In September 1986 the International Symposium and Workshop on Drought was held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the USA. More than 150 scientists and policy makers from more than 25 drought-prone nations participated. The symposium was organized to review our current knowledge of drought and to determine what research and information is needed to improve national and international capacity to cope with drought.

The physical and societal implications of drought were discussed in the context of a variety of spatial scales and socioeconomic and political settings. The aim of the workshop was to draw attention to drought as a policy issue, one that can be managed more effectively through an interdisciplinary and cooperative effort from the scientific and policy communities.

The ultimate goal of the workshop was a ‘plan of action’ to facilitate drought planning efforts worldwide.