Presentation to BRDI January 31, 2012 Kathie Bailey Mathae.

Presentation to BRDIJanuary 31, 2012

Kathie Bailey Mathae

International Council for Science◦ Membership

National scientific bodies (120, representing 140 countries)

International scientific unions (31) Interdisciplinary ICSU bodies (15, includes CODATA

and WDS) Scientific Associates (22, includes IIASA and TWAS)

NAS is the official U.S. adhering member.

Initiatives and Reports Approved◦ Strategic Plan, 2012-2017◦ Earth System Sustainability Initiative (ESSI)◦ Urban Health and Well-Being◦ Integrated Research on Disaster Reduction◦ Strategic Coordination for Information and Data◦ World Data System

Actions Approved◦ Review of ICSU◦ Review of CODATA

Components◦ International research collaborations◦ Science for Policy◦ Universality of Science

Principle of Universality Data and Information Outreach to all countries Science education Science and society

◦ Structure-function considerations

“Over the next six years there is a need to significantly elevate the importance and role of scientific data and information management throughout the ICSU family and within the development of new ICSU initiatives.”

“CODATA has been actively engaged over the past six years in addressing issues of high priority to ICSU… CODATA has a central role to play over the next six years in taking forward the recommendations from SCID… In this context, a dedicated review of CODATA is planned in 2012-2013.”

Partners◦ Current: ICSU, ISSC, Belmont Forum◦ Possible: WMO, UNESCO, IOC, and UNEP

Focus on Grand Challenges Goals

◦ Deliver at global and regional scales the knowledge that societies need to effectively answer global change

◦ Coordinate and focus international research◦ Encourage new generation of researchers

Components◦ Environmental, social, cultural, and economic

Characteristics of Projects◦ Multi-disciplinary and collaborative◦ Utilize systems analysis modelling methodology

using feasibly-obtained data◦ Address multiple aspects of urban health◦ Generate understanding and products useful for

policymakers IIASA to be key partner

International Program Office opened in 2010◦ Located at Center for Earth Observation and Digital earth

at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing◦ Jane Rovins, IRDR Director

Partners: ISSC and UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UN-ISDR) New Science Chair: Sálvano Briceño

National and regional committees encouraged Limited number of IRDR International Centres for

Excellence to be established◦ Will provide regional and research foci

Priority Area Assessment (PAA) commissioned by CSPR in 2003

SCID identified several priorities for ICSU◦ 2004 - “ICSU should assume an international

leadership role in identifying and addressing critical policy and management issues related to scientific data and information.”

◦ 2008 – Establish an Ad Hoc Strategic Coordinating Committee for Information and Data (SCCID)

SCCID established for 3 years (2009-2011)◦ Developed report with 14 recommendations

http://www.icsu.org/publications/reports-and-reviews/strategic-coordinating-committee-on-information-and-data-report/SCCID_Report_April_2011.pdf

Action taken◦ Report endorsed by CSPR, ICSU EB, and GA.◦ Recommendations to be addressed by ICSU

bodies.◦ Ad hoc committee disbanded.

Structure◦ Incorporates 2 previous ICSU bodies: World Data

Centres (WDC), and Federation of Astronomical and Geophysical data analysis Services (FAGS)

◦ In transition from stand-alone centers and services to a globally interoperable distributed data center Incorporating emerging technologies and new

scientific data activities New International Program Office

◦ Host: National Institute of Communications Technologies in Japan

Officers:◦ President-Elect: Gordon McBean

(atmospheric/climate sciences, Canada)◦ VP, Strategic Planning and Review: Malegapuru

William Makgoba (molecular immunology, South Africa)

◦ VP, External Relations: Sergio Pastrana (international coopperation in science, Cuba)

◦ Secretary-General: David Black (chemistry, Australia)

◦ Treasurer: Hans Rudolph Ott (condensed matter physics, Switzerland)

Ordinary Members (Member Countries)◦ John Ball (mathematics, United Kingdom)◦ Luiz Davidovich (physics/quantum optics, Brazil)◦ Nicole Moreau (chemistry, France)◦ Guoxiong Wu (meteorology, China)

Ordinary Members (Unions)◦ GEO: Orhan Altan (Turkey)◦ MPS: Kennedy Reed (USA)◦ BIO: Dov Jaron (USA)◦ Social Sciences: Maria Carla Galavotti (Italy)

Nominations Needed◦ Committee in Urban Health and Well-Being◦ Science Committee for IRDR