Meeting of the international science year programs: Planet Earth, IPY, IHY, and eGY
Villa Celimontana, Rome
MINUTES for 7th September, 2005
Present
Charles Barton (CB: eGY), Tom Beer (TB: IUGG), Anne Buttimer (AB: IGU), Maurizio Candidi (MC: SCAR & SCOTSTEP), David Carlson (DC: IPY), David Clark (DCK: ICSU/WDC), Emily CoBabe-Ammann (ECoB:eGY), Peter Colohan (PC: GEOSS), Joe Davila (JD: IHY), Edward Derbyshire (ED: Planet Earth), Ian Dowman (ID: ISPRS), Joan Fitzpatrick (JF: GEOSS), Michael Kuhn (MK: IUGG), Eduardo de Mulder (EdM: Planet Earth & IUGS), Oded Navon (ON: IAVCEI), Edmund Nickless (EN: Geol. Soc. London), Vladimir Ryabinin (VR: WMO), Uri Shamir (US: IUGG), Konrad Steffen (KS: UCCS), Peter Styles (PS: GSL), Barbara Thompson (BT: IHY).
Handouts
Agenda
List of Participants
Background Notes by Ed de Mulder and Edward Derbyshire, 10 Aug 05
Draft of the Celimontana Declaration
Table of IPY projects
Invitation to participate in eGY
Pamphlets about the international science year programs
Objectives of the meeting
- Summarise the status of each international science year program
- Identify areas for caollaboratiion and joint activities
- Explore opportunities for developing and sharing external relations
- Produce an action plan
EdM, JC, CB, and JD took turns to chair the meeting.
1. Welcome and introductions
EdM opened the meeting and introduced Anne Buttimer, Past President of IGU who welcomed the participants to the Home of Geography. EdM then thanked Professor Giuliano Bellezza, Director of ‘The Home of Geography’, IGU, and the Italian Geographical Society, and Laura Ayo for support and assistance before and during the meeting.
Following brief self-introductions, EdM extended a welcome to all delegates from other Unions and organizations.
2. Purpose and background of the meeting
EdM summarized the background to the meeting, explaining that an important aim was to provide delegates an opportunity to contribute to the draft proposals that emerged from the previous day’s meeting. He explained that delegates would be asked to answer two questions on behalf of their organizations, namely ‘what can your organization offer to the four Science Year initiatives to improve its functionality and impact?’ and ‘what does your organization expect to gain from involvement?’.
3. Review of Agenda
CB expanded upon the revised Agenda document, included the summary information derived from the previous day’s meeting, notably the draft Celimontana Declaration. He noted that the background notes to the latter document (written by EdM and ED prior to the meeting) should be regarded as for internal use only.
4. Status Reports
Status reports were presented by IPY (DC), IHY (JD), Planet Earth (EdM), and eGY (CB).
Points raised in discussion included
-IPY and IHY each focus on stimulating scientific research projects, and have a special focus on scientific objectives that require a coordinated research effort. Both programs are serving to bring together clusters of projects with common features
-reports on the work of ICSU’s three Priority Area Assessment panels, which have relevance to the four international science years, will be discussed at the forthcoming ICSU General Assembly in Suzhou and Shanghai, 17-22 October 2005.
5. Reports on, and discussion of the meeting of 6th September.
DC reported that the Tuesday meeting succeeded in establishing a harmonious rapport between the four international year programs, recognition that the they are complementary and mutually supportive, and a strong commitment to work cooperatively in areas of common interest. One delegate described the meeting as “a marvellous discovery session”. Other points noted were:
-The initiatives are not competing with each other; they consider that the success of any one program serves to strengthen the others.
-A commitment by all the programs to maintain a dialog.
-The relationship between ICSU and all four international science years needs to be explored. (ICSU is a sponsor of IPY.)
-Outreach/Education is a high priority for all programs. This is an outstanding area for cooperation.
-Development of data and information systems is a second outstanding area for cooperation - to ensure compatibility and interoperability, and to avoid duplication.
-The 50th anniversary of the IGY (which ran from July 1957 to December 1958) is a valuable, though variable focus point for all the programs. The focus is strongest for eGY and IHY; Planet Earth runs from 2007-2009, with the UN Declaration expected for 2008.
-The distinctive nature of the IPY – its strong funding base, operational programme, and extensive international participation - was recognized.
-IUGG has an IGY+50 Committee (chaired by MK) that is organising events at the IUGG General Assembly in Perugia, July 2007 to mark the 50th anniversary of the IGY.
-Other 2007-2008 calendar events for IUGS, IUGG, and other bodies should be used for furthering the objectives of the international science year programs.
It was agreed that the four initiatives, until recently referred to as “I*Ys” or “IstarYs”, should in future be referred to as “the international science years” (lower case).
6. Celimontana Declaration
The draft produced on Tuesday was handed out. DC explained that the aim of the Declaration is
(i)to articulate the fundamental motivation shared by the programs and the shared recognition of the need for cooperation, and
(ii)to formalise a commitment by the programs to maintain vigorous and open communication, to define and implement joint activities in areas of common interest, and to communicate collective results to the scientific community, governments and the public.
The immediate target audience for the Declaration is the sponsoring community and the participating scientists. The document also serves to demonstrate to a wider audience the complementary nature of the four programs.
Amendments to the Declaration were suggested and discussed. AB pointed out the need to add a human dimension to the proposed wording. We AGREED that delegates should send their suggestions for revisions to the programs leaders, who would produce the final wording.
{Editor’s note: the attached final version of the Declaration is the result of this process.}
7. Cooperation and Joint Activities
Areas for cooperation and joint activities were identified, both in the initial agenda, and during discussions. The main areas were:
-areas where the science overlaps
-education and public outreach
-data and information systems
-communications, publications, marketing.
The means of implementing joint activities will have to be worked out later.
The question of overlap was raised, initially in the context of more than one of the science years applying to the same funding source at the same time. VR stressed the need to economise effort to accomplish overlapping scientific goals. Concern was also expressed about overlap in tapping into communal skills and in dealing with ICSU. In response, it was pointed out that the four science years differ significantly: IPY and IHY are ‘science-led’, and Planet Earth’s science themes have considerable common ground with the topics of ICSU’s five GeoUnions.
US drew attention to the IUGG initiative Geosciences in Africa, which concentrates on sub-Saharan Africa, and is slated to promote the work of African geoscientists, in Africa, for Africa, aided by colleagues from around the world. It is to add a geographical dimension to the thematic joint science program of the GeoUnions.
US added that IGY+50 will be celebrated at the IUGG General Assembly in 2007 in Perugia. This will include lectures, symposia and outreach, including displays, lectures for the public and schools, interaction with officials and politicians. It represents a major opportunity for outreach and the engagement of a very broad public.
8. Structures for cooperation
US advised against introducing any new administrative layer associated with the four initiatives, just tap into existing structures. This view was AGREED by everyone.
EdM and ED made the general point that the extent of the lack of cooperation in science remains considerable and is frustrating for many scientists; unless we recognize this through National Committees of ICSU, the UN, etc., a great opportunity may be missed. It will be important to go back inward to the science community, taking care not to generate an (apparent) additional layer in setting up this initiative. This will require clear recognition of what is distinctive in the collaborating organizations and programmes, as well as the potential synergies. ID noted it will be important to establish sound connections with existing activities on a long-term basis, harnessing existing activities for the benefit of all scientific years.
9. Education and Public Outreach
A presentation on this topic was made by ECoB. She showed how the different years have distinctive education and outreach models, and demonstrated the range of potential education and outreach structures, using a case study, ways of reaching teachers around the world (with the eGY Ripple programme), and the ‘supergroup’ concept.
CB added that raising money for outreach through the normal research funding agencies is difficult; Emily is seeking funding for the eGY program through US University Foundations. JD stated that NASA spends 1 – 2% of its dollars on outreach, which constitutes a large budget. A good strategy for the future would be to build outreach funding routinely into science applications.
10. GEO and GEOSS
The Group on Earth Observation (GEO) is a high level inter-governmental committee established via the series of three Earth Observation Summits to develop a Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS) – a comprehensive, coordinated, sustained earth observation system(s), with ready sharing of data and information. JF and PC reported on the origin, status and future of GEO and GEOSS. Points made by JF/JC and ones raised during discussion included:
GEO has five technical subgroups and a small Secretariat located at the WMO headquarters in Geneva, headed by Prof José Achache.
A ten-year implementation plan for GEOSS was published in February 2005.
A comprehensive set of nine societal benefit areas for GEOSS are listed in the plan. JF noted that these overlap extensively with those identified for the international science year programs.
Prominent cross-cutting areas include system architecture, data and information systems, capacity building, and education and outreach. GEO is excited about the EPO plans that emerging among the international science year programs.
GEOSS is very interested in ground-based information (‘ground truth’).
Coordination of observations and events is a priority. The ICSU Priority Area Assessment on Environment has already made this point; this poses a challenge to both GEO/GEOSS and the international science years to avoid repetition and/or duplication of work currently under way.
IGOS, GOOS, and a host of other Earth observing systems and partnerships are engaged in GEOSS.
JF and JC suggested that IUGG consider joining GEO.
11. Give and take: responses to the questions posed under item 2.
The responses are listed in Appendix A. Those from the international science years, provided earlier, are included.
12. Networking and relationships
The issue of sharing each other’s networks of national contacts was raised. This would be useful for expanding participation and reduce the need to set up new national representatives/committees. National contact points, ideally one for each country involved, should be made available. EdM pointed out that IUGS, IUGG and Geological Survey lists are on a national representative basis. It was agreed that this item could not be resolved during the meeting, but that it does need further consideration.
Relations with ICSU
US emphasized the ‘ICSU dimension’ as a means of enhancing joint efforts. ICSU is likely to welcome the science years coming in as a loose kind of consortium. Although it would not be easy to achieve, it would be very worthwhile to use the output from the present meeting to put together a presentation for the ICSU Executive Board meeting in Beijing. This might well result (together with the Celimontana Declaration – which may not be specific enough for ICSU) in an ICSU endorsement for the joint actions of the science years. A demonstrably cross-Union approach is likely to succeed. Endorsement might even have an impact on ICSU’s strategic plan. The Declaration could well be used as a front (‘cover’) paper for the programme documents of all four science years. The need to reach across scale ranges for a plethora of data types remains an important scientific issue.
Relations with WMO
In speaking about the WMO/IPY, VR pointed out that many of their activities are tightly controlled by standard procedures. With respect to Earth System Science, WMO has links with the International Human Dimensions of Climate Change (IHDCC) programme, the IGBP and others. Integrated regional studies are envisaged. The Earth System Science programme (November 2006) in Beijing will be preceded by a conference for young scientists. The Polar oceans continue to be a major challenge, e.g. observation systems are virtually absent.
The human dimension
AB recommended that the science years should focus on areas of challenge; they should ask how we are to bring in the human dimension – dealing with the barriers posed by multiple languages, analytical frameworks, and (mutual) ignorance. Human science, in particular, faces a huge challenge in obtaining funding for involvement in international project collaboration. (Much research that is essentially humanity-based receives funding to cover the natural science aspects only.) The GeoUnions should be asked to ‘keep the window open’ in order to help fill this yawning gap.
Relations with GSL
PS said that the Geological Society of London (GSL) recognized the special opportunity that the science years offer for the raising of awareness of science in the U.K. and the world. The Geological Society can offeraccess, through specific groups, to amateur associations, school teachers, and others in the UK. The Bicentenary of the Geological Society will be launched in January 2007, providing a possible conduit through which to launch the International Year of Planet Earth and the programmes of collaborating Geo-Unions. EN expanded on the nature of the Bicentenary itself. Generating a sense of building capacity with other organizations and international years would be seen as a very good outcome for the Bicentenary, which can be made into a political event also. This meeting has been a dialogue, and the GSL wishes it well in its future growth.
13. Portals
CB asked what kind of web interface would be needed for the international science years. The setting up of a joint web site portal was considered by some as a primary task; it should be easy to use and lead into all four science years’ web sites. ON advocated a simple web access to the international science years and a for BT suggested that the portal should be designed for people who have no knowledge of the constituent science years. ON called for clearer guidelines about how people can participate in the international science year programs (IPY does this already).
ON suggested that, largely because of its all-embracing title, the International Year of Planet Earth was the most obvious portal for all-comers.
BT commented that advantage should be taken of that fact that Planet Earth already owned the web address and was in a position to offer it to the international science years as a portal for their exclusive joint use. EdM expressed his willingness to follow up this suggestion.
There was general agreement that multiple links and multiple publications should be shared between all four web sites. ACTION.
14. Actions
- Send comments and suggested amendments to the Celimontana Declaration in writing to any of the leaders of the four science years. The final version will be circulated.
- Each international year website will provide links to the others and carry joint material (or links to such material).
- A press release should be issued at some stage, ideally at the launch of the Celimontana Declaration. Furthermore, a clear message needs to be sent to ICSU and UNESCO (within 3 weeks of the end of this meeting). In order to effect this action, a teleconference between the science years’ leaders, or an appropriate alternative means of consultation, will be needed no later than the last week in September.
- Send text and ancillary information to US as soon as possible to enable him to make a presentation on the science years at the ICSU General Assembly in Suzhou/Shanghai in October.
- Send lists of Conferences and similar items to the four leaders, highlighting those meetings at which they would be prepared to stage an event publicising the four science-years initiative.
- Circulate any additional or revised “give and take” items to the international year leaders.
- Spread the word about the outcome of the Celimontana meeting, copying any such material to all four leaders.
- The call to maintain contact in the months ahead was reiterated.
There was insufficient time to spell out a more detailed list of actions, as originally intended. We agreed to deal with this over the coming months. The meeting closed at 1815h.