The International Council for Science (ICSU, after its former name, International Council of Scientific Unions) was an international non-governmental organization devoted to international cooperation in the advancement of science. Its members were national scientific bodies and international scientific unions.
 | |
| Abbreviation | ICSU |
|---|---|
| Merged into | International Social Science Council |
| Successor | International Science Council |
| Formation | 1931 |
| Dissolved | July 2018 |
| Type | INGO |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
President | Gordon McBean |
| Website | council |
Formerly called | International Council of Scientific Unions |
In 2017, the ICSU comprised 122 multi-disciplinary National Scientific Members, Associates and Observers representing 142 countries and 31 international, disciplinary Scientific Unions. ICSU also had 22 Scientific Associates. In July 2018, ICSU merged with the International Social Science Council (ISSC) to form the International Science Council (ISC) at a constituent general assembly in Paris.
Mission and principles
The ICSU's mission was to strengthen international science for the benefit of society. To do this, the ICSU mobilized the knowledge and resources of the international scientific community to:
- Identify and address major issues of importance to science and society.
- Facilitate interaction amongst scientists across all disciplines and from all countries.
- Promote the participation of all scientists – regardless of race, citizenship, language, political stance, or gender – in the international scientific endeavour.
- Provide independent, authoritative advice to stimulate constructive dialogue between the scientific community and governments, civil society, and the private sector."
Activities focused on three areas: International Research Collaboration, Science for Policy, and Universality of Science.
History
In July 2018, the ICSU became the International Science Council (ISC).
The ICSU itself was one of the oldest non-governmental organizations in the world, representing the evolution and expansion of two earlier bodies known as the International Association of Academies (IAA; 1899–1914) and the International Research Council (IRC; 1919–1931). In 1998, Members agreed that the Council's current composition and activities would be better reflected by modifying the name from the International Council of Scientific Unions to the International Council for Science, while its rich history and strong identity would be well served by retaining the existing acronym, ICSU.
Universality of science
The Principle of Freedom and Responsibility in Science: the free and responsible practice of science is fundamental to scientific advancement and human and environmental well-being. Such practice, in all its aspects, requires freedom of movement, association, expression and communication for scientists, as well as equitable access to data, information, and other resources for research. It requires responsibility at all levels to carry out and communicate scientific work with integrity, respect, fairness, trustworthiness, and transparency, recognizing its benefits and possible harms. In advocating the free and responsible practice of science, the council promotes equitable opportunities for access to science and its benefits, and opposes discrimination based on such factors as ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, language, political or other opinion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
The International Science Council's Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in Science (CFRS) "oversees this commitment and is the guardian of this work."
Structure
The ICSU Secretariat (20 staff in 2012) in Paris ensured the day-to-day planning and operations under the guidance of an elected executive board. Three Policy Committees − Committee on Scientific Planning and Review (CSPR), Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in the conduct of Science (CFRS) and Committee on Finance − assisted the executive board in its work and a General Assembly of all Members was convened every three years. ICSU has three Regional Offices − Africa, Asia and the Pacific as well as Latin America and the Caribbean.
Finances
The principal source of ICSU's finances was the contributions it receives from its members. Other sources of income are the framework contracts from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and grants and contracts from United Nations bodies, foundations and agencies, which are used to support the scientific activities of the ICSU Unions and interdisciplinary bodies.
Member organizations
| Abbreviation | Union | Member Since | Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAU | International Astronomical Union | 1922 | Astronomy |
| IBRO | International Brain Research Organization | 1993 | Neuroscience |
| ICA | International Cartographic Association | 1990 | Cartography |
| IGU | International Geographical Union | 1923 | Geography |
| IMU | International Mathematical Union | 1922 | Mathematics |
| INQUA | International Union for Quaternary Research | 2005 | Quaternary Period |
| ISA | International Sociological Association | 2011 | Sociology and Social Sciences |
| ISPRS | International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing | 2002 | Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing |
| IUAES | International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences | 1993 | Anthropology and Ethnology |
| IUBMB | International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 1955 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
| IUBS | International Union of Biological Sciences | 1925 | Biology |
| IUCr | International Union of Crystallography | 1947 | Crystallography |
| IUFRO | International Union of Forest Research Organizations | 2005 | Forestry |
| IUFoST | International Union of Food Science and Technology | 1996 | Food science and Food technology |
| IUGG | International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics | 1919 | Geodesy and Geophysics |
| IUGS | International Union of Geological Sciences | 1922 | Geology |
| IUHPS | International Union of History and Philosophy of Science | 1922 | History of science and Philosophy of science |
| IUIS | International Union of Immunological Societies | 1976 | Immunology |
| IUMRS | International Union of Materials Research Societies | 2005 | Materials science |
| IUMS | International Union of Microbiological Societies | 1982 | Microbiology |
| IUNS | International Union of Nutritional Sciences | 1968 | Nutrition |
| IUPAB | International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics | 1966 | Biophysics |
| IUPAC | International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry | 1922 | Chemistry |
| IUPAP | International Union of Pure and Applied Physics | 1922 | Physics |
| IUPESM | International Union for Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine | 1999 | Medical physics |
| IUPHAR | International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology | 1972 | Pharmacology |
| IUPS | International Union of Physiological Sciences | 1955 | Physiology |
| IUPsyS | International Union of Psychological Science | 1982 | Psychology |
| IUSS | International Union of Soil Sciences | 1993 | Soil science |
| IUTAM | International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics | 1947 | Mechanics |
| IUTOX | International Union of Toxicology | 1996 | Toxicology |
| URSI | International Union of Radio Science | 1922 | Radio science |
Associate member organizations
| Abbr. | Associate |
|---|---|
| 4S | Society for Social Studies of Science |
| AAS | African Academy of Sciences |
| AASSA | Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia |
| ACAL | |
| CIE | Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage |
| FIG | Fédération internationale des géomètres |
| IAHR | International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research |
| IASC | International Arctic Science Committee |
| ICA (acoustics) | International Commission for Acoustics |
| ICIAM | International Council for Industrial and Applied Mathematics |
| ICLAS | International Council for Laboratory Animal Science |
| ICO | International Commission for Optics |
| ICSTI | International Council for Scientific and Technical Information |
| IFIP | International Federation for Information Processing |
| IFLA | International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions |
| IFS | International Foundation for Science |
| IFSM | International Federation of Societies for Microscopy |
| IIASA | International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis |
| IUVSTA | International Union for Vacuum Science, Technique and Applications |
| IWA | International Water Association |
| PSA | Pacific Science Association |
| SCOPE | Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment |
| TWAS | The World Academy of Sciences |
| UIS | Union Internationale de Spéléologie |
See also
- Diversitas project, closed Dec 2014 transferred Jan 2015 to ICS as Future Earth
- InterAcademy Partnership
| Abbr. | Organisation |
|---|---|
| CIAAW | Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights |
| CODATA | Committee on Data for Science and Technology |
| COSPAR | Committee on Space Research |
| GCOS | Global Climate Observing System |
| IGBP | International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme |
| IHDP | International Human Dimensions Programme |
| SCAR | Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research |
| SCOPE | Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment |
| SCOR | Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research |
| INASP | International Network for Advancing Science and Policy |
| WCRP | World Climate Research Programme |
| WDS | World Data System |
References
- ICSU's Our Members web page, updated on 6 October 2017
- "Introduction · Documentation on the ICSU/ISSC merger process". icsu-issc.gitbooks.io. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ISC's About Us web page, updated on 14 December 2011
- ISC's A Brief History web page, updated on 6 October 2017
- International Science Council (n.d.). "ISC Steatite 7: Freedoms and Responsibilities in Science". International Science Council. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
Bibliography
- Greenaway, Frank (2006) Science International: A History of the International Council of Scientific Unions Cambridge University Press ISBN 9780521028103
- Frängsmyr, Tore (1990) Solomon's house revisited: the organization and institutionalization of science. Science History Publications, U.S.A. ISBN 9780881350661
- Crawford, Elisabeth (2002) Nationalism and Internationalism in Science, 1880-1939. Cambridge University Press ISBN 9780521524742
External links
- Official website
- ICSU at University of Waterloo Scholarly Societies directory
- ICSU Archived 23 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine at United Nations
The International Council for Science ICSU after its former name International Council of Scientific Unions was an international non governmental organization devoted to international cooperation in the advancement of science Its members were national scientific bodies and international scientific unions International Council for ScienceAbbreviationICSUMerged intoInternational Social Science CouncilSuccessorInternational Science CouncilFormation1931 94 years ago 1931 DissolvedJuly 2018 6 years ago 2018 07 TypeINGOHeadquartersParis FrancePresidentGordon McBeanWebsitecouncil wbr scienceFormerly calledInternational Council of Scientific Unions Members Members as participants in the Caribbean Academy of Sciences or University of the South Pacific In 2017 the ICSU comprised 122 multi disciplinary National Scientific Members Associates and Observers representing 142 countries and 31 international disciplinary Scientific Unions ICSU also had 22 Scientific Associates In July 2018 ICSU merged with the International Social Science Council ISSC to form the International Science Council ISC at a constituent general assembly in Paris Mission and principlesThe ICSU s mission was to strengthen international science for the benefit of society To do this the ICSU mobilized the knowledge and resources of the international scientific community to Identify and address major issues of importance to science and society Facilitate interaction amongst scientists across all disciplines and from all countries Promote the participation of all scientists regardless of race citizenship language political stance or gender in the international scientific endeavour Provide independent authoritative advice to stimulate constructive dialogue between the scientific community and governments civil society and the private sector Activities focused on three areas International Research Collaboration Science for Policy and Universality of Science HistoryIn July 2018 the ICSU became the International Science Council ISC The ICSU itself was one of the oldest non governmental organizations in the world representing the evolution and expansion of two earlier bodies known as the International Association of Academies IAA 1899 1914 and the International Research Council IRC 1919 1931 In 1998 Members agreed that the Council s current composition and activities would be better reflected by modifying the name from the International Council of Scientific Unions to the International Council for Science while its rich history and strong identity would be well served by retaining the existing acronym ICSU Universality of scienceThe Principle of Freedom and Responsibility in Science the free and responsible practice of science is fundamental to scientific advancement and human and environmental well being Such practice in all its aspects requires freedom of movement association expression and communication for scientists as well as equitable access to data information and other resources for research It requires responsibility at all levels to carry out and communicate scientific work with integrity respect fairness trustworthiness and transparency recognizing its benefits and possible harms In advocating the free and responsible practice of science the council promotes equitable opportunities for access to science and its benefits and opposes discrimination based on such factors as ethnic origin religion citizenship language political or other opinion sex gender identity sexual orientation disability or age The International Science Council s Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in Science CFRS oversees this commitment and is the guardian of this work StructureThe ICSU Secretariat 20 staff in 2012 in Paris ensured the day to day planning and operations under the guidance of an elected executive board Three Policy Committees Committee on Scientific Planning and Review CSPR Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in the conduct of Science CFRS and Committee on Finance assisted the executive board in its work and a General Assembly of all Members was convened every three years ICSU has three Regional Offices Africa Asia and the Pacific as well as Latin America and the Caribbean FinancesThe principal source of ICSU s finances was the contributions it receives from its members Other sources of income are the framework contracts from UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization and grants and contracts from United Nations bodies foundations and agencies which are used to support the scientific activities of the ICSU Unions and interdisciplinary bodies Member organizationsAbbreviation Union Member Since FieldIAU International Astronomical Union 1922 AstronomyIBRO International Brain Research Organization 1993 NeuroscienceICA International Cartographic Association 1990 CartographyIGU International Geographical Union 1923 GeographyIMU International Mathematical Union 1922 MathematicsINQUA International Union for Quaternary Research 2005 Quaternary PeriodISA International Sociological Association 2011 Sociology and Social SciencesISPRS International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 2002 Photogrammetry and Remote SensingIUAES International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences 1993 Anthropology and EthnologyIUBMB International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1955 Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyIUBS International Union of Biological Sciences 1925 BiologyIUCr International Union of Crystallography 1947 CrystallographyIUFRO International Union of Forest Research Organizations 2005 ForestryIUFoST International Union of Food Science and Technology 1996 Food science and Food technologyIUGG International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics 1919 Geodesy and GeophysicsIUGS International Union of Geological Sciences 1922 GeologyIUHPS International Union of History and Philosophy of Science 1922 History of science and Philosophy of scienceIUIS International Union of Immunological Societies 1976 ImmunologyIUMRS International Union of Materials Research Societies 2005 Materials scienceIUMS International Union of Microbiological Societies 1982 MicrobiologyIUNS International Union of Nutritional Sciences 1968 NutritionIUPAB International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics 1966 BiophysicsIUPAC International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry 1922 ChemistryIUPAP International Union of Pure and Applied Physics 1922 PhysicsIUPESM International Union for Physical and Engineering Sciences in Medicine 1999 Medical physicsIUPHAR International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology 1972 PharmacologyIUPS International Union of Physiological Sciences 1955 PhysiologyIUPsyS International Union of Psychological Science 1982 PsychologyIUSS International Union of Soil Sciences 1993 Soil scienceIUTAM International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics 1947 MechanicsIUTOX International Union of Toxicology 1996 ToxicologyURSI International Union of Radio Science 1922 Radio scienceAssociate member organizations Abbr Associate4S Society for Social Studies of ScienceAAS African Academy of SciencesAASSA Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in AsiaACAL pt CIE Commission Internationale de l EclairageFIG Federation internationale des geometresIAHR International Association for Hydro Environment Engineering and ResearchIASC International Arctic Science CommitteeICA acoustics International Commission for AcousticsICIAM International Council for Industrial and Applied MathematicsICLAS International Council for Laboratory Animal ScienceICO International Commission for OpticsICSTI International Council for Scientific and Technical InformationIFIP International Federation for Information ProcessingIFLA International Federation of Library Associations and InstitutionsIFS International Foundation for ScienceIFSM International Federation of Societies for MicroscopyIIASA International Institute for Applied Systems AnalysisIUVSTA International Union for Vacuum Science Technique and ApplicationsIWA International Water AssociationPSA Pacific Science AssociationSCOPE Scientific Committee on Problems of the EnvironmentTWAS The World Academy of SciencesUIS Union Internationale de SpeleologieSee alsoDiversitas project closed Dec 2014 transferred Jan 2015 to ICS as Future Earth InterAcademy PartnershipAbbr OrganisationCIAAW Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic WeightsCODATA Committee on Data for Science and TechnologyCOSPAR Committee on Space ResearchGCOS Global Climate Observing SystemIGBP International Geosphere Biosphere ProgrammeIHDP International Human Dimensions ProgrammeSCAR Scientific Committee on Antarctic ResearchSCOPE Scientific Committee on Problems of the EnvironmentSCOR Scientific Committee on Oceanic ResearchINASP International Network for Advancing Science and PolicyWCRP World Climate Research ProgrammeWDS World Data SystemReferencesICSU s Our Members web page updated on 6 October 2017 Introduction Documentation on the ICSU ISSC merger process icsu issc gitbooks io Retrieved 26 September 2022 ISC s About Us web page updated on 14 December 2011 ISC s A Brief History web page updated on 6 October 2017 International Science Council n d ISC Steatite 7 Freedoms and Responsibilities in Science International Science Council Retrieved 24 April 2021 BibliographyGreenaway Frank 2006 Science International A History of the International Council of Scientific Unions Cambridge University Press ISBN 9780521028103 Frangsmyr Tore 1990 Solomon s house revisited the organization and institutionalization of science Science History Publications U S A ISBN 9780881350661 Crawford Elisabeth 2002 Nationalism and Internationalism in Science 1880 1939 Cambridge University Press ISBN 9780521524742External linksWikimedia Commons has media related to International Council for Science Official website ICSU at University of Waterloo Scholarly Societies directory ICSU Archived 23 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine at United Nations Portal Science
