11. GLOBALIZATION
IUPAC strives toward the globalization of its activities with the
participation of the entire world's chemistry community. During the
last four years, IUPAC organized a series of meetings to obtain most
significant input from leaders in chemistry on four continents, regarding
its future science policy, structure, and function.
One of the first steps was to convene, in 1996, meetings in North
America and in Europe that brought together leaders in chemistry who
were not directly involved with IUPAC but who could help us to develop
the programs of the Union so as to meet the perceived needs of the
broad community of chemists. Out of these meetings came many ideas
that were incorporated into our Strategic Plan. We followed up with
a meeting in 1997 to address the advances in chemistry and resulting
needs and opportunities in the broad area of Asia (including the Southwest
Pacific), and this meeting also helped us to generate new initiatives.
In 1998, we met jointly with the African Association of Pure and Applied
Chemistry to explore ways in which IUPAC, even with its limited resources,
could contribute positively to the advancement of chemistry in a continent
where a growing number of well-educated chemists are striving to overcome
the impediments in seriously underdeveloped economies. Also in 1998,
we had the opportunity to make a short presentation at the meeting
the Federation of Latin American Chemical Societies (FLAQ), and I
hope that IUPAC will be able to have a more substantial joint meeting
with FLAQ at their Conference next year in Lima, Peru.
Last year IUPAC convened the first meeting ever of the Regional Chemical
Federations from Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, and Africa,
and the second such meeting will take place in Berlin. In addition,
here in Berlin, we are joining our hosts, the Gesellschaft Deutscher
Chemiker, in hosting the biennial meeting of Presidents of the world's
National Chemical Societies. Meetings of this sort provide for interchange
of ideas, development of strategies by which all participants can
contribute to the advancement of the chemical sciences, and initiation
of specific programs to share our expertise and resources. I am pleased
that IUPAC is playing a central role in coordinating these efforts
and in providing a central resource for exchange of information and
ideas.
IUPAC attaches great importance to the broadening of its geographical
base. IUPAC added three new National Adhering Organizations in 1998:
the Chemical Society
of Pakistan, the Colegio
de Quimicos de Puerto Rico, and the Union
of Yugoslav Chemical Societies. It is a privilege to congratulate
and felicitate our new National Adhering Organizations and wish fruitful
future contributions of their chemical communities to International
Chemical Sciences.
IUPAC added three new Observer Organizations in 1998-1999: the Pancyprian
Union of Chemists, the Sociedad
Cubana de Quimica, and the Tanzania
Chemical Society. The African Association of Pure and Applied
Chemistry became an Associated
Organization in 1999. It is a pleasure to extend a warm welcome
to our new observer and associated organizations.
IUPAC currently has 43 National
Adhering Organizations, which include the vast majority of the
world's most developed chemistry economies. Yet, there are a significant
number of countries that are major contributors to the chemical sciences
and to chemical industry but which do not currently adhere to IUPAC.
In all our contacts with international Chemistry Federations and Societies,
we are continually exploring ways in which such countries can be brought
into the IUPAC family. Indeed, as we broaden the scope of the Union's
programs, we must make it clear why these countries will benefit from
membership in IUPAC.
Currently there are 18 Observer
Countries, some of which clearly are very close economically to
being able to participate fully in IUPAC. There are other members
of this group that are currently less developed and less able to take
on the financial responsibilities of membership in IUPAC. A large
number of other countries currently have no formal association with
the Union but might benefit from a closer alliance. Later in this
meeting, we shall discuss ways in which we might make such formal
association more attractive.
Overall, our message to the world's chemists is one of openness.
We are restructuring our scientific programs to permit any scientist
anywhere in the world to propose projects that will benefit international
science. We have made it easier for top-notch scientists in countries
that currently do not adhere to IUPAC to participate in the Union's
projects and to serve on its scientific bodies. We have made it clear
through our Strategic Plan and through our followup actions that IUPAC
believes in the service of chemistry to society, worldwide. We are
making strenuous efforts to work cooperatively with the chemical and
pharmaceutical industries to provide an independent scientific base
that will assist them in bringing the benefits of chemistry to mankind.
I believe that IUPAC's new and candid approach to the world chemistry
community will pay dividends in years ahead, both to the Union and
to the science that we serve.