2nd Annual International Meeting of Directors of Government-based Research Institutes

November 16, 1999
Toronto, Canada

The 2nd Annual International Meeting of Directors of Government-based Research Institutes convened in the Canadian Room of the Royal York Hotel, at 2:00 PM, November 16, 1999, in Toronto, Canada. Dr. Edwin Zedlewski, Acting Deputy Director of the Office of Development and Communications, National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice and Dr. Andrée Delagrave, Director-General, Policy Integration and Coordination Section, Department of Justice, Canada, jointly chaired the meeting.

In attendance were 17 representatives of 11 different research institutes from 8 countries which included:

Arrangements for this second meeting had been coordinated by the Research and Statistical Division of the Department of Justice Canada and the National Institute of Justice.

The meeting began with an introduction of participants, their organizations, and the type of research. Several representatives described international and collaborative projects which their agencies were conducting. As in the previous meeting, many common issues emerged.

Copies of the summary chart, based on the survey invitees had completed prior to the meeting were distributed and discussed. Participants agreed the information was useful, but requested three additional items of information be included. The survey will be redistributed with the additional request for information on international programs of activity, e-mail addresses and budgets.

Discussion focused on the value of information sharing at these meetings and methods of continuing in the future. Participants unanimously agreed to continue communication in the following two ways:

Participants discussed a variety of topics and issues which would make future meetings more substantive and meaningful. Issues which were proposed included:

1. presenting researcher's findings to policy makers

2. bridging the gap between academic and practice

3. maintaining scientific integrity and avoiding contaminated research by the government or practitioners

4. using research to explore options

5. developing interventions

6. choosing research issues

7. surveying the "best" research conducted during the previous year by each institute

8. exploring collaborative opportunities for research

9. using effective research in a political agenda

10. defining research results in "sound bites"

The group agreed future meetings would be held for an entire day and the agenda would include substantive topics agreed upon in advance. Despite the fact that the next 5 meetings of the American Society of Criminology are scheduled to be held in the United States, the group agreed that future meetings should be held in conjunction with this major research meeting. Participants concluded that the 3rd annual international meeting of the Directors Research Institute will convene, Tuesday, November 14, 2000, in San Francisco. Discussions will span the day and include a working luncheon.

Representatives from participating institutes volunteered to support specific activities for the November 2000 meeting which included:

11. NIJ will reserve a meeting room and sponsor a "working luncheon" for the November 14, 2000 meeting.

12. The Australian Institute of Criminology and the Dutch Ministry of Justice will coordinate the November 2000 meeting and develop the agenda.

13. The Canadian Department of Justice and NIJ will provide assistance and coordination as required.

14. NIJ will develop an implement an International Research Director's ListServ to communicate with global colleagues between meetings. (Target date for implementation is March 31, 2000).

The meeting concluded at 5 PM and was followed by a social event hosted by the Ministry of Justice of the Netherlands and the Department of Justice Canada.