IASC 25 years | Page 94

4.6 The IPPI Framework Agreement will create a platform enabling efficient cooperative response to existing and future challenges. The IPPI Implementation Plan will turn existing polar activities into a Preparing Future IASC Leaders by Laying the Foundation of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) coordinated series of highly productive interagency initiatives to address the identified challenges. SCAR and IASC are actively working with ICSU Jenny Baeseman Reviewer: Hugues Lantuit to explore synergies between ICSU´s new Future Earth initiative and the IPPI. An important spin-off from the IPY was the devel- IPY 2007-2008 created the framework for many opment of APECS, which was jointly sponsored by levels of international and interdisciplinary grass- SCAR and IASC since 2008. APECS is a worldwide roots collaboration. As one of the leading bodies of association for undergraduate and graduate stu- the IPY, IASC facilitated and encouraged many of dents, postdoctoral researchers, early career faculty these efforts. members, educators and others with interests in Polar Regions and the wider cryosphere. It grew out In preparing for the IPY, a group of like-minded early of the IPY´s International Youth Steering Commit- career researchers joined forces in 2006 to create tee. Sponsorship recognizes the need to stimulate an international and interdisciplinary network for and nurture the next generation of polar research- people at the beginning stages of their careers in ers so as to ensure a legacy of continued polar sci- polar research. The aims of the network were not ence. Primary objectives include creating a network just meant to engage other young researchers, but of polar researchers across disciplines and national to learn from senior professionals and create a con- boundaries to meet, share ideas and experiences, tinuum of knowledge of the Polar Regions. This net- and develop new research directions and collabo- work became the Association of Polar Early Career rations; providing opportunities for career devel- Scientists (APECS) and is often referred to as one of opment and promoting education and outreach the greatest legacies of IPY. to attract future generations of polar researchers. APECS encourages senior researchers to register Several of the early career researchers involved in on the APECS website and serve as mentors. SCAR establishing APECS were also involved in the IASC- and IASC provide advice to APECS and co-sponsor led ICARP II process. Because of these connections, initiatives such as workshops and brochures on rel- strong links between APECS and IASC were in place evant topics. APECS is invited to send an observer from the early stages. Initial discussions on how to SCAR and IASC administrative meetings and to IASC might assist these early career researchers attend SCAR and IASC science meetings. in their APECS mission included both supportive advice and hesitation on the role that IASC could SCAR and IASC worked hard together to ensure a play for such a network on an international level. higher profile for the polar sciences in the post-IPY These discussions resulted in APECS developing world. After the IPY Joint Committee was disbanded a stronger platform for their organization, more in 2010 there was no formal mechanism for polar meaningful activities and ties to established senior issues to be brought to the attention of ICSU. How- level professional bodies, including both IASC and ever, recognizing the importance of the poles to the SCAR. global environment, ecosystems and society, ICSU has continued to work closely with its polar bodies to ensure that such issues are considered. 93 In 2007, IASC supported APECS in holding their first official career development activity at the 04 Cooperation with Other Organizations