Examines the complex relationship between technology and development in the context of the political and institutional process, using a comparative framework. Its specific objectives are to identify broad political, administrative and policy strategies related to technology transfer and environmentally sound sustainable development; to analyse policy options for dealing with global, transboundary, and domestic issues relating to technological changes and environmental challenges; to examine the ethical, cultural, legal, political, institutional, administrative, scientific and technological frameworks which underlie and shape the human dimension of global change.
To foster a global network of political scientists and others to engage in research in the dynamics of human interactions with science and technology; and to provide a comparative perspective to such issues as sustainable development, managing the environment, technology transfer, global environmental facility, role of international aid agencies.