title: International collaboration: promises and challenges.
abstract: We currently face a myriad of grand global challenges in fields such as poverty, the environment, education, science, and medicine. However, our current means of dealing with such challenges has fallen short, and ingenious solutions are required to overcome the inherent resistance to progress toward ameliorating such difficulties. Here, we highlight the promises and challenges of international collaboration in achieving success toward these trials. We note prior successes in fields such as education, medicine, science, and environmental issues made to date, yet at the same time we do note deficiencies and shortcomings in these efforts. Hence, the notion of international collaboration should be strengthened and encouraged by governments, non-profit organizations, and others moving forward using creative means to bring talented teams together to tackle these challenges across the globe.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA;
authors.forename: R Jay
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Widmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Urban and Regional Planning, College of Design, Construction and Planning, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Jocelyn M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Widmer
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA;
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lerman
keywords: Clinical trial; collaboration; international; train the trainer