Science Networks for Global Change in Mountain Regions: The Mountain Research Initiative - Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions: Southeastern Europe - page 283

world. The strategy is a consensus document developed through consultation with
the international community of scientists and Biosphere Reserve managers.
23.1.2 Implementing the GLOCHAMORE Research Strategy
In 2006, after the completion of the GLOCHAMORE project, the MRI moved
from strategy development to implementation through the initiation and support of
regional networks of global change researchers. As MRI is a promotion and coor-
dination effort, it cannot simply “do” the research necessary in a region, but must
induce research groups and individual scientists to fill the scientific gaps defined by
the GLOCHAMORE strategy. Thus, four programme activities are at MRI's core:
1. MRI strives to enlist key scientists promoting inter- and transdisciplinary
research through their national or multinational research funding agencies. By
engaging these champions, MRI can vastly improve its effectiveness.
2. MRI supports the formation of new research partnerships and catalyzes groups
and individuals to develop project proposals to funding agencies. This is a direct
and efficient way to create the kind of research defined in the GLOCHAMORE
Strategy.
3. MRI facilitates the development of peer-reviewed papers on specific key scien-
tific issues. These contributions to the literature focus the community's attention
on some of the most important issues in mountain regions.
4. MRI distributes relevant information to researchers on global change in moun-
tains. By increasing the flow of information to these researchers, MRI seeks to
create additional interaction and a stronger sense of community.
23.2 MRI Europe: A Regional Network for Global Change
Research in Mountains
A large part of MRI's activities occurs through the three regional networks: MRI
Africa, MRI American Cordillera and MRI Europe. Within these regional net-
works MRI attempts to catalyze global change research in the thematic fields
defined in 2001 and specified in the GLOCHAMORE Research Strategy. It does
so principally through the development of new funding proposals, but also through
the engagement of regional leaders and the development of regional-specific
communication products. The functioning of MRI's regional networks and their
scientific output can be illustrated with the example of the European network
( http://mri.scnatweb.ch/networks/mri-europe/ ).
In 2006, the MRI undertook a first attempt to initiate the “Global Change
Research Network in European Mountains”. At the outset, MRI attempted to use
place rather than discipline as an organizing paradigm. Shortly after the publi-
cation of the GLOCHAMORE strategy, the MRI invited scientists and managers