International cooperation as a tool in S&T management

International co-operation in science and technology is both a reality and a necessity; it is an essential aspect of research and development, as well as the advancement of science globally and on a national basis. But it should be seen as broader in scope and implication than the sum of its products of collaboration: as an instrument in effective management of science and technology policy and resources, providing metrics, outside peer review, motivation for steeper learning curves and, perhaps most importantly, the ability to focus efforts more on those areas of greatest complementary capability.