Since it’s founding in 1931 the International Council for Science (ICSU) mobilizes the knowledge and resources of the international science community in order to strengthen international science for the benefit of society. ICSU was a co-sponsor of the IPY 2007-2008. The cooperation between ICSU and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and IASC has become much closer over the years. SCAR is an inter-disciplinary committee of ICSU and IASC serves as an International Scientific Associate of the organization.
Given the unique setting and rapid change of the polar environment, ICSU recognizes that now it is more important than ever, to re-assert the Universality of Science principle in the polar regions. Research in the Arctic and Antarctic region and bipolar opportunities were therefore important agenda points at two recent meetings that included representatives from ICSU, SCAR, the Association of Early Career Scientists (APECS) and IASC.
International Council for Science (ICSU) General Assembly and Polar Science
The 30th ICSU General Assembly was held in Rome in from September 24 until October 1,2011.
For the global population to benefit from the improved understanding of the changes in polar regions, ICSU, together with its partners, notably WMO, as well as the global scientific community, has been actively promoting international scientific research in the polar regions.
Along with APECS, SCAR and IASC have inherited many aspects of the legacy of the International Polar Year. In a one-hour presentation SCAR, IASC and APECS reflected on the past, present and future of polar science, including lessons learnt from IPY. It was proposed in the ICSU Strategic Plan 2012-2017 that a review of these and other international bodies involved in polar research be carried out, with a view to preserving, and building on, the legacy of IPY.
You can download the joint SCAR, APECS and IASC presentation below in either Keynote, Powerpoint or pdf format. Please be aware that the original videos have been removed from the Powerpoint version.
Siena Statement on "Polar Research - Global Challenges"
University of Siena (Italy), 23rd and 24th of September. For further details see: http://www.mna.it/english/News/ICSU_symposium/.
At a two day symposium on "Research Urgencies in the Polar Regions and their Links to the ICSU Grand Challenges in Global Sustainability" the continuation of relevant polar activities as a contribution towards the ICSU Grand Challenges and as a legacy of the IPY were endorsed. The meeting identified lessons to be learnt from the IPY that are relevant to the future of polar research, and essential in order to address the ICSU Grand Challenges.
The meeting identified lessons to be learnt from the IPY that are relevant to the future of polar research, and essential in order to address the ICSU Grand Challenges:
» developing advanced research based interdisciplinary observational networks and sustaining a monitoring system supplemented with records of past changes;
» ensuring data preservation, exchange, availability and effective use of the capabilities of the ICSU System of World Data Centres;
» focusing on an understanding of processes and the ability to better model the polar environment as the basis for predicting future climate;
» facilitating active and equal engagement of indigenous people;
» actively engaging and supporting the next generation of scientists in a meaningful way;
» nurturing and strengthening partnerships with main stakeholders;
» creating opportunities for wider scientific community participation; and
» integrating education and outreach to the wider community as a necessary component of all research projects.
For further details see the statement "Polar Research - Global Challenges".