What is IPY?

International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008 will be an intensive international program of coordinated, interdisciplinary science, research and observations over a 24-month period. It will involve conducting activities in the Earth's polar regions to explore new scientific frontiers; to deepen our understanding of polar processes and their global linkages; to increase our ability to detect changes; to more fully involve Arctic residents with research activities; to attract and develop the next generation of polar scientists and experts, and to capture the interest of the public.

Three International Polar Years have been held during the past 125 years, capturing the global imagination and galvanizing activity by countries around the world. Previous International Polar Years have contributed to enormous advances in knowledge and understanding about the polar regions, telecommunications, atmospheric and ocean science, and the aurora, and led to the Antarctic Treaty. As the upcoming IPY will be the first event of its kind in 50 years, it will capitalize on innovative modern technology to advance our knowledge of Arctic and Antarctic regions in ways that were not possible during previous IPYs.

International Polar Year 2007-2008 is expected to be the largest-ever polar research program, valued at several billion dollars, and involving at least 30, but possibly as many as 50 countries and 20,000 or more people from around the world. It is hosted internationally by the International Council of Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), and has been endorsed by numerous international bodies, including the Arctic Council and the United Nations Environment Program.

Canada has been actively promoting International Polar Year domestically and internationally and has strongly endorsed the inclusion, for the first time, of the human dimension as a focal point within International Polar Year.

The Government of Canada's contribution to IPY

New funding in the amount of $150 million will be provided between 2006/07 and 2011/12 to enable Canada to carry out an innovative, interdisciplinary program for International Polar Year. The major focus of the program will be on science and research activities to address two priority areas: science for climate change impacts and adaptation, and the health and well-being of northern communities. These funds will be available to government, university and community researchers alike through a competitive peer review process in which proposed projects will be evaluated against strict criteria. A Call for Proposals is planned later this Fall. This will fill scientific research needs beyond the capacity of existing programs, building on and supporting existing networks and facilities.

Another focus of the program is training, communication and outreach. Northern communities will be actively engaged in science and research activities, thus benefiting from on-the-ground training. Investments in education and training will promote the involvement and development of a new generation of polar scientists, particularly Northerners and Aboriginal peoples, to carry on strong northern research programs in the decades to follow.

As a host polar nation, Canada will use a portion of this funding to ensure that it has in place the basic facilities and services to accommodate a large influx of researchers to Canada's North during the peak IPY period of 2007 to 2009. These investments will also provide benefits in the longer run by increasing our overall capacity to carry out science in Canada's North.

IPY 2007-2008 will seek to involve northern residents on a more extensive scale than ever before - in science and research planning and activities, through training programs, through communications activities, and through roles in the management and administration of the program.

The Government of Canada's approach to IPY is consistent with goals proposed in the Northern Strategy framework, including the promotion of northern science and research, reinforcing circumpolar cooperation, strengthening partnerships, and environmental protection.

A number of important steps have already been taken to prepare Canada and the Canadian science community for IPY. In September 2004, Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan announced the establishment of a Canadian IPY Secretariat at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. A Canadian IPY Steering Committee was also formed with representation from colleges, universities, research institutes, government, and non-government organizations to promote and encourage interest in IPY across Canada, especially in the North. Twenty-one federal departments and agencies worked together to develop this program for Canada's involvement in IPY. The Canadian research community has responded with enthusiasm to the international calls for proposals thus far: earlier this year, nearly 250 "pre-proposals" were submitted by Canadian researchers to the international IPY Joint Committee. This international coordinating body offers only endorsement, not funding, which must be obtained from national sources.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, IPY funding will be jointly managed by the Departments of Indian and Northern Affairs, Environment, Natural Resources, Fisheries and Oceans, Health, and Industry.

For additional information, please see also:
IPY - International
IPY - Canada
IPY - Canadian Secretariat

September 2005

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