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The EUROLEISH network: an exercise in partnership
D Le Ray1, R Maingon, I Guizani
1Laboratory of Protozoology, Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium.
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology
|December 1, 1995
Summary
The EUROLEISH network fosters collaboration among leishmaniasis researchers. It aims to improve lab-to-field interactions and prioritize research questions for better leishmaniasis control.
Area of Science:
- Tropical medicine
- Parasitology
- Public health research networks
Background:
- Established in 1989, EUROLEISH originated from European Commission (EC)-funded leishmaniasis projects.
- Expanded to include projects from International Scientific Co-operation and Avicenna programmes.
- Focuses on leishmaniasis research within the EC's Science and Technology for Development programme.
Purpose of the Study:
- Enhance communication between laboratory and field scientists.
- Prioritize research needs identified by health services.
- Foster partnerships between European and developing countries.
Main Methods:
- Consensual management by contract-holders.
- Annual meetings alternating between biology and epidemiology.
- Involves 66 contract-holders across 18 projects in 28 countries.
Main Results:
- Facilitated interdisciplinary and international collaboration in leishmaniasis research.
- Secured a research budget of 4.6 million ECUs during the Third EC Framework Programme (1990-1994).
- Established a significant network for leishmaniasis research and development.
Conclusions:
- The network successfully improved interactions and partnerships in leishmaniasis research.
- Future efforts will focus on strengthening thematic research through regional project collaboration.
- EUROLEISH serves as a model for international scientific cooperation in neglected tropical diseases.