15 fig.

This meeting of PROCISUR addresses important problems for national agricultural research systems in this time of transition. Transition seems to be everywhere. It is found in the move to more open political and economic systems, to more participation of common people in the discussion of issues of social interest, to increased awareness about the need for governmental efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency, to raised concerns with the environment and the need to conserve the production capacity for future generations. It certainly is in the minds of research system managers throughout the world, who are being asked to deal with a more demanding research, to improve governance, to use new and more complex methologies, and to be financially more independent from the State's purse. (MV)