About us
DNI is a non-governamental, non-profit scientific association. It cooperates with the EC Research Directorate, ministries, development agencies and UN bodies (specifically UNCCD). It has no government affiliation and is independent of any form of lobby or private interests.
The aims of the Association are to encourage research and promote concerted efforts in all disciplines concerning human and bio-physical issues of dryland development and degradation. It facilitates scientific exchanges between scientists and the participating bodies, identifying priority areas for research and fostering cooperation. DNI supports mechanisms that will provide academically sound data and information to combat desertification, recover degraded land, support sustainable social and economic development in drylands and identify preventive measures for safeguarding the natural resources of drylands worldwide. The Association also aims at cooperating with policy and other decision makers to identify information needs and to translate scientifically sound knowledge to improve land management of drylands including governance.
DNI activities are inspired by the United Nation Conventions to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), for the Biological Diversity (CBD), the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the “4 per 1000 Initiative”.
ORGANS of DNI:
- General Assembly
- Extraordinary General Assembly
- Steering Committee
- Advisory Board
- Bureau
- Users Board
The Bureau of DesertNet International comprises the following people elected from the current Steering Committee:
- Chair: Youssef BRAHIMI, France, Global Mechanism of the UNCCD
- Co-Chair: Michael CHERLET, Belgium/Italy, Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, Institute for Environment and Sustainability
- Treasurer: María José MARQUÉS, Spain, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Departamento de Geología y Geoquímica
- Secretary General: Pier Paolo ROGGERO, Italy, Desertification Research Center (NRD), University of Sassari.