Comments by ISTC Executive Director, Adriaan van der Meer :
Today, we begin celebrating the 15th anniversary of the founding of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC). On 2 March 1994, the Agreement creating the Center came into force.
Since that date, the Center, operating from its headquarters in Moscow, has become a focal point for the promotion of international science cooperation between research institutes around the world. The Center has implemented more than 2,600 high technology projects with a total funding of over US$ 800 million. More importantly, it has provided direct support to scientists and technicians working in the CIS countries during a tumultuous period of change. Physics, biotechnology, environment and chemistry are just a few of the technology areas that have received ISTC project funding.
Building Networks
The Center was founded by the European Union, Japan, the Russian Federation, and the United States of America. Canada, Norway, and South Korea subsequently joined. It has since evolved during its 15 years, widening the scope of its activities to encompass many new challenges and needs. For example, ISTC is now heavily engaged in supporting commercialization programs and offers specific assistance to recipient scientists and institutes to obtain patents to protect their inventions. The Center also has Branch Offices in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan where it actively supports R&D.
Over time, the work of the Center has played a key role in the creation of a civil orientated research community in Russia, other countries of the CIS and Georgia. It has built new networks of international contacts and, last but not least, has brought about a drastic reduction in the proliferation threats that particularly dominated the last decade. There have been many success stories to tell, from breakthrough research in physics through to the development of new nuclear medicines, diagnostics and sensors, and the development of alternative forms of energy such as new fuel cells and wind and sea generated power technologies.
ISTC itself is unique in that it is one of the few single purpose international organizations that works on a multilateral basis and operates with transparent rules on the handling of projects and funding.
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| From left to right: Executive director Glenn Schweitzer, Japanese Deputy Executive Director Yasusi Shaku, Russian Deputy Executive Director Vladimir Kruchenkov, and EU Deputy Executive Director Alain Gerard
2009
| | From left to right: US Acting Deputy Executive Director Tim Murray, EU Deputy Executive Director Waclaw Gudowski, Executive Director Adriaan van der Meer, Canadian Deputy Executive Director Leo Owsiacki, Japanese Deputy Executive Director Yasuhiro Yukimatsu, Russian Deputy Executive Director Sergey Vorobiev
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ISTC’s work has focused principally on supporting the individuals engaged in research and development. At the same time, institutes have received direct assistance to improve their capacity for international and civilian research, such as the adoption of recognized standards that provide possibilities to market their research results on a worldwide basis. Through its work, the Center has gained the trust and respect of scientists and institutes throughout the Russian Federation and beyond.
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| Over its 15 years, the Center has built up a wealth of experience, creating genuine scientific partnerships and scientist engagement in civilian R&D as part of its international nonproliferation mandate. Of course, over 15 years, the situation both in Russia and beyond has changed and this has brought new challenges for the international scientific community and, in particular, for ISTC itself.
Facing New Challenges
It has been important for the Center to develop a greater focus on contributing to worldwide issues, in particular, global warming, the development of alternative energy sources, safe nuclear technologies as well as contributing to the prevention of dual use of bio-technologies. Discussion is ongoing on how best to adapt the working methods of the Center to face emerging global challenges, and the outcome will prove crucial in ensuring that ISTC retains its hard-earned reputation and continuing relevance, especially as the Center encourages increasing numbers of private organisations to engage and assist in meeting its objectives.
There are many lessons learned and good practices established, and the Center’s experience should be put at the disposal of challenges that have arisen outside of the original geographical area in which ISTC is active. Only an approach that takes into account the very specific situation in individual countries and builds sustainable partnerships is one that works in practice. ISTC’s experience shows that a permanent and efficient secretariat on the ground is the best method to address the specific requirements of the scientists and institutes of concern.
We look forward to adapting the work of the Center to the evolving global challenges that we all face, ensuring ISTC’s continuing relevance to civilian science development and guaranteeing that both public and private funds are strictly in line with the overall objectives guiding the Center’s activities.”
The official 15th anniversary celebrations of ISTC will be held in Moscow on 10 December 2009.
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