Progress of IASC against 1996 IASC Review recommendations
Recommendation
Progress (1999)
01
IASC become principal international organization coordinating arctic science
Slow. ASSW represents progress. Multi-disciplinary activity
now taken on board.
02
Provide forum for operators
Forum of Arctic Research Operators (FARO) established.
03
Develop science agenda, focus on user needs,
incorporate info on finance and timing constraints,
seek higher profile, stimulating and prioritizing
programs, review portfolio etc.
Contact with, inclusion and addressing needs of Arctic
residents still require considerably more effort. Finance
and timing constraints have been included. Publicity has
improved, ASSW has assisted, always more to do. Program
development: project guidelines have been produced.
Implementation: planning is improving. Regular reviews of
projects now undertaken by ExCom.
04
Encourage more human science representation
Social science and humanities representation still too light.
05
Become vehicle for international funding
Proactive seeking of funds has not proved easy.
06
Greater contact with users
Greater contact with Arctic research users/stakeholders has
been slow and patchy.
07
Membership in the International Council for Science
(ICSU)
ICSU membership mired in Russian internal politics
08
Relations with Arctic Council
IASC-Arctic Council relations (part of wider policy-science
dialogue) has progressed well but requires continuous
attention.
09
Interaction with International Human Development
Program (IHDP), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC)
IHDP/ IPCC interactions have been positive,
especially the latter.
10
Communications with other organizations
Satisfactory: Arctic Climate System Study (ACSYS)/ World
Climate Research Program (WCRP), International Arctic
Social Sciences Association (IASSA)
11
Mechanisms for provision of advice
Advice issue not tested.
12
Review of Working Groups
WG activities have been reviewed. Reporting is much better.
Arctic Global Change Program Office (AGCPO) closed
13
Dissemination of information
Dissemination of information - WWW is assisting
14
Cooperate with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic
Research (SCAR)
Cooperation with SCAR possible in future, quiet liaison.
Joint data meetings with Arctic Environment Data Directory
(ADD).
15
Review structure of Annual meeting
Council meetings have been streamlined: possibly now too
efficient!! ASSW developed.
16
Keep up with changing technology
Information Technology (IT) is being used.
31
01 Development of IASC