International Network of Engineers and Scientists for Global Responsibility

Rapid changes in the environment and our society have forced us to become more conscious of our role in the world. Science and technology are instruments in the worldwide competition for military and economic power. We have entered a phase in which global developments may conflict with the basic requirements for human survival.

The end of the cold war and the progress towards democracy and national self-determination in many regions provide im portant opportunities to resolve long-standing threats to international security. However, the alarming number of regional and local conflicts, the undi minished over-exploitation of limited common resources, and the heavily unbalanced distri bution of wealth still under mine military, economic, social and environmental security.

Developments in science and technology have helped to create global interdependence and to make us more profoundly aware of the planet’s condition. Many engineers and scientists play key roles in both the processes that threaten international security and those that provide hope for the future.

INES was founded in November 1991 as a multidisciplinary international network for the purposes of encouraging inter national communication among engineers and scientists, seeking to promote international peace and security, justice and sustainable development, and working for a responsible use of science and technology.

Network projects were started to promote collaborative and interdisciplinary research under the following headings:

1. Conversion

2. Biological and Chemical Weapons

3. The Universities’ Role in Peace and Global Ethics

4. The Proliferation Project

5. Inquiry into the 1992 Global Forum in Rio

6. Scientists, Engineers, and Ethical Responsibility

7. International Seminar on Migration

We are convinced that it is our continuous task to reflect on values and standards of behavior; we hope that the synergy of different approaches will facilitate steps from vision toward action.

Membership in the Network is open to non-governmental organizations and individual engineers and scientists. Members now include 36 organizations from 18 countries.

Further information and registration forms can be obtained from the INES office: LOHBROGGERSTRASSE 20, 2057 REINBEK/HAMBURG, GERMANY Tel. +49-40-722 06 78, Fax +49-40-722 05 79