An integrated response to the needs of developing countries

Over the past ten years the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) has facilitated or managed a wide portfolio of activities in response to requests from colleagues and institutions in developing and transitional countries. Despite these efforts there continues to be concern that the gap is widening between those who have access to information and those who do not. A number of countries have called upon INASP to work with them in developing a coherent programme to access international information, provide access to local and regional research results, and provide training in 'internet' use and in strengthening local publishing. A two-year period of consultation and a pilot testing led to the development of the Programme for the Enhancement of Research Information (PERI). Preliminary evaluations indicate that the Programme is meeting in-country needs and has already exceeded expectations. However,providing access is only a first step and there is a need for continued training and expanded network bandwidth to accommodate increased use.