2.3
First International Conference on
Arctic Research Planning (ICARP I)
Oran Young
Reviewers: Robert Corell and Odd Rogne
cial backing for this initiative. Thus was born the
idea of organizing the first International Conference
on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP) at Dartmouth
College in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA from 5 to
9 December 1995.
IASC proceeded to appoint a Program Steering Com-
In the early 1990s, as IASC became fully operation-
mittee for this effort, that included representatives
al, three developments converged to highlight the
from Russia, Europe, and North America, from both
value of planning for the conduct of Arctic science.
Arctic and non-Arctic states, and from the commu-
First, the end of the cold war and the emergence
nity of indigenous peoples. The committee took
of a spirit of regional cooperation in the Arctic
charge of preparations for ICARP I, meeting several
(reflected in the launching of the AEPS as well as
times in advance of the conference, making organi-
the establishment of IASC itself) opened up the
zational decisions, and working actively with those
prospect of substantive cooperation between
who served as leaders of the working groups that
western and Russian scientists interested in the cir-
became the major vehicles for fulfilling the goals of
cumpolar north. Second, the onset of the era of ‘big
the conference. In all, ten working groups emerged,
science’ with research projects involving collabora-
each guided by one or more coordinators. Each
tion among larger groups of scientists and research
working group prepared a draft science agenda in
institutes placed a premium on the development of
advance of the conference, refined the agenda
effective coordination mechanisms. And third, the
during a week-long effort at the conference itself,
realization that the Arctic is a dynamic region sub-
and prepared a revised plan in the aftermath of the
ject to rapid and often non-linear changes in both
conference. An eleventh theme, dealing with rapid
biophysical and socioeconomic terms provided new
cultural change, emerged during the conference, an
impetus for conducting coordinated observations in
indication of the growth of interest in the human
an effort to understand the behavior of Arctic sys-
dimensions of Arctic systems.
tems.
More than 250 scientists, including 33 from Russia,
IASC took the initiative early on to address this
attended the week-long conference in Hanover.
need, beginning with an effort on the part of the
This group was notable both for its diversity and for
Executive Committee to develop a Science Agen-
the strong sense of community that pervaded the
da for the organization, and moving forward at the
meeting. The working groups focused, for the most
1994 annual meeting to approve an initial agen-
part, on substantive themes that provided oppor-
da focusing on four broad themes: (1) impacts of
tunities for scientists representing different disci-
global change on the Arctic region and its peoples;
plines to join forces to design research activities of
(2) Arctic processes of relevance to global systems;
common interest. A strong theme within the group
(3) natural processes within the Arctic; and, (4) sus-
centered on the linkages between development in
tainable development in the Arctic. This meeting
the Arctic and broader concerns about global envi-
also generated the idea that it would be useful to
ronmental change then emerging as a prominent
convene a larger international planning conference
topic in the international science community.
to provide a roadmap for all those engaging in