Research Capacity Strengthening and Applied Medical Anthropology within the Kenya-Danish Health Research Project (KEDHAR)

The Background

Abstract

This article gives an overview of the Research Capacity Strengthening (RCS) and applied medical anthropology as they had been implemented by the Institute of African Studies within the interdisciplinary framework of the Kenyan-Danish Health Research Project (KEDAHR) during the past eight years. This introductory chapter deals with general issues whereas some of the more specific research findings are reported elsewhere in this volume. KEDAHR was sponsored by the Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA), which is a 'branch' of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs dealing with assistance to developing countries. The support took place within the framework of DANIDA's 'Bilateral Programme for Enhancement of Research Capacity in Developing Countries' (ENRECA). As the name indicates, RCS is the main priority. The support was given to about 40 joint research ventures between Danish institutions and other institutions (of which KEDAHR is just one) in one or more developing countries. In principle, all sectors can get support, but the bulk of the funding should go to the partner institutions in the South.