INTRODUCTION 
THE SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM SPONSORED BY NATO 
H.R. Baker 
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
Scientific Affairs Division 
Paris, France 
Greetings from the Division of Scientific Affairs ofthe North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization, the sponsor ofthis Advanced Study Institute on the subject of Under- 
water Acoustics. The Assistant Secretary General for Scientific Affairs, Dr. 
William A. Nierenberg, has askedmetoconveyto Dr. Albers of The Pennsylvania 
State University and to Dr. Stephens of The Imperial College, London, his appre- 
ciation for their work in organizing and administering this Institute. It is gratify- 
ing to see so many scientists in the field of underwater acoustics from so many 
nations taking part in the Study. 
My purpose in speaking to you is to attempt to acquaint you with the organ- 
ization of NATO and, in particular, with the organization, purpose and program 
of its Division for Scientific Affairs. 
NATO is an organization of fifteen sovereign nations in Europe and North 
America united in a treaty of mutual security. NATO is, however, more than a 
military alliance; it is dedicated also to the political, economic, social, and 
scientific cooperation of its member nations. The governing body of NATO, the 
North Atlantic Council, is composed of an Ambassador from each member nation 
and is chaired by the Secretary-General, Dr. Dirk U. Stikker ofthe Netherlands. 
Dr. Stikker's predecessor was Mr. Paul-Henri Spaak of Belgium who resigned 
this year. Each Ambassador heads a delegation from his own nation and, in addi- 
tion, there is an international staff reporting to the Secretary General. On this 
international staff is the Assistant Secretary General for Scientific Affairs, at 
present Dr. William A. Nierenberg, who is Chairman of the Science Committee. 
The Science Committee, constituted of one eminent scientist from each member 
nation, meets three timesa year, usually inthe permanent headquarters in Paris. 
The purpose of the Science Committee, which came into being in 1958, is to in- 
crease the effectiveness of western science. I shall pass out copies of a report 
prepared by a special study group for the Science Committee entitled "Increasing 
the Effectiveness of Western Science," which will give a more complete picture 
of the purpose of the Science Committee than I could do in the brief time allotted 
to me. 
