NATO Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society

[1] US President Richard Nixon had suggested on NATO's twentieth anniversary to install the new body to work on the environment.

Aside from the military initiatives, Nixon decided to create a medium-range policy group that revolved around environmental problems common in developed nations.

The CCMS was founded on November 24, 1969, complying with the NATO goal of Article 2 which states "the Parties will promote conditions of stability and well-being".

Other non-NATO nations were asked to be involved as well and share their opinion; this practice combined: willing participants, skeptical observers and determined detractors.

[14] Canada served as a co-pilot researching alcohol and highway safety and Italy contributed data on emergency services.