THE LATIN-AMERICAN PLANT SCIENCES NETWORK - A COLLABORATIVE REGIONAL EFFORT IN SCIENCE TRAINING

The Latin American Plant Sciences Network (Red Latinoamericana de Bota nica - RLB) is a consortium of Centers of Excellence in Latin America designed to increase innovative scientific capacity in the plant scien ces by providing graduate level training to students throughout the re gion. Training centers are located in Mexico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, B razil, Chile, and Argentina, with headquarters at the Universidad de C hile, Santiago, Chile. During the initial five-year period, the Networ k has trained 70 graduate students (Doctoral, Master, and short-term t rainees); has supported 67 research projects, 21 graduate courses, and 48 scientific events; and has provided minor infrastructure to the tr aining centers for a total cost of US$1,245,645 (including Network adm inistration and coordination). The Network has had a major impact in b reaking isolation among the Latin American countries and stimulating c ollaborative scientific efforts. The Network's experience is of releva nce to the promotion of agroforestry research and education in the reg ion.