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The International Polar Year 2007-2008 launched

The International Polar Year (IPY) is being launched today, March 1st. In Norway the opening ceremony began at the Oslo City Hall Square at 10 am local time.The official opening ceremony will be led by Crown Prince Haakon (photo) and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg also takes part. More than 3,000 pupils from Oslo schools will participate in the event.

There will also be ceremonies at Arctic Longyearbyen and Ny-Aalesund on Svalbard, at the Norwegian scientific Troll Base in the Antarctic and at the Polar Centre in Tromsoe. 

The International Polar Year (IPY) is a research programme under the auspices of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). Planning has been underway for several years. IPY is an extraordinary initiative that will significantly advance polar research. All the approved research projects will be conducted by multi-national groups of researchers.

The International Polar Year (IPY) spans a two-year period. During this time research resources and funding from over 60 countries will be coordinated in an extraordinary initiative to increase our knowledge about the Arctic and Antarctic. The International Polar Year 2007-2008 will likely be the largest, international research collaboration ever undertaken.

Norwegian scientists and research institutions are prepared to play an important role in the IPY. Out of more than 200 international cluster projects endorsed by IPY, about half involve Norwegian partners, and ten clusters in the portfolio are headed by Norwegians, the Norwegian Research Council states.

Norway will play a prominent role during International Polar Year 2007-2008, not least by virtue of its dynamic research communities linked to an extensive international network, as well as its excellent facilities and logistical support in both the Arctic and Antarctic. By allocating NOK 330 million over four years, Norway is also one of the largest financial contributers to the initiative.

(Press release/Web site)

Rolleiv Solholm

Written by Rolleiv Solholm

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