International Organisation

The International Polar Year 2007-2008 is co-sponsored by the International Council of Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). Initially, in 2003, an International Planning Group (chaired by Prof. Chris Rapley, British Antarctic Survey) was appointed to promote the Polar Year and develop a Science and Implementation Plan.

The document “A Framework for IPY 2007-2008” was completed in September 2004 and published in November 2005 following approval by the ICSU Executive Board. This document outlines the science themes for IPY 2007-2008 but also outlines the requirements for data and information management in this wide-ranging, large-scale science initiative and identifies the need for an extensive education, outreach and communication programme.

In October 2005, the Planning Group handed over to a new international Joint CommitteeJoint Committee chaired by Dr Ian Allison (Australia) and Dr Michel Beland (Canada). This committee will oversee the implementation of the Polar Year and coordinate the various activities. To assist the committee two further sub-committees for Data and Information Policy (DPC) and for Education, Outreach and Communication have been formed. These will advise the Joint Committee and provide guidance for research projects.

The International Planning Group initiated Discussion Forums in 2004 to allow the various stakeholders in IPY to air their views. These meetings were held immediately before Planning Group meetings and contributed directly to the Planning Groups deliberations during development of the Framework document. The forums proved a considerable success, significantly improving communication and broadening ownership in the Polar Year. With the creation of the Joint Committee, an Open Consultative Forum is being established to continue the policy of direct communication with key stakeholders.

An International Programme Office (IPO) for the Polar Year has been established at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge to support the Joint Committee, provide a central point for all information and actively promote IPY 2007-2008.

It is anticipated that the majority of activities within the International Polar Year will be large, international projects that will have their own steering committees and possibly project offices. The International Programme Office will be responsible for linking these project offices.

At the National level, over 30 countries are now involved in IPY 2007-2008 and 33 National Committees and Points of Contact have been established. These committees will promote IPY and coordinate national responses.