http://eos.kub.nl:2080/grnsd/charter.html (Einblicke ins Internet, 10/1995)
GRNSD Charter
CHARTER
of the
GLOBAL RESEARCH NETWORK ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
ARTICLE 1) MISSION, RATIONALE, OBJECTIVES AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
1.1. Mission
The mission of the Global Research Network on Sustainable Development
(GRNSD) is to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the research
process and products to sustainable development.
GRNSD complements the work of other organizations and networks. As an
independent network, it systematically analyzes factors which influence
the roles and impact that science and related knowledge have in
sustainable development. Furthermore, the network develops new and
creative approaches to increase the quality of research and communication
processes of the participating individuals, organizations, and networks.
1.2. Rationale
The sustainable development research process comprises all activities
which provide decision makers with research information needed for
sustainable development. The process involves planning and conduct of
research, and dissemination and implementation of results. Many technical,
socio-economic and political constraints, which differ from North to
South, and East to West, affect the outcomes of this process.
1.3. Objectives
- To create a general and inductive model of the sustainable development
research process, and to use it for its analysis and improvement.
- To help elucidate the concepts of sustainable development for relevant
scientific disciplines and problem areas.
- To develop new concepts, tools, strategies, and services which support
participants in increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of research.
- To assess the relevance of research activities worldwide.
- To provide a neutral forum for parties with divergent views to explore
their differences and find common ground.
- To help optimize the existing research information and communication
infrastructure by aligning and initiating work on the design and
construction of the required research information systems.
- To increase general cognizance of traditional knowledge, as well as the
roles of arts and culture in local, regional and global science.
1.4. Guiding Principles
- Network Independence
To ensure freedom of discussion, no single member, individual or
organization, must be able to dominate the development and operations of
the network.
- Network Neutrality
The network does not advocate specific scientific points of view.
Documents issued by the network must be rigorous and adhere to principles
of scholarship.
- Professional Behaviour
Members must interact with mutual respect, and present discussion in a
scholarly fashion.
- Distributed Responsibility
Members of the network are responsible for developing and maintaining the
network facilities and services. All members are accountable to the
network for their network activities.
- Evolution of Network Services and Facilities
The network uses structures and procedures that allow it to easily adapt
to changing environment and technology.
- Accessibility of Network Services and Facilities
The network continuously strives for optimum accessibility of its services
and facilities by minimizing financial, political and other barriers that
inhibit participation.
ARTICLE 2) MEMBERSHIP
The membership is open to anybody professionally involved in the
sustainable development research process.
ARTICLE 3) ORGANIZATION
3.1. General
3.1.1 The network is formed by a Scientific Meta-Network (SMN) and a
Development Team. Both consist of a number of cooperating groups.
A Group Coordinator is responsible for the development and
operations of each group.
3.1.2 Each individual member and group is allowed to start projects on
behalf of GRNSD, as well as to make use of the facilities and
services provided by the network. The projects must not conflict
with the rules expressed in the Charter. Both a project proposal
and a summary of the final results must be presented to the Member
Forum for comments.
3.2. The Scientific Meta-Network
3.2.1 The SMN is responsible for facilitating disciplinary and thematic
research relevant to sustainable development.
3.2.2 SMN Groups share the following goals:
- To work out concrete criteria that define sustainable
development within the domain of the group.
- To make an overview of the most urgent research problems
with respect to those criteria.
- To determine and prioritize research goals that guide the
participants in solving these problems.
- To establish links with the key individuals, organizations,
and networks working on and funding the realization of these
research goals.
- To evaluate the relevance to these goals of existing research
projects within the domain of the group.
- To initiate new research projects.
3.3. The Development Team.
3.3.1 The Development Team consists of Working Groups, a Member Forum,
and a Steering Committee.
3.3.2 Working Groups are responsible for analyzing the sustainable
development research process, and advising on the network
facilities and services.
3.3.3 The Steering Committee is responsible for coordinating the
overall development and operations of the network, as well as
raising and managing the required financial and other resources.
3.3.4 Participation in the Steering Committee is open to members with
relevant scientific and managerial capacities.
3.3.5 The Steering Committee appoints a General Coordinator who
coordinates the day-to-day operations of the network, and Service
Coordinators who develop and maintain specific facilities and
services.
3.3.6 The Member Forum is responsible for monitoring and influencing
the development and operations of the network.
3.3.7 Any member of the network can join the Member Forum and publicly
comment on relevant issues.
ARTICLE 4) DECISION MAKING
4.1. Group decisions must be based on consensus as much as possible.
4.2. All proposals made by members or groups that affect the network as a
whole must be sent for comments to the Member Forum.
4.3. If a dispute on issues related to the development or operations of
the network cannot be resolved by the respective group or the Member
Forum, the Steering Committee can make a binding decision.
ARTICLE 5) MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Instruction and Protocol Documents work out the detailed procedures
that concern the development and operations of the network.
ARTICLE 6) AMENDMENTS
The Charter will be reviewed by a Charter Working Group from January 1,
1997 onward. All members of the network will be invited to participate
in this group.