Capacity Building
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Sustainability
Partnerships: Summary of a Workshop (December 2009)
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Sustainable development--meeting human needs while nurturing and restoring the planet's life support systems--requires a continuous process of scientific innovation, new knowledge and learning, and collaborative approaches to implementing technologies and policies. To address these challenges, different stakeholder groups are increasingly seeking to ally themselves through partnership, in order to implement projects, deliver services, establish secure funding mechanisms, and achieve on the ground results. Advocates of this collaborative approach point to the failure of governmental regulations, international commitments, or business as usual. However, skeptics often question the effectiveness of partnerships at achieving sustainable development goals and, in the absence of demonstrated results, wonder where partnerships are adding value. A symposium held in June 2008 and summarized in this volume, attempted to advance the dialogue on partnerships for sustainability in order to catalyze existing knowledge and inform future efforts. Ideas that came out of discussions at the symposium will help leaders in government, the private sector, foundations and NGOs, and universities, both in the United States and internationally, as they develop and participate in new partnerships for sustainability. (Policy and Global Affairs (PGA))
Transitioning to Sustainability Through Research and Development on Ecosystem Services and Biofuels: Workshop Summary (2008)
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The National Research Council’s Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability hosted Transitioning to Sustainability through Research and Development on Ecosystem Services and Biofuels: The National Academies’ First Federal Sustainability Research and Development Forum on October 17- 18, 2007. The forum discussed sustainability research and development activities related to ecosystem services and biofuels. The objective of the forum was to identify research gaps and opportunities for collaboration among federal agencies to meet the challenges to sustainability posed by the need to maintain critical ecosystem services, to support the development of alternatives to conventional fossil fuels, and to manage oceans and coastal areas. The forum focused primarily on federal activities, but included the participation of representatives from the private sector, universities, and nongovernmental organizations. This book is a summary the discussions from the forum. (Science and Technology for Sustainability Program (STS))
Improving Democracy Assistance: Building Knowledge Through Evaluations and Research (2008)
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Over the last 25 years, the United States has made support for the spread of democracy to other nations an increasingly important element of its national security policy. Despite substantial expenditures, knowledge about the actual impacts of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) democracy and governance assistance on progress toward democracy remains limited – and the subject of current debate in the policy and scholarly communities. This report is intended to provide a roadmap to enable USAID and its partners to assess what works and what does not, both retrospectively and in the future through improved monitoring and evaluation methods and rebuilding USAID’s internal capacity to build, absorb, and act on improved knowledge. (Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits (2008)
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Related:
Lost Crops of Africa: Volume II: Vegetables (2006)
Lost Crops of Africa: Volume 1 - Grains, (1996)
This report is the third in a series evaluating underexploited African plant resources that could help broaden and secure Africa's food supply. The volume describes 24 little-known indigenous African cultivated and wild fruits that have potential as food- and cash-crops but are typically overlooked by scientists, policymakers, and the world at large. The book assesses the potential of each fruit to help overcome malnutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and create sustainable landcare in Africa. Each fruit is also described in a separate chapter, based on information provided and assessed by experts throughout the world. Volume I describes African grains and Volume II African vegetables. (Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Agricultural Water Management: Proceedings of a Workshop in Tunisia (Series: Strengthening Science-Based Decision Making in Developing Countries) (2007)
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This report contains a collection of papers from a workshop---Strengthening Science-Based Decision-Making for Sustainable Management of Scarce Water Resources for Agricultural Production, held in Tunisia. Participants, including scientists, decision makers, representatives of non-profit organizations, and a farmer, came from the United States and several countries in North Africa and the Middle East. The papers examined constraints to agricultural production as it relates to water scarcity; focusing on 1) the state of the science regarding water management for agricultural purposes in the Middle East and North Africa 2) how science can be applied to better manage existing water supplies to optimize the domestic production of food and fiber. The cross-cutting themes of the workshop were the elements or principles of science-based decision making, the role of the scientific community in ensuring that science is an integral part of the decision making process, and ways to improve communications between scientists and decision makers. (
Science and Technology for Sustainability Program (STS))
Science and Technology in Kazakhstan: Current Status and Future Projects (2007)
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Energy Futures and Urban Air Pollution: Challenges for China and the United States (2007)
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The United States and China are the top two energy consumers in the world. As a consequence, they are also the top two emitters of numerous air pollutants which have local, regional, and global impacts. Urbanization has led to serious air pollution problems in U.S. and Chinese cities; although U.S. cities continues to face challenges, the lessons they have learned in managing energy use and air quality are relevant to the Chinese experience. This report summarizes current trends, profiles two U.S. and two Chinese cities, and recommends key actions to enable each country to continue to improve urban air quality. (
Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Implementing the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants: Summary of a Workshop in China (Series: Strengthening Science-Based Decision Making in Developing Countries) (2007)
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This report summarizes a workshop --- Strengthening Science-Based Decision-Making: Implementing the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants held June 7-10, 2004, in Beijing, China. The presentations and discussions summarized here describe the types of scientific information necessary to make informed decisions to eliminate the production and use of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) banned under the Stockholm Convention, sources of information; scientifically informed strategies for eliminating POPs, elements of good scientific advice, such as transparency, peer review, and disclosure of conflicts of interest; and information dealing with POPs that decision makers need from the scientific community, including next steps to make such science available and ensure its use on a continuing basis. (
Science and Technology for Sustainability Program (STS))
Mobilizing Science-Based Enterprises for Energy, Water, and Medicines in Nigeria (2007)
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Developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Academy of Science, this report explores the ways in which science-based private enterprises can be created and encouraged in Nigeria and other developing countries to provide products and services that government is unable to supply in a timely and sustainable manner. Focusing on three critical challenges to health and development-- safe water, electrical lighting, and malaria therapy—the report identifies a sample technology to address each of these challenges with potential for commercialization in Nigeria and Africa, and uses that sample technology to identify opportunities and barriers to creating the science-based enterprises in Nigeria. (
Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Sustainable Management of Groundwater in Mexico: Proceedings of a Workshop (Series: Strengthening Science-Based Decision Making in Developing Countries) (2007)
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This report contains a collection of papers presented at a workshop in Merida, Mexico --- Strengthening Science-Based Decision Making: Sustainable Management of Groundwater in Mexico. The cross-cutting themes of the workshop were the elements or principles of science-based decision making and the role of the scientific community in ensuring that science is an integral part of the decision making process. Papers included in this volume describe the groundwater resources of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, approaches to managing groundwater in Mexico and governmental and scientific institutions concerned with water resources. Other papers discuss US approaches to managing scarce water resources. Participants in the workshop included representatives from leading scientific and academic institutions, federal state and local governments, non-governmental organizations and businesses. (Science and Technology for Sustainability Program (STS))
Food Safety and Foodborne Disease Surveillance Systems: Proceedings of an Iranian-American Workshop (2006)
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In October 2004 the Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases of Shaheed Beheshti University hosted in Tehran an Iranian-American workshop on Food Safety and Surveillance Systems for Foodborne Diseases. The purposes of the workshop were to initiate contacts between Iranian and American specialists, exchange information about relevant activities in the two countries, and set the stage for future cooperation in the field. The participants also identified important aspects of food safety that should be addressed more intensively by both countries, including surveillance, research, international trade, and risk assessment. The framework for the workshop had been developed during a meeting of Iranian and American specialists in June 2003 in Les Treilles, France. More that 100 specialists participated in the workshop in their personal capacities, along with representatives of the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization. These proceedings include a number of papers that were presented at the workshop together with summaries of discussions following presentation of the papers. (
Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Improving Road Safety in Developing Countries: Opportunities for U.S. Cooperation and Engagement, Workshop Summary -- Special Report 287 (w/TRB) (2006)
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This report summarizes presentations and discussions at a January 2006 workshop held jointly with the Transportation Research Board. Institute of Medicine. The workshop focused on the sharp increases in road traffic-related deaths and injuries in developing countries with a goal of providing a view of the diversity of U.S. interests, the scope of activities of U.S. agencies addressing this problem, and prospects for further U.S. engagement. Workshop discussions helped the responsible government agencies gauge whether the U.S. response is proportional to the interests at stake and to identify next steps toward a more effective response. (
Policy and Global Affairs (PGA))
Lost Crops of Africa: Volume II: Vegetables (2006)
Read online free Download the report brief (163KB) View the summary, (48.09MB) Buy the book or Download the Free PDF Listen to the Podcast (Fri, 1 Jun 2007 13:54:57 -0400)Related:
Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits (2008)
Lost Crops of Africa: Volume 1 - Grains, (1996)
This report is the second in a series of three evaluating underexploited African plant resources that could help broaden and secure Africa's food supply. The volume describes 18 little-known indigenous African vegetables (including tubers and legumes) that have potential as food- and cash-crops but are typically overlooked by scientists, policymakers, and the world at large. The book assesses the potential of each vegetable to help overcome malnutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and create sustainable landcare in Africa. Each vegetable is also described in a separate chapter, based on information provided and assessed by experts throughout the world. Volume I describes African grains and Volume III African fruits. (
Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
The Fundamental Role of Science and Technology in International Development: An Imperative for the U.S. Agency for International Development (2006)
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An NRC committee assessed the capabilities of AID to draw on the science and technology resources of the nation in designing and carrying out development assistance programs. It recommends steps that AID should consider in enhancing these capabilities. Special attention is devoted to partnerships that involve AID together with international, regional, U.S. governmental, and private sector oganizations in fields such as heath care, agriculture and nutrition, education and job creation, and energy and environment. (Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Innovating for Profit in Russia:Developments in the Urals Region - Summary of a Workshop (2005)
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The National Research Council hosted an interacademy workshop in Yekaterinburg, Russia together with the Russian Academy of Sciences in October 2004 as a means of exploring various aspects of industrial innovation in the Urals region of Russia. Workshop presenters focused on the establishment of cooperative business partnerships between Russian industrial companies and Russian research organizations, particularly those in the closed nuclear cities of Russia. The concept of “market pull” was therefore an important aspect of the workshop, including partnerships between Russian researchers and international companies, as well as those with international research centers. However, given the complex economic and research climates in Russia, which are intensified in the nuclear cities, cooperation between Russian industry and Russian researchers were of primary during the workshop presentations and subsequent discussions as captured in this workshop summary. (Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Knowledge-Action Systems for Seasonal to Interannual Climate Forecasting: Summary of a Workshop (2005)
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The National Academies' Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability hosted a workshop "Knowledge-Action Systems for Seasonal to Interannual Climate Forecasting" in 2004 to discover and distill general lessons about the design of effective systems for linking knowledge with action from the last decade's experience with the production and application of seasonal to interannual climate forecasts. Workshop participants described lessons they had learned based on their experiences developing, applying, and using decision support systems in the United States, Columbia, Brazil, and Australia. Some of the key lessons discussed, as characterized by David Cash and James Buizer, were that effective knowledge-action systems: define and frame the problem to be addressed via collaboration between knowledge users and knowledge producers; tend to be end-to-end systems that link user needs to basic scientific findings and observations; are often anchored in "boundary organizations" that act as intermediaries between nodes in the system - most notably between scientists and decision makers; feature flexible processes and institutions to be responsive to what is learned; use funding strategies tailored to the dual public/private character of such systems; and require people who can work across disciplines, issue areas, and the knowledge–action interface. (Science and Technology for Sustainability Program (STS))
Water Conservation, Reuse, and Recycling: Proceedings of an Iranian-American Workshop (2005)
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In December 2002, a group of specialists on water resources from the United States and Iran met in Tunis, Tunisia, for an interacademy workshop on water resources management, conservation, and recycling. This was the fourth interacademy workshop on a variety of topics held in 2002, the first year of such workshops. Tunis was selected as the location for the workshop because the Tunisian experience in addressing water conservation issues was of interest to the participants from both the United States and Iran. This report includes the agenda for the workshop, all of the papers that were presented, and the list of site visits. (Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Science and Technology in Armenia: Toward a Knowledge-Based Economy (2004)
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An NRC ad hoc committee analyzed the current status and future development potential of Armenia’s science and technology base, including human and infrastructural resources and research and educational capabilities. The committee identified those fields and institutions offering promising opportunities for contributing to economic and social development, and particularly institutions having unique and important capabilities, worthy of support from international financial institutions, private investment sources, and the Armenian and U.S. governments. The scope of the study included both pure and applied research as well as education in science-related fields. The committee’s report addresses the existing capacity of state and private research institutions, higher education capabilities and trends, scientific funding sources, innovative investment models, relevant success stories, factors hindering development of the science sector, potential domestic Armenian customers for scientific results and products, and opportunities for regional scientific collaboration. An Armenian language version of the report is also available. (Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Science and Technology in U.S. Foreign Assistance: Interim Report to the Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development (2004)
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This report provides the preliminary views on the critical role of science and technology (S&T) in development assistance by a committee that was established in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the NRC. The initial views of the committee were made available to the administrator or USAID to aid the administrator in making decisions concerning near-term steps that can be taken to strengthen the S&T capabilities of USAID and to integrate S&T more effectively into programs that are supported by USAID. (Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Urbanization, Energy, and Air Pollution in China: The Challenges Ahead -- Proceedings of a Symposium (2004)
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In October 2003, a group of experts met in Beijing under the auspices of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Engineering (NAE)/National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies to continue a dialogue and eventually chart a rational course of energy use in China. This collection of papers is intended to introduce the reader to the complicated problems of urban air pollution and energy choices in China. (Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Science for the Sustainability Transition CD-ROM (2002)
Email Sustainability@nas.edu for a copy of this CD
Sustainability is one of today’s many pressing issues that the National Academies addresses via studies and other mechanisms. National Academies studies relevant to sustainability are numerous and range from analyses of the state of science on specific topics to broad trans-disciplinary examinations of the state of the planet, including potential paths to a sustainability transition.
This CD-ROM features select reports about or pertaining to sustainability, including:
Our Common Journey: A Transition Toward Sustainability; The Drama of the Commons; Climate Change Science: An Analysis of Some Key Questions; Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade; Nature and Human Society: The Quest for a Sustainable World; Nature’s Numbers: Expanding the National Economic Accounts to Include the Environment; Environmentally Significant Consumption: Research Directions; Grand Challenges in the Environmental Sciences; Plants and Population: Is There Time?; Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment in the Humid Tropics; Under the Weather: Climate, Ecosystems, and Infectious Disease; Information Systems and the Environment; and Rebuilding the Unity of Health and the Environment: A New Vision of Environmental Health for the 21st Century. (Science and Technology for Sustainability Program (STS))
Successes and Difficulties of Small Innovative Firms in Russian Nuclear Cities:Proceedings of a Russian-American Workshop (2002)
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This workshop report focuses on successes and failures of small innovative firms in five science cities in Russia. The workshop was organized by the NRC with the cooperation of Minatom. (
Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
An NRC committee was established to work with a Russian counterpart group in conducting a workshop in Moscow on the effectiveness of Russian environmental NGOs in environmental decision-making and prepared proceedings of this workshop, highlighting the successes and difficulties faced by NGOs in Russia and the United States. (
Development, Security, and Cooperation (DSC))
Lost Crops of Africa: Volume I: Grains (1996)
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Related:
Lost Crops of Africa: Volume III: Fruits (2008)
Lost Crops of Africa: Volume II: Vegetables (2006)
There is an overlooked food resource in sub-Saharan Africa that has vast potential: native food plants. All in all, Africa has more than 2,000 native grains and fruits--"lost" species due for rediscovery and exploitation. This volume focuses on native cereals, dispelling myths about the nutritional value, flavor, and yield of African grains. The authors present information on where and how each grain is grown, harvested, and processed and list its benefits and limitations as a food source. (Policy and Global Affairs (PGA))
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Strengthening Science-Based Decision-Making in Developing Countries (CD) (2006)