In the 1990s the world community has arrived at a particularly in developing countries and in econo­ historical turning point. Global issues- the decline mies in transition. These three organizations have of biological diversity, climate change, the fate of different backgrounds and focuses, but have found forest peoples, fresh water scarcity, desertification, it relevant and rewarding to their core operations to deforestation and forest degradation - have come collaborate in WFSE activities. The intention of to dominate the public and political debate about these organizations is to continue supporting the forestry. In the economic sphere, forest industries WFSE research and developing the mutual collab­ have assumed global dimensions. oration. The World Forests, Society and Environment In the year 2000,WFSE took on anewchallenge, Research Program (WFSE) is a response by the re­ extending its research network to involve five new searchcommunity to thisglobalization. The WFSE Associate Partners: the Center for International slogan Globalization calls for global research re­ Forestry Research (CIFOR) in Indonesia;the Cent­ flects both the means and the end of the program. er for Research and Higher Education on Natural The program is involved in promoting and execut­ Resources of Tropical America (CATIE) in Costa ing research in different parts of the world, and Rica; the International Centerfor Research inAgro­ through its publications and communications net­ Forestry (ICRAF) in Kenya; the World Forestry work, linking researchers worldwide.