899 



Chapter 3 



PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS 



The present chapter summarizes preliminary conclusions of a general 

 nature drawn from the assessments of specific program activities in 

 Chapter 4 and raises a number of issues requiring further analysis. 

 The information is presented in three sections: Assessments of UNESCO 

 Programs, Impacts of U.S. Withdrawal, and Alternative Interim Arrange- 

 ments. Two tables at the end provide a capsule summary of the assess- 

 ments, preferred alternatives, and suggested funding levels for each of 

 the principal areas of science activity. 



It is important to emphasize that the present study is preliminary 

 in nature. A much more comprehensive study is needed, one which will 

 draw on the knowledge and experience of an even broader spectrum of the 

 U.S. scientific community, as well as colleagues abroad. 



ASSESSMENT OF UNESCO PROGRAMS 



1. Key Program Areas . This report has attempted to deal with a 

 wide range of scientific and technological activities sponsored by 

 UNESCO. Not surprisingly, these activities vary in size, complexity, 

 quality, and importance. Activities of major interest to the U.S. 

 scientific community are in the following areas: 



• Earth Sciences and Resources; Natural Hazards; the International 

 Geological Correlation Program 



• Water Resources; the International Hydrological Program 



• Oceans and Resources; Coastal Regions; the Intergovernmental 

 Oceanographic Commission 



• Man and the Biosphere Program 



• Natural Sciences; support of ICSU and activities sponsored by 

 NGOs in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics 



