IUGS Task Group on Public Affairs

The geosciences have much to contribute to the development of sound public policy over a broad range of issues. Although international collaboration has become standard practice among geoscientists, public policy activities remain largely within national borders. In 2001, the Executive Committee of the International Union of Geological Sciences established this Working Group on Public Affairs (now Task Group) to encourage broader participation in public policy activities among its member organizations. A survey of those organizations, conducted in 2000, has shown the extent to which geoscientists in many different countries face the same critical policy issues. These issues relevant to the geosciences are global in applicability if not always in scope. Examples include environmental protection, resource development, natural hazard loss mitigation, land-use planning, and the need for adequate research funding and geoscience education. Focusing on the common challenges faced by geoscientists in many different countries, the Task Group seeks to share successful practices and position statements that have been developed by one country or geoscience organization so that they can be applied elsewhere.

Task Group Participants

In addition to collecting information on public policy issues and activities, the survey solicited interest in establishing a working group within IUGS focused on public affairs. Fifteen of the survey responses proposed individuals to participate in such a group, which was officially established as the Working Group on Public Affairs by the IUGS Executive Committee during its meeting at Hyderabad, India in March 2001 with the stipulation that the members of the Working Group should represent a suitable geographic distribution (IUGS, 2001). A list of representatives to the Task Group can be found on this site. In order to establish the Working Group as an effective network, IUGS welcomes participation by additional national members and affiliated organizations. If your organization would like to propose a representative to the Task Group or if you have questions about this entity, please contact David Applegate (1-703-379-2480, ext. 228; applegate@agiweb.org).

Task Group Documents

2002 Annual Report to IUGS Executive Committee (submitted January 2003)

DRAFT Article for Episodes: "New IUGS Working Group Addresses Public Affairs" (appeared in June 2002 issue)
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