The SDP involved 150 participants and numerous supporters over thirteen years. Government and other experts provided preparatory lectures, knowledgeable international and local professionals oversaw the field activities and many of the above contributed to the final syntheses and presentations. Even more stakeholders participated in interviews, patiently answered the many questions generated and attended the Information Weekends at Gobabeb to hear about the results of the current project. The programme was coordinated by the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia using the Gobabeb Training and Research Centre as its training base with generous funding from the Swedish International Development Agency.