SZ/NATO/2 - NATO Science Committee

SZ/NATO/2

File

NATO Science Committee

1958-1977

7 sub-files

The NATO Science Committee was established in December 1957 and first met in March 1958. The initial terms of reference were to:


"advise the Council on problems of science and technology of concern to the NATO Alliance

propose to the Council recommendations concerning:

steps which member countries might take to strengthen the scientific and technical resources available to NATO

direct action by NATO itself designed to initiate or improve co-operative activities between member countries

support which NATO might give to other organizations whose efforts are of particular concern to the members of the Alliance

set up such ad hoc working groups or other bodies as may be required to formulate proposals for action in relation to specific scientific and technical problems

review periodically the operation of any co-operative scientific and technical institutions set up under NATO auspices

review at suitable intervals the scientific and technical progress of member countries insofar as it bears on problems of general concern to NATO, and in particular with respect to:

measures agreed to by Council

action under NATO auspices to improve scientific co-operation and exchange

action in connection with programmes of other agencies which are of particular concern to NATO

maintain liaison with other agencies fostering international scientific and technical co-operation."

The Comittee was chaired by NATO's Science Adviser, the first being Professor Norman F. Ramsey of Harvard University. SZ was the first UK representative on the Committee.

The Study Group on Increasing the Effectiveness of Western Science, known as the Armand Study Group, was established by the Science Committee under the chairmanship of Louis Armand in March 1959, following the outcome of discussions in a working party of the same name. SZ was the UK representative on the Group. The Group began its deliberations in the late summer of 1959 and published its report in the following year. It made wide-ranging recommendations for the organisation and funding of support for fundamental science in NATO member countries, for increasing the numbers of scientists and technicians and improving scientific and technical education, and for international co-operation including the free flow of specialists between member states.