05 I AS C S e c ret a r i at
5.1
The IASC Secretariat
Odd Rogne and Volker Rachold
For the first years, the initial needs were related to:
- Drafting and preparing the organizational struc-
ture
- Building networks to both national and interna-
Any international organization needs a strong sec-
tional organizations
retariat in order to get work done. For a new orga-
- Making the organization known and visible in
nization like IASC, it was especially important. The
relevant fora
key issue was “Who is willing to fund it”? We were in
- Implementing the new bodies of the organization
a lucky situation as the IASC planning process had
(such as working groups)
attracted a good deal of governmental attention
- Serving as a managerial advisor to working groups
(and actually IASC served as ‘John the Baptist’ for
and other groups
circumarctic governmental cooperation).
- Stimulating brainstorming activities on timely
and new initiatives (FARO, ISIRA, ASSW can serve
In the IASC planning process, the need for a staffed
as such examples; see other parts of this report).
and well-equipped secretariat was recognized early
on, and the planning committee indirectly made arc-
With national science organizations as members
tic countries aware of “the opportunity to become
(adhering bodies), IASC is well placed to detect in-
the host country.” This tactic served IASC well and
ternational science needs. Scientists are also alert-
even resulted in a competition to become the first
ed to societal needs and, through their studies in
host country (see Chapter 1.1). We mention this
the field, observe changes of importance to societ-
type of thinking, because it may be old wisdom that
ies. Some societal needs are also addressed through
the next generation can learn something from; or in
intergovernmental cooperation (AEPS and later the
other words one shouldn’t have to beg, but rather
Arctic Council), which depends on the science com-
present an idea to possible funders as an attractive
munity providing data of good quality.
opportunity!
Funding is a constant challenge for international
Elected members of the various bodies of the
organization (such as Council, Executive Committee,
are mainly provided by national funding agencies;
and other bodies) are serving the organization in an
and based on national priorities. Through national
honorary capacity since they all have other full-time
membership fees, IASC manages a small fund that
positions. Thus, a secretariat with salaried staff
can be used as seed money for science planning ac-
members is central to the organization and serves
tivities, e.g., for bringing people together for initial
as its working arm.
99
science cooperation, as funds available for science
planning, including agreeing on a strategy for coor-
05 IASC Secretariat