There is no possibility of progress for psychiatry in the world if there is a too wide gap between the quality of psychiatric practice and research in developing and in industrialized countries. The reason for that is because bad image which might emerge from developing countries, in a media globalized world, impacts negatively on the mental health work all over the world. Examples will be given for such statement.

On the other hand, collaboration existed for a long period of time between these two categories of countries in the education of psychiatrists. It is necessary, but at the same time creates major problems, such as the brain drain which is a direct consequence of learning psychiatry abroad for students coming from developing countries. There are more psychiatrists from Pakistan, India or South Africa practicing in the UK or the USA than in their country of origin. Another problem is the lack of transcultural sensitivity, making the training of these students insufficient when they come back home.

On the other hand, collaboration in research must take into account the cultural specificities of the developing country, and in anyway should avoid a “safari research”. Respect of ethical guidelines in all collaborative studies is an essential ingredient of success.