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Title: Partners for Progress and Prosperity in the Global Chemistry Enterprise

Author
item Cheng, Huai
item SHAH, SADIQ - University Of Texas
item WU, MARINDA - Collaborator

Submitted to: ACS Symposium Series
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2014
Publication Date: 3/10/2014
Citation: Cheng, H.N., Shah, S., Wu, M.L. 2014. Partners for Progress and Prosperity in the Global Chemistry Enterprise. In: Cheng, H.N., Shah, S., Wu, M.L., editors. Vision 2025: How To Succeed in the Global Chemistry Enterprise. ACS Symposium Series, vol. 1157. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society. p. 3-13.

Interpretive Summary: There have been many challenges in the chemistry enterprise in the past few years. The number of chemistry-related jobs in the U.S. has steadily decreased. Many chemistry-based products have been commoditized, and the chemistry enterprise has been globalized. The American Chemical Society (ACS) appointed a Presidential Task Force in 2002 to study these issues. After careful reviews of statistical trends, the literature on related topics, and discussions with opinion leaders, the Task Force provided seven recommendations dealing with jobs, advocacy, and globalization opportunities. These results were reported to appropriate ACS governance units and further input was solicited. Subsequent discussions were held with 27 ACS stakeholder committees and divisions to discuss implementation of these recommendations. These seemed to be well received, and many positive actions have already taken place.

Technical Abstract: In the past several years, there have been many changes facing the global chemistry enterprise. Whereas the overall chemistry enterprise appears to be strong and the chemical industry is still a major contributor to GDP, many chemistry-based products have been commoditized, and chemical employment has been uneven, stronger in some countries and weaker in others. There is also persistent negative publicity towards chemicals and especially the chemical industry. To address such issues, ACS President Marinda Li Wu appointed a Presidential Task Force in 2012 to study both the challenges and opportunities. After much analysis and discussion, the Task Force developed seven recommendations dealing with jobs, advocacy, and globalization opportunities. Subsequently, the Task Force worked with 27 stakeholder national ACS committees and divisions to discuss implementation of these recommendations. Beneficial interactions have also been initiated with many sister chemical societies around the world as well as with our ACS international chapters. Already, several concrete steps towards implementation have been taken with respect to these seven recommendations. Our Task Force recommendations have been shared and well received by chemistry communities in academia, industry, and government both in the USA and worldwide. Working together, all of us can substantially help ACS members as well as other chemistry professionals thrive in the global chemistry enterprise. We are truly “Partners for Progress and Prosperity” where we can benefit by working together on common issues in order to transform challenges into opportunities.