895 



Contacts with the U.S. Scientific Community 



The present assessment has concentrated on bringing into play the 

 personal views of American scientists and engineers who have partici- 

 pated directly, often in leadership roles, in the science activities 

 of UNESCO. The following means were used to do so: 



• Contact was initiated in April 1984 with American scientists 

 serving as officers of international scientific unions or serving on 

 corresponding U.S. national committees. 



• Officers of U.S. scientific societies and associations were 

 invited to query their members on the value of participation in UNESCO 

 activities. 12 



• In cooperation with the Consortium of Affiliates for Interna- 

 tional Programs of the American Association for the Advancement of 

 Science, a query was sent to members requesting information on speci- 

 fic experiences and judgments of UNESCO science activities. 



• A letter to the editor. Science , April 13, 1984, invited comments 

 from the U.S. scientific community on their participation in UNESCO sci- 

 entific activities. 



• The potential impact of withdrawal on particular science inter- 

 ests was discussed at meetings of U.S. national committees affiliated 

 with international organizations and unions. 13 



• Personal contact was made through interviews (including phone 

 communications) with U.S. scientists and engineers in academia, govern- 

 ment, and industry involved in UNESCO science activities, particularly 

 the major observational programs. 



This approach has resulted in several hundred communications with 

 American scientists and engineers. 



FRAMEWORK FOR THE ASSESSMENT 



In preparing the inventory of UNESCO science programs, assessing 

 their dependence on affiliation with UNESCO, and suggesting alternative 

 interim arrangements, the following areas of UNESCO-funded activities 

 appearing in the Approved Programme and Budget for 1984-1985 11 were 

 examined: 



• Major Program VI; The Sciences and Their Application to 

 Development 



• Major Program IX : Science, Technology and Society 



• Major Program X : The Human Environment and Terrestrial and 

 Marine Resources 



