Networking is a concept that has been used to describe many things (eg, social network, family network," old boy" network, broadcasting network and so on). According to the unabridged Webster's Third New International Dictionary, the term" network", among other things, is defined as an" inter-connected or inter-related chain, group or system".'" Dialogue", on the other hand, is defined as" an exchange of ideas and opinions; a serious colloquy conducted to instruct". These two notions formed the conceptual basis for the World Health Organization's (WHO) Second Interregional Dialogue* of Resource Networks for Leadership Development held in Hawaii during the period August 29 to September2, 1988. This Dialogue, which focused on educational institutions and their existing networks, was one of a series of group discussions and deliberations designed to stiniulate and enhance the Health For All movement (HFA) through systematic intersectoral action to develop effective leadership for health enhancement at all levels. A selected group of participants from the WHO Leadership Development Task Force, the Research Committee on the Sociology of Health, the Global

Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing Development, the Network of Community-Oriented Educational Institutions for Health Sciences, the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH) and committed health professionals and consultants met in Hawaii under WHO sponsorship and at the invitation of the University of Hawaii President and the Governor of the State of Hawaii. This paper presents a brief background on the WHO initiatives in leadership development, the Dialogue's purpose and intended outcomes, the process and methodology ernployed and the results attained. Implications and challenges for the health'sciences and professions are summarized and several conclusions are drawn.