Research for development (R4D) is still being neglected in development cooperation. In reaching the Millennium Development Goals there is an urgent need to implement research findings to increase food production and access to food.
 
Today a shift can be noted. R4D is becoming a one-world mainstream with regard to environmental, human rights, security and health issues. R4D should be stronger supported by donors and partner countries, by financing the collaboration of research institutions and universities, promoting the transdisciplinarity of research, and intensifying global partnership networks, namely north-south cooperations.
 
Further capacities have to be developed and funding systems be provided to take up research and get it down to real development needs.
 
Dr Beate Elsa Wilhelm
Director - department  ''Environment, natural resources, and food''
InWEnt - Capacity Building International
Bonn, Germany
Beate.Wilhelm@inwent.org