- Identify and address major issues for science and
We interact with ICSU bodies informally and as
society
already mentioned, SCAR, our sister organization
- Facilitate interaction amongst scientists across
concerned with Antarctic research, is a body of
all disciplines and from all countries
ICSU. As an organization concerned with interna-
- Promote the participation of all scientists - re-
tional Arctic research, we need to have contacts
gardless of race, citizenship, language, political
with the global research issues as Arctic phenom-
stance, or gender - in the international scientific
ena often is a part of global systems and there is a
endeavor
two way interaction. The outcome of many of our
- Provide independent, authoritative advice to
projects is fed into global programmes.
stimulate constructive dialogue between the sci-
entific community and governments, civil society,
An application to ICSU was made in 2004, and con-
and the private sector.
firmation was received on 12 January 2005 that
IASC had been accepted as an International Scien-
For many members of IASC, becoming a member
tific Associate of ICSU.
of the ICSU family was a logical step to connect to
international science. SCAR, the sister organization
for the Antarctic, had been established by ICSU, and
during the IASC planning period SCAR was used
as a model. Many members of IASC were national
delegates to SCAR or otherwise involved in Antarctic research, and knew what worked well in the
SCAR system, and could easily agree on solutions
that would be relevant for the future IASC. Relevant
parts of the SCAR organizational structure, rules of
procedure etc. could be copied or adapted to IASC.
4.4
History of the Arctic Ocean Sciences
Board (AOSB) and Cooperation with
other Organizations
Naja Mikkelsen
Reviewer: Dieter Fütterer
However, there were several differences: SCAR
had been initiated by ICSU and was by definition
At a meeting in Bremerhaven in May 1984, a group
an ICSU body, whereas IASC was born by science
of scientists and scientific managers from five
‘parents’ under governmental scrutiny. Some coun-
countries, after reviewing ongoing and proposed
tries were skeptical to IASC seeking a relationship to
national and international scientific activities
ICSU based on a fear that they would lose control.
including the Marginal Ice Zone Experiment (MIZEX),
the Fram Strait Project, the proposals from existing
As there was not an urgent need to seek a rela-
international scientific organizations related to
tionship to ICSU, more than a decade of maturation
activities in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas,
passed before there was internal agreement to ap-
agreed that there should be formed a body known
ply for a partnership with ICSU. In the ICSU system,
as the Arctic Ocean Sciences Board (AOSB). This
IASC could not become a regular ICSU body as it was
non-governmental body, with members from re-
not born by ICSU, so the solution was an application
search and government institutions – in soon 16
to become an International Scientific Associate of
countries – met annually to promote scientific and
ICSU.
technical coordination and establish joint priorities
and programs (see Table 1).
The application form requests a description of why
an organization is seeking membership, or associa-
From 2001 onward, the AOSB has met as part of
tion with, ICSU. The IASC application contained the
the joint ASSW and was a member of the planning
following description:
88
04 Cooperation with Other Organizations