Knowledge and Diplomacy: Science Advice in the United Nations System

Description: "In the international effort to advance human health, welfare, and development while better managing and conserving the environment and natural resources, there is a clear and growing recognition of the role of scientific and technical knowledge in global governance. This has created an urgent need for the United Nations to equip itself with the capability to bring scientific knowledge to inform international decision making. Given the complexity and diversity of United Nations programs, organs, and mandates, this report focuses on the main functions of the United Nations that affect international governance in the fields related to sustainable development, with reference to the taxonomy of the key United Nations organs in which these functions are undertaken. Efforts have been made to ensure that the major categories of United Nations organs have been covered and therefore the results of the review are representative of the functioning of the United Nations system."

Committee for Survey and Analysis of Science Advice on Sustainable Development to International Organizations, Development, Security, and Cooperation, National Research Council, 120 pages, 2002.

The chapters titled "Elements of Science Advice", "UN Sustainable Development Activities and Their Science Advisory Processes" and "Structure of Science Advice in the United Nations System Today" should be useful in a wide variety of circumstances.