19 June 2002

Science for Peace Projects visited Every year inspection visits are made by Science for Peace Steering Group members to facilities in Partner countries which are being funded by NATO through its Science for Peace (SfP) programme. This year it was the turn of projects in Romania and Russia, as well as Hungary and Poland - former Partner countries which became NATO member countries in March 1999. Nineteen members of the Steering Group and four NATO staff travelled in small groups to the capitals of Hungary, Poland, Romania and Russia, as well as to Poznan and Cracow in Poland, during the period 19-21 June. Members of the Steering Group focused their site visit discussions mainly on problems associated with technology transfer. One important a spect of such site visits is to encourage the research teams in fighting problems such as lack of venture capital and the need for laws on intellectual property which is hindering these countries in their transition to a market oriented society. At present, the Science for Peace sub-programme supports 110 applied R&D projects jointly carried out by research teams in NATO countries and NATO's Partner countries. The visits were followed by the 23rd meeting of the Science for Peace Steering Group, held in Warsaw, where the members could discuss their impressions of both the countries visited and the projects inspected. During this meeting the Group also reviewed the final presentations of applications received following the Science for Peace Call for Proposals in 2000. Additional information: NATO Scientific Affairs 2002 Visits to Science for Peace sites List of ongoing Science for Peace projects