851 



Fnr Want of a Nail ^ 



93 



and with the verve that always characterize them. Major n(ini>(nernmental forums 

 will be held in Vienna before and. probably, during the formal Conference. But by 

 early 1979 it was not clear whether many definite proposals — or, indeed, stron^j 

 grievances — would be presented forcefully by private coalitions for debate by 

 governments at Vienna. 



A surprising number of technical leaders and professional societies — trom most 

 fields of science, engineering, medicine, and technical management — have been 

 active at all levels, national and international. Specific nongovernmental, technically- 

 oriented meetings will be held during the period from January through June 1979. 

 Some have shown excellent signs of being productive, perhaps even mventive. 

 Several major meetings are listed in Figure 3. Most of these focus in part on the 

 "global as.sessments" that could be crucial for giving a solidly technical core to the 

 diplomatic exchanges at Vienna. 



No doubt the most influential paper tor worldwide debate prior to Vienna w ill be 

 the drafts of UNCSTD's Programme of Action. A Preliminary Dratt was |ire|iared 

 during late December 1978 for discussion at the Third Session of the Preparatory 

 Committee in January February 1979.' As was hinted earlier, this document shows 

 that the Conference's Secretariat was thinking systematically about useful new ways 

 to focus the debate. In fact, the Secretariats new proposal to .set up six "target 

 areas" (see Figure 4) could change the Agenda! 



FIGURE 3. A Few of the Private Conferences Preceding the UNCS 1 D. 



Month 

 January 



PUe 

 Singapore 



Higl)Hghts of Af^endas 



Science and Technology [or Development: 

 Food. Population. Employment, and Over 

 all Contexts 



Januar 



Soviet Union 



Science and 1 echnoloKy tor SoK ing Global 

 Problems Facing Mankind; Forecasts for 

 Year 2()()(): Perspectives from Natural 

 Sciences and from Social Objectives, 



April 



h'orv Coast 



Technology for Development: Policy 

 Choices: Infrastructure; LongRange Hori- 

 zons. 



June 



Mexico 



Science .iiicl Fechnolony in Develojiment 

 Planning; Long Range Strategies: Sectoral 

 Planning; Manpower; Resource Alloca- 

 tion. 



August 



Science, Technoloyy. and Society: Needs. 

 Challenties. and Limitations As Seen 

 Through Case Histories 



