ABSTRACT
The West Africa Rice Development Association's (WARDA's) formula for partnership was one of the strong factors in its favor when WARDA was under scrutiny in the 1993 system-wide rice review. With its task forces, WARDA made partnership more than a platitude and managed to serve its own interests as well. In another aspect of its operations WARDA has also given partnership a new twist and, in the process, found an additional way to transcend the limitations on its own staff and budget. Integration of individual scientists into WARDA programs is not the only way the open center works. WARDA also provides a base for joint endeavors by regional and international organizations pursuing activities compatible with WARDA's research aims. Peter Matlon's concept of partnership seems equally a product of his training in economics and practical experience in West Africa. Matlon's path into international agricultural research and eventually to WARDA differed somewhat from the typical one for his generation.
