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Draft Minutes of the
5 IHDP-Scientific Committee Meeting
March 28-31, 1998
Bonn
th
The Scientific Committee met at the Hotel Königshof, Adenauer Allee 9, Bonn. The meeting
was preceded by an informal working dinner on March 27 in the dining room of the hotel. The
official meeting was convened daily from March 28-31 at 8:30 a.m. in the “Weißer Saal”.
Excused from the meeting: D. Skole, Tyson, B. Moore III. Mr. Skole was represented by Eric
Lambin; no representation from START; Mr. Moore was represented by Will Steffen.
In attendance on March 28: Eckart Ehlers (Chair), Arild Underdal (Vice-Chair), Peter de
Jánosi (Treasurer), Anne Whyte, Hans Opschoor, P.S. Ramakrishnan (11 a.m.), Mauricio
Tolmasquim, Eric Lambin, J.W.M. la Riviére (ICSU), Kurt Pawlik (ISSC), Joao Morais
(Deputy Dir. Social Sciences, IGBP), Larry Gates (WCRP), Will Steffen (IGBP), Oran Young
(IDGC), Steve Lonergan (GECHS), Pier Vellinga (IT), Larry Kohler (Executive Director),
Ramine Shaw (Intern. Science Project Co-ordinator), Udo Bünnagel (Information and
Programme Officer), Laura Siklossy (Administrative Assistant), Renate Duckat (Research
Assistant), Ranu Sharma (DFAIT-Intern from Canada).
Chair Eckart Ehlers opened the meeting at 8:30 a.m..
SC-IHDP.5/I/1 - SC-IHDP.5/I/3
The Draft Agenda and Annotated Agenda were adopted without amendment.
SC-IHDP.5/I/2
The Revised (March 25) Draft Schedule was adopted as proposed. It was later agreed to bring
forward Agenda items VIII and IX from Monday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.
SC-IHDP.5/II/1
The Draft Minutes of the 4th Scientific Committee Meeting (June 1997 in Vienna) were
adopted as presented.
Ehlers welcomed P.S. Ramakrishnan as a new member of the SC-IHDP.
SC-IHDP.5/IVb
Draft Science Plan Review Guidelines
The guidelines were meant to facilitate the role of the SC to approve the Draft Science Plans
(DSP) by having outside advisers/reviewers examine the DSP and provide comments to the
SC. The SC discussed in detail the proposed review process for Draft Science Plans.
The following key points were made:
 the review process should be demanding but speedy and not cause delay in launching the
project;
 the SC should establish a small “co-ordinating committee” composed of a SC-IHDP
liaison member, Chair or Representative of SPC and the Executive Director to facilitate
the review process;
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 the advisers/reviewers should include representation from beyond the present IHDP
community working in the field of the DSP, researchers providing geographic and
disciplinary perspectives, or potential "end-users" such as policy makers.
 the DSP should also be circulated to National IHDP Committees for comments to assist
the SC in its approval process.
 the SC-IHDP should approve the DSP on the basis of “general consensus” and not
unanimity;
 a number of proposals were made to strengthen the proposed “criteria”. Following the
discussion, the SC approved the guidelines taking into account their proposals and the
Secretariat was asked to submit the revised guidelines before the end of the Meeting. A
revised text of the guidelines was circulated to the SC, which led to several further
revisions. The Secretariat was asked to send the final text to the SC-IHDP before June 1,
1998.
ACTION 1
The Secretariat should circulate the revised review guidelines for DSP before 1 June 1998.
Guidelines for Project Implementation Plans
The SC discussed the proposed Draft Guidelines for Implementations Plans and a proposed
review process. While the SC recognised the value of an Implementation Plan which would
set out the more detailed operational and strategic plans for the implementation of the Science
Plans, it was felt by several members that the traditional extensive document had several
important weaknesses: a) the SPC after having completed the DSP was immediately
confronted by the preparation of an additional detailed planning document which in the past
has taken between one and three years to prepare and this could lead to high levels of
frustration by the SPC members; and b) the project implementation itself was delayed by at
least one year and this risked to break the momentum in mobilising international scientific
collaboration and financial support.
The SC-IHDP took note of the draft Guidelines and review process and indicated their
approval in principle and agreed that it should be followed in the case of the forthcoming
LUCC Draft Implementation Plan. In addition, however, they requested the Secretariat to
review the discussion and to propose possible options to introduce more flexible approaches
to the preparation of IHDP “Implementation Plans” for consideration at the next session of the
SC.
ACTION 2
The Secretariat should prepare proposals for the possible streamlining of IHDP Draft
Implementation Plans for the next session of the SC.
SC-IHDP.5/VIIc – Industrial Transformation
A progress report on the project was given by Pier Vellinga, Chair of the SPC, which outlined
the general aims, mission statement, major research foci and extensive process for the
preparation of the IT Draft Science Plan.
Timetable
1998
May 1998:
October 1998:
convening of seven regional workshops
Review of the Research Directory (formerly Inventory of Research)
SPC-meeting
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November 1998:
Draft Science Plan to be submitted to SC-IHDP
February 1999:
Global IHDP-IT Open Conference
before end of 1999: Science Plan to be approved by SC and published.
 Prof. Vellinga proposed to keep the SC-IHDP informed of progress with a view to
facilitating the review process of the DSP before the February 1999 Open Science Meeting
process.
 The IT-SPC still has some vacancies, but it was expected that they would only be filled
after the completion of the Science Plan and the SSC was established.
 The SC urged increased focus on crosscutting themes (transportation) and on the human
driving forces.
 The SC expressed its gratitude for the extensive financial support provided by the EU and
the Dutch Academy of Sciences for the upcoming Open Science Conference in
Amsterdam.
 The SC expressed its gratitude to START for their extensive and essential financial
support for several of the regional workshops.
 Prof. Vellinga drew the SC-IHDP’s attention to the fact that the Project was in immediate
need of an additional U.S. $60,000 in order to ensure its effective completion of the DSP
and urged the SC to assist in the mobilisation of additional resources.
ACTION 3
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The SC-IHDP agreed to write to the Dutch government, acknowledging and thanking them for
past funding support and encouraging them to continue to support the IT Science Project.
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The SC-IHDP agreed to provide an additional U.S.$5000 to the IT Project for 1998; i.e. a total
grant of $25,000.
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ACTION 4
SC-IHDP.5/IX Partner GEC Programmes
a) IGBP
Will Steffen, who as the new Executive Director of IGBP made a special effort to attend the
SC-IHDP session, noted IHDP’s rapidly developing status as an effective “junior” partner of
the GEC programmes. He cited philosophical (development of new paradigms for global
change research) and practical (joint workshops, network, project linkages) levels of
interaction between the IGBP and the IHDP and urged an approach emphasising “think
small/regional” to get practical work going. He indicated that the IGBP would be undergoing
a major re-structuring process emphasising synthesis and the integration of research results.
The IGBP will increasingly stress regional and sub-regional levels, incorporating human
dimensions and socio-economic approaches. This process will be driven by synthesis studies
covering the past eight years of IGBP’s major core projects and fundamental earth systems
sciences. The IHDP was requested to actively participate in this synthesis process.
Workshops are planned for the 2nd half of 1999; and the IGBP Open Science Meeting will be
held October 2000 in Washington, D.C. Joint WCRP/IHDP/IGBP events are planned for the
latter meeting and the IHDP was invited to play a very active role, including a possible joint
IGBP/IHDP Day. In conclusion he stressed that in future IGBP would need to integrate human
dimensions early and deeply within their own activities and he looked forward to increasing
collaboration with the IHDP in this process.
ACTION 5
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The SC-IHDP welcomed the proposed enhanced collaboration with the IGBP and requested
the Secretariat to continue its efforts to promote and facilitate effective and practical
collaboration between the IGBP and IHDP International Secretariats and Science Projects.
Arild Underdal chaired the meeting after lunch. Will Steffen and Pier Vellinga departed
around 3 p.m.
SC-IHDP.5/VII
a) Global Environmental Change and Human Security GECHS
The GECHS Draft Science Plan, which was made available to each SC member, was
presented by Steve Lonergan, Chair of the SPC. He reviewed the proposed five key research
foci. A bibliography, list of institutions, SPC members and funding information have been
completed but were not included in the initial Draft.
Timetable
 early June 1998 revised Draft Science Plan will be submitted to SC-IHDP incorporating
comments received from the SC and the GECHS network of researchers.
 end September 1998 Draft Science Plan is expected to be approved by the SC-IHDP.
ACTION 6
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The SC-IHDP members will submit their comments on the initial Draft Science Plan directly
to S. Lonergan by April 20-24, 1998.
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Anne Whyte, Larry Kohler and Steve Lonergan will identify possible external
advisers/reviewers and submit the revised DSP for comments.
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S. Lonergan will submit to the IHDP Secretariat the completed bibliography and finalised list
of Scientific Planning Committee members and revised Draft in early June 1998.
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The GECHS project also foresees convening each year one major workshop and 1 and/or 2
minor workshops, including:

Workshop of Scandinavian researchers (co-financed by IHDP and
possibly Sweden (May 27/28, 1998 in Stockholm);

IHDP/GECHS/Australian National Human Dimensions Committee
workshop in Australia (November 1998 in Canberra) on Water and
Human Security in South East Asia (co-financed by APN and START);

3-4 specialised panels during Open Science Meeting in Japan in June
1999

workshop on food security in southern Africa in early 2000, possibly in
South Africa
Ideally, each of these activities will result in a publication. The GECHS Research Report
entitled The Role of Environmental Degradation in Population Displacement, the first major
IHDP publication to be produced by one of the new IHDP projects, was presented. Lonergan
envisages the following future publications:
1.
Briefing documents (10-12 issues over the next two years, 1000 in
English, 500 in Spanish, 500 in French) to be distributed by IHDP,
Woodrow Wilson Centre, APN and IAI in developing countries;
2.
Special volume on the Nato Workshop (Budapest Oct. 1997) is expected
to appear in September 1998
ACTION 7
ACTION 8
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3.
Research Report on water and human security in South East Asia (1999).
4.
In future, all GECHS publications will be accessible on their web site.
The main topics in the discussion of the GECHS project included:
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firm objections by the SC-IHDP to the use of potentially controversial
funding sources (e.g. military and intelligence agencies) and urgings that
GECHS not solicit such funds;
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the need to promote the evident linkages with the IDGC project;

security and vulnerability can be defined in terms of a) social
construction and b) objective external indicators (i.e., pollution,
unemployment). GECHS is in the early stages of identifying external
indicators of security vulnerability;
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agreement that all IHDP publications should be reflect a common
“corporate image”;
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a GECHS request that the project begin to investigate opportunities to
mobilise funds for an IPO, including the possible establishment of the
IPO or foci offices in developing countries with a view to promoting and
facilitating enhanced participation by developing country researchers.
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The SC encouraged the GECHS team and the IHDP Secretariat to investigate opportunities
for the mobilisation of scientific and financial support for the future IPO office.
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SC-IHDP.5/VII
b)Institutional Dimensions of Global Environmental Change IDGC
Oran Young, Chair of the SPC, officially submitted the Draft Science Plan to the SC-IHDP.
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Timetable
 May 1998 O. Young will submit a slightly revised Draft Science Plan to the IHDPSecretariat for circulation to the SC members and to the specially designated external
advisers/reviewers for comments;
 end June 1998 comments from SC to be sent to O. Young;
 July 1998 Draft Science Plan will be considered by IDGC-SPC at their meeting in
Australia;
 August 1998 Final Draft Science Plan will be submitted to SC-HDP for Approval;
 October 1998 SC-IHDP approval of Draft Science Plan.
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Major topics in the discussion of IDGC/DSP included:

The need for the DSP to clarify the use of the terms : “institutions” and
“organisations”;
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Proposals concerning the pros and cons of the possible incorporation of a
third fragile eco-system/region (China, Mediterranean, mountain system)
were discussed without resolution;
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pros and cons of including scale, fit and size issues;
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The SPC was encouraged to incorporate more tables, figures and
diagrams within the DSP. The SPC was asked to provide further
information related to the value-added from the research project by
enhancing information on the results, aims, operational mechanisms and
potential relevance and value for specific end-user communities;

The SPC was asked to specify authorship of the DSP;
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ACTION 10
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Hans Opschoor, Larry Kohler and Oran Young will identify the external advisers/reviewers
and submit the draft for comments.
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The final revised DSP will be submitted to the SC-IHDP by end of August 1998 for approval
before October 1998
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The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. and followed by a dinner for all in the hotel dining
room at 7:30 p.m.
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ACTION 11
The SC meeting continued on Sunday, March 29, at 8:30 a.m., chaired by E. Ehlers. Present:
Gates, Ramakrishnan, Stern, Tolmasquim, Pawlik, la Rivière, Underdal, Ehlers, Lambin,
Young, de Jánosi, Opschoor, Lonergan, Morais, Whyte; from the IHDP Secretariat: Bünnagel,
Kohler, Quickmann, Sharma, Shaw, Siklossy.
SC-IHDP.5/VII
d)Land Use and Land Cover Change LUCC
David Skole, the current project Chair, who will complete his term at the end of 1998, was
unable to attend. Eric Lambin, his representative at the SC-IHDP and the proposed future
Chair of the SSC beginning in 1999, presented a comprehensive overview of the project.
Timetable
 1995 Science Plan was endorsed;
 June 1998 Draft Implementation Plan will be submitted to SC for review process;
 September 1998 final Draft Implementation Plan submitted to IHDP and IGBP.
Major topics in the discussion of LUCC included:

A review of the three LUCC Focus Themes and activities;
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A discussion of : 1)technology and monitoring, 2) socialising the pixel, 3)
modelling;
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technology-driven remote sensing must be validated by social science
components, which entails an enhanced systems approach and grass roots
regional involvement;
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obvious linkages between LUCC and IDGC;

progress related to the completion and approval of the LUCC Draft
Implementation Plan.
Membership of LUCC SSC
Lambin made a detailed presentation concerning the proposed LUCC SSC strategy for the
renewal of the membership of the SSC, which had been discussed and endorsed at the recent
SSC meeting in Barcelona. This strategy emphasised the importance of introducing both new
disciplines and new geographical representation in the SSC. On behalf of the SSC, he made
the following nominations: Peter Nijkamp (Netherlands), Ronald Rindfuss(USA), Nancy
Bockstael (USA) and Robin Reid (Kenya). He stressed that this current set of proposals which
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emphasised new disciplines would be reinforced in future by a series of additional proposals
which reflected broader geographical perspectives. At the time of the discussion, CVs were
only available for the first three nominees. Following considerable questioning of Lambin
and discussion, the SC-IHDP agreed to endorse the first three nominees. As a sign of their
deep frustration, however, that the SSC had not been able to address the critical issue of
geographical perspectives, they decided to permit two of the nominees to begin this activity as
soon as the IGBP also endorsed them, but that one nominee would have to await to take up the
position until 1 January 1999. The decision as to which of the nominees should be delayed in
taking up the position in the SSC was left to the LUCC SSC. The SC-IHDP reiterated their
strong conviction that the SSC-LUCC should make a very serious effort to make several
proposals of highly qualified nominees for the SSC which would bring both disciplinary and
geographical perspectives within the SSC LUCC as soon as possible, and preferably before 1
January 1999. The SC-IHDP indicated that while the nomination of Dr. Reid might be resubmitted in future with a full CV, they urged the SSC LUCC to also identify and propose
additional nominees from Africa for their consideration. In addition, it was agreed that this
decision of the SC-IHDP should be strictly co-ordinated with that of the IGBP to ensure a
consistent policy approach by the two co-sponsors of LUCC. Therefore, the Secretariat was
asked to follow up this process with the IGBP and, if necessary, contact the SC-IHDP to
reassess this decision in light of the IGBP decision.
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In light of the SC-IHDP endorsement of the three nominations and the proposed restrictions
on the date of their effect, the Secretariat was asked to co-ordinate this decision directly with
IGBP to ensure a co-ordinated IHDP/IGBP decision and policy on this issue.
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Officers of the SSC LUCC
The SSC LUCC had informed the SC-IHDP that Eric Lambin had been nominated by the SSC
LUCC to be the next Chair of the SSC LUCC, as David Skole’s term of office would come to
an end on 31 December 1998 and he had announced at the SSC LUCC meeting in Barcelona
that he could not continue on the SSC LUCC after that date. Colleen Vogel was nominated to
serve as Vice-Chair. The SC-IHDP discussed these nominations and fully endorsed the
decision of the SSC LUCC. The Secretariat was requested to ensure that this decision was
conveyed to the IGBP and that again care should be taken to ensure a co-ordinated and
consistent policy was adopted by both IGBP and IHDP and, if necessary, the SC IHDP should
reassess this decision in light of the IGBP’s decision.
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The Secretariat should co-ordinate this decision directly with IGBP to ensure a co-ordinated
IHDP/IGBP decision and policy on this issue.
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SC-IHDP.5/VII
e) Links
The discussion centered on links between IHDP science projects, GEC programmes and
others.
IHDP Projects
In addition to identifying a wide range of potential direct links between specific projects,
several “generic” issues arose during the discussion of which many warrant special attention
in future. First, the issue of scale was particularly critical for all IHDP projects and research
activities. The question of generalising beyond the HD research community's traditional focus
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on local variability was seen as especially important. Second, there was a common
recognition that while IHDP had a very critical role to play in promoting workshops within its
Science Projects and possibly beyond those projects – it was equally important for the IHDP
to promote the production of high quality research results. It was necessary for the IHDP to do
both networking and research. Third, it was recognised that increasing attention would also
need to be given in future to ensuring a co-ordinated and rational approach to data collection
and dissemination to avoid duplications and to promote synergies and broad access to human
dimensions data and research results.
ICSU
La Riviére praised the efforts of the IHDP Secretariat and the four Science Project teams,
citing the results of the past year as almost another "miracle on the Rhine". He underlined the
four science projects as the nucleus for IHDP’s direction and funding, but noted that to date
no solid scientific results were yet on the table. He urged IHDP to carefully avoid marginal
but important questions and to take a pragmatic approach to links between projects and
programmes, stressing the need to minimize and optimize links rather than maximize links.
He noted that while the issues of Global versus regional and Scaling UP versus scaling down
were important issues--they were not either or questions but rather required efforts to achieve
an appropriate balance. The IHDP was not under excessive time pressure--the IHDP needed to
promote quality scientific discussion, exchanges and research and should focus on continuing
to make steady progress in future.
ISSC
Pawlik also praised the efforts of the IHDP Secretariat and stressed the good spirit of cooperation between the natural and social sciences and between the ISSC and the ICSU. He
encouraged active collaboration between ISSC (e.g., CROP) and IHDP projects, offering to
co-ordinate any overtures. Pawlik suggested that consideration should be given to
determining the "life span" of the IHDP and IHDP projects by possibly establishing "sunset
clauses" in future. He also expressed concern about the relatively narrow social science
disciplinary representation on the SC-IHDP and urged the SC to consider including other
disciplines, e.g. demography, behavioural sciences, jurisprudence. He also noted that
consideration in future should be given to including issues related to health and education
within the IHDP´s programme of work. He also drew attention to a) ISSC collaboration with
UNESCO in producing the World Social Science Report (IHDP will contribute a chapter),
and b) ISSC collaboration with UNESCO on the World Social Science Conference in 1999 in
Budapest, at which strong IHDP representation is encouraged.
WCRP
Gates noted that he was impressed by the strong bottom-up approach of the IHDP. He
underlined the different roles of IHDP and WCRP, which is by nature global and is almost
exclusively devoted to the physical sciences and has not addressed human dimensions aspects.
The IGBP interfaces more easily with the WCRP, whose only bridge to the IHDP is START.
Gates stressed WCRP’s growing interest in the human dimensions effort, as these factors are
increasingly relevant to the achievement of their own objectives. The WCRP community was
very structured and independent and the WCRP played more of a role as broker among strong
groups, whereby the IHDP was developing a much more integrative and innovative role in
trying to bring global elements and regional and local perspectives and structures together. He
saw this approach as very exciting and positive for the WCRP. He cautioned the IHDP,
however, not to create too many projects and too bureaucratic an approach prematurely, but
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encouraged concentration at this time on a few select projects and clear but flexible
procedures.
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The SC agreed that Berrien Moore should be informed that the SC-IHDP has discussed the
issue and would seek to develop its capacity to play an active role in the GAIM Task Force
process. The IHDP Scientific Projects should be kept informed of the progress of the GAIM
Task Force so that they may play a very active role in the IHDP´s future collaboration in this
process.
IGBP
In addition to Will Steffen´s earlier remarks (see page 3), Joao Morais, IGBP Social Science
Liaison Officer, noted that IHDP was able to provide significant value-added to IGBP projects
through the development of the IHDP projects and activities. He underlined the fundamental
role national committees could play in enhancing the level of collaboration of researchers
within and between IHDP projects. He also encouraged the IHDP to introduce specialised
meetings for the IHDP science project chairs to meet on an annual basis to facilitate linkages.
The IHDP was encouraged to present its research priorities at the IGBP Millennium Meeting
in October 2000. The IHDP might also usefully use the opportunity of the IGBP-SAC V
meeting in Kenya (September 1999), to extend its contacts with IGBP´s own network of 76
national committees.
Ehlers, who had attended the SC-IGBP Boulder meeting in March, led a detailed discussion of
the four questions developed by Berrien Moore and the GAIM Task Force, particularly those
directed specifically at the IHDP. Ehlers requested concrete advice from the SC-IHDP on how
IHDP might develop its capacity to deal with these and other questions addressed to the IHDP
in future. He emphasised that IHDP needed to develop its own "response" strategy-- which
would help the SC-IHDP and Secretariat to establish priorities, develop responses, and foresee
emerging areas in which the IHDP might wish to begin to analyse and assess in future.
As an example of the kinds of requests being received, Larry Kohler indicated that the IHDP
had been invited to collaborate closely with GAIM in co-sponsoring a special session on
“Incorporating Human Dimensions within Earth Systems Models” which will take place at the
May 1998 Spring American Geophysical Union meeting in Boston.
The fact that the IHDP was increasingly being approached with such questions was seen by
the SC as a significant sign of progress: There clearly was an increasing awareness of the
potential value-added which might be provided by the IHDP. This required, however, that
IHDP strengthen its own capacity to assess and respond to such requests. This discussion was
also continued and reflected during the discussion of agenda item X- Looking Forward.
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The SC asked Larry Kohler during the upcoming special session at AGU in Boston (May
1998) to indicate IHDP´s commitment to develop a proactive approach to responding to
requests addressed to the IHDP to facilitate the integration of human dimensions within
integrated assessments and global and regional modelling initiatives.
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The SC agreed that the specific IGBP questions and the GAIM process should be discussed
and the questions possibly re-formulated at the Chairs and Directors Meeting in Bonn/August
1998. The Chairs and Directors might wish to propose a mechanism to deal with this kind of
request in future.
The meeting was adjourned for a longer lunch period. Underdal chaired the afternoon session.
SC-IHDP.5/X Looking Forward
a) Track Two
Following a detailed and constructive discussion, the SC agreed that the IHDP should focus
on four priorities: 1) concentrating over the next two years on actively supporting the
development and implementation of the existing four science projects; 2) developing a
constructive response strategy on new issues and themes; 3) pursuing options of Track Two
(Bellagio-type conference) possibly in the year 2000; and 4) facilitating wider involvement in
IHDP by national committees and programmes.
b) New Themes
The IHDP has been approached by various national HD committees, individual researchers,
and other organisations to initiate activities on new themes such as health, urbanisation, the
role of the individual in GEC, and integrated assessments. The SC-IHDP discussed four
general options of response by the IHDP: a) no response; b) vigorous, in-depth response, i.e.
possible development of a core project; c) moderate response, i.e. incorporation of new
themes where feasible as an element within existing science projects (e.g., health in GECHS,
LUCC) d) ad hoc responses, i.e. the convening of a special working group or task force to
prepare a specific response to a request or to convene a special preparatory/review workshop.
Overarching Themes:
The SC review of this item evolved into an extensive and integrated discussion linking a
number of the issues raised during previous agenda items, under what became known as
"Overarching Themes for the IHDP". It was clear that the IHDP needed to develop a capacity
to assess and respond to requests coming from the GEC research programmes, policy and
donor communities, United Nations system and others as regards human dimensions of GEC.
It was pointed out that the IHDP also needed to be able to play a "brokering role" of helping to
bring together researchers from the human dimensions community to focus on key questions
in future. This did not require the IHDP to take on the new and additional activities itself-but that it may play an active role in facilitating the identification of other appropriate
mechanisms which might lead these activities in future. In order to take into account the wide
range of views and suggestions, it was suggested that a small working group be established
within the SC (Anne Whyte, P.S. Ramakrishnan and Larry Kohler) to prepare a brief working
note concerning the "Overarching Themes" of the IHDP. This note would provide the basis
for an active exchange within the SC in order to identify and establish IHDP criteria for the
assessment of priorities and responses as well as identifying a possible mechanism within the
IHDP to facilitate the assessment of requests and the preparation of responses to such requests
in future
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The SC agreed that, in order to enhance its credibility, the IHDP should develop a more
explicit and pro-active response strategy/capacity for the future. A small working group was
created (Anne Whyte, P.S. Ramakrishnan and Larry Kohler) to develop a proposal for the
consideration of the SC-IHDP.
c) 3rd Open Science Meeting of the HD of GEC Research Community
Timetable
November 1, 1998 deadline for submission of abstracts.
June 24-26, 1999
OSM in Shonan Village (south of Tokyo);
Following previous meetings in the U.S. and Austria, the Institute for Global Environmental
Strategies (IGES) offered to host the 3rd meeting in Japan. The Planning Committee consists
of Ehlers, L. Graumlich, J. Jäger, S. Nishioka, R. Rindfuss, Sokoma. Following an initial
meeting in Barcelona/March, they will meet again in December 1998. In as much as the
agenda will strongly reflect IHDP research priorities, the SC-IHDP unanimously agreed that
the IHDP will co-sponsor the 3rd Open Meeting.
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The IHDP should provide $20.000 to support the participation of scientists from Latin
America, Africa and Eastern Europe.
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Agenda items VIII Joint Programmes and IX Partner GEC Programmes were brought forward.
SC-IHDP.VIII
a) START
Kohler gave a short oral briefing on START, co-sponsored by IHDP/IGBP/WCRP, indicating
that
 the SC-IHDP had before it four nominees for the SSC-START for consideration and
approval;
 the START Implementation Plan has been published and made available to SC members;
 START has and continues to contribute very significant financial support to LUCC and IT
regional workshops as well as the upcoming GECHS/Australia HD workshop on water
and human security;
 START is co-sponsoring with IHDP the first annual IHD Workshop in August 1998 in
Bonn;
 START is co-ordinating the CLIMAG project.
The SC endorsed the 4 names submitted by START, but indicated that they believed that a
more co-ordinated and "professional" approach should be taken by the three co-sponsors of
START when dealing with joint management decisions. It was suggested that this subject
should be raised at the Chair/Directors Forum with a view of establishing a more rationalised
approach to such joint decisions in future.
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The SSC START nominees were approved. However, the Secretariat was asked to ensure that
this issue is discussed at the Chairs and Directors meeting in August 1998 in Bonn with a
view to improving the process of joint management of START.
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b) International Human Dimensions Workshop for young scientists from developing
countries from 8-21 August 1998
The Project Co-ordinator, R. Shaw, introduced the IHDP Research Assistants (Ina
Quickmann, Heike Schroeder) and gave a short overview of current development of the
upcoming workshop in Bonn.
 of the 113 applications, only 25 will be chosen;
 the gender ratio of applicants is 60% women, 40% men;
 the geographical representation is wide;
 after the first cut, the list of possible participants will be submitted to START for scrutiny;
 final selection will be made known by May 10, 1998;
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The SC members are requested to submit additional names of possible IHDP candidates for
the SSC-CLIMAG.
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The SC members agreed to study the list of applicants and provide insights on individuals
known to them.
c)CLIMAG
 co-sponsored by IHDP/START/WCRP/IGBP
 names of possible candidates for the SSC committee were requested: Jyoti Parikh and K.
Chopera were suggested by Ramakrishnan.

d) ENRICH
 Kohler gave a brief summary of the three project proposals approved by ENRICH. While
these projects have provided significant visibility and recognition for the IHDP, at the
same time they represent a very significant additional administrative burden for the IHDP
Secretariat.
e) Contribution of Social Science Disciplines to GEC
The SC fundamentally endorsed the initiative to enhance contacts and communication,
identify opportunities and explore the interface between the natural and social sciences and
scientists involved in interdisciplinary research. Nevertheless, it was agreed that the
development of a series of short reviews or "state of the Art" on how the social science
disciplines view their contributions in key GEC areas, was perhaps to ambitious an
undertaking at this time. The Secretariat was encouraged to collect examples of existing
reports of this kind and to encourage the preparation of such reviews as appropriate by
national committees, disciplinary associations, etc.
SC-IHDP.IX Partner GEC Programmes
c) DIVERSITAS
The SC was informed that the DIVERSITAS Programme also would be invited to the
Chairs/Directors Forum meeting in Bonn
d) Chairs and Directors Meeting
The meeting will be organised by the IHDP Secretariat. It will be held in Bonn August 15-16
to coincide with the IHDWorkshop (8-21 August). The agenda will be circulated in a timely
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fashion. It was noted that the IHDP should play an active role in this new Forum and promote
the exchange of information, core project collaboration and the rationalisation of activities and
procedures within the four GEC programmes.
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The IHDP should encourage the National Committees/Programmes to submit annual activity
reports in order to enhance networking, facilitate updating and to establish an overview of
existing human dimensions research internationally.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
_____________________________________
Monday, March 30: The meeting was called to order by E. Ehlers at 8:30 a.m. Present: Gates,
Ramakrishnan, Stern, Tolmasquim, Pawlik, la Rivière, Underdal, Ehlers, Kohler, de Jánosi,
Opschoor, Morais, Whyte, and from the IHDP Secretariat Schröder, Sharma, Bünnagel,
Siklossy, Shaw.
SC-IHDP.III Activities, Events, Representation
Information on some key recent activities and events were presented by various members:
 The WCRP hosted a conference in 1997 for 300 participants at which user needs were
stressed, a development that implicates closer collaboration with the IHDP.
 The IGBP SAC-V in Kenya 1998 will be the last of its kind as an isolated event. In future
they will be co-ordinated with an international scientific meeting. SAC VI will be held in
Washington, D.C. in 2000, to coincide with the millennium conference;
SC-IHDP.IV
a) National Human Dimensions Committees
There was a unanimous positive response from the SC members concerning the first draft
IHDP Directory of National Human Dimensions Committees/Programmes. It was generally
agreed that this effort should be continued and that the Secretariat should give very high
priority to supporting the development of new and strengthening the existing national human
dimensions committees.
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The IHDP Secretariat will publish the "final" Directory in an economical format and fashion
as soon possible. It was expected to be available at the end of June 1998.
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The IHDP Secretariat will place the Directory on its web page and update it regularly.
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c) IHDP Secretariat
 The Secretariat will be moving into spacious new office premises provided by the
University of Bonn in a very central location downtown. Depending on the completion of
the electronic set-up, the move is foreseen for June 1998. The current office space is
limited, so that the part-time staff currently has to rotate at the computer workplaces. The
new Office space will provide more rooms and a better work environment.
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 Dr. Kohler’s contract terminates on March 31, 1999. The selection process should be
completed by mid October; his replacement should ideally start work on March 1, 1999 so
that there is a one-month overlap.
 The present German Government project support is scheduled to end October 30, 1999. A
major effort must be made to secure future operational funding for the IHDP Core
Secretariat beyond that date.
The SC members voiced wholehearted appreciation and support for Dr. Kohler’s special
efforts as Executive Director and for his contribution to putting the IHDP “on the map”.
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Professor Ehlers and Dr. Kohler were requested to begin to initiate the replacement process to
ensure that there is a smooth and effective transition within the Secretariat.
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Timetable for Replacement of Executive Director
May-June
advertising in journals, regional newspapers, internet
15 September
interview process completed
1-15 October
final selection
1 March 1999work begin
b) Procedures – approval process for members of project committees
The SC-IHDP endorsed in general terms the proposed process for the approval of members of
project committees and invited the Secretariat to follow this procedure - as with all IHDP
procedures – in a flexible and practical manner. Particularly attention should be given to
ensuring effective co-ordination with IGBP and other GEC programmes, as appropriate.
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The Secretariat should apply in a flexible manner project procedures for the review of the
nominations for membership of project committees.
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b) Project endorsement guidelines
The SC agreed that the IHDP logo represents a critical and valuable asset for the IHDP.
It is also expected that it will become a valuable asset to others who may increasingly seek
sponsorship or endorsement from the IHDP for their own activities. Therefore, IHDP must be
extremely careful to ensure that it provides its endorsement only in cases where it is sure of
the quality and relevance of the project or activity. In this context, the IHDP should not
endorse projects or proposals over which it has no influence. The general attitude should be
restrictive with two exceptions: a) a collaborative approach by national committee contacts
and b) from a disciplinary association or formal research networks.
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Credibility and visibility require an overarching strategic plan or set of guidelines as decisive
criteria for project endorsement. The Secretariat was invited to present a proposed
endorsement policy for the next session of the SC. The proposed ACTION concerning
"overarching themes" should assist and help to define this policy.
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e) IHDP-SAC 1
According to the IHDP Constitution, the IHDP-SAC is required to meet every three years. The
first meeting should take place in February 1999. The SC agreed to delay the SAC-1.
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The SC-IHDP agreed that the sponsors should be requested to permit the IHDP to postpone
the convening of the SAC I until the year 2000, and that consideration should be given to
holding the SAC session in or near to Bonn in order to enable representatives from the
national committees to have direct contacts with the IHDP Secretariat staff and offices.
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e) IHDP Scientific Committee – Extension of Terms and New Members
In ACTION 13/page 6 of the Minutes of the 4th SC-IHDP in June, Whyte, Tolmasquim and
Kohler were entrusted with the task of identifying possible candidates for consideration by the
5th SC. They submitted a list of approximately 20 names. With the exception of
Ramakrishnan, the terms of all current members of the SC terminate January 31, 1999. The
SC currently has seven members (excluding ex officio members) although the SC may have a
maximum of 15 members. It was agreed that the present SC should be expanded up to
approximately 12 members at this time, with particular priority to be given to a more balanced
discipline, gender and geographical representation. The task force proposed selection criteria
(Individual qualities; programme needs; Disciplinary balance; Regional balance; gender;
Continuity/renewal) which should be applied flexibly and a schedule for ACTION. It was
emphasised that important additional disciplinary areas for the IHDP included: demography,
health, anthropology, sociology, law, history/humanities; and psychology. It was also noted
that there was a definite need to improve the gender balance within the SC. The SC adopted
the proposed schedule:
Timetable for 1998
April/May
1 June
30 June
7 July
30 July
August
September
October
search for candidates, available now or in one year
circulate names and CVs electronically to SC
deadline for comments from the SC
final list will be circulated to SC
deadline for SC endorsement of candidates
task force will obtain candidates’ acceptance of nomination
names will be submitted to ISSC and ICSU for appointment
list of appointees will be provided to IGFA
 Staggering of Terms:
In order to ensure continual renewal and smooth functioning of the SC, it was agreed that
ideally terms should be staggered. This entails that all or some of the current members prolong
their terms beyond February 1, 1999 and the new members be enlisted for different periods.
The next SC (February 1999) should be approximately 10-12 in number, consisting of old and
new members. While all members of the SC indicated their agreement to be re-appointed, they
also recognised that it may be appropriate for some members to leave at the end of their term
or in the middle of their next term if it would facilitate the objectives of improved balance and
continuity and renewal.
 Size Limitation:
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For reasons of economy, it was agreed that the size of the SC should be limited to 12 members
at this time.
 Officers:
The current Officers (Ehlers as Chair, Underdal as Vice-Chair, de Jánosi as Treasurer) were
unanimously endorsed and requested to continue for a second term. Ehlers agreed to stay on
as Chair for a further term, as he is a key link to the University of Bonn and the German
funders and in order to ensure a certain degree of continuity following the Executive
Director’s replacement. Underdal and de Jánosi also agreed to continue in their positions. The
Constitution of the IHDP makes provision for a total of three Vice-Chairs, and the
implementation of this prerogative will be considered by the nominations task force.
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The nomination task force (Whyte, Tolmasquim, Kohler) should proceed according to the
adopted timetable.
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The SC members present formally endorsed the present officers and requested the Secretariat
to make a recommendation to ISSC and ICSU to extend their terms from 1 February 1999 for
three years.
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f) Publication Strategy
Bünnagel provided a short oral report concerning the overview document concerning the
IHDP publication strategy. The discussion emphasised several points:
 Prior to publication under the IHDP logo by science projects, there must be a) a quality
peer review process (initiated by the project and not IHDP Secretariat), and b) SC
members should have the opportunity, facilitated by the project Liaison Officer, to review
the manuscript;
 The financial advantages and ease of access of electronic dissemination were cited;
 The need to economise by limiting the number of copies and cost per copy was stressed;
 The need for a IHDP “corporate identity” was emphasized;
 Ensuring the expertise of a skilled editor should be a priority;
 The formulation of adequate disclaimers in all publications was necessary;
 Caution was emphasised regarding the preparation of press and policy briefs.
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IHDP Bonn was asked to keep in mind the concerns expressed by the SC in carrying out its
publication activities. In order to facilitate the role of the SC members as representatives of
IHDP, the Secretariat was requested to provide a set of IHDP transparencies for presentations
and extra copies of briefing notes.
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The Cambridge University was mentioned as a possible publisher for an IHDP book series,
given its existing arrangements with IGBP. The SC urged low-production costs in order to
make publications accessible to readers in developing countries. The first title of this new
series is expected to be a contribution by the GECHS project, which may be ready before the
Open Science Meeting in Japan 1999.
g) Links with UN
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The IHDP has been approached by an impressive number of UN organisations, seeking
assistance and collaboration from the IHDP, particularly as regards the human dimensions of
climate change. In light of the quantity of requests, and taking into account earlier discussions
regarding IHDP priorities, it was agreed that such requests should be dealt within the
proposed IHDP process for responding to future requests. The SC requested Kohler, given his
experience within the UN system, to help identify priority areas and to develop the capacity
within the SC to represent the IHDP within such fora.
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The Executive Director was requested to promote contacts between the IHDP and the UN
system and to encourage particular SC members to actively develop and follow-up these links.
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SC-IHDP.5/V
a) Finances
Draft Budget 1998, Grants-in-hand 1998, Project sources of income 1998
There are no outstanding debts owed by the HDP or IHDP; IGBP has waived repayment by
IHDP of its outstanding "loan" of U.S.$10K.
The Draft Budget 1998 was adopted unanimously with the following changes:
 Item 3: production and distribution costs of the HD Directory should be kept to a
minimum and funds thus saved should be diverted into workshops and meetings.
 Item 6:State of the art reports should be dropped and the resources used for other priority
activities.
 Grants-in-hand 1998 Table 2: country names should be specified i.e., USA, Germany.
ICSU insisted that the two parent organisations (ICSU and ISSC) donate matching sums;
payment of those contributions should be prompt and without additional “strings attached”.
ISSC made a commitment to make every possible effort to meet their responsibilities fully in
1998 and 1999.
b) Membership Contribution Scheme
Following a discussion, the SC unanimously adopted the proposed Membership Contribution
Scheme 4c.
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Kohler and de Jánosi were asked to finalise the Scheme with 3-4 categories of "voluntary"
contributions.
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The IHDP Secretariat should send parallel letters detailing payment categories and soliciting
voluntary donations to national committees and the respective IGFA contacts of developed
countries and to other possible donors, e.g. foundations and development assistance agencies.
The national committees of developing countries should receive a special letter adapted to
their situation.
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The SC identified 10 developed countries as priority targets to solicit (letters, personal
contact) new voluntary contributions:
Japan
Canada
Australia
Switzerland
Austria
Sweden
United
New Zealand
Italy
Belgium
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c) Mobilising Funds
The IHDP Secretariat has received its principal core secretariat financing from the German
Government (BMBF) until 31 October, 1999. Funding for the period beyond has not yet been
secured and efforts in this direction are a major priority. Particular attention was drawn to the
fact that the German Federal election would be held in late September 1998. The SC agreed
that the IHDP should initiate contacts and discussions with the German Government as soon
as appropriate with a view to making a formal proposal by September/October 1998 at the
latest for a further five years of funding. In this context, evidence of support for the IHDP
from the various national committees attains significant symbolic character, as does matched,
prompt support by the parent organisations ISSC and ICSU.
The discussion clarified the following points:
 John Marks/IGFA has signalled his willingness to contact governments and urge that they
contribute to IGFA´s commitment to enhance support for IHDP;
 The Canadian National Committee has requested the IHDP to submit a proposal via the
Canadian National Committee which could be considered by possible donors in Canada;
 The Dutch National Committee expects the IHDP to actively approach them for a
contribution; their support is unquestioned, but not “automatic”.
 It is important to the funding community at large to know how widespread the support is
and who the main contributors are, i.e., Germany, U.S. ENRICH, etc.
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ISSC and ICSU agreed to write – immediately after the SC meeting - letters of support and
recognition of the IHDP to the German Government, unconnected to requests for funds.
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Ehlers will approach the German Government at the earliest possible opportunity and solicit
their continued funding. This is particularly pressing in the context of securing a replacement
for the Executive Director (salary beyond 1 April 1999).
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The Secretariat was requested to prepare future budget statements so that it is clearly evident
which activities are "core" activities and which are "operational" activities.
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The Secretariat was requested to further investigate funding support from alternative source,
including development assistance agencies and foundations.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m. for the Symposium at 4 p.m.
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The Symposium was held at the University of Bonn and attracted a small audience of key
representatives of the Bonn University, NRW, German Federal Government and local
environmental activities. Two papers were presented: “Human Dimensions of Biodiversity”
by Professor P.S. Ramakrishnan of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and
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“Environmentally Significant Consumption” by Dr. Paul Stern of the National Research
Council, Washington, D.C.
The presentations were followed by a short reception and dinner for the SC and speakers.
_____________________________________
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The SC-IHDP agreed that their next Session should be in Bonn from
February 28-March 3, 1999.
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Tuesday, March 31: The meeting was convened at 8:30 a.m. by Ehlers. The following were
present: Whyte, Stuyck-Taillandier, Morais, Opschoor, de Jánosi, Kohler Andrew Sors, Uno
Svedin, Underdal, la Rivière, Pawlik, Tolmasquim, Gates, Kosinski, Ramakrishnan and from
the Secretariat Duckat, Shaw, Sharma, Siklossy.
Special Session with IGFA
The SC-IHDP had made a special invitation to IGFA, which was undertaking a review of the
IHDP, to participate in a special session on IHDP and IGFA. The IGFA was represented by
Uno Svedin and Andrew Sors, who made brief opening remarks. Many members of the SCIHDP provided brief statements related to the specific questions posed by IGFA in advance of
the session primarily focussing on the following brief points: programme achievements;
relations with GEC partners and others; strategies for the future; management and finances. A
relatively wide ranging review of the IHDP programme took place and the IHDP indicated its
specific expectations of the IGFA review process and most importantly prospects for future
funding support given the major effort which is being made by the IHDP to respond to past
IGFA suggestions and the present review process. The IHDP indicated their willingness to
provide any information required by IGFA and looked forward to this review process as a first
step towards a constructive and practical on-going dialogue to ensure the future success of the
IHDP.
The IGFA representatives reiterated that they could not make funding commitments to IHDP,
but that they will assess the IHDP this year and submit a formal report to the IGFA Plenary
Session in October 1998 for consideration. They also indicated their interest in this process
becoming an on-going dialogue in future.
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