GRNSD Reports

Besides promoting free discussion, GRNSD has an essential additional role to play: the ideas generated in the network must be put to work. Much more than forming into just another discussion forum, GRNSD is a 'synthesis and implementation network'. The network develops approaches that allow ideas to be combined into professionally written reports. These reports are created by the various GRNSD groups. GRNSD distributes these reports to appropriate organizations and networks, who can use them for decision making, project definition, and other purposes.

But how can the production of a report with recommendations on for example how to solve a sustainability conflict be combined with the neutrality and independence principles included in the Charter? This clearly is a difficult issue, which can severely hamper the effectiveness of the network. Therefore, the following report writing protocol has been defined. A great variety of reports can be created based on this modus operandi.

GRNSD Group Report Report Writing Protocol

• Each member co-authoring a GRNSD report has the right to express her or his opinion on any topic that she or he deems relevant to the problem being addressed. The member must substantiate conclusions with facts and logic that are correct, at least in his or her own opinion.

• GRNSD aims to build as much consensus as possible on conflict issues. However, because the members represent so many different special interest groups, consensus may sometimes be difficult to reach or totally impossible.

• GRNSD reports must therefore be 'multiple consensus' based. This means that the group that prepares a report first lists the issues on which it agrees. Then, it formulates different alternatives for the elements on which members cannot reach agreement. Every member has the right to define an alternative. Each alternative view includes the names of the members who support it.

• Even if a single consensus report can be written, the value of this report is relative. Only a small number of affected parties in GRNSD and the outside world is involved in the report writing process. Information used is often incomplete and inaccurate. Unknown political factors can influence the process. Therefore, a unanimously accepted report must also contain the names of all supporting contributors.

• The created GRNSD reports can be used by members and external parties as they wish. GRNSD, however, will monitor their public usage. In case of misuse, it will take appropriate legal or other action.