Final Minutes 9th SC-IHDP
FINAL Minutes of the
9 IHDP Scientific Committee Meeting
Monday March 25 – Wednesday March 27, 2002
th
The Scientific Committee met at the Hotel Königshof, Bonn
In attendance on March 25: Arild Underdal (Chair), Anne Whyte (Vice-Chair), Carlo
Jaeger (Treasurer), Eckart Ehlers (Past Chair), P.S. Ramakrishnan, Mohammed Salih,
Bill Clark, Xizhe Peng, Kurt Pawlik (ISSC), Gordon McBean (ICSU), Joao Morais
(IGBP), Roland Fuchs (START), Pier Vellinga (Chair IT), Anna Wieczorek (Exec.
Officer, IT), Helmut Geist (Exec. Officer, LUCC), Oran Young (Chair IDGEC), Mike
Brklacich (Chair GECHS), Jill Jäger (Executive Director, IHDP), Sylvia Karlsson, Maarit
Thiem, Debra Meyer Wefering (International Science Project Co-ordinators), Denise
Butler, Lisa Jibikilayi (Administrative Assistants), Elisabeth Dyck (Information Officer),
Valerie Schultz, Petra Pomerening, Kerstin Schmidt-Verkerk (Research Assistants)
Excused: Gilberto Gallopin, Elinor Ostrom, Carl Folke
I
Welcome
Arild Underdal opened the meeting by welcoming Xizhe Peng and Gordon McBean, who
were unable to attend the 8th meeting of the SC-IHDP. He also welcomed Denise Butler
and Valerie Schulz, who joined the Secretariat staff since the last meeting.
II
Agenda and Schedule of Work
The draft agenda and schedule of work were adopted with no amendments.
III
Minutes of the 8th Meeting SC-IHDP
The revised Minutes of the 8th Scientific Committee Meeting (March, 2001 in Bonn)
were adopted as presented.
IV
Executive Director’s Report
Jill Jäger reported that the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research had
accepted the proposal for a further 3 years’ funding of the IHDP Secretariat in Bonn
(November 1, 2002 – October 31, 2005). Furthermore, the Ministry of Schools,
Education, Science and Research , North Rhine-Westphalia is supporting two Secretariat
Staff positions in 2002. Proposals for the support of the International Human Dimensions
Workshop (Bonn, June 2002) to the German Research Association (DFG), Asia Pacific
Network (APN), InterAmerican Institute (IAI) were successful. In addition, START
increased its support of the Workshop. A proposal has been submitted to the US National
Science Foundation for a further 5 years of funding of the Secretariat. The Quarterly
Reports continues to give detailed information on the activities of the Secretariat.
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V
Vulnerability – A Cross-Cutting Theme in IHDP Research
Jill Jäger introduced the session by pointing out that the SC had identified Vulnerability
as a cross-cutting theme at the 2001 meeting. There has been a whole series of
workshops, in which IHDP has been involved. In 2001 one issue of the newsletter
focussed on human dimensions research on this theme. Vulnerability presents a
framework to understand human - nature interactions and to think about the challenges of
integration across disciplines and across scales.
The last of the workshops that took place was in May last year at the Stockholm
Environment Institute, which IHDP co-sponsored. Several SC members were at the
meeting. The purpose of the discussion at the 2002 meeting was to take stock of what the
different projects are doing and how we can use this conceptual framework in meeting
the challenges.
Mike Brkacich described some of the initiatves within the GECHS project. These include
work on vulnerability and climate change, environmental risk, coping capacity level. He
also introduced the project proposal on the South African Vulnerability Initiative, which
has been submitted to ICSU. This proposal, which also includes LUCC and IGU
scientists, has three themes:
1 - Vulnerability as a GEC cross-cutting theme
2 - Diverse perspectives, concepts, differential vulnerability, coping strategies, multidimensional measurement, policy responses
3 - Gaps, limited links to long-term climate change and place-based research, multi-scale
research (also multi-stressor research)
The purpose of the proposed project is to develop a long-term research program and
network for southern Africa to address who is vulnerable, why and what can be done.
The objectives are to consolidate work that has already been done locally and in regions,
develop a proposal for a self-sustaining, long-term project, and develop a project for
scientists in region.
Helmut Geist (LUCC) pointed out that the topic of vulnerability is included in the LUCC
Implementation Strategy. Several LUCC scientists have been involved in the
development of a framework to study vulnerability. He suggested that there is a need to
focus more on endogenous factors (technology or social network capacities) within
framework of vulnerability. At the global scale, we need to inform the global scientific
and policy communities quickly; perhaps via literature reviews and the development of a
global map of vulnerability hot spots. The LUCC project provides a framework for a
Causative Analysis of Land Change (spatial scale, natural/social divide, systems
dynamics, vulnerability, turnover trade). Within the new LAND project there will also be
a strong focus on vulnerability.
Oran Young (IDGEC) pointed out that vulnerability as the dependent variable is easier to
deal with for natural systems such as agriculture but is much more difficult for social
Final Minutes 9th SC-IHDP
systems. The kinds of questions that the IDGEC community is interested in include:
What are the determinants of the variance in vulnerability? There is a need to challenge
the assumption that wealthy societies are less vulnerable. They have very fixed capital
investments and cannot move as hunters and gatherers can. In addition to mitigation as
concepts, the “anticipatory responses” are worth exploring. What tradeoffs does society
take? How do societies vary in their response and why?
Pier Vellinga emphasised that the IT research agenda is cast more in terms of anticipatory
response. In this respect, it might be better to look at success stories in coping with
environmental risks as well. Therefore “Vulnerability and Resilience” might be a better
cross-cutting theme.
Roland Fuchs from START pointed out that the START project CLIMAG is focussing
on climate variability and agricultural production with the aim to decrease vulnerability.
In addition they plan a START Summer School in 2004 on the topic of vulnerability – the
Summer School will consist of a 3 weeks training period, and a programme of small
grants to participants to allow them to carry out research and then return for a synthesis
workshop.
In the discussion it was pointed out that IHDP is one of the “big players” in vulnerability
research. Risk and vulnerability should remain a key cross-cutting theme for the IHDP in
the future. The discussions suggested that for further work on vulnerability
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VI
More disciplines should be included.
There should be more focus on developing countries.
Progress could be made by re-examining previous case studies.
A stronger link is needed between work on coping strategies and the forecasting
communities.
Short Presentation on the IDGEC Project
Oran Young presented developments in the IDGEC project since the last SC meeting. He
pointed out that part of the implementation strategy is to organise panels at major
international conferences rather than workshops. This includes three panels at ISA in
New Orleans and one panel for IASCP.
IDGEC partnerships have been created with the Departments of Law and Philosophy at
the University of Louvain, Duke University, Harvard University and the National
Institute for Environmental Studies in Japan. Science links have been developed with the
Global Carbon Project (GCP), and the IGBP projects on Land Ocean Interactions in the
Coastal Zone (LOICZ) and Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems (GCTE). Oran
pointed out that the opportunities to collaborate with other projects is far greater than the
abilities of the project and thus there is a need for strong prioritisation. Collaboration
with GCP and LOICZ are currently emphasised.
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A proposal has been submitted to the US National Science Foundation for US $ 20,000
for seed money for new initiatives. The IDGEC website is presently being revised.
Another initiative is to create an IDGEC network competition with a competitive call for
papers at IDGEC workshops and the possibility of fully funding winners to attend. Also
planned is a “policy links publication series” in a format that is easily accessible for nonspecialists. IDGEC also wishes to experiment with web-based conferences and
collaboratories.
Oran presented requests for renewal of the terms of seven members of the IDGEC SSC
and the appointment of three new members.
Decision: The SC-IHDP approved the renewal of Young, Hoel, King, Mathieu, Pasong, Reichelt and Wasson for a second three-year term.
Decision: The SC-IHDP approved the appointment of Jyrki Luukanen, Taishi
Sugiyama and Arild Underdal (after his term as SC Chair) for a three-year term.
The first point in the discussion was the increasing demand for collaboration. Is this
strengthening the original agenda or contributing to it? Oran responded that when the
interests dovetail with ongoing IDGEC research there is no problem. Otherwise, there is a
danger of spreading the research too thinly and detracting from the implementation of the
Science Plan. He also pointed out that there is a real challenge in integrating the
economists with the rest of the social sciences.
Recommendation: Include someone from the behavioural sciences in the future
IDGEC SSC. Also need representation from Latin America. Perhaps also from the
policy community, given the plans for the policy-oriented publication.
VII
In-depth Presentation of IT Research
Pier Vellinga presented developments of the IT project since the last meeting of the SCIHDP. For several reasons, the project has still not been able to expand to the levels that
they would like.
Upcoming events include
A German IT Meeting in Bonn in May 2002 with the aim to develop 5 new projects
A meeting in July “Transition towards sustainability through system innovation”
Summer/Fall 2002 workshop on urbanisation and GEC
5-9 August 2002, societal transitions in SE Asia
September 2002, Sustainability of large scale international trade of energy from biomass
23-25 Sept, 2002, Carbon Flows in Eastern and Western Europe
Workshops are also planned in Scandinavia in 2002 and the US, Latin America, Asia and
Africa in 2003.
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The IT website has been redesigned. It is currently visited about 10 times a day. It would
be useful to compare this rate with other projects.
The IT project and IPO are still under-funded, although the Dutch government is
considering to fund them for 3 years. In particular, the IPO would like to include one
researcher. The ideas of the IT project have been picked up in political circles in the
Netherlands and increasingly by Germany. The idea is that IT solves all environmental
problems except climate change and loss of biodiversity. This is referred to as a
transition philosophy and in the Netherlands all Ministries have a transition white paper
now. This helps IT get access to Ministries and to funding. Pier was interested to know
whether such thinking is taking place in politics in Canada and the USA.
The relationship with developing countries is still weak, although a number of letters of
interest from researchers thinking IT is a funding agency were received. Developing
countries do not understand yet that IHDP can only bring networking and endorsement
and not funding for research projects and workshops. It is also still difficult to activate
SSC members, 3-4 are relatively active and others are relatively inactive.
In conclusion, Pier emphasised that the IT project is still modest and under-funded, but
Anna Wieczorek with the help of the IHDP Secretariat liaison person, Debra Meyer
Wefering have increased awareness about the project. The Amsterdam Open Science
Conference, in which their was considerable IT visibility, opened doors by making the
GEC community realise that there is more than just IGBP.
The IT project has developed an endorsement strategy, in which the selection is made by
the SSC but the submissions come from a wide range of other researchers as well. An
interesting topic is CO2 underground storage - there are few people in the world working
on this, and the IT project hopes to connect them to the other researchers and increase
collaboration.
VIII
Short presentation of LUCC research and plans for the new LAND project
Helmut Geist, Executive Officer of the LUCC project presented developments since the
last meeting of the SC-IHDP. The project has been developing a conceptual framework
for the causes of land change. This work encompasses the consideration of
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Linear causal chains (looking at proximate causes and underlying drivers)
Non-linearity (including local/global interplay, endogenous factors (technology)
and mediating factors (institutions))
A systems approach (including biophysical and socio-economic feedbacks from
land-use change, the coupled human environment system and the co-evolution of
human societies and ecosystem systems)
Turnover rates (slow/fast variables, initial conditions)
Vulnerability (exposure, sensitivity, resilience)
Modes of causation (concomitant occurrence, chain-logics, synergies)
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A new initiative is on integrative fire research. The 2001 Dahlem Conference on
Desertification, attended by many LUCC researchers, produced a new paradigm for
research on this issue. In addition LUCC is carrying out a new case study analysis on
indicators, rates and causes of desertification, complementing the tropical deforestation
analysis published in 2001. Finally, it was pointed out that detailed information on the
LUCC web-site and newsletters etc was available in the LUCC annual report that was
distributed at the meeting
Jill Jäger made a short presentation on the proposed new LAND project, which will
ultimately combine LUCC and GCTE research and will be developed step-wise between
2002 and 2005. A meeting was held in Ft Collins in January 2002, chaired by 4 people,
essentially 2 chairs from the LUCC project and 2 from the GCTE project. The overall
objective, as it is planned right now is extremely comprehensive. Three main focal
questions were developed and these have been discussed extensively with the LUCC and
GCTE communities. A process is planned in which IHDP, through LUCC, and IGBP,
through GCTE to further develop the objectives and themes of the LAND project.
The discussion began with the question of the differences and commonalities of LUCC,
GCTE and LAND. There was a general concern about the present over ambitious plans
for the LAND project. There was also concern about a lack of emphasis on human
dimensions issues but a trust in the leaders of the planning process to introduce
considerations of the human-environment system.
IX
Mountain Research Initiative
Debra Meyer Wefering, IHDP liaison, presented an overview of the Mountain Research
Initiative. Several points were raised in the discussion. There was concern that the
funding for the initiative came from only one country, Switzerland. The question was
raised whether there is any link to the DIVERSITAS mountain biodiversity projects. The
connection to the proposed LAND project was also raised. Further, the question was
raised whether there is an institutional linkage to the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere
Programme. The concentration on biosphere reserves was also a matter of concern but
Ramakrishnan countered that in developing countries (at least in the Asian region) most
of the biodiversity is concentrated in mountain reserves.
The Mountain Research Initiative is endorsed by the LUCC project as a regional network
and not as a research project. It is one of 10 regional networks of LUCC.
Recommendation: Clarify the links to other IHDP Core Projects and to the Joint
Projects.
X
IHDP Research Priorities
A first discussion took place on the IHDP research priorities and the implications thereof.
The discussion began by noting that in 2000, the SC agreed to explore joint projects with
IGBP and WCRP, and these projects have taken shape but require substantial efforts from
Final Minutes 9th SC-IHDP
IHDP researchers over and above the core projects. IHDP has increasingly become a
partner in a larger effort looking at the Earth System, with a strong role in looking at the
coupled human-environment system.
Again it was pointed out that IHDP has weak contacts to the economics community.
Also, IHDP is weak in data collection, storage and dissemination in comparison to the
other GEC programmes. There is a clear need to consolidate within IHDP at the present
time. Over the next 5-10 years it might make sense to shift from work on projects to
work on themes. A mid-term review of the stated objectives of IHDP would be useful.
The review should start by considering how success in meeting objectives would be
measured. That all of the core projects are guided by the overarching questions is not
true. Capacity building has proceeded without stated targets. These must be set.
Substantial resources have to be dedicated to the field of integration, otherwise it will not
happen.
The challenge to IHDP at the present time is one of balancing rather than choice. Which
is more difficult.
The meeting was adjourned at 17.15h.
XI
Evening Lecture
At 18.00h Mohammed Salih gave a lecture on “Global Climate Change – Does the local
matter?” Guests from the Bonn scientific community joined the SC and Secretariat staff
for this lecture. It was followed by a reception, in which Arild Underdal, Anne Whyte
and Eckart Ehlers received a small recognition of their services to IHDP.
Tuesday March 26: The plenary session began at 08.30h. Participation as on Monday,
except for the departure of Helmut Geist and arrival of Guy Brasseur (IGBP)
XII
Global Carbon Project
Oran Young (Co-Chair, GCP SSC) presented the latest developments in the Global
Carbon Project. The SC noted the impressive, articulate and persistent participation of
human dimensions researchers. The SC was happy to hear that an office would probably
be funded in Japan that would focus specifically on integration issues. Oran requested
more human dimensions input to the review of the GCP framework document. Several
SC members were worried that human dimensions elements were still missing from the
draft framework document. The SC recognized that it takes a continuous effort on behalf
of a small number of people in order to ensure that IHDP has proper representation and
can affirm IHDP’s interest in this project.
Action: Send copy of GCP Framework Document to all members of SC to offer
comments; also to Gordon Mc Bean, and to CFEWE members.
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Recommendation: Human dimensions research capabilities should be used to
contribute to the explanation of differences in emissions between regions. The
human dimensions community needs to be involved in data questions.
Recommendation: The third GCP Executive Officer should be from the human
dimensions research community.
Action: Arild and Jill to write to the co-chairs of the GCP, expressing their concern
that despite the active participation of the human dimensions representatives, the
GCP still does not adequately incorporate the human dimensions research projects
and questions.
XIII
Water Joint Project
Carlo Jaeger (Co-Leader Scoping Team) presented the developments in the Water Joint
Project since the last IHDP-SC meeting. A meeting in Reading early in 2002 resulted in a
preliminary document jointly owned by 4 GEC programmes. Agreement was reached on
an overarching integrative question and on three framing questions, trying to break the
overarching questions into organised format. In addition, criteria for the activities of the
project were discussed. The group began to identify data needs and concluded that it will
be necessary to produce initial global data sets. The long-term goal of the project is to
produce fully integrative models. A meeting is planned for early May in which the
Scoping Team will be joined by representatives of the GEC programmes to further
develop a Science Plan.
The IHDP –SC welcomed the developments, while recognising that there had been
difficulties in getting co-operation between the four programmes so far.
XIV
Global Environmental Change and Food Systems (GECAFS)
Mike Brklacich (Vice-Chair, GECAFS Executive Committee) presented the
developments in the GECAFS project since the last meeting of the IHDP-SC.
The discussion began with a concern that the GECAFS project does not deal with the
extent to which the food system affects GEC. The SC also felt it important to distinguish
more carefully between global environmental change and climatic change.
Recommendation: Ensure that the GECAFS emphasis is on global environmental
change and not climatic change.
XV
In-Depth Presentation of the Global Environmental Change and Human
Security Project
Mike Brklacich started his presentation on the GECHS with a short refresher course on
the objectives and themes of the project. There are ongoing research activities on most
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research themes. Elena Nikitina will meet with colleagues from the Woodrow Wilson
Centre and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in mid-May to see
about funding for the project on human security in Russia. The GECHS SSC has
developed an endorsement policy, which is posted on the GECHS web site.
The GECHS IPO will move to Ottawa in July 2002. A proposal is in the final review
stages with a corporate sponsor for the IPO. There have been mixed results with the four
regional offices of the GECHS project, some have been very active, while others have not
raised funding to become active. The first phase of publishing the AVISO bulletin has
finished and funding has been obtained from the International Development Research
Center in Canada and the USAID for four or more further issues. At present the sponsors
are being consulted regarding possible topics for the next issues.
The GECHS SSC has begun planning for a medium-sized intensive workshop on GEC
and human security to be held in 2003 or 2004.
The discussion focussed on how IHDP projects handle the borderline in the discourse
with policy-makers and advocacy groups. The need for guidelines for private funding
was also expressed.
Recommendation: The SC should develop guidelines for private funding.
Mike Brklacich asked that his term as GECHS chair be extended until 2005, to allow him
time to develop the GECHS IPO in Ottawa. He also requested approval of a new member
of the SSC (Nsiah-Gyabaah) and renewal of the appointments of Cocklin, Gleditsch,
Gutierrez-Espleta, Hartmann, Langeweg, Lonergan and Matthew.
Decision: The SC agreed to the extension of Mike Brklacich’s term as Chair, to the
appointment of one new member and to the renewal for three years of the terms of
seven members of the SC.
Recommendation: The GECHS SSC might wish to revisit their definition of human
security given developments since the Science Plan was written.
XVI
IGBP
Guy Brasseur (Chair, IGBP-SC) presented developments in IGBP, in particular with
respect to the IGBP restructure. IGBP is developing within the context of the Earth
System Science Partnership (ESSP), with more emphasis on issues of societal concern,
more emphasis on the regional scale, a continuing emphasis on global change rather than
climatic change and a continuing basis in biogeochemical sciences. The draft objective of
the next phase of the IGBP is
To undertake a system analysis of planetary composition and dynamics, focusing on the
interactive biological, chemical and physical processes that define Earth System
Final Minutes 9th SC-IHDP
dynamics, the changes that are occurring in these dynamics, and the role of human
activities in these changes.
The Earth System Science Partnership will continue to pursue an integrative approach.
One approach is implemented through the joint projects on global sustainability (carbon,
water and food systems - in the future perhaps a joint project on health). IGBP will
continue with the integration process but with more emphasis on the regional scale,
together with integration into a global framework. IGBP requests IHDP to participate
within the ESSP in the creation of integrated regional studies. Two candidates for
regional studies have been discussed within IHDP: Mediterranean and a South Asian
Monsoon Study. These regional studies need to have a strong human dimensions aspect.
The next phase of IGBP will concentrate on three “boxes” – Land, Ocean and
Atmosphere – and the linkages between them. For each research area transition teams
have been identified and they are defining objectives and themes of the projects. Within
IGBP, integration is part of the GAIM and PAGES projects.
The GAIM project has posed a series of integrative questions subdivided into analytic,
methodological, normative and strategic questions, which will be addressed over the next
few years within IGBP and within the ESSP.
XVII DIVERSITAS
Susanne Stoll presented recent developments in the DIVERSITAS programme. The
DIVERSITAS SC meeting in April 2002 will discuss implementation and integration.
The Draft Science Plan has three core projects with a series of sub-questions.
Action: IHDP to recommend members for the SSCs of the DIVERSITAS Core
Projects.
Action: IHDP to be represented at the first meeting of the DIVERSITAS SC in
April 2002.
XVIII START
No notes from Debra and Sylvia, Maarit was supposed to keep minutes.
XIX
Sub-committees
The Sub-committee on nominations for the officers and new members of the SC met over
lunch on March 26.
The Sub-committee on the selection of the IHDP Executive Director met over lunch on
March 26.
The Sub-committees on Financial Issues and on Scientific Projects and Activities met
during the afternoon of March 26.
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In addition there was a lunchtime round-table discussion on the World Summit on
Sustainable Development, led by Sylvia Karlsson on March 26.
XX
Open Meetings 2001 and 2003
Jill Jäger reported on the success of the 2001 Open Meeting of the Human Dimensions
Research Community held in Rio de Janeiro in October 2001. For the 2003 meeting, to
be held in Montreal, Canada, Maarit Thiem has been nominated as a member of the
International Scientific Planning Committee.
XXI
Young Researchers Network
Maarit Thiem reported on the development of a Young Human Dimensions Researchers
Network. The initiative began at the Rio de Janeiro Open Meeting and has developed
impressively. The website is hosted by CIESIN and there has been an enthusiastic
response to this initiative, supported by IHDP. The SC-IHDP congratulated the
Secretariat on this progress and hoped for a further strengthening of the participation of
the younger generation in human dimensions research.
XXII South Participation Inventory
The last meeting of the Chairs and Directors of the GEC programmes (July, 2001) agreed
that it would be good to document the participation of scholars from developing countries
in the GEC networks. Sylvia Karlsson and Petra Pommerening have produced such an
inventory for IHDP, documenting participation in the SC and SSC as well as people
included in the IHDP database. The SC thanked them for compiling this information and
noted that continued attention must be given to including colleagues from developing
countries in IHDP networks.
XXIII National Committees and Seed Grants
After the Open Meeting in Rio de Janeiro in October 2001, there was a meeting between
Secretariat staff and representatives from national committees, or national activities.
There was a report on the meeting in the IHDP newsletter Update. The meeting provided
a unique opportunity to exchange information and learn about the experience of others.
IHDP hopes to organise a similar meeting after the 2003 Open Meeting and will look for
additional funding in order to bring in more people.
The IHDP Secretariat continues to gather information on the activities of national
committees and national contact points. The SC-IHDP agreed in 2000 not to formally
endorse National Committees, since according to the Constitution, IHDP would then be
required to hold regular Scientific Advisory Committee meetings with representatives
from all national committees, which would be costly.
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The Secretariat attempts to keep information on National Committees up-to-date on the
Web. During 2001, we continued to give small “seed grants”, in most cases for producing
inventories of “who is doing what” in human dimensions research in developing
countries and countries with economies in transition. The first volume with reports on
seed grant activities has been published, a second volume is in preparation. The report
from Mexico was particularly successful, because it was published in Spanish and
English. The inventories should be useful for SSCs to expand human dimensions
research networks.
XXIV Sub-committee on Finance
Participants – Carlo Jaeger (Treasurer), Anne Whyte, Kurt Pawlik, Gordon McBean, Jill
Jäger, Denise Butler, Elisabeth Dyck
The agenda proposed by C. Jaeger was
1) Look at budget tables
2) Decide if the tables can be approved
3) Look at how other organizations are funded
Points raised on the budget tables included, the amount allocated for National Human
Dimensions Committees, the amount allocated in 2002 for joint projects, and the lack of
multi-year commitments from donors. The funding from BMBF and NSF spans 3-year
periods; all other funding is voluntary and varies from year to year.
In summary, the committee had several recommendations and comments regarding the
financial affairs of IHDP
1) Urge the adoption of an acceptable, improved way of bookkeeping, which shows all
income and expenditures
2) Although funding is certain for only 10 months, a full year budget is more helpful
3) Discretionary expenditures should be presented to the full SC for discussion; the SC
should have the opportunity to determine how IHDP spends the funds.
4) An accounting system parallel to the university but for the SC is desired; the
committee wants to see spreadsheets, and a formal financial statement/balance sheet
Several changes were proposed to the tables as presented. The financial reports were
accepted with the caveat that the proposed changes are made before presentation to the
general SC. The changes were made and each member of the committee was provided
with the revised tables. Treasurer, C. Jaeger, discussed revised tables with the individual
committee members prior to the general SC meeting on March 27th.
The discussion then focused on the lack of multi-year commitment from donors and the
lack of a contribution scheme. If the scheme is set-up as a ‘membership’ then there is the
expectation that there will be a return of more than just an annual report. If the
member/donor has no right to have a say in what IHDP does, then the system must
remain as requests for donations. The SC has always rejected the option of being
accountable for decisions to an outside entity.
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It was noted that many countries do not contribute anything, for example France and
Italy. It appears that more countries must be approached and asked to support IHDP. One
suggestion was a joint approach with IGBP to ask for funds. We have an integrative
approach within the programmes, why not also for funding requests.
XXV Sub-Committee on Scientific Projects and Activities
(1) SCENIC
SCENIC is an effort by IHDP and START to establish a global change research network
in Central and Eastern Europe and New Independent States. A series of meetings have
been held, a list-server was also set up.
The discussion suggested that the EU 6th Framework Programme could offer
opportunities for collaboration between scientists and institutions in Western Europe,
Central and Eastern Europe and Russia.
Action: Alert CEE and Western Europe IHDP National Committees and Contact
points to the June deadline for letters of interest within the 6th Framework
Programme.
The sub-committee concluded that the IHDP Secretariat should not devote significant
effort to establishing the network over the coming year. The leadership for the network
has to come from within the countries, it cannot be imposed from outside. In the
meantime, it was recommended that someone from CEE should be nominated for the SCIHDP.
(2) LOICZ
The IGBP Project on Land Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone is planning its next
phase and would like to strengthen its links with IHDP, including possible cosponsorship, as in the case of the LUCC project.
The sub-committee recommended that co-sponsorship should either be full or not at all –
this would imply that IHDP would have representation on the LOICZ SSC and the Chair
of the LOICZ SSC would be an ex-officio member of the SC-IHDP. Co-sponsorship
must also involve full participation from the beginning in the development of core
scientific questions for the next phase of the LOICZ project. IHDP would also have to
contribute financially to the project, as it does for LUCC.
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Action: Identify human dimensions researchers (economists, political scientists etc)
to participate in the LOICZ planning process
Action: Circulate the draft plan for LOICZ to key members of the IHDP
community interested in coastal zone issues.
(3) Urbanisation
Maarit Thiem described progress on the exploration of Urbanisation as a possible IHDP
Initiative, as requested by the SC-IHDP at its 2001 meeting and the Officers and Project
Leaders Meeting in 2000. A proposal for the scoping activity was submitted at the end of
2001 to the Ministry of Schools, Education, Science and Research, North RhineWestphalia.
A major activity in 2002 is the International Human Dimensions Workshop (IHDP)
cosponsored by START, to be held in Königswinter in June. Roberto Sanchez is the
scientific leader of the Workshop. 36 participants from all regions have been invited. All
participants work on issues related to urbanisation. The basic plan for the Workshop is to
have lectures from leading specialists and each of the participants will incorporate
concepts and perspectives into their case studies, which will be presented at the end of the
Workshop. After the Workshop, a Scoping Report will be compiled based on discussions
at the workshop and consultations with the research community (including the IHDP core
projects). The longer-term strategy includes the development of a research network on
Urbanisation, a databank on research, links between national and international institutions
working on this topic. In the short term, the third issue in 2002 of the IHDP newsletter
Update will focus on urbanisation.
The 2002 IHDW has been funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), APN, IAI
and START with a total of more than US $ 96,000.
The sub-committee was supportive of the initiative, pointing out the need to collaborate
closely with GECHS and IT in particular. They pointed out that the links to GEC have to
be made clear – GEC affects urban areas, urbanisation is a major driver of global change.
Action: Scoping report to be prepared in time for the next meeting of the SC-IHDP.
(4) Integrative efforts
The Sub-committee was asked to give strategic recommendation on engagement in the
joint projects and Integrated Regional Studies. As in previous discussions, the subcommittee felt strongly that engagement could only be pursued, if IHDP researchers are
fully involved from the beginning in integrative efforts. It was suggested that such “rules
of engagement” should be written down and used in the development of all joint activities
within the Earth System Science Partnership.
(5) Prioritising engagement in integrative efforts and new initiatives
Final Minutes 9th SC-IHDP
The priorities for engagement are
1) Pursue vigorously - carbon and food systems
2) Pursue vigorously, but monitor developments and discuss at next SC meeting (LOICZ
and Urbanisation, Water)
3) Be prepared to offer assistance (Integrated Regional Studies)
4) Don’t touch or get out (SCENIC)
Guy Brasseur asked IHDP to consider participation in the development of the Earth
System Atlas.
Action: Follow-up on the current status of the Earth System Atlas and discuss with
IGBP on how they would like to have IHDP involvement.
Wednesday March 27: The plenary session began at 08.30h. Participation as on
Tuesday, except for the departure of Anne Whyte, Kurt Pawlik and Roland Fuchs and
arrival of Peter Lemke (WCRP)
XXVI Finances
The Treasurer, Carlo Jaeger presented the budget tables showing expenditures for 2001
and proposed budget for 2002. The budget for 2002 reflects only 10 months because
funding from the IHDP main sponsors (BMBF and NSF) is only secured until October
31, 2002.
The IPOs were asked to comment on their funding situation. Anna Wiezcorek and Pier
Vellinga reported that they have about $50k for the IT secretariat. Mike Brklacich
reported that we need to find a way to show the total amount flowing through the IPOs.
For instance, although Canada does not show up on the budget table it is ‘supporting’
IHDP through support to the IPO. Oran Young indicated that the budget summary for
IDGEC is in the briefing book.
Jill Jäger made the point that the International Group of Funding Agencies (IGFA) had
concluded that an effective IPO needs about $500k per year. The two IGBP projects,
LOICZ and PAGES come close to this amount. However, despite the need for
infrastructure support, mobilizing funds for research should be a priority.
Decision: The proposed budget was accepted
XXVII Research priorities
Based on the recommendations of the sub-committee on Scientific Projects and
Activities, the SC decided the following:
Decision: Full collaboration of IHDP in integrative projects requires that IHDP is
centrally involved in determining core research questions
Final Minutes 9th SC-IHDP
Decision: Integrated Regional Studies need a methodology that allows both
comparison and synthesis at the global scale. Offer advice only on the
Mediterranean Study, since it was formulated without direct IHDP input.
Decision: The IHDP Secretariat should reduce its efforts on SCENIC to a minimum.
Add a distinguished CEE scholar to the SC-IHDP.
Decision: High priority on participation in the GCP and GECAFS as long as IHDP
is an equal partner.
Decision: Continue to explore Water, LOICZ, LAND, Urbanisation and
collaboration with DIVERSITAS. Reports at the next meeting of the SC-IHDP.
Decision: The Urbanisation initiative should produce a Scoping Report for the next
SC-IHDP meeting. The initiative, co-ordinated by the IHDP secretariat, should take
the ongoing work in the core projects and possible collaboration with the other GEC
programmes into consideration.
Decision: Develop a process for project evaluation.
Decision: Develop a strategy on capacity building for human dimensions research.
Decision: Develop guidelines for sponsorship and co-sponsorship with the other
Chairs and Directors.
XXVII I Nominations
The Nominations Committee, chaired by Mike Brklacich, developed selection criteria to
guide deliberations on new members for the SC-IHDP and new officers:
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Vision of GEC research
Geographic base
Leadership in the HD community (also in Open Meetings, IAI, APN etc)
Contacts to the German funding bases
Contacts to international funding agencies
Knowledge of the ESSP programmes
Gender
Decision: Secure financial support for the next Chair of the SC-IHDP
Decision: Ask Billie Turner to accept the nomination as Chair of the SC-IHDP
Decision: Nominate Paul Vlek, Tatiana Kluwankova- Oravska, Roberto Sanchez
and Jill Jäger (after her term as Executive Director) as new members of the SCIHDP.
Final Minutes 9th SC-IHDP
Decision: Nominate Mohammed Salih as vice-chair of the SC-IHDP for the
remainder of his current term on the SC.
Action: Find a new Treasurer to replace Carlo Jaeger, who stepped down as
Treasurer.
XXIX Update on WCRP
Peter Lemke (Chair, JSC-WCRP) reported on the meeting of the JSC-WCRP, which had
just finished. He noted the interest of WCRP in Integrated Regional Studies, in particular
with respect to the region of Monsoon Asia, since this is an area in which the WCRP
project CLIVAR is involved.
Recommendation: IHDP should vigorously pursue co-operation with WCRP,
especially within the joint projects.
XXX Dates of next meetings
Decision: The dates of the next Officers and Project Leaders Meeting will not be set
until the new Chair and Executive Director have been identified.
Decision: The next meeting of the IHDP-SC will take place February 26 – 28, 2003.