Persuasion

Memos regarding "Signing Kyoto Protocol" and "Climate Change COP-6 Negotiations Issues," sent to President Bill Clinton, November 2000

Memos reviewed by Anna Lipscomb, HKS MPP

Smoke Pollution

“Signing Kyoto Protocol – Timing” (February 6, 1998) and “Climate Change COP6-Negotiation Issues” (November 10, 2000), obtained by the National Security Archive through a Clinton Library Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, offer a behind-the-scenes look into the Clinton Administration’s deliberations on international climate change policy decisions and actions at the Kyoto Protocol and Conference of the Parties (COP-6). Although these two memos address two different points of global climate discussions – one at the end of a negotiation and the other at the beginning -- they both described opportunities for the Clinton Administration to advance its climate goals during periods of uncertainty in domestic politics.... Read more about Memos regarding "Signing Kyoto Protocol" and "Climate Change COP-6 Negotiations Issues," sent to President Bill Clinton, November 2000

"Removing Barriers to Mental Health Services in Ohio" a Memo from The Buckeye Institute

Memo reviewed by Daniel Estupiñan, HKS MPP, Amy Mahler, HKS MPA/MC, and Katie Wesdyk, HKS MPP

Mental Health

The Buckeye Institute provided a memo recommending the removal of barriers to mental health services in Ohio. A case is made to recognize out-of-state practitioners permanently to provide mental health support, but lacks a clear connection from problem to proposed solution.... Read more about "Removing Barriers to Mental Health Services in Ohio" a Memo from The Buckeye Institute

Health Economist's memo to U.S. Treasury Secretary - "Urgent Need for Changes in Health Reform Implementation"

Memo reviewed by Oriol Solé Borràs, HSPH Masters candidate, 2021

Healthcare reform

David Cutler, a Harvard health economist and an advisor to President Obama’s 2008 campaign sent in May 2010 a memo to Larry Summers, the Treasury Secretary at that time, arguing that the White House had the wrong team in charge of health reform, and they needed to overhaul their implementation strategy.
... Read more about Health Economist's memo to U.S. Treasury Secretary - "Urgent Need for Changes in Health Reform Implementation"

Memo from Director of U.S. Dept. of Interior, Re: Recycling and Reduction of Disposable Plastic Bottles in Parks

Memo reviewed by César Monarrez, 2021 MBA/MPA candidate, MIT Sloan and HKS

    Plastic Bottles in trash

The National Parks Service (NPS) memo PM 11-03 regarding disposable water bottle policies is a mildly compelling document that, despite having some noteworthy elements, loses potential impact due to a lack of urgency and a muddled argument structure.... Read more about Memo from Director of U.S. Dept. of Interior, Re: Recycling and Reduction of Disposable Plastic Bottles in Parks

"Reinvigoration of Human Rights Policy," a Memo To: Secretary of State, Alexander Haig, 10/26/81

Memo reviewed by Andreas L. Hahn, 2020 Fletcher MALD Candidate

Globe and many faces

(Memorandum From the Deputy Secretary of State (Clark) and the Under Secretary of State for Management (Kennedy) to Secretary of State Haig[1], 26 October 1981)

The memo on the “Reinvigoration of Human Rights Policy” left an impact on me because it distilled abstract concepts in a persuasive way. But what made this particular memo stick, compared to an abundance of other memos on the topic?... Read more about "Reinvigoration of Human Rights Policy," a Memo To: Secretary of State, Alexander Haig, 10/26/81