There is consensus within the group on the need to improve both the quality and quantity of research work in the developing world. A number of factors have contributed to the present unsatisfactory situation. In the first place, research and research institutions have a low status in most developing countries. The value of research is not generally understood, and competing pressures for scarce resources push research well down the list of priorities. Much research activity centres on academic institutions, which themselves do not enjoy high status and adequate financial support.
Morale is therefore low in the research community.
There is no easy or quick fix for this, but a number of actions can help to address the problem. The most fundamental need is to raise the status and profile of research and researchers. This is of course true of developed and developing countries alike, and has already been touched upon in relation to the need to publicise and disseminate. Only by engaging the interest of decision-makers will the research community be able to mobilise adequate resources. Co-operation between institutions is a powerful tool.