International Council for Science
International non-governmental organization for scientific cooperation.
The International Council for Science (ICSU, originally the International Council of Scientific Unions) was a non-governmental organization focused on global scientific cooperation. Its membership consisted of national scientific bodies and international scientific unions. In July 2018, the ICSU merged with the International Social Science Council (ISSC) to create the International Science Council (ISC) during a constituent general assembly in Paris.
The ICSU aimed to strengthen international science for society’s benefit. It worked to identify and address major issues relevant to science and society, facilitate cross-disciplinary and cross-national interaction among scientists, promote the participation of all scientists regardless of race, citizenship, language, political stance, or gender, and provide independent, authoritative advice to governments, civil society, and the private sector. Its activities centered on international research collaboration, science for policy, and the universality of science.
One of the oldest non-governmental organizations globally, the ICSU evolved from two earlier bodies: the International Association of Academies (1899–1914) and the International Research Council (1919–1931). In 1998, members changed its name from the International Council of Scientific Unions to the International Council for Science to better reflect its composition and activities, while retaining the ICSU acronym for its historical identity.
The council upheld the Principle of Freedom and Responsibility in Science, asserting that free and responsible scientific practice is essential for advancement and well-being. This requires freedom of movement, association, expression, and communication for scientists, equitable access to data and resources, and responsibility for integrity, respect, fairness, trustworthiness, and transparency. The council opposed discrimination based on ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, language, political opinion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age. The Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in Science (CFRS) oversaw this commitment.
The ICSU Secretariat in Paris, with about 20 staff in 2012, handled daily operations under an elected executive board.
Quick Facts
- Abbreviation
- ICSU
- Headquarters
- Paris, France
- Dissolved
- 2018, 07
- Leader
- Gordon McBean
- Successor
- International Science Council
- Merged into
- International Social Science Council
- Former name
- International Council of Scientific Unions
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The ICSU was one of the oldest non-governmental organizations in the world, representing the evolution and expansion of two earlier bodies: the International Association of Academies (IAA; 1899–1914) and the International Research Council (IRC; 1919–1931). In 1998, Members agreed to modify the name from the International Council of Scientific Unions to the International Council for Science, while retaining the existing acronym ICSU. Its mission was to strengthen international science for the benefit of society, mobilizing knowledge and resources to identify and address major issues, facilitate interaction among scientists across all disciplines and countries, promote participation of all scientists regardless of race, citizenship, language, political stance, or gender, and provide independent, authoritative advice to stimulate dialogue between the scientific community and governments, civil society, and the private sector.
Reader's Guide
The International Council for Science played a pivotal role in fostering global scientific collaboration for over a century. Its activities focused on three areas: International Research Collaboration, Science for Policy, and Universality of Science. The Principle of Freedom and Responsibility in Science was central to its work, advocating free movement, association, expression, and communication for scientists, as well as equitable access to data and resources. The council opposed discrimination based on ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, language, political or other opinion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age. Its Committee on Freedom and Responsibility in Science (CFRS) oversaw this commitment. The ICSU's structure included a Secretariat in Paris, an elected executive board, three Policy Committees, and a General Assembly of all Members convened every three years. It had three Regional Offices in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Its finances came primarily from member contributions, with additional income from UNESCO framework contracts and grants from United Nations bodies, foundations, and agencies. The merger with the ISSC in 2018 created the International Science Council, continuing its legacy of uniting the natural and social sciences.
Did You Know?
- ICSU comprised 122 multi-disciplinary National Scientific Members, Associates and Observers representing 142 countries and 31 international, disciplinary Scientific Unions in 2017.
- ICSU also had 22 Scientific Associates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the International Council for Science?
The International Council for Science (ICSU) was a non-governmental body dedicated to fostering global scientific collaboration. It brought together national scientific organizations and international scientific unions under one umbrella to promote science for the benefit of society.
What was ICSU's main role or purpose?
ICSU worked to identify pressing global issues that science could help address and to mobilize the international scientific community around them. It also championed the principles of freedom and responsibility in scientific inquiry.
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