of equitable and sustainable global transformation.

Participants in the conference are expected to bring in multiple national and international perspectives on development-oriented research, policy dialogue, and practice aiming towards global transformation. The conference will have a strong focus on the global South, but the role of the global North will also be addressed. Further emphasis will be given to discussing research policy and funding in the North, including in Switzerland. In addition, the conference will take into account and critically review the outcomes of the international science conference ‘Planet under Pressure’ to be held in London in March 2012, and Rio+20 (Rio de Janeiro in June 2012), and discuss the consequences of these global events for research partnerships. Janeiro in June 2012), and discuss the consequences of these global events for research partnerships.

Conference themes

The 3rd ICRD will offer space for keynotes, workshops, and poster sessions. Participants will have an opportunity to bring in their research experience and reflect on strategic research policy aspects in the workshops and plenary discussions. Leading researchers are invited to propose workshops in line with the themes of this conference (see website) by 31 January 2012.

The four major themes of the conference are:

1. Tackling global change: enhancing positive and minimising negative effects
2. Reducing disparity: narrowing regional, social and individual inequalities
3. Enhancing diversity: fostering cultural and natural heritage
4. Enabling research in global transformation: learning from current experiences

Dowmload: Flyer

Venue:
University of Bern
UniS
Schanzeneckstrasse 1
3012 Bern
Switzerland

Info:
www.icrd.ch

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