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Follow UsUK science society network to go global
Scientific societies in the United Kingdom that support their counterparts in developing countries have formed a network to coordinate their work and share tips on effective capacity building, writes SciDev.Net.The Learned Societies for Development (LSfD) network was launched last month (15 October) under the auspices of the UK National Commission for UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
Many scientific societies — networks of researchers in a specific field — carry out capacity building work such as mentoring and exchange schemes, providing equipment and advice, running training courses and providing free access to publications.
"Learned societies have an incredible swathe of expertise within their membership," said Rebecca Smith, parliamentary and policy officer at the UK's Biochemical Society, and coordinator of the LSfD network.
"But it's not always easy to know how best to use it. Although there are lots of organisations that have been working in this area, it's been quite fragmented and, by bringing everyone together and making each other aware of what we're doing, we can learn a lot from one another," she told SciDev.Net.
The network is open to societies that are already active in this area, as well as those interested in getting involved in capacity building and development.
Read the full article in SciDev.Net
