III. VISION

INCLEN offers a unique resource as a network of indigenous health scientists and clinicians well trained in a range of disciplines who apply their understanding of efficacy, effectiveness and efficiency to improving health systems in their countries and building local capacity to do so even better in the future. INCLEN sees its future as a network of regional networks, addressing health needs of clinical importance at the national, regional and global level. Its dual emphases on capacity building and research are mutually reinforcing and much needed. Its ability to work across disciplinary boundaries allows it to address important and complex health problems that may require sophisticated understanding of biomedical, cultural, behavioral and economic issues, both to design and to implement effective and efficient control measures. Its ability to work across geographic boundaries not only allows informative comparative studies to be done, but also promotes inter-regional learning. The progressive assumption of leadership of the network by developing world faculty is itself an important aspect of ongoing capacity building, as is INCLEN’s enlarging membership. INCLEN welcomes opportunities for partnership with organizations that have similar commitment to improving health but complementary skills, resources and methods of working. Such partnerships are essential for addressing many complex matters, for promoting institutional learning and for avoiding duplication of effort.