Science is enriched by diversity

Foreign nationals, from the Manhattan Project to the present time, have played an important role in the advancement of science, noted Ombudsman Bruce MacAllister in introducing the first in a series of brown bag workshops designed for foreign nationals who work at the Laboratory.

The Lab's foreign nationals come from a variety of cultures and nations, but they all have similar concerns. The brown bag sessions are aimed at providing a forum for information exchange, MacAllister explained. The Foreign National Initiative, coordinated by Camilla Scavenius-Lopez of the Ombuds Office, is a collaborative effort of the Diversity Office (DVO), the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO), Internal Security Office (ISEC), Laboratory Counsel (LC), Human Resources (HR) and Theoretical (T) divisions, Science and Technology Base (STB) Programs and Deputy Director for Science and Technology Bill Press' office.

Interim Laboratory Director Pete Nanos asked those present to gather a compendium of issues then segregate them into three categories: those within the Laboratory's processes; those that deal with statutes, laws, regulations, State Department issues - things [the Lab] has little influence on; and those the Lab might be able to mitigate - to see what the Lab can do. Nanos offered to come back to report progress on issues raised.

Nanos said he supports maintaining foreign nationals at the Laboratory and invited those viewing via Labnet or on computers to be present in person to contribute to the discussions. Nanos, though slated only to give introductory remarks, asked for and responded to several questions that ranged from duplicating background checks for security badges and crypto cards to the need to increase support to foreign nationals with visa, immigration paperwork.

Each brown bag will deal with a specific issue or theme and the initiative will be expanded to include other activities and forums of relevance for foreign nationals. The inaugural forum included a panel of scientists and researchers who recounted their experiences and told what working at the Laboratory meant to them. On the panel were Rajan Gupta of Elementary Particles and Field Theory (T-8), Min Sung Park of Wright Langham Resource (B-2), Ton D. Shen of Structure/Property Relations (MST-8) and Steven Brumby of Space and Remote Sensing Sciences (NIS-2).

Since the brown bag, there has been a lively debate on intersci@lanl.gov, which is a electronic-mail venue for the foreign national community, said Scavenius-Lopez. The dialogue has culminated in a number of issues being identified for focused discussions at upcoming brown bags. Some of the topics raised are the 982 process and badging, the clearance process, computer access, and immigration and employment.

For more information, or to discuss the initiative, call Scavenius-Lopez or MacAllister at 5-2837. Information useful to foreign nationals - and others - can be found at http://int.lanl.gov/worklife/international/ online.

-- Judy Goldie

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