"We are drowning in information, while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth
will be run by synthesizers, people able to put together the right information at
the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely."
E. O. Wilson

The Changing Mekong Program is organized into four functional units with overlapping membership.

Project Participants

The focus of the research in the Changing Mekong Program happens at the level of the project. Most of the Program participants will work at this level. They are the ones who are the primary field researchers, data analysts, and synthesizers.

Program Staff

A few Program participants will provide support for activities that are common to all projects. This includes logistics, puchasing and fiscal administration, and external communications. Virtually all of these staff members are from the local communities with traditional staff functions out-sourced to local institutions as often as possible.

Advisory Panel

Communication of the research activities is a critical function. It is particularly important that a number of government, educational and NGO groups have an opportunity for frequent input from the research activities. Equally important, these stakeholder groups must also be able to provide input on the research problems, experimental design, sources of ancillary data and other resources that will help make the research more effective and efficient.

Program Organizers

A small number of individuals are responsible for maintaining the philosophical underpinnings of the Program. They are also the primary interface to the funding institutions, they are the primary point of contact for Program information, and they generally promote the momentum needed to keep the Program moving. To the extent possible, these functions are kept within the communities in which research is being conducted. When indigenous people are identified who are willing and able to carry out these functions, responsibilities will be transferred to them.