1.12 SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON ANTARCTIC RESEARCH

1.12.1 Constitution

 SCAR is a scientific committee of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) charged with the initiation, promotion, and coordination of scientific activity in the Antarctic, with a view to framing and reviewing scientific programmes of circumpolar scope and significance. In establishing programmes, SCAR will respect the autonomy of other existing international bodies.

Guidelines for the conduct of SCAR affairs

 l. SCAR will encourage and assist in the acquisition and dissemination of scientific knowledge derived from research carried out in its area of interest.
2. In formulating its scientific programmes, SCAR will pay attention to their possible contributions to global programmes of ICSU bodies and other scientific organisations. SCAR may establish liaison and cooperation with international organisations having scientific interests in the Antarctic.
3. SCAR will abstain from involvement in political and juridical matters, including the formulation of management measures for exploitable resources, except where SCAR accepts an invitation for specific advice. However, in formulating its scientific programmes SCAR will take note of the need for the acquisition of the scientific knowledge necessary for the judicious management of the resources of the region.
4. SCAR may provide scientific and technological advice to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, or to other international organisations (both governmental and non-governmental).
5. SCAR will keep under review scientific matters pertaining to the integrity of the Antarctic environment, including the conservation of its terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Membership

 The membership of SCAR is as follows:
l. Full members
National organisations adhering to ICSU, representing the scientific communities of countries with active and continuing independent programmes of research in the Antarctic that have formed National Committees to communicate with SCAR.
2. Associate members
National organisations adhering to ICSU, or nominated by national organisations adhering to ICSU, which desire to participate in SCAR for scientific reasons but which do not qualify for full membership.
3. Union members
ICSU Unions wishing to participate in SCAR on a continuing basis.
Delegates
 Full members: One permanent voting delegate and one non-voting alternate delegate representing the National Committee communicating with SCAR.
Associate members: One non-voting delegate representing the national organization adhering to ICSU or its nominee.
Union members: One permanent voting delegate.
 Organization and administration
l. SCAR elects an Executive Committee from its full member delegates to consist of a President, Immediate Past President, two Vice Presidents and a Secretary, each elected for a term of four years. One Vice President shall be elected for a term coinciding with that of the President. The other Vice President and Secretary shall be elected for a term which begins at the SCAR meeting in which a President is not elected. Presidents and Vice Presidents hold office for one four-year term only, but the Secretary is eligible for re-election for one further term only.
2. The Executive Committee is responsible to ICSU for the coordination of the scientific programmes adopted by SCAR.
3. SCAR or its Executive Committee may appoint ad hoc groups for the examination of special matters.

1.12.2 National membership of SCAR with dates of accession

 Dates in brackets are those of admission to associate membership
Full members
Argentina3 Feb 1958
Australia3 Feb 1958
Belgium3 Feb 1958
Chile3 Feb 1958
France3 Feb 1958
Japan3 Feb 1958
New Zealand3 Feb 1958
Norway3 Feb 1958
South Africa3 Feb 1958
Russia3 Feb 1958
United Kingdom3 Feb 1958
United States of America3 Feb 1958
Germany, Federal Republic22 May 1978
Poland22 May 1978
German Democratic Republic9 Sep 1981
Brazil1 Oct 1984
India1 Oct 1984
China, Peoples' Republic23 Jun 1986
Sweden (24 Mar 1987)12 Sep 1988
Italy (19 May 1987)12 Sep 1988
Uruguay (29 Jul 1987)12 Sep 1988
Spain (15 Jan 1987)23 Jul 1990
Netherlands (20 May 1987)23 Jul 1990
Korea, South (8 Dec 1987)23 Jul 1990
Finland (1 Jul 1988)23 Jul 1990
Ecuador (12 Sep 1988)15 Jun 1992

Associate members
 Peru (14 April 1987)
Switzerland (16 June 1987)
Colombia (23 Jul 1990)
Estonia (15 Jun 1992)
Pakistan (23 Jul 1990)

ICSU Union Members

International Geographical Union (IGU)
Internation Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)
International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG)
International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)
International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS)
Union Radio Scientifique Internationale (URSI)

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