Mistra's vision is to make a difference for sustainable development by building a world leading research centre that will take the interdisciplinary research on linked ecological and social systems significant steps forward.Ultimate deliverables are new and elaborated insights and means for the development of management and governance practices in order to secure ecosystem services.
Qualified interdisciplinary interaction and progress
To fulfil the vision, opportunities for developing new and common experiences, concepts, languages and methodologies between natural and social sciences shall be provided.
The centre must be large enough and be funded for a sufficiently long period of time so that a critical mass for in-depth and qualified interdisciplinary interaction and progress can take place.
The centre shall build strong links with similar scientific forefront milieus globally.
Large investments in ecosystem management programmes
Mistra has to date invested more than SEK 600 million in programmes aimed at ecosystem management. This includes programmes on management of drainage basins, coastal zones, mountainous areas semi-natural grasslands, sustainable forestry, etc. Several of these programmes involve both social and natural sciences.
Mistra continues to give a high priority to the management of ecosystems and renewable natural resources. However, Mistra´s experiences are that the interrelationships between the ecological and social systems are still poorly understood.
Institutions, corporations, organizations and individuals engaged in managing ecosystems consequently lack sufficiently adequate scientific concepts and methodologies that can be turned into practical use.
