WHO WILL SPEAK FOR EARTH - POSSIBLE STRUCTURES FOR SHAPING A RESPONSE TO A SIGNAL DETECTED FROM AN EXTRATERRESTRIAL CIVILIZATION

I propose that the IAF and the International Astronomical Union establish a joint committee that will create a reply message to respond to a confirmed extraterrestrial signal. The goal of this committee will be to reach a consensus among the international intellectual community as to the contents of such a reply. If this reply message exists before a signal is detected, it will deflect pressure to send non-international replies and will focus attention on the desirability of having the Earth speak with one voice to our neighbor civilizations. © 1990.