Issues involving science, technology, and health (STH) have moved to the forefront of the international diplomatic agenda. Other vital issues linked to technological developments pervade longer-range foreign policy concerns. Thus, STH considerations are often central to the Department of State’s bilateral and multilateral interactions with other governments. STH aspects play a large role in discussions of such critical topics as nuclear nonproliferation, use of outer space, population growth, adequate and safe food supply, climate change, infectious diseases, energy resources, and competitiveness of industrial technologies. In addressing these issues, expert STH knowledge is essential to the anticipation and resolution of problems and to the achievement of foreign policy goals. The Department, recognizing that it requires strengthened capabilities to address such an array of topics, asked for suggestions by the National Research Council as to how it could better deal with foreign policy issues with STH content.

Contents

• COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND HEALTH ASPECTS OF THE FOREIGN POLICY AGENDA OF THE UNITED STATES
• [The National Academies]
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Executive Summary
• 1. Integration of STH Developments and U.S. Foreign Policy
  • STH at the Forefront of Diplomacy
  • Inadequacy of the U.S. Response to the STH Challenge
  • Adjusting to the Changing Diplomatic Agenda
  • The Department's Experience with Crosscutting Programs
  • Drawing on the STH Strengths of the United States
• 2. Leadership Within the Department of State for Addressing STH-Related Issues
  • The Policy Framework
  • Strengthening the Organizational Structure
  • Resource Requirements
  • The External Constituencies
• 3. Broadening and Deepening STH Competence Within the Department of State
  • Overview
  • The Central Role of Foreign Service Officers
  • Civil Service Officials
  • Information Technologies
• 4. STH Expertise at U.S. Embassies and Missions
  • Overview
  • Framework for Staffing STH Needs in U.S. Embassies
  • Supporting Field Operations
• 5. Interagency Interests and Opportunities
  • Overloading the Capabilities of the Department
  • Types of Interagency Interactions
  • Improving Interagency Processes
  • Sustained Partnerships
• 6. Epilogue
• Appendixes
  • Appendix A Request for Study from the Department of State
  • Appendix B Selected Studies on Science, Technology, and Foreign Affairs
  • Appendix C Biographies of Committee Members
  • Appendix D Interim Recommendations of the Committee (September 1998)
  • Appendix E Senate Act 886: Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001
  • Appendix F Affiliations of U.S. Government Officials and Other Specialists Consulted by Committee and Staff
  • Appendix G International Affairs Strategic Goals
  • Appendix H Standard Field Position Description—Scientific and Technological Affairs Officer
  • Appendix I Goals, Strategies, and Objectives in the Program Plan of the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competencies and with regard for appropriate balance.

This project was sponsored by the Golden Family Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project. The Golden Family Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation do not take responsibility for any statements or views expressed.