Overview
Terms of Reference
Current CNC/IUGG
CNC/IUGG Quadrennial Report 2015 – 2019

CNC/IUGG

Since 1931, the National Research Council (NRC) is an adhering member of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and other international bodies on behalf of Canada. NRC is authorized by the Federal Government to provide funds for membership with international bodies to enable the Canadian scientific community to have access to international meetings, networking and knowledge exchange. NRC shares the responsibility for these affiliations with international bodies through Canadian Partner Agreements. Each partner creates and maintains a Canadian National Committee (CNC) composed of leading Canadian researchers, to support Canada’s affiliation with relevant international scientific bodies.

Through this process, NRC maintains a Canadian Partner Agreement with the Canadian Geophysical Union (CGU), which creates and maintains a CNC to support Canada’s affiliation with the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG). IUGG is one of the members of the ICSU. Since 2007, NRC uses the Annual Performance Review (APR) to help assess the international affiliations, and relies on the Canadian partners’ assistance in carrying this out. The NRC Advisory Committee on International Science, Engineering and Technology (CISET) reviews this APR and makes recommendations to NRC on whether the specific Canadian Partner Agreement should continue.

The agreement remains in effect for a five-year period, conditional on successful APR and availability of funds. It is expected that the membership of the CNC/IUGG is distributed with regards to geography, linguistics and gender. CGU should ensure that the CNC/IUGG membership has an adequate representation of disciplines covered by the IUGG. Appropriate turnover of the members of the Committee should encourage participation of young Canadian scientists and engineers. CGU nominates the Canadian delegate(s) attending each General Assembly/Council Meeting of IUGG and forwards their names and addresses to the International Relations Office for their official Appointment. The number of official Canadian delegates has to conform with the Constitution of the IUGG and to any policies on Canadian representation when applicable. The Canadian delegate(s) is expected to give careful consideration to the advice and guidance of NRC and CISET on issues relating to finances, Constitution and By Laws and on other issues. The official delegate is expected to provide a written report to the NRC International Relation Office upon his or her return to Canada.

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Terms of Reference for CNC/IUGG:

To collect and reconcile the many views of the specific scientific community on relevant issues;
To identify, represent and promote the capabilities and distinctive competence of this Canadian scientific community internationally;
To enhance the depth and breadth of the participation of this Canadian scientific community in the activities and events of IUGG and related organizations;
To establish the mechanisms for communicating to the Canadian scientific community the views of IUGG and information about the activities of IUGG;
To distribute appropriate documentation, including the IUGG Newsletter where appropriate
To attract and stage international events of value to the Canadian scientific community;
To invite from time to time guest speakers to meetings, workshops or seminars that it sponsors; and
To recommend to the CGU the nomination of the Canadian Delegate(s) to IUGG assemblies, general meetings or council meetings. The Delegate is normally but not necessary, a regular member of CNC/IUGG.

The National Correspondents of the International Associations of IUGG are delegated by the appropriate Learned Societies.
IAG (International Association of Geodesy) members are appointed by CGU.
IAMAS (International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences) members are appointed by CMOS.
IASPEI (International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth Interior) members are appointed by CGU.
IAHS (International Association of Hydrological Sciences) members are appointed by CGU-Hydrology Division.
IAVCEI (International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth Interior) members are appointed by CGU and GAC/MAC.
IAPSO (International Association of Physical Sciences of Oceans) members are appointed by CMOS.
IAGA (International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy) members are appointed by CAP and CGU.
IACS (International Association of Cryospheric Sciences) members are appointed by CGU.

The Chairperson of the Committee is designated by CGU. The terms of the membership for all regular members of the CNC are four years, renewable once. The Committee is expected to meet as necessary, normally once each year, and report to NRC on the meeting results. Between meetings the Chairperson and the Executive Secretary may obtain decisions from the Committee by means of ballots. One-half of the voting membership participating in a duly called meeting or ballot constitutes quorum.

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