Charter of the Alliance of European Global Change Research Committees


Background
 
Representatives of European National Committees of IGBP (including Russia) met in Cape Town during the IGBP Open Science Conference, in May 2008, to discuss questions of common interest. Based on these discussions, the participants proposed to found a European platform for Global Change Research Committees including Russia to discuss European issues of Global Change research.
 
 
Purpose
 
In a follow up meeting in Lisbon, in November 2008, the participating national representatives agreed to propose to their National Committees for Global Change Research to accept the charter and thereby become members of the Alliance of Global Change Research.
The European Alliance of Global Change Research has the purpose to promote and support supranational European Global Change science, covering all aspects from basic to applied research. In this purpose its approach is inclusive and it conducts intensive relationships with the Global Change Research communities. The European Alliance of Global Change Research addresses research funding agencies and political organisations on the European level.
Based on the understanding that the Earth system is a coupled system including natural and human components, the European Alliance aims at developing and promoting integrated approaches to Global Change research based on WCRP, IGBP, IHDP, DIVERSITAS and ESSP science. The regional focus of the Alliance lies on European Global Change research issues.
 
 
Aims
 
  • Promote supranational, integrated Global Change research in the region of its members
  • Identify and promote common European research needs in the field of integrative multidisciplinary Global Change research
  • Improve the dialogue with decision makers and stakeholders at the European level
  • Improve the dialogue with, and support for the Global Change Programmes (e.g. recommend fast track initiatives, SSC members, funding)
  • Support the national dialogues with decision makers and stakeholders
  • Sharing practices, knowledge and experiences (e.g. fact sheets for public and media, dissemination of information material)
  • Support the establishment of multi-national Global Change research programmes in Europe
  • Offer expert opinions on impacts of, adaptation to and mitigation of Global Change on the European level
  • Foster the participation of young scientists in exchange programmes
  • Support the activities of the African Global Change research communities through intensified collaboration and capacity development
 
 
Structure
 
In order to keep the structure of the chapter simple and efficient the following organisational procedures form the basic regulations:
  • The region covered by the Alliance includes Europe and Russia
  • Members of the European Alliance are National Committees from the region
  • The national committees of each country appoint one representative and one vice representative to represent his/her country in the alliance
  • The members elect a chair and a vice chair for the period of 3 years, one re-election is possible
  • The European Alliance meets at least once a year. The quorum should be in excess of 50%. The chairperson is responsible for invitation, draft agenda and minutes of the meeting. Observers from the four Global Environmental Change Programmes + ESSP are invited to attend the meetings. The chairperson may invite additional observers.
  • The European Alliance decides on changes of the charter with 2/3 majority.
  • Membership does not impose any financial obligations to the members. Each member finances the costs of participation through their own resources.

 View Charter as external file (pdf)

Signature List


View Signature List as extermal file (pdf)