structure to reflect the progressively more inte-
2007 in Hanover, and subsequent discussions,
grative nature of today´s polar science; expand its
Executive Secretary Volker Rachold and I developed
functions to embrace various science policy issues
an outline for the new IASC structure and funding
such as new technology, data management, edu-
strategy. The Executive Committee discussed the
cation and public outreach; strengthen its relations
outline in great detail and mandated us to revise
with the Arctic Council, social science organizations,
the structure. The final document was presented
and other global organizations interested in the
to Council at ASSW 2008 in Syktyvkar, Russia for
science of the Arctic region; and, lastly, reorganize
discussion, together with financial plans for the fu-
and revitalize the ASSW as a major cross-disciplinary
ture. The new IASC structure and strategy to sup-
venue. In addition, the group suggested some inter-
port science development, which includes Working
nal changes to IASC to improve its public image and
Groups and Action Groups, are now the core working
efficiency. Following the above recommendations,
elements of IASC. The new structure and strategy
the IASC Executive Committee and the IASC Secre-
of IASC embraced more scientific fields and involved
tariat, with approval from Council, began in 2006 to
more international cooperation, and included an in-
implement major structural changes to IASC and its
crease in the science development budget that was
way of operating. Many of the implemented struc-
evidently required. Consequently, the secretariat
tural changes were highly controversial, but in my
had to be enlarged and support to Working Groups
view it strengthened its organizational structure
improved. In early 2009, this broadening of the IASC
and its position as the leading scientific organiza-
secretariat was undertaken and the secretariat was
tion in Arctic research. A discussion of all the struc-
relocated to Potsdam, Germany. The secretariat was
tural changes implemented during this period would
hosted by the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) for Po-
be too vast for this paper; however, I would like to
lar and Marine Research and co-financed by the Ger-
mention just a few.
man Science Foundation. It was mostly the dedication and work of the IASC secretary, Volker Rachold
During this transitional period, IASC strengthened
and the Director of AWI, Karin Lochte that enabled
its relationship with several polar and global orga-
IASC to enlarge the secretariat and to secure the re-
nizations, including SCAR, AOSB, IASSA, the World
quired funding for increased scientific development.
Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and others,
Relocating the secretariat from Stockholm, Sweden
as well as with the Arctic Council and its Working
to Potsdam was highly controversial, but in retro-
Groups. IASC also intensified its outreach activities
spect it was strategically a splendid idea.
such as a new website and the IASC Bulletin, all of
which contributed substantially to raising the level
In the period 2006-2010, IASC did indeed change
of global knowledge and public awareness about
significantly; the secretariat was enlarged and
the Arctic. ASSW 2009 in Bergen, Norway was the
moved to Potsdam, the form of 55rv26