Will Norway Arrange the International Geological Congress (IGC) in 2008? – Chances and Consequences! Presentation at the 18th Winter Conference Oslo 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 31st IGC in Rio in 2000 Bid Document presented for the IGC Steering Committee in October 2002 Final Decision by vote at 32nd IGC in Florence in August 2004

Citations from the PM letter : ”I am proud to promote Norway as the venue of the 33rd 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Competition Egypt (Cairo) United Kingdom (London) - withdrawn (?)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