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The 23rd SAC meeting in Toronto focused on evolving the IAI's mission to better bridge the gap between global environmental change science and policy. Key discussions included the need for a 10-year strategic plan, the integration of social and natural sciences, and the importance of ecosystem services as a unifying theme. The committee also addressed ethical frameworks for human research, the allocation of approximately USD 1 million in remaining CRN II funds, and the transition of leadership to Michael Brklacich as the new SAC President.

The 22nd Meeting of the IAI Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), held in July 2005, primarily focused on reviewing and selecting proposals for the Second Round of the IAI Collaborative Research Network (CRN II). The committee recommended 10 proposals for funding, while noting a thematic imbalance and a need to strengthen the 'human dimensions' component of the portfolio. Director-elect Holm Tiessen highlighted a 'funding crisis' and the necessity for IAI to better demonstrate its purpose to member countries and improve the institutionalization of research networks. The meeting also discussed a forthcoming IAI-SCOPE RAP meeting to synthesize results from CRN1 and bridge natural and social sciences.

The 22nd SAC meeting, held in Sao José dos Campos, Brazil, in July 2005, primarily focused on reviewing proposals for the second round of the Cooperative Research Networks (CRN II) program. The committee recommended 10 proposals for funding, while noting a thematic imbalance, specifically a lack of projects addressing human dimensions and certain scientific themes. The meeting also addressed the need for the IAI to strengthen its capacity-building efforts, ensure the institutional sustainability of its networks, and better connect scientific discoveries with societal applications and policy-making.

The IAI's 2006/07 program focuses on transitioning from a period of scientific excellence to one of policy relevance and regional integration. Key initiatives include the implementation of the second Collaborative Research Network (CRN II), the synthesis of CRN I, and the development of a Program on Climate Variability in the Americas with CPTEC. The IAI aims to strengthen capacity building through seed grants, training institutes on disaster risk and climate impacts, and strategic partnerships with organizations like the UN ISDR and IICA. Administrative efforts are centered on optimizing internal processes through new manuals and an electronic proposal and report system.

The IAI's 2006/07 annual plan focuses on transitioning from a purely scientific excellence program to one that integrates policy relevance and adaptation to global change. Key initiatives include the launch of the Cooperative Research Networks II (CRN II), the conclusion of CRN I, and the implementation of six strategic goals approved in 2002. The plan emphasizes administrative rationalization, the expansion of the Data Information System (DIS), and increased cooperation with Argentina, Brazil, and Canada. Capacity building will be driven by 'seed grants' and multidisciplinary training institutes focused on the science-policy interface, including collaborations with organizations like the UN's ISDR and the IICA.

The report evaluates a project that engaged young researchers from seven developing countries to bridge the policy gap between the information society (IS) and sustainable development (SD). It identifies key success factors for youth engagement, such as 'learning by doing' and a 'sense of ownership,' while highlighting the critical need for robust institutional and intellectual support. The document details how researchers in countries like South Africa and Kenya directly influenced national ICT strategies and emphasizes the necessity of gender-disaggregated data and specialized recruitment to effectively integrate young women into the policy process.

The IISD Model International Agreement on Investment for Sustainable Development proposes a new legal framework for foreign investment. It moves away from traditional bilateral investment treaties by introducing binding investor obligations, including mandatory environmental and social impact assessments, anti-corruption requirements, and adherence to human rights and labour standards. The model establishes a structured institutional framework featuring a Conference of the Parties, a permanent Dispute Settlement Body with an appellate division to ensure legal consistency, and a Legal Assistance Centre for developing countries. It explicitly protects the 'inherent rights of states' to regulate for public welfare and sustainable development, while providing a mechanism to abrogate investor rights in cases of corruption or persistent non-compliance.

The report outlines a shift in ICT4D from a technical focus to an integrated development approach, noting that while ICTs are recognized as critical for achieving Millennium Development Goals, funding from bilateral agencies is decreasing. It highlights the role of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and identifies both the transformative potential of Community Multimedia Centres and persistent barriers such as 'technology dumping' and infrastructure instability.

The report identifies a lack of youth-specific mainstream media in the circumpolar North and highlights the critical importance of in-person interaction and experiential learning over formal education. It notes significant barriers to formal schooling in Canada, including curricula that lack Northern content and a lack of home internet access in remote communities. While various youth networks exist, the report finds that engagement is often dependent on external champions and that networks frequently suffer from a 'hub and spokes' model, limiting their sustainability.

The YCLSF Participant Manual 2006/2007 outlines the structure and expectations of an international internship program managed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). It details the program's goal of providing young Canadians with entry-level overseas work experience in sustainable development to help them build careers in the field. The document covers administrative requirements such as contracts, tax obligations, and visa processes, alongside practical advice on preparing for placement, managing finances, and coping with culture shock. It also specifies the responsibilities of the participants, host organizations, and IISD, and defines the reporting and evaluation cycle required to receive stipends. Finally, it provides guidance on re-entry to Canada and professional development strategies.

The policy brief examines the transition of mine action from international management to national authority, focusing on the roles of government, civil society, and capacity building. Through case studies of Mozambique, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Afghanistan, it argues that national ownership is often hindered by donor-driven funding, a lack of early accurate data, and weak institutional structures. The document concludes that there is no universal recipe for ownership and recommends flexible, coordinated strategies that prioritize local capacity mapping and strategic national planning over rapid operational deployment.

The report evaluates the South African Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), highlighting a tension between its ambitious foreign policy goals—specifically the 'African Agenda'—and institutional challenges including high personnel vacancy rates, managerial instability, and a lack of measurable performance data. While the DFA has increased its budgetary and diplomatic presence in Africa, the report notes significant gaps in skilled personnel and a need for better alignment between foreign policy and domestic economic growth goals.

The document assesses the progress and deadlocks of the Doha Round negotiations as of November 2005. It highlights significant stalemates in agricultural market access, non-agricultural market access (NAMA), and services, while detailing specific disputes over fisheries subsidies, intellectual property rights (TRIPS), and the implementation of special and differential treatment for developing countries. It also reviews the impact of the 2005 expiry of textile and clothing quotas and the ongoing efforts to improve the WTO's Dispute Settlement Understanding.

The IAI Directorate reports a strategic transition focusing on 'regional relevance' by bridging the gap between scientific research and policy application. Key achievements include the implementation of training institutes in Mexico and Costa Rica, the development of a new Data and Information System (DIS) with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the preparation for the second round of Collaborative Research Networks (CRN-II). The report also addresses internal management challenges, including staff salary disputes and the recovery of project funds from CATHALAC.

The IAI report details its efforts to bridge the gap between scientific research and regional policy implementation in the Americas. Key activities include the conclusion of the first Cooperative Research Networks (CRN-I) cycle, the launch of CRN-II with 39 proposals received, and the execution of training institutes in Mexico and Costa Rica. The institute also focused on administrative restructuring, including new project management manuals and the development of a new Data and Information System (DIS) with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The CRN program, initiated in 1999 with an initial investment of US$10 million, established 14 international research networks to investigate global environmental change in the Americas. The program successfully leveraged over US$20 million in supplemental funding by June 2004 and supported 429 students. Key scientific outputs include research on soil degradation in Brazil and Argentina, dendrochronological reconstructions of climate variability, the drivers of deforestation in the Amazon, and the impacts of UV-B radiation and ENSO on ecosystems and human health. The program emphasized capacity building through the training of graduate students and the creation of regional data portals and research stations.

The 21st SAC meeting in Santiago, Chile, focused on selecting 35 pre-proposals for the second round of the Cooperative Research Networks (CRN II) program from 93 submissions. The committee discussed a joint activity plan with NCAR/UCAR involving weather modeling and climate risk, and reviewed an external evaluation of the IAI by the AAAS. Additionally, the SAC recommended the affiliation of CPTEC for a climate variability internship program and decided to use the SCOPE mechanism for the synthesis of CRN I results.

The report concludes that WTO rules generally do not prevent World Bank borrowers from using eco-labels in government procurement due to specific 'carve-outs' in major agreements. However, it highlights significant concerns from developing countries regarding the costs and technical burdens of compliance, recommending that the World Bank provide financial and capacity-building support to mitigate these barriers.

The document outlines eight success factors for knowledge management, emphasizing that KM is most effective when tied to operational needs, implemented at the project level rather than solely through corporate strategy, and supported by a combination of internal and external communication strategies. It highlights the importance of senior and mid-level leadership, the use of rapid piloting and experimentation, and the need for long-term sustainability planning for knowledge portals.

The document establishes a conceptual framework for knowledge management within the context of sustainable development, distinguishing between data, information, and knowledge. It categorizes knowledge into explicit, tacit, and implicit types and provides a detailed typology of collaborative relationships, ranging from internal management networks to global action networks. Additionally, it inventories communication approaches—categorized as 'many to many', 'one to many', and 'one to one'—and discusses the role of 'Open Content' in democratizing knowledge sharing.