"Belfer Center Newsmakers"

Newsletter Article, Belfer Center Newsletter, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

Winter 2008-09

Belfer Center Programs or Projects: Environment and Natural Resources; International Security; Science, Technology, and Public Policy

Graham Allison, director of the Belfer Center, was appointed in May by majority and minority leaders in Congress to serve on the new Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism. The commission implements a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission to address the threat of weapons of mass destruction. Allison also co-directs a new Commission on United States Policy toward Russia launched by the Belfer Center and Nixon Center. The commission will present policy recommendations to the next president and Congress regarding the U.S.-Russian relationship.

Paul Anastas, former fellow with the Center's Environment and Natural Resources Program and director of the Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering at Yale University, was honored in May by the Council of Scientific Society Presidents with their “Leadership in Science” award for founding the field of green chemistry. Council President Martin Apple praised Anastas "for his 12 principles redirecting progress on chemical frontiers to address key 21^st century challenges."

William Clark, Harvard Kennedy School professor and member of the Belfer Center Board of Directors who headed the Harvard University Greenhouse Gas Task Force, joined Harvard President Drew Faust in releasing the task force report in July. As a result of the report, Harvard has pledged to reduce the university’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in the next eight years, with many other long-term strategies. The Belfer Center’s John Holdren also served on the task force.

Helen Fein, associate with the Center’s International Security Program and author/activist on genocide and human rights, has been recognized by the International Association of Genocide Scholars with a book of essays. Titled Essays in Honor of Helen Fein, scholars from around the world provide anecdotes and insight into Fein’s impact. Roger Smith, professor emeritus of government at the College of William and Mary, said: “You have taught a generation of scholars how, and why, to study genocide....” Also, he said, “You have kept in mind the ultimate issue of saving lives.”

Ben Heineman, senior fellow with the Belfer Center, has received the first Lifetime Achievement Award for a general counsel from Corporate Board Member magazine. Heineman, senior vice president-general counsel and then senior vice president for law and public affairs at GE, was honored for “the distinctive mark he has left on the field of corporate law.” The Wall Street Journal in June named Heineman’s new book, High Performance with High Integrity, as one of its recommended six summer reads for CEOs.

Harold Hestnes, who serves on the Belfer Center’s International Council, received the Leadership in Non-Profit Governance Award from the National Association of Corporate Directors in May. Hestnes, whose legal work for more than 40 years focused on public law issues, was honored for his outstanding contributions to the area’s corporate community. He was also recognized for his continuing outstanding service on a number of nonprofit boards.

John Holdren, director of the Center’s Science, Technology, and Public Policy program, stirred the airwaves in late spring with an appearance on the David Letterman show to discuss climate change. Explaining the need to act immediately to reduce global warming, Holdren said, “You wouldn’t say, ‘My usual temperature is 98.6. I’ve now got 104, but that’s just a few degrees, so why should I worry about that?’ You know why you should worry about that. The earth has a fever.”

Patricia McLaughlin, project coordinator for the Center’s Science, Technology, and Public Policy program, was honored by Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard University in June as a Harvard Hero. In recognizing McLaughlin’s work at a university-wide ceremony, Harvard President Drew Faust said, “Your door is open to all, from new employees to lost students. Your skills – as a program organizer, faculty assistant, advice-giver, manuscript editor, and winter-coat buyer for newcomers unprepared for New England winters -- are prized and legendary. As one of the seven who nominated you says, ‘the mere mention of Pat brings a smile to the stoniest of faces.’”

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