Richard Lugar responds to FP science diplomacy piece

The ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee writes to FP:

To the Editor:

I was pleased to read yesterday "The Science of Diplomacy" by Vaughan Turekian and Kristin Lord. They have the right idea to dispatch "good-will ambassadors" from America's scientific community.  Such representation will demonstrate not only our nation's tradition of excellence in education but our willingness to cooperate with experts from other nations.

While various NGOs have been providing excellent opportunities for making these connections, I believe it is time for U.S. government to establish a more formal program of Science Envoys to be run by the Department of State.  With that in mind, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved S. 838, a bill establishing such an Envoy program, which I had introduced with co-sponsorship by Senators Kerry and Cardin. Such a formal setup will help showcase the emphasis we as a society place on scientific achievement, an endeavor for which we are truly admired and respected around the world.

Sincerely,


Richard G. Lugar
U.S. Senator