INTRODUCTION
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry constitutes
a global, international, nongovernmental, scientific, non-profit,
voluntary organization. It is a privilege to extend deep appreciation
to all of the 1200 volunteers all around the world for their personal
commitment to the objectives, goals and activities of IUPAC. Their
contributions promote, perpetuate and enhance the impact of the Union's
activities on the international level, both in scope and in intrinsic
significance. It is by the expertise and dedication of these extensive
and intensive voluntary activities that IUPAC can serve, and will
continue to serve, the world chemical research and industrial community
as the outstanding international authority on pure and applied chemistry.
The present report consists of two parts. The first part addresses
the science policy of the Union. It provides core comments on principles,
general activities and possible present and future directions of the
Union. In view of recent deliberations on the scientific policy and
future of the Union, a more general overview and evaluation of the
state of affairs of IUPAC is attempted, formulating goals and principles
and assessing core activities. The second part addresses the structure
and function of the Union. The organization of the Union should rest
on the objectives and goals, on the principles of science policy and
on the closing of existing gaps in current IUPAC activities. The report
then proceeds to provide recommendations on the structure and activities
of the divisions.
Input information for this report has been derived from the following
sources:
- Vice president's critical assessment 1994, which contains input
from an ad-hoc international advisory board, established by Professor
A. Fischli.
- Future Scientific Policy of the Union - Prof. G. den Boef (1021/gdB/SH,
October 5, 1995).
- "Brain Storming" Session of Executive Committee, Guilford, UK
(August 7, 1995).
- Reports of Division Presidents to the Bureau (August 1995 - July
1996).
- IUPAC Current Programs and Revision Sheets (1996).
- Meetings on Future Directions of IUPAC (Elkridge MD, USA, June
1996 and London, England, February 1997).
This report constitutes a departure from the past format of the Vice
President's Critical Assessment (VPCA). One of the past procedures
to evaluate the activities of the Union was the biennial VPCA. It
has been mentioned that this is a unique opportunity for the Vice
President to become thoroughly acquainted with the activities of the
Union, and, indeed, it was a privilege for me to learn about the broad
spectrum of the Union's activities. The purpose of past VPCAs has
been to examine critically the activities of the Divisions / Sections
and the Standing Committees. I have great respect for each of these
past critical assessments. However, such critical assessments do each
remain a personal view, while a broader perspective is required. IUPAC
serves international scientific endeavour in the realm of Chemistry
in the dual function of a basic science and mission-oriented Union.
In an attempt to provide new ways of planning and assessment, the
present VPCA will not address the details of the extensive activities
of the Divisions and of the Standing Committees. Rather, general issues
of goals, science policy, core activities and structure and function
of the Union will be addressed in an attempt to define the areas in
which IUPAC will continue to make substantial contributions to the
advancement and understanding of chemistry and to the service of chemistry
to world needs.
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Page last modified 29 December 1999.
Copyright © 1999 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry.