Capacity Building Activities within IUGG
One of the
primary objectives of the IUGG is "to promote and coordinate international cooperation
in geodesy and geophysics worldwide." One strategy for implementation of this
goal is to "provide advice and assistance to developing countries, with respect
to both education and research." Each of our Associations, and IUGG as an overarching
body, contributes to this goal. Examples of specific actions as reported by
IUGG Associations are listed below under 3 headings of capacity building activities.
In this brief report, it is not possible to be comprehensive, but we wish to
convey the extent of our commitment to improving the conditions for science
and scientists worldwide.
Capacity Building Activities
SCIENCE EDUCATION
K-12 LEVEL
IAVCEI:
In 1994 IAVCEI issued a poster "Safety at Volcanoes" intended for schools.
IAPSO:
A page "Information for younger students" has been added to the IAPSO Web
site providing links to K-12 programs, and to information resources from various
agencies that would be useful for K-12 students and teachers. The Secretariat
periodically responds to direct requests received from students and teachers.
UNIVERSITY LEVEL
IAG:
IAG's Working Group on Education plans to centralize information regarding
technical courses on topics of geodesy offered world-wide by universities
and private organizations; collect information about educational material
(texts, exercises, solutions to exercises, and software used for educational
purposes) and have important material translated; propose/initiate courses
where necessary, especially in developing countries, investigate the possibility
of "distance-learning" internet courses, and foster cooperation between Universities
that offer Ph.D. degrees or that would like to offer advanced degrees.
IAPSO:
IAPSO maintains links on its Web page to all identifiable university program
web sites related to the physical sciences of the oceans, as well as various
institutes and government laboratories. Links are also provided for ocean
related models, data sources, and other information useful to university faculty,
research staff, and students.
OTHER: Distributions of Publications
IAHS:
IAHS TFDC (Task Force for Developing Countries) continued its action in 2000
and distributed free of charge all IAHS publications (Hydrological Science
Journal and the Red Books) to more than 60 selected Universities and Research
Institutions of Africa, Asia, South-America and Eastern Europe.
IAPSO:
Since 1997, IAPSO has electronically published abstract books of its Assemblies
on the IAPSO Web page. These are, therefore, freely available to the global
community. By July 2000, the Web page was receiving 5,000 hits per month,
with over half of these accesses to abstracts. Occasional hard copies of older
publications are provided on request.
IASPEI:
The Publications Transfer Program of the Committee for Developing Countries (CDC)
makes available basic texts and publications on seismology and related earth
sciences to institutions in need. In the year 2000 the project provided publications
to the following institutions:
- Instituto
Geofisico del Peru (Lima, Peru) - on May 22nd the library was totally destroyed.
Hence, in addition to sending them the journals on their list, we also sent
them 4 boxes of assorted texts.
- Centre
for Earth Science Studies (Akkulam, India) - This is an institution with
"poor library facilities" that does not have any of the publication transfer
journals dated after 1987.
- Guru
Jambeshwar University (Hisar, India) - This is a request from their applied
mathematics department on behalf of 3 members of their staff conducting
research in theoretical seismology. They apparently do not have access to
geophysical journals.
- Gadjah
Madah University (Yogyakarta, Indonesia) - Journals were requested on behalf
of the departmental library of the Department of Geodetic Engineering. They
will primarily be used by students.
- Univ.
Nac La Plata (Argentina) - They are trying to fill gaps in their BSSA collection.
IAVCEI:
IAVCEI distributes 2 videotapes: "Understanding Volcanic Hazards," available
in both PAL and NTSC (VHS) formats and in English, Spanish, French, and Italian,
and "Reducing Volcanic Hazards," available in both PAL and NTSC (VHS) formats
and in English and Spanish. They also produce and sell an attractive wall
calendar featuring well-known and scenic volcanoes. The calendar not only
informs the public but also raises money for their purposes.
In 1994 IAVCEI issued a document "Safety Recommendations For Volcanologists
And The Public" including a poster "Safety at Volcanoes" intended for schools.
FELLOWSHIPS and GRANTS
IAG:
IAG is investigating a strategy to support Ph.D. students in Geodesy.
TRAINING PROGRAMS
IAG:
The 4th Geoid School was intentionally placed in Malaysia in order to attract
scientists from developing countries.
IAPSO:
IAPSO Commissions and Permanent Services (and Joint Commissions with other
Associations) periodically provide training workshops.
IASPEI :
Two technical workshops, Educating the Public about Earthquake Hazard and
Risk, and, Seismic Networks and Site Selection, were held at the Institute
of Geophysics, University of Teheran on 13-14 October 2000.
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
K-12 LEVEL:
None known.
UNIVERSITY LEVEL:
IAG:
IAG's Working Group on Education plans to centralize information regarding
technical courses on topics of geodesy offered world-wide by universities
and private organizations; collect information about educational material
(texts, exercises, solutions to exercises, and software used for educational
purposes) and have important material translated; propose/initiate courses
where necessary, especially in developing countries, investigate the possibility
of "distance-learning" internet courses, and foster cooperation between
Universities that offer Ph.D. degrees or that would like to offer advanced
degrees.
OTHER: Handbooks
IAG:
The Geodesist's Handbook 2000 (J. Geodesy, 74, 1, 2000). This
publication, updated every 4 years, includes information about the IAG itself
and scientific information related to geodesy. The Handbook is posted on the
IAG internet site at http://www.gfy.ku.dk/~iag.
IAGA:
Guide for Magnetic Measurements and Observatory Practice (J. Jankowski
and C. Sucksdorff, 1996). This Guide provides comprehensive information how
to organize and run a magnetic observatory and make magnetic measurements.
The main topics include a brief description of Earth's magnetic field, the
selection of a site and layout of the observatory, magnetometer instruments
(including testing and calibration), absolute magnetic measurements, recording
of magnetic variations, and data processing. This handbook and the following
one were distributed free of charge to the world's network of geomagnetic
observatories that report data to World Data Centers.
Guide for Magnetic Repeat Station Surveys (L. R. Newitt, C.E. Barton, and J. Bitterly, 1996).
This Guide presents specifications and procedures recommended to determine
magnetic secular variation by carrying out magnetic repeat station measurements.
These procedures are much more stringent than those for vector ground-surveys.
Permanent magnetic observatories provide the most accurate source of secular
variation information, but the present network of magnetic observatories does
not give adequate spatial coverage of the globe. Repeat stations provide an
important and cost-effective means of supplementing observatory data. Repeat
data have long been used for producing regional field models and charts. Appendices
to the Guide include an equipment checklist, reporting forms and record sheets,
and computer programs.
IAPSO:
IAPSO has independently produced a variety of special publications including
3 volumes of Pelagic Tidal Constants (in 1979, 1985, and 1992). "The International
System of Units (SI) in Oceanography," was published in cooperation with UNESCO/IOC,
and "The Physics of Ice Covered Seas," was published in cooperation with Helsinki
University Press.
IASPEI:
International Handbook of Earthquake and Seismology (in preparation).
This Handbook will help to bridge the gap between seismologists and earthquake
engineers and will be truly international in scope. The aims for the Handbook
are: to summarize the well established facts; to review relevant theories;
to survey useful methods and techniques; and to document and archive basic
seismic data. It will consist of about 84 chapters grouped into 10 parts,
with 4 CD-ROMs containing materials to augment the printed chapters, and including
a compilation of seismic data from around the world and a global earthquake
database with software for displaying seismicity maps. New Manual of Seismological
Observatory Practice (in preparation). This is a job-related education, training
and instruction material in the field of observational seismology, currently
under development as a web site. The web-based NMSOP is maintained as continuously
up-graded, up-dated and complemented reference source with integrated training
modules. There will be an open interactive dialog between users and contributors.
First contributions are already available via www.seism.com/msop/nmsop/nmsop.php.
A hard copy version of the NMSOP is planned, complemented by an easy to update
loose-leaf collection of job-related worksheets. Manual chapters and worksheets
may be used as training modules for observatory practice. IASPEI Seismological
Software Library (SSL) - Each software volume of the IASPEI Software Library
includes the executable code, examples on floppy diskettes, and printed documentation.
IASPEI PC Shareware Library - Under the auspices of the Working Group on Personal
Computers, a PC shareware library is being published on diskette, including
files with short-form manuals of the programs. The Library provides for fast
and wide distribution of geophysical programs and utilities, reduced or demonstration
versions of geophysical software, and beta-versions of new programs to be
included in future volumes of the SSL.
GRANTS & FUNDING FOR NEW OR ENHANCED SCIENCE FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT & PUBLICATIONS
IAGA:
An ICSU grant was received to support the INTERMAGNET programme, thus accelerating
the modernisation of instrumentation, and practices for data collection and
dissemination in the global magnetic observatory network. In 2000 participation
in INTERMAGNET grew to 75 observatories from 32 countries.
STAFF SUPPORT: (e.g. recruitment of new staff and training) related to improved efficiency
and effectiveness of scientific institutions
None known.
ENHANCED INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY TO PROVIDE ADVICE TO GOVERNMENTS, INDUSTRY, & THE
PUBLIC
IAG:
The possibilities for establishing a geodetic reference system for Africa
is being investigated on the initiative of IAG Commission X.
IASPEI :
IASPEI was a major contributor to the Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program
(GSHAP) which was launched in 1992 by the International Lithosphere Program
(ILP) with the support of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU).
GSHAP was a demonstration program within the framework of the United Nations
International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (UN/IDNDR). All the results
of the program, the regional reports and maps, and the global map can be found
on the GSHAP site at http://seismo.ethz.ch/GSHAP
ENHANCED INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY TO PREPARE & DISSEMINATE SCIENCE POLICY STATEMENTS
None known.
ENHANCED INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF SCIENCE
None known.
WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS & CONFERENCES
IUGG:
- Awarded
$6000 to support the South America Geoid 2000 Workshop held at Escola Politacnica,
Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil, in May, 2000. Countries that participated
were Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
- Awarded
$6000 to support a Workshop on Gravity, Geodesy, and the Ocean Circulation
as inferred from Altimetry in Mar del Plata, Argentina (October 2001)
- Awarded
$3000 to explore a Joint IAHS/IAMAS/IAPSO Assembly in India in 2002
IAPSO:
- IAPSO's
2001 scientific assembly is joint with the International Association for
Biological Oceanography (IABO) in Mar del Plata, Argentina, in October.
Discussions are presently underway for a Joint Assembly (or specialized
conference) with IAMAS and IAHS in 2005 in Asia.
IAVCEI:
- The
General Assembly was held from July 18-22, 2000 in Bali, Indonesia. Approximately
500 volcanologists attended the five-day meeting organized by the Volcanological
Society of Indonesia (VSI), assisted by the Directorate General Geology
and Mineral Resources (DGGMR), the Idonesian Geologists's Association (IGA),
the Institute of Technology of Bandung (ITB), and the Department of Mining
and Energy (DME). Midway through the five-day meeting, the participants
traveled to Batur caldera and one of VSI's volcano observatories. There
were also two workshops and six field trips held in association with the
meeting.
- The
next General Assembly is scheduled for November-December 2004 in Chile.
The IAVCEI 1902 Centennial Workshop (May 2002) is planned for Martinique.
PROMOTION & SUPPORT OF COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS & INTERDISCIPLINARY PROJECTS
IUGG:
- Awarded
$6000 to support initiation of a Joint Commission on Groundwater-Seawater
Interactions, including planning a new project on submarine groundwater
discharge in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, The Philippines in cooperation with the
University of the Philippines.
- Awarded
$4000 to support formation of a Joint Working Group on Subduction Zone Studies
with special emphasis to involve scientists from developing countries in
Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and South America.
IAPSO:
- IAPSO
participates in ICSU's Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) and
reviews various proposals for new SCOR Working Groups.
IASPEI :
- The
International Commission for Earth Sciences in Africa (ICESA) was formed
jointly with IASPEI as a Coordinating Committee of the International Lithosphere
Program (ILP) with the overall objective of promoting and coordinating geo-scientific
work in Africa by facilitating the exchange of scientific personnel, information
and collaboration among African countries and similar organizations working
in the field of earth sciences. ICESA is also devoted to the initiation
of training programs for African scientists and technicians as well as to
the organization of meetings/seminars for the exchange of ideas among earth
scientists. Eight Special Issues of the Journal of African Earth Sciences
(JAES) are being planned as a joint venture between ICESA and JAES. These
issues will contain review papers to be used as background material for
an ICESA's book on the geology of Africa.
TRAVEL GRANTS
IUGG:
- Awarded
$4000 to support scientists from Russia, Greece, Papua New Guinea, and Turkey
who are either members of a Tsunami Historical Database for the Pacific
project, or engaged in a study of submarine slumping as a tsunami generation
mechanism.
- Awarded
$15,000 in 2001 to support travel for young scientists or scientists from
developing countries to 8 separate meetings held in Argentina, Colombia,
Hungary, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Italy, and New Zealand.
IAG:
- IAG
has established an "IAG Fund" which is used to support the participation
of scientists from developing countries to IAG sponsored meetings.
IAMAS:
- Travel
grants totalling $15,500 were given in 2000 to the IAMAS Commissions for
use for scientists from needy countries attending conferences or symposia.
In 2001, 57 scientists (including 13 young scientists) from 27 countries
have been approved for travel assistance totaling $ 43,878 to the IAMAS
Scientific Assembly in Innsbruck, Austria.
IAPSO:
- IAPSO
awarded over $60,000 in travel grants to scientists from developing countries
in 1999 for the purpose of attending the 1999 IUGG General Assembly. It
is expected that over $40,000 in grants will be made to scientists from
developing countries in 2001.
Other Associations:
- Although
details are not immediately available, all other IUGG Associations provide
assistance for disadvantaged and underrepresented scientists to attend scientific
meetings.
PROMOTION & SUPPORT OF NATIONAL SCIENCE NETWORKS
IASPEI:
- A Committee
on Developing Countries (CDC) Newsletter is distributed twice a year. The
Newsletter gives information about symposia, meetings, training courses,
network development, reports of important geological events, software and
instrumental development, etc. The Newsletter has provided a forum for various
scientific activities of IASPEI and other scientific bodies. Every effort
has been made in these Newsletters to increase participation from developing
countries in international symposia/seminars by reproducing meeting announcements
well in advance and also advising about the sources of financial support.
Very often popular scientific articles on earth and natural sciences from
various international journals are reproduced. The Newsletter is circulated
globally, primarily to the scientists in developing countries, but also
to some scientists in developed countries who are especially interested
in the development of seismology in third world countries. The present circulation
figure is more than 300.
PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE NETWORKS (including internet fora)
IUGG:
- Awarded
$6000 to initiate a "Webcyclopedia of Urban Risk and Sustainability" project
that will organize cities, hazards, and risks on an internet site to be
maintained at the International Institute of Earthquake Prediction Theory
and Mathematical Geophysics of the Russian Academy of Science.
IAMAS:
- An
ICSU/UNESCO grant of 30,000 was awarded to the project "Alliance for Capacity
Transfer" in 1999. This initiated an effort to provide on-line access to
scientific expertise and meteorological data world-wide, that is still under
development. Planned features include creating international "Help" bulletins
and "Mentoring" boards and other means for discussion and collaboration
through the Internet. ACT will make use of already available Internet Web
sites relating to meteorology, hydrology and a pool of dedicated scientists
willing to volunteer as resource persons and advisors.
IAPSO:
- IAPSO
maintains a wide range of links to oceanographic resources on its Web page.
Other organizations link directly to IAPSO pages of particular interest.
IUGG
and its Associations actively assist scientists in developing countries to
improve conditions for observations and studies of Earth physics. This assistance
is provided both as altruistic outreach, and because the data and expertise
that is resident in these countries is vital for pursuit of our scientific
objectives.
Strategies used to build capacity in science worldwide include:
- Supporting
participation in educational opportunities, including internet sites, public
outreach, short courses, summer schools, and research campaigns
- Convening meetings in developing countries
- Providing financial support to disadvantaged scientists for attendance at meetings
- Supporting scientific initiatives that include developing countries
Report to ICSU, May 16, 2001
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