An invitation to focus attention on the south

In 2012, GDNet launched a new campaign "Connect South" to encourage members of the development research and policy communities to adopt a more inclusive approach to southern researchers’ knowledge. The Connect South campaign calls on people and organizations working in development to pledge their support and re-establish GDNet’s own commitments to southern researchers.

There is interest in seeing Southern Research Knowledge make more of a global impact. GDNet's collaboration and cooperation with Southern individuals and organisations worldwide will be the key to campaign’s success. The campaign’s primary tool will be a Charter of Commitment based on GDNet’s strategic objectives and core values. As a beacon of good practice, the charter will allow GDNet to lead by example and call others to action.  

The implementation of the Connect South campaign will follow four broad directions: Driving a debate on how to create a level playing field for southern research Fostering southern ownership of GDNet’s work by encouraging new members to join GDNet and existing members to be more proactive Highlighting the key challenges facing southern researchers (e.g. access to information, securing funding and communicating findings) and putting forward solutions Demonstrating how GDNet is building southern capacity in communicating research at the international level

GDNet’s orientation has evolved over time from being an online repository of southern knowledge to a program dedicated to creating an enabling environment for southern researchers to inform policy.  The campaign will work to increase the program's profile as a leader in the debates around Southern research communications and uptake.