Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

IPF Targeted Support Activities for the IPY 2007  (PolariSync IPY-2007)

Outline
The International Polar Foundation (IPF) was set up to educate and communicate on the Polar Regions, and on research in the Polar Regions and elsewhere which contributes to the greater understanding of climate change and related phenomena. The IPF seeks to provide a service to the Polar Scientific community, by coordinating communication activities carried out in the context of the International Polar Year. The IPF has already been asked to participate in the setting up of outreach and education programmes for a number of research activities, some of which will also be part of the IPY 2007. For the IPY period, the IPF will have a number of tools at hand for effective communications on scientific activities: Exhibitions: The Polaris Climate Change Observatory will be hosting exhibitions to mark the IPY. An exhibition space will be dedicated to the institutes and consortia which wish to make use of the facility to communicate on their research activities to the general public. Communications: professionals with skills ranging from journalism, film and photography, graphic design to custom design of web-based applications, will be on hand to develop products, cover events, and projects. Press service: IPF will set up an international press service linking polar scientists and projects to the media. Conferences: facilities will be available for international conferences and seminars; Databases networking the Polar science community Events: The IPF is in communication with the UNEP to organize an event to mark the launch of the IPY 2007 worldwide. The concept for this event, and others to mark the occasion, as well as the likely participants, will be identified in further discussions.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Unless effective communications are set in place, research activity and the resulting finds will not realise the impact, on the intended target groups, that they could.The IPF has experience in communicating on science, and has participated with great success in educational programmes, virtual and classroom based activities, science fairs, films, and projects for young people. By 2007, a range of complementary activities will be added to this list.The forming of the next generation of scientists is an urgent priority of civil society. The IPF is setting up the structure to be able to address this need by encouraging active participation and involvement to break the apathy in relation to the challenges facing modern society.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The IPF has already undertaken to participate in the communication and outreach for a number of Projects, such as: - the CARE-IPY project, - DAMOCLES (Arctic observation platforms) and AOOS, - Be-Poles (a virtual Polar Institute for the Belgian government), - the design and construction of the International Research Station in Antarctica for IPY 2007, for the Belgian government in cooperation with the Japanese National Institute for Polar Research, - 6CI the Sixth Continent Initiative for capacity building in Polar Research with the SCAR. The expertise of the IPF, and the network of collaborators, based in several countries, is available to other Polar programmes who wish to participate in the activities being designed and implemented.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
There are no geographical limitations imposed on potential activities. The limits will be in relation to the demand expressed for support activities. Activities will take place in the Polar Regions as well as outside them.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/07 – 06/08            
Antarctic: 11/07 – 02/09            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Logistics for these activities are varied and will be shared with other projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The infrastructure legacy of the project will come in the form of consolidation of the international components of the various elements of the IPF communication strategy.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

logistics will be provided on ad hoc basis in relation to other projects in which the IPF is involved

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project will be submitted to the National Committee , but will also rely on the international support, and participation in wide ranging projects for a de facto endorsement.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
yes

The project is an on-going activity which will be reinforced for the IPY 2007.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organised and managed by the IPF, where the activities are own-initiative activities, and will be managed by Project coordinators of other projects of which the IPF is a part.The IPF will also be able to count on the collaboration of existing regional offices to reinforce the international component of the activities planned.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
o The IPF will be collaborating in certain Polar research activities to provide education and outreach. Communication on these expeditions will serve as a window on polar research - to be accessed by the teaching/learning communities via the web site of the IPF (www.educapoles.be ) and the Polaris Climate Change Observatory exhibitions. o Interactive educational programs, will be initiated in 2007 in a number of schools. o Events will be organised to mark the launch of the IPY. These will take various forms, and will be aimed at the national and international community. o Publications will be designed to explain the import of the IPY to various target groups – the IPF is building up competence in multilingual publications, and could work with international organisations to reinforce this capability.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The data management activities are those related to the creation of databases for the management of a virtual Polar Science Institute, where individual researchers will be able to contribute their details, enhancing the networking capabilities of the scientific community, and allowing the development of international multi-disciplinary cross linkages.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be sought from public and private sources, as well as in the form of project funding from international organisations for precise activities.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The IPF will launch an information campaign through press releases, participation in radio and TV programs, and conferences. Through the media a potentially large target audience can be reached, and it is hoped to use the opportunity to explain the scientific and historic importance of the event.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr  Philippe Gosseries
International Polar Foundation
120A rue des Deux Gares
Brussels
1070
Belgium

Tel: +32-2-543.06.98
Mobile: +32 475 59 61 12
Fax: +32-2-538.83.77
Email:

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