16. WORLD CONFERENCE ON SCIENCE
Dr. Jost reported that IUPAC had agreed to organize two workshops
at this conference. The first on Science, Industry and Knowledge,
will be organized by Prof. Fischli, the second, Science and New
Materials, will be organized by Prof. J. Corish and Prof. R. G.
Gilbert. IUPAC has agreed to pay the expenses of its organizers
to attend the Conference.
17. CONFERENCES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Prof. Ohtaki reviewed his proposal for IUPAC financial sponsorship
of scientific conferences in developing countries. The proposed
level of support would be USD 10 000 per conference with a maximum
of three conferences supported per year. The difficulty of defining
a "developing" country was noted. It was suggested that the UN
definition might be applicable. An alternative might be to use
the proposed funds to pay for scientists in developing countries
to attend IUPAC sponsored conferences. Further discussion concluded
that more scientists in developing countries would benefit from
sponsored conferences in their own countries, or nearby locations,
than by sponsoring individuals. The group felt that for a conference
to qualify for support, it must meet the normal requirements for
receiving IUPAC sponsorship. That is, the quality and international
nature of the conference must meet the standards set forth in
the AIQ. Prof. Ohtaki was asked to prepare a detailed proposal
for presentation to the Bureau. The Secretariat was asked to assist
as necessary.
18. CHEMISTRY IN AFRICA
Prof. Steyn noted the success of the 7th International Conference
on Chemistry in Africa and the joint IUPAC-AAPAC meeting in Durban.
He then described a recent meeting in Pretoria sponsored by the
American Association for the Advancement of Science. Other participants
were the American Chemical Society, the African Association of
Pure and Applied Chemistry and other organizations interested
in chemistry in Africa.
19. ASSIGNMENT OF VOTES IN FUTURE COUNCIL MEETINGS
Dr. Becker reviewed the material in the Agenda book. He noted
that in the years since the previous adjustment of vote assignments,
1995, there had already occurred a significant degree of compression.
Thus, the number of countries with 1 vote has decreased from 5
to 2 while the number of countries with 3 votes has increased
from 10 to 14. This is due to using absolute values of National
Subscriptions to determine the number of votes assigned, rather
than relative values. Dr. Przybylowicz noted that if an inflation
factor is used to adjust the voting assignments, a result very
similar to that given in Dr. Becker's Table 2 is obtained. The
possibility of increasing the maximum number of votes from 6 to
7 was discussed. However, this would require an amendment to Statute
5.1, and it was concluded that this was probably not feasible.
The Committee agreed with the recommendation that future allocations
of votes should be based on the percentage each NAO contributes
to the total national subscriptions, rather than on a fixed dollar
basis. Dr. Becker was asked to bring this analysis to the Bureau
meeting at Berlin for further discussion; however, this issue
will not be brought to Council this year.
20. PROPOSED CATEGORY OF "ASSOCIATED NATIONAL
ADHERING ORGANIZATIONS"
The Bureau [Minute 71/17.6] had endorsed a change "Observer Country"
to "Associated NAO" and asked the EC to discuss the matter in
more detail. The practice of ICSU was briefly discussed. There
the category of Observers is reserved for Organizations that are
unable to pay their dues, while a "National Scientific Associate"
is an Organization that is normally expected to become a regular
member within six years.
Prof. Ohtaki suggested that organizations in the Associated NAO
category could pay USD 500 and join together to cast one vote
per two Organizations. Dr. Przybylowicz felt that the name change
was acceptable but asked if only organizations that could become
NAOs should be allowed to become ANAOs. After some discussion,
the group felt that making such a judgment would be too difficult.
Dr. Jost commented that if ANAOs were to pay a higher fee than
the current Observers, there would have to be some additional
benefit, such as the right to have members on IUPAC bodies or
National Representatives. Dr. Becker was asked to prepare a paper
for Council discussing the proposed name change and the question
of increased participation by ANAOs compared to Observers.
21. COMPANY ASSOCIATE FEES
Dr. Jost reviewed the material in the paper prepared for the meeting.
The issue is one of equity in the way Company Associate fees are
used by IUPAC. Prof. Fischli suggested that the issue should be
brought to the attention of COCI. Dr. Becker suggested that when
the letters regarding Company Associate fees are written, the
NAOs be asked how they would like the Company Associate fees from
companies in their countries to be used. The Committee asked that
COCI be asked to consider the issue and that a letter be written
to NAOs before the invoices for Company Associate fees are sent
asking how they would like the fees to be used.
22. GUIDELINES REGARDING OUTSIDE FUNDING
Dr. Becker reviewed his paper on the subject. The group felt that
it would be too difficult to prepare a set of rules that covered
all the possible situations without creating a bureaucratic problem.
23. CHANGE OF UK NATIONAL ADHERING ORGANIZATION
The Committee noted the change in the UK NAO from the Royal Society
to the Royal Society of Chemistry. Dr. Hayes was asked to ascertain
how the Royal Society was dealing with representation on other
scientific Unions. The Council will be asked to accept the proposed
change.
24. FUTURE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES AND CONGRESSES
24.1 40th GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND 37TH CONGRESS (BERLIN, 1999)