Will Norway Arrange the International Geological Congress IGC

Will Norway Arrange the International Geological Congress (IGC) in 2008? – Chances and Consequences! Presentation at the 18 th Winter Conference Oslo 6. -8. January 2003 by Ivar B. Ramberg

Main topics • • What is IGC ? Nordic Cooperation A Bit of History Promoted by the Prime Minister Scientific Content Competition ! A Link to the International Year of the Planet Earth • Summary

What is IGC? • IGC – International Geological Congress - a major geoscience event (”cosponsored” by IUGS) • Compares to the Olympic Games - takes place every four year • Attracts some 6000 geoscientists • Spans every geoscience discipline • Emphasizes the specialities and challenges of the region in question • Combines General and Special Symposia with an extensive number of Field Trips (in ”our” case covering all Nordic countries, including Greenland, Svalbard etc. . . )

Nordic Cooperation • Application supported by all five Nordic countries • Formal sponsors: All the IUGS National Committees • Supported by all Geological Surveys and other professional organizations and academic institutes

History – and Future • Stockholm 1910 • Copenhagen 1960 • Oslo 2008 (? ) • Formal bid presented at 31 st IGC in Rio in 2000 • Bid Document presented for the IGC Steering Committee in October 2002 • Final Decision by vote at 32 nd IGC in Florence in August 2004

Citations from the PM letter : • ”I am proud to promote Norway as the venue of the 33 rd International Geological Congress” • ”Geological sciences are of great importance for the sustainable management of resources and the development of societies as a whole” • ”Earth scientists have been vital to Norway’s economic development based on mineral resources, hydroelectric power, oil and gas”

Sponsors • NGU • NPD • NGI • • Norsk Hydro Statoil PGS etc. . .

Scientific Content • Will cover all classical geoscience disciplines • Profile the Nordic countries; the ”lands of ice and fire!” • Emphasize the Arctic and polar geology • Offshore and marine geology • Resources, environmental issues and climate • Geology and society, e. g. geohazards, geomedicine • Novel development, technological acievements, virtual reality (VR) applications etc. . .

Congress Structure

Competition • Egypt (Cairo) • United Kingdom (London) - withdrawn (? ) • India (New Dehli) - rumours (? !)

International Year of the Planet Earth A UN initiative; Sponsored by UNESCO & IUGS

The Year of the Planet Earth • Will last for 3 years, 2004 – 2007 • To be summarizes in Oslo in 2008 (? !) • Preparation for the YPE and IGC 2008 represent an excellent combined Nordic project • Likely to be supported by the Nordic Councel of Ministers • Goal: To demonstrate that Geosciences are indispensible for a sound further development of our Planet

Summary • What we hope to hear in Florence in 2004: ”. . . and the Winner is: Oslo!!” • Represents Nordic cooperation at its best • High Time for another BIG Geoscience Event! • Will mobilize the geosciences within academia and industry, with positive ring effects for recruitment and general public interest in geosciences and their applications • Will also represent lots of professional fun and interesting opportunities for participation