Cochrane协作网（www.cochrane.org）是世界上最大的致力于制作、保存和提升卫生保健干预效果系统评价可及性的国际组织。它拥有100多个参与国，主要与负责制作和保存Cochrane系统评价的各Cochrane系统评价组相关。从2000年起，依靠散在各国的各Cochrane系统评价组活跃成员已完成系统评价的定期审核。至2010年初，协作网已从2000年约5 500人增加至近28 000人。Cochrane活动发展迅速，Cochrane系统评价和计划书的作者人数增长尤为突出。2000年，各Cochrane系统评价组有2 840个注册作者。到2010年初，注册作者数已升至21 000人以上。
Sir Iain Chalmers, the cofounder of the UK Cochrane Centre and The Cochrane Collaboration, a distinguished and talented leader, a meditative scholar, a responsive researcher, a zealous challenger, has fully devoted himself to the pursuit of better care for patients. His splendid achievements and reputations have never halted his endeavor. This biographic sketch is intended to shed light on the critical moments that have made Sir. Iain Chalmers such an extraordinary man.
Chris Silagy is the Chair of The Cochrane Collaboration between 1996 and 1998, and the founder as well as the first Director of the Australasian Cochrane Centre. He helped to establish the Chinese Cochrane Centre. He has made great contributions to the establishment and development of The Cochrane Collaboration to which he devoted his whole life. Though he died at the early age of 41, his optimism, great energy and b responsibility have left deep impression and inspiration to every one around him.