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 international relations, multilateralism refers to an alliance of multiple countries pursuing a common goal. Definitions Multilateralism, in the form of membership in international institutions, serves to bind powerful nations, discourage u ...

in the advancement of

science Science is a systematic endeavor that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. Science may be as old as the human species, and some of the earliest archeological evidence for ...

. Its members were national scientific bodies and international scientific unions. In July 2018, the ICSU merged with the International Social Science Council (ISSC) to form the International Science Council (ISC). 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 Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. S ...

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 The scientific community is a diverse network of interacting scientists. It includes many " sub-communities" working on particular scientific fields, and within particular institutions; interdisciplinary and cross-institutional activities are als ...

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 organization A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...

s in the world, representing the evolution and expansion of two earlier bodies known as the

International Association of Academies The International Association of Academies (1899–1913) was an academy designed for the purpose of linking the various Academies around the world, of which the first meeting was held in Paris, France, in 1900. Science Research Council The first p ...

(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.ISC’s A Brief History web page
updated on 6 October 2017

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 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and grants and contracts from

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...

bodies, foundations and agencies, which are used to support the scientific activities of the ICSU Unions and interdisciplinary bodies.

Member organizations

Associate member organizations

References

Bibliography

* Greenaway, Frank (2006
''Science International: A History of the International Council of Scientific Unions''
Cambridge University Press * Frängsmyr, Tore (1990) ''Solomon's house revisited: the organization and institutionalization of science''. Science History Publications, U.S.A. * Crawford, Elisabeth (2002) ''Nationalism and Internationalism in Science, 1880-1939''. Cambridge University Press

External links

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at

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Scholarly Societies directory
ICSU
at

{{Authority control International organizations based in France International scientific organizations Organizations based in Paris Scientific organizations based in France Scientific organizations established in 1931 Science policy