Panel On Next Steps

As we move toward the close of this conference, all of our efforts have been building to this important moment -- this panel on "Next Steps" that everyone seems to be anxiously anticipating. I have a number of thoughts on next steps as we look forward, and will touch briefly on some of the areas and issues that we have raised. But first let me bring up two points. First, your role in achieving your personal success is essential. You set goals and seek ways to achieve them.

Second, higher education in science is now a special focus for the U.S., exemplified by the new international Fulbright Award for Science and Technology, whose inaugural winners were announced last November and who were publicly recognized yesterday at this conference. We are also enthusiastic about public-private partnerships like the CISCO and UN-funded "knowledge centers"
partnerships that bring science to women at the grassroots level. The United States has robust science and technology cooperation agreements with a quarter of the nations represented in this room. Their main purpose is to facilitate cooperative research and act as a catalyst for new and innovative partnerships related to agriculture, health care, sanitation, energy production, nutrition, and environmental conservation.

Increasing cooperation in science, technology, and engineering helps us succeed in all of those areas. But no level of scientific cooperation can reach its potential without the full participation of half of the population. I hope you sense in this room that none of us is alone in facing the challenges of achieving equitable participation. As many of you have said, we are all in this together.

I. Networking

Networking and mentoring are two key themes echoed throughout the conference. I understand that yesterday several of you were independently circulating sign-up sheets around the room asking for information in order to stay connected with one another now that you have established personal and professional relationships. A key first step will be for us to compile and distribute the complete list to everyone, including those who wanted to be here but could not join us, and including institutional affiliations, disciplines and specialties, and useful contact information.

As many of you expressed, a second step would be to develop a networking website. Potential components include a blog, an events calendar, web-based training modules, guides to resources, discussions of best practices, and links to mentoring resources. Data presented by Dr. Abdallah of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development indicated that fully 20% of the successful women scientists that she interviewed had mentored no one. All of us in this room need to do our share to overcome that deficit.
For those new to some of these technologies, we might offer basic information online on Internet tools available to help you achieve your career goals.

II. Training

Many of you expressed the desire for training as an important next step. Starting with Ann Stevens, we heard that a commitment to lifelong learning is a key element of a successful career. You just had a taste of what kinds of training are possible at this morning's workshops. Let's continue to development ideas for career enhancement, including presentation skills, communication skills, and negotiation.

The U.S. government has been doing an increasing amount of training both in America and in your region in technical entrepreneurship, business management, leadership development, science exchange programs, and health care training through various vehicles such as telemedicine.

The Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation, among others, provide opportunities for advanced training at their labs for individual scientists with specific training needs. Rafia Ghubash, President of Arab Gulf University, reminded us how important it is to develop and polish these vital skills.