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GOOD AFTERNOON

WELLCOME TO RIO

Strengthening international science for the benefit of society

www.icsu.org

Hernan ChaimovichVice President for External Relations

IAP, Rio de Janeiro March 2006

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THE ICSU VISION

The long-term ICSU vision is for a world where science is used for the benefit of all, excellence in science is valued and scientific knowledge is effectively linked to policy-making. In such a world, universal and equitable access to high quality scientific data and information is a reality and all countries have the scientific capacity to use these and to contribute to generating the new knowledge that is necessary to establish their own development pathways in a sustainable manner.

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A Brief History

• Founded 1931 with antecedents back to 1899• First major international scientific programme: International

Geophysical Year in 1957-1958• Later successes include:

► 1964-1974 International Biological Programme (IBP)► 1980 - World Climate Research Programme (WCRP)► 1986 - International Geosphere-Biosphere

Programme (IGBP)► 1991 - DIVERSITAS ► 1996 - International Human Dimensions

Programme (IHDP)

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The three pillars of ICSU

1. International Scientific Unions – international and disciplinary

2. National Scientific Members – national and interdisciplinary

3. Interdisciplinary Bodies and Joint Initiatives – international and interdisciplinary

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ICSU in action

International Research

Collaboration

Science and Policy

Universality of Science

Three inter-related themes:

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International Research Collaboration

The initiating role

• Define priorities (science-led and societally important) in consultation with Members

• Bring together scientific experts from different countries and disciplines

• Non-governmental science planning led by scientists

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International Research Collaboration (cont.)

Co-ordination and facilitation

• ICSU provides leadership, high-level recognition and the basis for the leverage of funds.

• Through its links to the UN and other inter-governmental organizations, ICSU can facilitate political support where necessary.

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The Global Change Example

100%

0.5%

0.005%

Secretariat support

Research

Planning andCoordination

Initialization

ICSU

US$2 bn

US$10m

US$100k

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Alice: Can you tell me which way I should take?The Cat: It depends on where you want to go.Alice: I don’t know where I want to go.The Cat: Then it does not matter which way you take.

Lewis Carroll 1865

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A Strong Foundation in a Changing World

Building for the Future

Strengthening the Structures

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Addressing Major Issues: Planning and Coordinating Research

4.1 ENVIRONMENT

• The International Polar Year

• Natural and huma-induced environmental hazards and disasters

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IPY 2007-2008• Joint Programme with WMO• Planning group established, inch. Arctic Council & Antarctic Treaty• Secretariat at the British Antarctic Survey• 26 National Committees plus 5 National Contact Points• 31 January – last date for 3rd submission of proposals

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Natural and Human-Induced Environmental Hazards and Disasters• Intl Year of Planet Earth Hazards Theme• IGOS-P Hazards Report 2003• Global Earth Observation System of Systems has hazards as one of nine societal benefit areas• UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) to set up a Science and Technology Committee

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Addressing Major Issues: Planning and Coordinating Research

4.2 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Science for Society and sustainable development

Sustainable Energy

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4. Science for Society - Sustainable Development

Direct involvement in the WSSD/CSD process as a Major Group:• Follow-up with UN Commission for Sustainable Development• Involving Civil Society in defining a science agenda• Panel on Renewable Energy

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Energy

• Report on Energy and Transport (2001)• Report on Energy and Sustainable Societies (2004)• Planning Group on Renewable Energies (2005-2006)• Report to CSD-14 on Energy, climate change, industrial development and air pollution (2006)

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Addressing Major Issues: Planning and Coordinating Research

4.3 HUMAN HEALTHAd hoc Scoping Group to more clearly

define how it might contribute to science for human health taking into account two new Initiatives:

-Science for Health and well being

-Global Environmental Change and Huma Health

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4. Science for Society –Targeted Statements

Statement by the international science community on the Millennium Development Goals to the UN General Assembly, September 2005.

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Addressing Major Issues: Planning and Coordinating Research

4.4 EXPLORING NEW HORIZONS• Cognitive neurosciences• Complex systems science• Human Security and environmental refugees• Molecular biosciences• Nanosciences and nanotechnology• Transgenic crops and animals

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Science for Policy

Influence the policy process:- ICSU is responsible for the input to the UN Commission for Sustainable Development and thus to the Johannesburg Summit- ICSU provided the official input from the science community to the World Summit on the Information Society- ICSU represents the international science community in the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction- ICSU is co-chair of the Science and Technology Committee of the GEOSS on behalf of the Earth Observation Summits

Provide statements: - Together with IAC, IAP, IAMP to the Millennium Summit in 2005, etc.

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Universality of Science

• Report on Science and Society in 2005• A number of initiatives to provide access to scientific data and information• New Committee on the Freedom and Responsibility in the Conduct of Science

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Obrigado por escutar

THE END

FIM

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