894 



significant Sources 



The assessment presented in this report drew on two particularly 

 valuable recent reviews of UNESCO science activities that had been 

 prepared in the light of the UNESCO problem: (1) "Natural Sciences in 

 UNESCO: A U.S. Interagency Perspective, "^ the October 1983 interagency 

 report coordinated by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as a contri- 

 bution to the US/UNESCO Policy Review , and (2) Science and Technology 

 Programs in UNESCO , 1° the March 1984 report on the policy implications 

 of a U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO prepared by the Congressional Research 

 Service for the Subcommittee on Science, Research and Technology of the 

 House Committee on Science and Technology. The present assessment, 

 based on a broad range of consultations with professional colleagues 

 who have participated in UNESCO-sponsored science activities, adds to 

 the information provided in the above-mentioned reviews. The Approved 

 Programme and Budget for 1984-1985^ -^ has been used as a basic UNESCO 

 reference document. 



Limitations and constraints in carrying out this assessment must be 

 emphasized. They were as follows: 



• Time Frame . This assessment was prepared in four months. In 

 reviewing such a comprehensive set of programs in such a short time, it 

 has not been possible to contact the full range of science interests 

 involved. A thorough critical review of all science programs has not 

 been possible? the focus of the present study has been on measures to 

 prevent disruptions in the first year or two of U.S. nonmembership in 

 UNESCO. 



• Community of Interests . The time constraints have ruled out any 

 detailed evaluation of UNESCO-sponsored science activities, particularly 

 in the area of developing country interests. An in-depth assessment 

 would require, by definition, consultations with scientific peer groups 

 abroad. This has neither been possible nor attempted. It should also 

 be noted that no real attempt has been made to evaluate the field pro- 

 grams of UNESCO. Furthermore, a comprehensive assessment would need to 

 include a careful evaluation of science programs of other intergovern- 

 mental organizations and particularly those of the UN system as a whole 

 to better understand interactions and opportunities for promoting more 

 effective international scientific cooperation. 



• Information Base . As noted, UNESCO's Approved Programme and 

 Budget for 1984-1985 has been used as a basis for assessing U.S. inter- 

 ests and participation. Like many budget program statements, the UNESCO 

 document does not always convey a clear sense of substantive endeavor. 

 Moreover, the United States lacks an institutional memory and a focal 

 point for monitoring U.S. scientific interactions, both with respect to 

 UNESCO in particular and to multilateral scientific relationships in 

 general. 



