Forces That Will Shape America's Future: Themes from GAO's	 
Strategic Plan, 2007-2012 (30-MAR-07, GAO-07-467SP).		 
                                                                 
This document describes the forces that are likely to shape our  
nation's future, its place in the world, and the changing role of
the federal government. This document is an integral part of	 
GAO's strategic plan for serving the Congress for fiscal years	 
2007 through 2012. Our plan describes our proposed goals and	 
strategies for supporting the Congress and the nation in facing  
the challenges of a rapidly changing world. In keeping with our  
commitment to update the plan every 3 years, we have identified  
seven key themes that provide the context for our plan. These	 
themes are ensuring the nation's readiness to face changing	 
security threats; addressing a range of sustainability challenges
from fiscal challenges to environmental challenges; maintaining  
economic growth and competitiveness; recognizing global 	 
interdependencies related to people, information, goods, and	 
capital; adapting to societal changes resulting from demographic 
and other shifts; maintaining U.S. citizens' quality of life; and
managing advancements in science and technology.		 
-------------------------Indexing Terms------------------------- 
REPORTNUM:   GAO-07-467SP					        
    ACCNO:   A67665						        
  TITLE:     Forces That Will Shape America's Future: Themes from     
GAO's Strategic Plan, 2007-2012 				 
     DATE:   03/30/2007 
  SUBJECT:   Accountability					 
	     Agency missions					 
	     Education						 
	     Environmental policies				 
	     Financial management				 
	     Health care programs				 
	     Homeland security					 
	     Housing programs					 
	     Internal controls					 
	     International economic relations			 
	     International relations				 
	     Performance measures				 
	     Population statistics				 
	     Program evaluation 				 
	     Public debt					 
	     Quality of life					 
	     Reporting requirements				 
	     Strategic planning 				 
	     Transportation					 

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GAO-07-467SP

   

     * [1]Letter from the Comptroller General
     * [2]Ensuring the Nation's Readiness to Address Changing Security
       Threats

          * [3]Terrorism
          * [4]Growing Instability, Rogue Nations, Failed States, and Nuclear
            Proliferation
          * [5]Border and Port Security
          * [6]Transnational and Violent Crime
          * [7]Natural Disasters
          * [8]Infectious Diseases and Public Health
          * [9]Related Issues

     * [10]Sustainability Concerns about Government Policies and Approaches

          * [11]Fiscal Deficits and Debt Burdens
          * [12]Health Care Quality, Access, and Costs
          * [13]Defense and Homeland Security Strategies
          * [14]Social Insurance Commitments
          * [15]Tax Gaps
          * [16]Energy, Environment, and Resource Protection
          * [17]Food and Water Resources
          * [18]Related Issues

     * [19]Maintaining Economic Growth and Competitiveness

          * [20]Education, Skills, and Knowledge
          * [21]Immigration
          * [22]Tax Policy
          * [23]Regulatory Policy
          * [24]Saving and Investment
          * [25]Innovation and Change Management
          * [26]Related Issues

     * [27]Recognizing Global Interdependency

          * [28]Trade
          * [29]Capital Markets
          * [30]Information
          * [31]Transportation
          * [32]Related Issues

     * [33]Adapting to Societal Changes

          * [34]Aging and Life Spans
          * [35]Dependency Ratios
          * [36]Demographic Diversity
          * [37]Income Distribution Gaps
          * [38]Changing Social Behaviors
          * [39]Related Issues

     * [40]Maintaining the Quality of Life for U.S. Citizens

          * [41]Retirement Security
          * [42]Employment
          * [43]Work and Family
          * [44]Urbanization and Sprawl
          * [45]Housing
          * [46]Related Issues

     * [47]Managing Advancements in Science and Technology

          * [48]Productivity and Economic Growth
          * [49]Information and Communications Technology
          * [50]Cybersecurity and Personal Privacy
          * [51]Data Quality and Reliability
          * [52]Space Exploration
          * [53]Humanity and Ethics
          * [54]Elections and Citizens' Involvement
          * [55]Related Issues

     * [56]Governance Implications
     * [57]Appendix I: Interrelationships of Themes and Issues
     * [58]Image Sources
	 
This document was reissued on April  11, 2007, to add clarifying  language
on pages 3, 7, and 20, to correct typographical errors on pages 6, 17, 24,
and 28, and to  add page 33,  Image Sources. The  printed version of  this
document incorporates these changes.