ICSU: Strengthening International Science for the Benefit of Society Bryan Henry ICSU EB member July 13-16, 2009, CAETS 18th Convocation, Calgary, Alberta, Canada ICSU’s mission is to strengthen international science for the benefit of society. Both science and society are equally important Where there are global challenges that require international and interdisciplinary science then ICSU potentially has a role to play

ICSU: Who and what? Founded in 1931, based on two earlier bodies known as the International Association of Academies (IAA; 1899-1914) and the International Research Council (IRC; 1919-1931) A membership organization with: 117 National Members (representing 137 countries), and 30 International Scientific Unions Establishes interdisciplinary bodies in key areas (19) Limited finances but unique worldwide access to intellectual resources ICSU has both national interdisciplinary Members, the majority of whom are science academies, and international disciplinary Members, who mainly represent the natural sciences. Some Unions also provide a bridge between natural and social or technological sciences. Interdisciplinary bodies can be organised into 5 groupings: Assessment; Thematic; Global Change programmes; Monitoring and Observation; Data and Information. They have a mix of policy and operational functions. Some of these bodies, so-called Joint Initiatives, are co-sponsored with UN organisations (UNESCO, WMO, FAO, UNU) ICSU is not rich (annual budget ~3.4m euros) but has unique strength in the expertise of its Members.

ICSU: a long history A few landmarks: International Geophysical year (1957-1958) International Biological Programme (1964-1974) Freedom in the conduct of science (1963-) Four global change programmes (1980-) ASCEND 21 and the Rio Earth Summit (1991,1992) Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD, 2002) Summit on the information Society (WSIS, 2003,05) Regional Offices (2005-) International Polar Year (2007-2008) ICSU has a long history of achievements that have had a major influence on the conduct of international interdisciplinary science and the linkages between science and policy-making.

The ICSU Vision “A world where science is used for the benefit of all, excellence in science is valued and scientific knowledge is effectively linked to policy-making. In such a world, universal and equitable access to scientific data and information is a reality and all countries have the scientific capacity to use these ….” Key words in the ICSU vision for the future are highlighted

Strategic themes of ICSU Three inter-related themes: International Research Collaboration Science and Policy Universality of Science The Strategy is structured around three over-lapping themes where ICSU has historically been active and hopes to be equally, if not more, influential in the future.

Key Priorities: 2009-2011 Implementing new programmes: Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR) Ecosystem Change and Society (PECS) [Health and Wellbeing in the changing Urban Environment] (under planning) Consolidating/refocusing existing activities: New World Data System and Strategic coordinating Committee Complete reviews of Global Change Programmes Review Regional Offices Visioning of Earth System Science Research Two new programmes were agreed at the 29th General Assembly in Mozambique (Maputo) – Hazards and Ecosystems and Wellbeing. The planning for a third programme on Health in the Urban Environment is well underway. The next step for these programmes is to establish scientific committees and dedicated project offices. A new World Data System is to be created that will incorporate the best of the current World Data Centres and Services as well as state of the art facilities that are not part of the existing networks. Three of the four major global environmental change programmes – Human Dimensions (IHDP) Climate (WCRP) and Geosphere-Biosphere (IGBP)- have been reviewed and the fourth programme – Biodversity (DIVERSITAS) is scheduled for review. There are critical strategic issues that need to be addressed concerning the coordination of these programmes and their relationship with the Earth Systems Science Partnership. All three Regional Offices will be reviewed in partnership with their hosting bodies over the next two years.

Coordinated Research The four global environmental change programmes provide the framework for the science on which IPCC assessments are built. ICSU’s research programmes in, for example, the area of environmental change, are designed to produce policy relevant research. The four ICSU Global Environmental Change programmes provide much of the basis for the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on climate change (IPCC). These programmes are now planning and coordinating joint projects under the auspices of the ESSP (Earth Systems Science Partnership), which will inform policies in critical areas of food , water, human health and carbon.

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