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The Honorable Neal Lane
Assistant to the President
  for Science and Technology
Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Washington, D.C.  20502

Dear Dr. Lane:

As President Clinton emphasized in August 1994:

“The nature of science is international, and the free flow of people, ideas, and data is essential to the health of our scientific enterprise.”

These remarks, made in the President's policy statement “Science in the National Interest,” charted our Nation's course toward an ever-increasing era of global scientific cooperation.  Since then, universities, private industry, and Federal agencies have strengthened bonds with international partners to tackle complex problems facing our global society--poverty, environmental degradation, disease, and sustainable energy production.  Through the Administration's investments in information technology, modern communications will serve as both tool and catalyst for global scientific collaborations that enable medical breakthroughs, yield new technology, and even expand diplomatic relations.

The commitment of this Administration has strengthened U.S. participation in international science and technology ventures.  But while the United States reaches outward to engage global partners in scientific collaboration, we must also look inward, to appreciate and recognize the international diversity of our unique “melting pot” of scientists developing the foundation of our country's strong economy.  For example, many policy-makers, as well as public citizens, may not realize that the United States' “domination” of the Nobel Prizes in science this year occurred thanks to four scientists, all foreign-born and working for the benefit of our Nation.  Regarding our young scientists, 20 percent of the U.S. finalists in one of America's oldest and most prestigious pre-college science competitions, the Intel Science Talent Search, were born outside the United States.

As President Clinton said during his remarks at California Institute of Technology last January 21, 2000:

“…Einstein's contributions remind us of how greatly American science and technology and, therefore, American society have benefited and continue to benefit from the extraordinary gifts of scientists and engineers who are born in other countries, and we should continue to welcome them to our shores.”

Therefore, we urge you, through your role as the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, to undertake public outreach initiatives that will highlight and acknowledge the value of our nation's internationally diverse and open scientific enterprise.  We suggest that the President proclaim one week of the year as “Global Science and Technology Week.”  We strongly recommend the week of May 7-13, 2000, during which time the United States will be hosting the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The ISEF brings together more than 1,200 high school students from 40 nations for a prestigious international science competition.  The President's proclamation of Global Science and Technology Week would strengthen your outreach efforts and underscore this Administration's demonstrated commitment to the international nature of science.

Sincerely,
 



Office of Science and Technology Policy
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W
Washington, DC 20502
202.395.7347
Information@ostp.eop.gov


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Global Science and Technology Week - May 7-13, 2000

Examples of International Scientific Collaboration

President's Letter

Proposed Events

Teachers and students working in COMB's SciTech Center

Letter from Dr. Neal Lane, Issues in Global Education

The Explorers

About ASTC

A Message to the American Forum for Global Education

A Message to the National Science Teachers Association

Proclamation: Global Science and Technology Week, 2000

Building International Science & Technology Workforce Partnerships

Examples of International Scientific Collaboration

Global Science & Technology Week