926 



41 



obvious, but it may be possible for the NSF Directorate on Scientific, 

 Technological and International Affairs (STIA) to assume responsibility 

 for grantmaking and oversight in this area in collaboration with non- 

 governmental organizations, for example, professional societies and the 

 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) . 



In consideration of the resources currently provided these activ- 

 ities and drawing on results in the present review, it is recommended 

 that funding on the order of $750,000 per year be provided overall for 

 Program IX — Science, Technology, and Society activities under the over- 

 sight of a U.S. body sensitive to U.S. interests. 



Preliminary Findings 



1. It is difficult to make a convincing case that the UNESCO pro- 

 gram on Science, Technology, and Society occupies a central role either 

 in the operation of UNESCO itself or in the scientific and technologi- 

 cal affairs within or between countries. Some of the activities are 

 undoubtedly worth preserving, since they are also a part of the ongoing 

 agenda of other organizations. 



2. The current program must be judged relatively marginal to U.S. 

 concerns and therefore deserving of support only insofar as it can be 

 focused efficiently and appropriately on science policy directions and 

 on the development of infrastructures responsive to the needs of devel- 

 oping countries. 



3. With respect to a U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO, there might be 

 some loss in learning about scientific policy trends in the developing 

 world, as well as in the opportunity to influence developments. There 

 has been some benefit from UNESCO work on developing a cross-national 

 typology of science policy issues. On the other hand, there has been 

 criticism that much of the UNESCO science policy work is too theoreti- 

 cal. 



4. Regional science meetings at the ministerial level can be use- 

 ful to developing countries by enhancing the prospects for a follow-up 

 and by providing a forum for interaction with the global scientific 

 community. However, such meetings at the European/North American level 

 are of marginal value. 



5. Alternative interim arrangements for supporting science policy 

 projects through multilateral channels are feasible (e.g., OECD, ECE, 

 OAS, ASEAN) . It is proposed that funding be provided to an appropriate 

 U.S. organization sensitive to U.S. interests (e.g., NSF, AID, NRC) 

 that could support international science policy activities through 

 professional societies and universities. 



