Call for Working Group Themes
International Conference on Arctic Research Planning II
Deadline for prosposed themes:
Monday, 15 December 2003
For further information please email:
iasc [at] iasc.no
BRIEF BACKGROUND
In 1995, an International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP
I) was held in Hanover, NH (USA) after an international planning
process. This planning process included 10 international working groups,
who, over about 12 months, drafted initial science plans for potential
circumarctic research projects. These plans were then discussed and
reviewed by the 300 conference participants. Since then, almost all of
these plans have been implemented and have contributed significantly to
Arctic research and knowledge.
Earlier this year, it was agreed to initiate a similar process and base
the initiative on a community-wide partnership. At present, 13 major
Arctic research and user organisations are taking part in this venture,
and after consultations, and assisted by an Ad-hoc Planning Group, an
ICARP II Steering Group is now in place. The Steering Group held its
first meeting 29 October.
ICARP II THEMES
The Steering Group agreed that in order to launch this process,
proposals on the themes for each working group need to be generated. All
sponsors are encouraged to use their network for extending this
invitation for proposing themes as widely as is possible both in the
science and user communities; e.g. an open and transparent
process. Proposals can also be submitted directly from researchers
as well as users.
Deadline for proposals: MONDAY, 15 December 2003
SOME GUIDANCE FOR ELABORATING WORKING GROUP THEMES
In order to initiate the creative process, we are quoting some parts of
the ICARP II Vision Statement:
- Research needed to address problems, priorities and concerns of those
who live in or near the Arctic
- Linkages between Arctic and global processes
- Physical, biological and social science priorities that are necessary
to address issues concerning Arctic natural resources and environmental
quality and that can guide international cooperation over the next five
to ten years
- Each priority should be framed in thematic rather than in
disciplinary terms
The Steering Group also discussed a potential overarching theme, and
proposes the following working title:
Understanding the Arctic System: Regional Sustainable Development and
Global Connections
When drafting the proposal you should consider the overarching theme
together with the following:
- Is there a clear scientific focus?
- Is the proposal circumarctic in scope?
- Does it address a priority issue as seen from a user community,
and/or is it cutting edge science? - Is it likely to become implemented and funded?
The proposal should contain a brief description (1-2 pages maximum) of
each proposed concept, including a title, contact person and contact
information, and a concise description of the research activity. If
possible, 2-3 prominent scientists working in this area could be
mentioned. It should not be a formal science proposal, but a candidate
idea that can be sorted and considered for ICARP II.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The next meeting of the Steering Group will be held 19-20 January 2004.
In order to keep to the timeline, the Steering Group will take the
feedback that it receives in response to this request and derive a set
of selected Working Group themes. Following that, there is the equally
important process of appointing members of the working groups; e.g.
those who will be drafting the circumarctic science plans. The working
group will begin work in the spring of 2004 and work for approximately
12 months. The conference is planned for the fall of 2005.
Thank you for your kind and quick consideration of this request. We
look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Feel free to contact the IASC Secretariat if you have any questions.
The proposal should be sent to:
The IASC Secretariat
P.O. Box 5156
Majorstua, 0302
Oslo, Norway
E- mail: iasc [at] iasc.no
Fax: int.+47-2295 9902