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Sixteenth Programme Report
Foreword and Introduction
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Foreword and Introduction
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The year 2000 was indeed momentous. The dawn of a new century, also marked by the publication of the human genome and the adoption of the Millenium Development Goals. A new dawn also rose in TDR, culminating in the adoption of a new five-year strategy reflecting the changes in the world around the programme. A constructive re-moulding of activities to better fit prevailing needs and changing global economic, political and scientific environments.
I wholeheartedly endorse the creative vision and achievable goals detailed in TDR’s Strategy for 2000-2005. The period covered in this report, 2001-2002, represents the successful initial transference from ideas into practice. TDR’s role is to empower and enable, with the added task of generating, embracing and applying new knowledge. TDR is continuing to play a leading role in discovering and exploring the grand new opportunities opened up by advances in science and technology, particularly in the exciting and highly promising genomics and bioinformatics fields.
Moreover, the directed move into implementation research, and a renewed focus on socioeconomic and behavioural research, shrewdly presaged the massive global initiatives which have recently been established in these areas. These moves can ensure that new products generated through TDR’s and others’ product development research can be placed in their appropriate contexts.
Research is not always visible, and often does not have ‘immediacy’. Results may take years to manifest themselves, and I commend the programme and its committed donors for continuing their work. But research remains essential if goals are to be achieved. TDR is an integral instrument in global health.
Naturally, the programme’s pioneering history in setting up private sector/public sector collaborations has stood it in good stead, and been a model for others, in establishing innovative, valueadded public-private initiatives.Again, in the new century, a new working framework, a collaborative, holistic, multidisciplinary approach, will be essential if we are to achieve the goals that we have set ourselves, upon the achievement of which millions of lives will depend.
To reach our goals, barriers will have to be broken and difficult pathways traversed. We will need to engage those living with and dealing with diseases on a day-to-day basis, to use their intimate knowledge to help set suitable agenda, and help accelerate development of acceptable, appropriate and affordable solutions.
To obtain that knowledge, and to use it, apply it and disseminate it wisely and equitably, we will need to make the most effective possible use of information and communication technologies and advances, and TDR has confirmed its commitment to do so in its forward-thinking agenda.We will also need to continue to make best use of knowledge, tools and technologies, wherever they are found or generated.
The Millenium Development Goals call for the creation of a sustainable ‘global partnership for development’. TDR and WHO will continue to be active in such a partnership.
Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland Director-General World Health Organization
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Foreword and Introduction [pdf 334kb]
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