Crossing Lines analyzes the experiences of more than 25 education research networks spanning Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Europe. Their history yields rich insights into the construction and maintenance of communication structures and processes that increase the utility, and the utilization, of education policy research. Networks are difficult to establish and difficult to maintain. But if maintained, they facilitate effective communication between the various members, leading to generation of shared conceptions of what is important, and how best to go about achieving it. The networks described in this book are intended to help researchers identify problems and design research that is relevant to the countries in which they work. The networks also are intended to help decision-makers identify information that is available, and to signal the kind of information required in the future. This book is an important research and professional tool for educators and education policy-makers, both in national governments and in international assistance agencies.

Table of Contents:
Preface A Conceptualization of Networks and Networking From Group to Network: Sociological Perspectives by Michel Carton Evolution of Networks: Evolution from Networks by Jon Lauglo Networks and Institution Building by Leo F. Dubbledam Networking as a Knowledge System by Kenneth King Networking Between Researchers and Policy Makers by Noel F. McGinn Transregional Networks UNESCO Networks in Education and Training Worldwide by Juan Carlos Tedesco Commonwealth Networks in Education by Education Team at the Commonwealth Secretariat Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development by Robert Myers NORRAG Networking, Advocacy, and Advice: An Historical Perspective by Kenneth King From Group to Network: Management Issues by Michel Carton Africa Networking When the State and Higher Education Systems Are Weak by Wim Hoppers Networking, Restriction of Information, and Democratization in Africa by Katherine Namuddu The Culture of Networking in Educational Research in Eastern and Southern Africa by Lydia Nyati-Ramahobo Problems of Networking: The ERNESA Experience by Donatus Komba The African Educational Research Network: Progress and Prospects at Mid-Decade by Milton E. Ploghoft Networking in West Africa by William Rideout, Jr. and Richard Gilbert The Educational Research Network in Kenya (ERNIKE) by Daniel N. Sifuna The Botswana Educational Research Association's Participation in Research and Policy Studies for the National Commission of Education by Changu Mannathoko Networking in South Africa: An Aid to Institutional Development by David Gilmour Networking in Support of South African Policy Change by Peter Badcock-Walters Educational Networking in French-Speaking West Africa: Hope or Fallacy? by Michel Carton Asia Appreciating Cultures: Educational Research and Networking in East Asia by Cheng Kai-ming South East Asia Bibliographic and Abstracting Service (SEABAS) by Zainal Ghani Europe Professional Associations and Academic Networks: Some Observations for the United Kingdom by Keith Watson Seminar on Latin American Education, United Kingdom by Mark Richmond European Network for Research on Learning and Instruction by Noel Entwistle Activities of the Committee on Educational Research in Cooperation with Third World Countries" by Wolfgang Karcher DSE's Experience with Networking and Institutional Development by Wolfgang Gmelin Scottish Education Action for Development (SEAD) by Linda Gray Latin America Cultures of Policy, Cultures of Research in Latin America by Patricio Cariola, S.J. Lessons Learned from REDUC (1972-1992) by Patricio Cariola, S.J. Increasing Network Effectiveness Through Technology by José González Cornejo REDUC in Relation to Other Latin American Networks by Ernesto Schiefelbein Appendix 1: Contact Persons and Organizations in the SEARRAG Network Appendix 2: Organizations in the REDUC Network Appendix 3: A Partial Listing of Newsletters Glossary of Abbreviations References Index of Persons Index of Topics