. \l mutllll. (1992),43, I, 1-6 551.5 : 001.3 8(1 - 773) Promotion of meteorology in developing countries How better awareness can be created among public and decision makers S. M. K ULSHR ESTH A India Meteorological Department , N ew Delhi (Received Il Augus: 199/) I. Inlroduction While some literature is available on cost-structure and socio-economic role s of national meteorological services (Berggre n 1975; Ber nard 1973, 1975. 1976 ; SChneider 1975. there docs not seem to be any signifi- .cant amo unt ofr.ublished work on promotion of meteor - ology in gen era , and in developing countries in parti- cular. Promotion of meteorology and the efforts to create a better awareness among public and decision makers have been largely matters of local endeav our within national meteorological service s without any app reciable sharing of expe riences except fo r OCCa sional informal conversations at international meetings. There - fore the initiatives by the World Meteorological Organi- zation (WMO) and its Constituent Bodies are welcome. In this context, mention may be made of the Informal Meeting of the Heads of Nat ional Meteorological Services in Regions" and V (Singapore 1987). and the WMO Techn ical Conference on Economic and Social Benefits of Meteorological and Hydrological Services (Geneva 1990). 2. l 'nder!olandi n&: the - Kt' )' w rds In order to conceptualize the subject of this presen- tat ion, it is advisable to have a close look at the follo - wing keywords in the title and understand th eir full co nnotatio ns in the present context, . If eteorology Gone are the days when the role of meteorology was confined to support One or a few user services such as aviati on. shipping or agriculture. Today meteorology is the science which tries to understand the mechanism of changes in weather and climate and applies this know- ledge for better fulfilment of those needs of the society which depend on the atmo sphere and its associated system. Modern meteorology has a prominent role in socio- economic development, especially in developing countries. Developing countries The re appears 10 be no precise definition of a develop- ing country. Economic analysts seem to have started referring to " develo ping" and "developed" countries a few decades ago . The me rnbershi p of the "Group of 77", established in 1964, is now aro und 130. Broad criteria seem to be : • Gross nat io na l p rod uct • Level of industrialization • Structural diversification of national economy • Acceptance of aid from UNDP General public While the ent ire popu lat ion constitutes the general public and better awareness of the role of meteorology has to be cre ated among all the citizens. special em- phasis needs to be placed on informing the lead ing sections of society who are present or po tential opinion leaders. The se comp rise : • Intellectuals • Educat ors • Co mmunicato rs • Community workers • Youth at school and college levels • Special interest groups, such as agriculrurists: industrialists; small scale entrepreneurs; sports recreation & adventure group s. Derision makers Gove rnment authorities constitute the bulx of deci- sion makers in any country. Apart from the political Note :- This article is based on a lecture presented by the author at the informal meeting or ganized by the World Meteorolo gica l O rgan! - zation in Singapore in September 198710 discuss problems in promotion of meteoro logy in developing countries. Many of the ideas expressed in this ankle have been pUI into practice in the India Meteorological Department with goo d results over the las t four years. This article is now published in Manunn for dissemination of the concepts 10 a wider metecrologlcal commu- nil)'. ( Il