U.S.-Iran Engagement in Science, Engineering, and Health (2000-2009)

During the first decade of the 21st century, the National Academies, working with a number of partner organizations in Iran, carried out a program of U.S.-Iran engagement in science, engineering, and health (herein referred to as science engagement). This book reviews important aspects of the science engagement program, including: (a) objectives of the program, (b) opportunities and constraints in developing the program, and (c) scientific and political impacts of the activities. Suggestions for future activities that draw on the conclusions and recommendations that have emerged from workshops and other types of interactions are set forth. Of course, the political turmoil within Iran and uncertainties as to the direction of U.S.-Iran government-to-government relations will undoubtedly complicate initiation and implementation of new science engagement activities in the near term. At the same time, many American and Iranian participants and important government officials in the United States and Iran have believed that science engagement can contribute to the evolution of an improved political environment for development of less adversarial relations between the two governments. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Initiating Engagement 3 Workshops 4 Exchanges, Planning Meetings, and Special Events 5 Impacts and Future Directions Appendixes Appendix A: Conclusions of the Meeting of Academy Leaders (2000) Appendix B: Dialogue of U.S. and Iranian Experts on Food-borne Diseases (2006) Appendix C: National Academies Expand Cooperation with Iranian Research and Education Centers (2007) Appendix D: Suggested Medical Topics for Cooperation (2008) Appendix E: Statement by U.S. National Academies on Scientific Visits to Iran (2008) Appendix F: Joint Statement on Science, Ethics, and Appropriate Uses of Technology (2009) Appendix G: Workshop Proceedings and Informal Reports Appendix H: Selected Statistics: Human Development, Research, and Communications in Iran Appendix I: Statistics on Higher Education in Iran