Terms of Reference

The International Polar Year Joint Committee is appointed by the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for a period until the end of 2009. The IPY JC consists of two Co-Chairs and no more than 12 additional members appointed by ICSU and WMO. In addition, SCAR, IASC and IOC have been invited to nominate ex officio representatives. The Executive Heads of ICSU and WMO each appointed an ex officio member of the Committee. The Co-Chairs can invite additional persons to attend sessions for specific agenda items as necessary.

The Joint Committee shall be responsible for scientific planning, coordination, guidance and oversight of the IPY. In performing its functions, it will be supported by an International Programme Office. It should work closely with all relevant organizations and National IPY Committees/contact persons. The IPY JC shall meet at least twice a year.

The specific tasks of the IPY JC are:
1) To define Core Projects based on the IPY Science Plan and submissions received;
2) To develop, and keep under continuous review, an implementation plan for the IPY in close consultation with National Polar Programmes and other appropriate bodies and to ensure that the plan develops in such a way as to make optimal use of available resources;
3) To establish a mechanism for the design, guidance, development and oversight of the IPY projects, including, for example, Project Steering Committees for Core Projects and Sub-Committees for Data Policy and Management, and for Education, Outreach, and Communication;
4) To provide leadership in developing IPY data policy and data management protocols;
5) To promote the IPY goal and objectives, its deliberations and achievements through development of education and outreach programmes in order to attract new generation of polar scientists and technologists, and to capture the interest of the general public and decision-makers in polar regions;
6) To encourage the active participation of other relevant organizations in IPY;
7) To convene sessions of an IPY Open Consultative Forum to which all stakeholders will be invited. The Forum will serve as a consultative process for expressions of views on the IPY development, as a platform for dialogue among the various stakeholders and as a venue for exchange of information on IPY development. The Forum should be convened at least once per year;
8) To raise additional funds for the planning and coordination activities, including activities of sub-committees that the IPY JC may wish to set up, and to assist in convincing national and international funding bodies to fully support the Core Project of the IPY;
9) To provide oversight and guidance to the activities of the IPY International Programme Office; and
10) To report to ICSU and WMO Executive Bodies on the IPY organization and implementation after each meeting of the IPY JC.