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Notes from the SCAR President, number 13 (July/August 2009)
Updates on Various Items
Colleagues,
Once again my monthly notes have been delayed by extensive travel! There are many items and important developments to update and I do so with a combined note for July and August, 2009 (apologies for the length, but a lot is going on that you should be aware of!).
I traveled to Bulgaria in June, 2009 and was ably and graciously hosted by Dr. Christo Pimpirev, Director of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute. I had the opportunity to meet Rector Ivan Ilchev of the University of Sofia to highlight Bulgaria's importance to SCAR and Antarctic science. The University is home to the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute and National Antarctic Program. I provided a presentation on SCAR and its science programs to faculty, researchers and students at the University and spent time with members of the Bulgarian Antarctic Program. An article on the visit was prominently published in a major Sofia newspaper.
From Bulgaria I traveled to Brussels, Belgium to serve as the Secretary of the SCAR Scientific Research Program Subglacial Antarctic Lake Environments (SALE). The meeting was hosted by Dr. Frank Pattyn of the Université Libre de Bruxelles at the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office. The Belgium program "Antarctic Subglacial Processes and Interactions (ASPI)" was highlighted as a major contribution to SALE. The major news at the meeting was that there are now three large subglacial environment exploration programs underway or planned at Subglacial Lake Vostok (Russia), Subglacial Lake Ellsworth (UK), and Whilliams Ice Sheet (US) with funding in excess of $25 million USD. All three programs project subglacial entry in the 2011-2012 time frame. Students and early career scientists, including members of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), were invited to attend as observers taking advantage of SCAR science meetings to engage young researchers. The report of SALE
Meeting #5 is available at the SALE web site.
In July, I visited the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI). KOPRI is undergoing a major expansion in capabilities and staff. I was hosted by KOPRI Vice-Director General Bang Yong Lee and this year's Korean Expedition Leader Sung-Ho Khang. KOPRI staff has significantly expanded in the past few years, there are plans for new office and laboratory buildings in Incheon, a new ice breaker is nearly complete (ARAON) that will operate in northern and southern polar regions (and will be sea tested this fall), and plans are advancing for a second Antarctic Scientific Station. Korea is poised to assert itself as a major Antarctic nation and I look forward to enhanced Korean participation in SCAR. I am sure Dr. Lee would be glad to provide further information on these important developments if you are interested (bylee@kopri.re.ke). I also had dinner with many KOPRI staff and Drs. Byong-Kwon Park and Hong Kum Lee, Korea's SCAR Delegates.
I then attended the Xth SCAR Biology Symposium at Hokkaido University, Sapporo Japan. I was pleased to share the stage during the Opening Ceremonies with President Saeki, Hokkaido University; Dr. Mitsuo Fukuchi, Chair Local Organizing Committee; and Dr. Kathy Conlan, Chair of the International Steering Committee. I gave a short welcoming speech recognizing our hosts and the many contributions of Japan to Antarctic research over the years. Japan's National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), a major sponsor of the symposium, has recently moved into new facilities in Tokyo. This was the first time the SCAR Biology Symposium was held in an Asian country. By all measures the meeting was a great success with 255 participants from 26 countries. There were 115 oral presentations (including 9 key note presentations) and 132 poster presentations. An impressive statistic was that 40% of the presentations were by students or early career scientist! Details of the meeting can be found on the Symposium website. Planning
is already under way for 2013!
I then proceeded to Punta Arenas, Chile for the SCAR Executive Committee Meeting. I arrived early in Punta Arenas and spent Monday and Tuesday mornings at the COMNAP meetings. I provided a plenary Keynote address to COMNAP on "Future Directions in Antarctic Research: Implications for National Programs". It was well received and the next day I participated in a discussion about potential cooperative programs between SCAR and COMNAP. COMNAP is undergoing a major reorganization, not unlike SCAR several years ago, and both organizations are considering ways to improve cooperation and coordination. To this end, Sergio Marenssi (SCAR VP) convened a meeting on cooperation on King George Island (Isla Rey Jorge, 25 de Mayo) with a presentation followed by discussion, SCAR and COMNAP Executive Committees met, and the SCAR ExCom agreed to convene an Action Group on SCAR and COMNAP relations (similar to that convened on SCAR/CEP relations) to develop a mutually agreed way forward. There are many opportunities for cooperation with COMNAP and I look forward to the outcomes from the joint group's deliberations (to meet early next year). SCAR looks forward to working with the new Executive Director of COMNAP Michelle Rogan-Finnemore.
The SCAR Executive Committee meeting was preceded by a Chief Officer's Meeting ably chaired by Steve Chown. SCAR ExCom plus the COs then met for three days. The ExCom had a very extensive agenda and worked diligently through the many items before it. The agenda and associated papers are available in the "Members Only" password protected section of the SCAR web site. The meeting report will be available in a few weeks and I will not review the meeting here. Much time was spent discussing SCAR's next strategic plan and how the process will work. I have proposed a retreat for the ExCom and COs in the next few months to develop a plan and timeline for the "Strategic Plan". The process will be inclusive, wide ranging in scope, comprehensive, build on the previous Strategic plan and other planning and review documents, be the subject of wide review and input, and reflect the collective views of SCAR's members on future directions. A Presidential Note outlining initial thoughts on strategic planning and the process will be issued shortly but detailed plans will await the ExCom/COs retreat.
After the ExCom meeting, a small group (Colin, Mike, Sergio and myself) proceeded to Buenos Aires for a final inspection and agreement on the venue for the SCAR meetings in 2010. The Argentine Antarctic Institute and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have done an excellent job in preparing for next year's meetings. Tentatively agreed is that the meetings will be held at the Panamericano Hotel in Buenos Aires from 30 July - 11 August, 2010. The facilities are excellent, all meetings can be held in one location, the site is centrally located, many less costly alternatives for housing and meals are close by, and a highly professional private sector conference staging company has been engaged. The group met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to emphasize the importance of Antarctic science and to thank Argentina for its on-going support of SCAR. The Foreign Ministry is providing significant local funds to underwrite the 2010 meetings. This looks to be an excellent venue for our meetings in one of the world's most beautiful cities. The group also paid a courtesy visit to the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat and met and dined with incoming ATS Executive Director Manfred Reinke. SCAR looks forward to working with the new ATS leadership.
On a final note, the search for the next SCAR Executive Director is proceeding well. The Search Committee (SCAR ExCom) met in closed session in Punta Arenas to consider the next steps. Seventeen (17) applications were received and that list has been narrowed to a short list of four. Additional information and references for short listed candidates have been received. A second round of Committee assessment will occur by the end of August and finalists determined. If necessary for a final decision, personal interviews will be scheduled before the end of October and a decision is expected by the end of the year.
If you have any questions on items in this note or other issues, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Chuck K.
President of SCAR
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