DIPLOMACY FOR THE
21ST CENTURY
EMBEDDING A CULTURE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Committee on Science and Technology Capabilities at the Department of State
Development, Security, and Cooperation
Policy and Global Affairs
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS
Washington, D.C.
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS 500 Fifth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
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 competences and with regard for appropriate balance.
This study was supported by Grant No. 10001479 from the Golden Family Foundation, Grant No. 10001474 from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Grant No.10001582 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Contract/Grant No. 2013-8745 from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation supplemented by funds from the National Academies. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations that provided support for the project.
International Standard Book Number (hardcover): 978-0-309-37456-9
International Standard Book Number (hardcover): 0-309-37456-1
International Standard Book Number 13: 978-0-309-37313-5
International Standard Book Number 10: 0-309-37313-1
Additional copies of this report are available from the National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Room 360, Washington, DC 20001; (800) 624-6242 or (202) 334-3313; http://www.nap.edu.
Copyright 2015 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
Suggested citation: National Research Council. 2015. Diplomacy for the 21st century: Embedding a culture of science and technology throughout the Department of State. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine
The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences.
The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. C. D. Mote, Jr., is president of the National Academy of Engineering.
The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president of the Institute of Medicine.
The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone and Dr. C. D. Mote, Jr., are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council.
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COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITIES AT
THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
THOMAS R. PICKERING (Co-Chair), Vice Chairman, Hills and Company, and Former Undersecretary of State
ADEL A. F. MAHMOUD (Co-Chair), Professor at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University
CATHERINE BERTINI, Professor of Public Administration and International Affairs, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University
KENNETH C. BRILL, Member of the Board of Directors at the Stimson Center and Ambassador (retired)
THADDEUS BURNS, Senior Counsel for Intellectual Property and Trade, General Electric Company
MICHAEL T. CLEGG, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of California, Irvine
GLEN T. DAIGGER, President, One Water Solutions, LLC
KENT HUGHES, Program Manager, The Woodrow Wilson Center
CINDY R. JEBB, Professor and Head, Department of Social Sciences, United States Military Academy
MICHAEL T. JONES, Chief Technology Advocate, Google, Inc.
ROBERT M. PERITO, Executive Director, The Perito Group
BRENDA PIERCE, Energy Resources Program Coordinator, U.S. Geological Survey
EMMY B. SIMMONS, Consultant, Former USAID Assistant Administrator for Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade (Committee member until November 2014)
STEN H. VERMUND, Amos Christie Chair and Director, Vanderbilt University Institute for Global Health
DAVID G. VICTOR, Professor and Director, Laboratory on International Law and Regulation, University of California at San Diego
Development, Security, and Cooperation Program Staff
GLENN E. SCHWEITZER, Study Director
PATRICIA KOSHEL, Senior Program Officer
JACQUELINE MARTIN, Program Coordinator
CAROLYN MATTICK, Mirzayan Fellow
CHRISTOPHER O'DONNELL, Mirzayan Fellow
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Preface and Acknowledgments
This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the National Academies’ Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the process.
We wish to thank the following individuals for their review of this report: Rita Colwell, University of Maryland; Nina Fedoroff, Pennsylvania State University; Cutberto Garza, Boston College; Mark Giordano, Georgetown University; Judith Kimble, University of Wisconsin at Madison; Venkatesh Narayanamurti, Harvard University; Thomas Quinn, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Anthony Rock, Association of Science-Technology Centers; Vaughan Turekian, American Association for the Advancement of Science; and Ghebre Tzeghai, Proctor and Gamble Company.
Although the reviewers listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions or recommendations, nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Enriqueta Bond, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and Robert Frosch, Harvard University. Appointed by the National Academies, they were responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the institution.
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Contents
The Changing Global Landscape and Common S&T Interests
Science, Technology, and U.S. Foreign Policy
S&T Developments within the Department Since 2000
The Goal, Objectives, and Action-Oriented Recommendations
A Cultural Shift in U.S. Diplomacy
The Department’s Response to Recommendations of 1999
Recent Strategy Documents of the Department
Information Sources for the Report
Role of Science and Technology in the Evolving World Order
Sharing of Research and Education Achievements
Implications of the Diffusion of Technologies
Guidance by Department’s Leadership on S&T-related Issues
Importance of Action-Oriented Foresight Studies
S&T Institutions as Important Components of Civil Society
Strengthening Global Networks of S&T Organizations
Moving Apace with Rapidly Advancing Technologies
3 A WHOLE-OF-SOCIETY APPROACH IN INCORPORATING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTO 21ST CENTURY DIPLOMACY
Recognition of the Importance of a Whole-of-Society Approach
Enhancing Interagency Coordination
Promoting a Whole-of-Society Approach
4 SUPPORT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND OUTREACH BY U.S. EMBASSIES
Focus on Environment, Science, Technology, and Health (ESTH)
Growing Importance of Social Media
5 ENHANCING ORGANIZATIONAL AND PERSONNEL CAPABILITIES
Steps Following the Landmark Report of 1999
Organizational Adjustments within the Department
Strengthening Personnel Capabilities in Science & Technology
Further Insights on Personnel Issues
Expanded Role for the Foreign Service Institute
6 FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
General Findings and Overarching Conclusions
Responses to Special Interests of the Department
The Goal, Objectives, and Action-Oriented Recommendations
Appendix A: Request for Study from the Department of State
Appendix B: Biographies Of Committee Members
Appendix C: Interim Recommendations of the Committee (April 2014)
Appendix D: The Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, 2011
Appendix E: Issues That Deserve Additional Analyses by Others
Appendix F: Committee Meeting Agendas
Appendix H: Selected References
Appendix I: Global Investments in Science and Engineering—a Dynamic Landscape
Appendix J: Interagency Challenges Set Forth in the 1999 Report
Appendix K: International Engagement Activities of the National Science Foundation
Appendix L: Environment, Science, Technology, and Health Officers Posted Overseas
Appendix M: Results of Department State’s Questionnaire to ESTH Officers
Appendix N: Science and Technology Agreements Currently In Force
AAAS | American Association for the Advancement of Science |
DOD | Department of Defense |
DOS | Department of State |
EST | Environment, Science, and Technology |
ESTH | Environment, Science, Technology, and Health |
FSN | Foreign Service National |
FSO | Foreign Service Officer |
IAEA | International Atomic Energy Agency |
ICSU | International Council for Science |
INR | Bureau of Intelligence and Research |
NATO | North Atlantic Treaty Organization |
NGO | Nongovernmental Organization |
NIAID | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases |
NIH | National Institutes of Health |
NSF | National Science Foundation |
OECD | Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development |
OES | Bureau of Oceans and International, Environmental, and Scientific Affairs |
OSTP | Office of Science and Technology Policy |
PCAST | President's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology |
PEPFAR | President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief |
PIRE | Partnerships for International Research and Education |
QDDR | Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review |
R&D | Research and Development |
S&T | Science and Technology |
STAB | Science and Technology Advisory Board |
STAS | Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary |
STEM | Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics |
UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |
USAID | U.S. Agency for International Development |
USIP | U.S. Institute of Peace |
USTR | U.S. Trade Representative |
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