IASC 25 years | Page 34

changes taking place in the Arctic. The Group felt - Enhance the social sciences within IASC; that the mission of IASC remains valid, but new re- - Enhance ASSW with a science conference every alities, such as the emergence of new organizations other year and include social science organiza- engaged in scientific undertakings in the Arctic, tions in the planning process; rapid climate change as highlighted in the Arctic - Encourage the involvement of early career scien- Climate Impact Assessment, and increased linkages tists in IASC working groups and activities; to the global system, to name a few, demand that - Improve IASC’s public presence. IASC embrace a new vision. This new vision is one in which IASC upholds a holistic and multidimension- The IASC Council received and reviewed the report al perspective needed in the decades ahead and at its 2007 meeting and began immediately to im- addresses the Arctic as part of the global process; plement many of its recommendations. As a result and one in which IASC plays a central role as THE of the Review and Strategy Report, for example, the international organization in the North to harness Council formed five working groups. IASC WGs iden- the scientific expertise of the Arctic. The R&S Group tify and formulate science plans, research priorities, believes that IASC must find a way to bring the full encourage science-led programs, promote future body of scientific knowledge of the Arctic together generations of arctic scientists and act as scientific so that it can provide collective international advice advisory boards to the Council. Another example of on science issues in the North.” activities undertaken as a result of the Review and Strategy Group report is greatly enhanced collab- The Review and Strategy Group suggested that oration with SCAR through the formation of a Bi- IASC consider: polar Action Group which meets annually to make - Adopting a new organizational structure to recommendations for bi-polar activities. reflect the progressively more integrative nature of today´s polar science. IASC can point to the implementation of most of - Expanding its functions to embrace various the recommendations made in the report, which has science policy issues such as new technology, subsequently increased its visibility not only in the data management, education, and public outreach. Arctic, but globally. Membership has grown through - Strengthening its relations with the Arctic Coun- the addition of four new countries since the report cil, social science organizations representing con- was released, and activities of the working groups stituencies in the North, and other global organi- have grown significantly. In addition, secretari- zations interested in the science of the Arctic at staff has grown accordingly and education and region. outreach is at an all-time high. Whether some of - Reorganizing and revitalizing the ASSW as a these accomplishments might have occurred even major cross-disciplinary venue. without a Review and Strategy Group to help guide In addition, the R&S Group suggested some the way is not known, but what is clear, is that since changes internal to IASC to improve its public the report was delivered to Council, IASC has made image and efficiency. a good attempt to respond to the recommendations and has increased its profile and activities substan- Within these broad areas, 29 specific recommenda- tially in the years since. tions were made. These included: - Restructuring IASC along Working Group lines as Reference opposed to project-driven activities; - Merge the Arctic Ocean Sciences Board (AOSB) and IASC; - Improve relations with the Arctic Council and SCAR; 33 01 Development of IASC 1 IASC (2007). Review and Strategy Report (see Back- ground Document at http://iasc25.iasc.info/)