Ottawa – September 2010
Hosted by the Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada (RSC), the Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS) held its 2nd IANAS Conference in Ottawa, Canada, on August 26 of 2010, just prior to 3rd General Assembly (G.A.) of the organization.
The Conference was organized at the headquarters of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and brought together IANAS member Academies and representatives from five invited countries to discuss the science behind the IANAS programs and initiatives. Also held at the IDRC, the 3rd General Assembly aimed to appraise the network’s actions in the 2007-2010 triennium, to revise the Statutes and approve the Rules of Procedures, and to elect the leadership of the network for the next three years.
Representatives from 20 countries of the Americas attended the event, which assembled representatives from 16 IANAS member Academies and representatives from Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Panama and Ecuador.
For further information on the IANAS Conference and General Assembly, visit the links below.
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
August 26-28, 2010
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2010 – CONFERENCE
08:30
WELCOME ADDRESS’
Graham Bell, President, Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Canada (RSC)
Naser Faruqui, Innovation, Policy and Science, International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Howard Alper, Co-Chair, IAP: the global network of science academies
Juan Pedro Laclette, Co-Chair, Interamerican Network of Academy of Sciences (IANAS)
Hernan Chaimovich, Co-Chair, Interamerican Network of Academy of Sciences (IANAS)
09:15
OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Chair: Graham Bell
Biological and Cultural Evolution as Components of Ethical Behavior,
Francisco J. Ayala, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences, University of California
09:55
WOMEN FOR SCIENCE
Chair: Anneke Levelt Sengers
The Economics of Climate Change: Costs and Benefits of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions,
Maureen Cropper, Professor of Economics, University of Maryland
Biological Sagacity of Pathogens: the Biggest Challenge to Human Intelligence,
Ester Orozco, Professor of Molecular Pathology at the Center for Advanced Research, National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City
11:25
COFFEE BREAK
11:55
WATER
Chair: Gonzalo Taboada Lopez
Ecosystem Services of Wetlands in an Energy-Limited Future,
William Mitsch, Director, Olentangy River Wetland Research Park
The Urban Water Cycle: Mexico City as an Example,
Blanca Jimenez, Environmental Engineer, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
13:25
LUNCH
14:30
ENERGY
Chair: John Milhone
A Clean and Secure Energy Future for the Americas,
Phyllis Yoshida, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia, Europe and the Americas, Office of Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Energy management problems in a small island economy: the case of Jamaica
Anthony Clayton, Institute for Sustainable Development, University of the West Indies
16:00
COFFEE BREAK
16:30
SCIENCE EDUCATION
Chair: Claudio Bifano
Transforming Science Education in the Hemisphere: Challenges and Opportunities for IAP, IANAS, and their Partners
Sally Goetz Shuler, Executive Director, National Science Resources Center (U.S.A)
Taking Biodiversity to School,
Jorge Crisci, National Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences of Argentina
18:00
Visit to the Canadian Museum of Nature
20:00
Dinner Lecture
Academies-Forging Partnerships to Benefit Society
Howard Alper, IAP Co-chair, Royal Society of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
August 26-28, 2010
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2010 – GENERAL ASSEMBLY DAY 1
09:30
WELCOME ADDRESS, Macdonald Room, Lord Elgin Hotel
BENCHMARKING THE LAST THREE YEARS: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES
Chair: Roger Guerra Garcia
09:50
National Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences of Argentina
Roberto Cignoli, Treasurer
10:05
National Academy of Sciences of Bolivia
Gonzalo Taboada, President
10:20
Brazilian Academy of Sciences
Hernan Chaimovich, IANAS Co-chair
10:35
Caribbean Academy of Sciences
Winston Mellowes, Foreign Secretary
10:50
The Royal Society of Canada
Graham Bell, President of the Academy III
11:05
Caribbean Scientific Union
Nelson Moreno Ceballos, President
11:20
COFFEE BREAK
BENCHMARKING THE LAST THREE YEARS: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES
Chair: Jaime Rodriguez Lara
11:50
Chilean Academy of Sciences
Juan Asenjo, President
12:05
Colombian Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences
Jaime Rodriguez Lara, President
12:20
Cuban Academy of Sciences
Ismael Clarck Arxer, President
12:35
LUNCH
BENCHMARKING THE LAST THREE YEARS: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES
Chair: Ismael Clark Arxer
13:40
Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic
Nelson Moreno Ceballos, President
13:55
Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Sciences of Guatemala
María del Carmen Samayoa, President
14:10
Mexican Academy of Sciences
Arturo Menchaca, President
14:25
National Academy of Sciences of Peru
Gustavo Gonzalez, Secretary of the Directive Council
14:40
National Academy of Sciences (USA)
Michael Clegg, Foreign Secretary
14:55
Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences of Venezuela
Claudio Bifano, Former President
21:00
DINNER
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010 – GENERAL ASSEMBLY DAY 2
ORGANIZING NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITIES
Chair: Maria del Carmen Samayoa & Arturo Menchaca
08:30
Ecuador
Melio Saenz, SENACYT
08:45
Honduras
Carolina Alduvin, member of the Board of the National Academy of Sciences of Honduras
09:00
Nicaragua
Jorge Huete, President of the Nicaraguan Academy of Sciences
09:15
Panama
Victor Sánchez, Vice-President of the Panamanian Association for the Advancement of Science
09:30
Paraguay
Manuel Gil Morlis, President of the Paraguayan Scientific Society
09:45
COFFEE BREAK
THREE YEARS OF IANAS: The road since 2007 and the way ahead
10:15
Report from IANAS Co-chairs & Discussion
Chair: Hernan Chaimovich & Juan Pedro Laclette
10:55
Review of the Statutes and Discussion of the Rules of Procedures
Chair: Michael Clegg
11:55
Elections
IANAS General Assembly Host 2013
Chair: Winston Mellowes & Nelson Moreno Ceballos
IANAS Co-Chairs
Chair: Graham Bell
Executive Committee Members
Chair: Juan Asenjo
New Member Academies
Chair: Jorge Crisci
12:55
Other Business
| ARGENTINA
° Jorge V. Crisci ° Roberto Cignoli BRAZIL ° Hernan Chaimovich ° Marcos Cortesão BOLIVIA ° Gonzalo Taboada Lopez CANADA ° Graham Bell ° Howard Alper ° Jeremy McNeil ° Sophia Huyer CHILE ° Juan Asenjo COLOMBIA ° Jaime Rodriguez-Lara CUBA ° Ismael Clark Arxer ° Sergio Jorge Pastrana DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ° Cecilia Caballero ° Nelson Moreno Ceballos ECUADOR ° Melio Saenz GUATEMALA ° María del Carmen Samayoa HONDURAS ° Carolina Alduvin JAMAICA ° Anthony Clayton ° Ronald Young |
MEXICO
° Arturo Menchaca ° Blanca Jiménez ° Maria Esther Orozco ° Juan Pedro Laclette NICARAGUA ° Jorge Huete-Perez PANAMA ° Victor Sánchez PARAGUAY ° Manuel Morlis Facetti PERU ° Gustavo Gonzalez TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ° Winston Mellowes USA ° Francisco Ayala ° Johanna Levelt Sengers ° John Millhone ° John Boright ° Maureen Cropper ° Michael Clegg ° Sally Goetz Shuler ° William Mitsch ° Phyllis Yoshida VENEZUELA °Claudio Bifano |
Conference and General Assembly
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
August 26-28, 2010
THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2010 – CONFERENCE
08:30
WELCOME ADDRESS’
Graham Bell, President, Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Canada (RSC)
Naser Faruqui, Innovation, Policy and Science, International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Howard Alper, Co-Chair, IAP: the global network of science academies
Juan Pedro Laclette, Co-Chair, Interamerican Network of Academy of Sciences (IANAS)
Hernan Chaimovich, Co-Chair, Interamerican Network of Academy of Sciences (IANAS)
09:15
OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Chair: Graham Bell
Biological and Cultural Evolution as Components of Ethical Behavior,
Francisco J. Ayala, Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences, University of California
09:55
WOMEN FOR SCIENCE
Chair: Anneke Levelt Sengers
The Economics of Climate Change: Costs and Benefits of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions,
Maureen Cropper, Professor of Economics, University of Maryland
Biological Sagacity of Pathogens: the Biggest Challenge to Human Intelligence,
Ester Orozco, Professor of Molecular Pathology at the Center for Advanced Research, National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico City
11:25
COFFEE BREAK
11:55
WATER
Chair: Gonzalo Taboada Lopez
Ecosystem Services of Wetlands in an Energy-Limited Future,
William Mitsch, Director, Olentangy River Wetland Research Park
The Urban Water Cycle: Mexico City as an Example,
Blanca Jimenez, Environmental Engineer, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
13:25
LUNCH
14:30
ENERGY
Chair: John Milhone
A Clean and Secure Energy Future for the Americas,
Phyllis Yoshida, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia, Europe and the Americas, Office of Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Energy management problems in a small island economy: the case of Jamaica
Anthony Clayton, Institute for Sustainable Development, University of the West Indies
16:00
COFFEE BREAK
16:30
SCIENCE EDUCATION
Chair: Claudio Bifano
Transforming Science Education in the Hemisphere: Challenges and Opportunities for IAP, IANAS, and their Partners
Sally Goetz Shuler, Executive Director, National Science Resources Center (U.S.A)
Taking Biodiversity to School,
Jorge Crisci, National Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences of Argentina
18:00
Visit to the Canadian Museum of Nature
20:00
Dinner Lecture
Academies-Forging Partnerships to Benefit Society
Howard Alper, IAP Co-chair, Royal Society of Canada
Conference and General Assembly
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
August 26-28, 2010
FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2010 – GENERAL ASSEMBLY DAY 1
09:30
WELCOME ADDRESS, Macdonald Room, Lord Elgin Hotel
BENCHMARKING THE LAST THREE YEARS: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES
Chair: Roger Guerra Garcia
National Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences of Argentina
Roberto Cignoli
National Academy of Sciences of Bolivia
Gonzalo Taboada, President
10:20
Brazilian Academy of Sciences
Hernan Chaimovich, IANAS Co-chair
10:35
Caribbean Academy of Sciences
Winston Mellowes
10:50
The Royal Society of Canada
Graham Bell
11:05
Caribbean Scientific Union
Nelson Moreno Ceballos, President
11:20
COFFEE BREAK
BENCHMARKING THE LAST THREE YEARS: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES
Chair: Jaime Rodriguez Lara
11:50
Chilean Academy of Sciences
Juan Asenjo, President
12:05
Colombian Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences
Jaime Rodriguez Lara, President
12:20
Cuban Academy of Sciences
Ismael Clarck Arxer, President
12:35
LUNCH
BENCHMARKING THE LAST THREE YEARS: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES
Chair: Ismael Clark Arxer
13:40
Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic
Nelson Moreno Ceballos, President
13:55
Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Sciences of Guatemala
María del Carmen Samayoa, President
14:10
Mexican Academy of Sciences
Arturo Menchaca, President
14:25
National Academy of Sciences of Peru
Gustavo Gonzalez
14:40
National Academy of Sciences (USA)
Michael Clegg
14:55
Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences of Venezuela
Claudio Bifano
21:00
DINNER
SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2010 – GENERAL ASSEMBLY DAY 2
ORGANIZING NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITIES
Chair: Maria del Carmen Samayoa & Arturo Menchaca
08:30
Ecuador
Melio Saenz, SENACYT
08:45
Honduras
Carolina Alduvin, member of the Board of the National Academy of Sciences of Honduras
09:00
Nicaragua
Jorge Huete, President of the Nicaraguan Academy of Sciences
09:15
Panama
Victor Sánchez, Vice-President of the Panamanian Association for the Advancement of Science
09:30
Paraguay
Manuel Gil Morlis, President of the Paraguayan Scientific Society
09:45
COFFEE BREAK
THREE YEARS OF IANAS: The road since 2007 and the way ahead
10:15
Report from IANAS Co-chairs & Discussion
Chair: Hernan Chaimovich & Juan Pedro Laclette
10:55
Review of the Statutes and Discussion of the Rules of Procedures
Chair: Michael Clegg
11:55
Elections
IANAS General Assembly Host 2013
Chair: Winston Mellowes & Nelson Moreno Ceballos
IANAS Co-Chairs
Chair: Graham Bell
Executive Committee Members
Chair: Juan Asenjo
New Member Academies
Chair: Jorge Crisci
12:55
Other Business
The Academies of Sciences of the countries of the Americas, in the spirit of the Global Network of Science Academies (IAP), establish an Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences, IANAS.
The main goals of IANAS are:
Such actions shall always be undertaken with due respect for the spheres of activity, competences and interests of the respective national Academies.
I Members and Organization
I.1 Academies of the countries of the Americas – including those that comprise Social Sciences, Engineering and Health Sciences – may be members of IANAS provided they represent national scientific communities through a peer selection process and play an acknowledged nationwide role. Other Academies may apply to become members of IANAS. Acceptance is decided by the General Assembly.
I.1.1 If a country or region does not have an Academy of Sciences that is a member of IANAS, an equivalent organization may be admitted to membership.
I.1.2 If a member Academy has not participated in IANAS or its programmes and activities for more than three consecutive years, the IANAS Co-Chairs shall consult with that academy.
1.2 Membership in IANAS shall be for nine years, with renewal based on a letter of reapplication to the IANAS Executive Committee and approval by the General Assembly.
I.3 The bodies of the IANAS are the General Assembly and the Executive Committee.
II The General Assembly
II.1 The General Assembly is the meeting of the representatives of members of IANAS. The place and date of the Ordinary Session shall be decided by the General Assembly, or, failing that, by the Executive Committee. Each member Academy is invited to send to the General Assembly the President or his or her designate. Each country shall have a single vote in the General Assembly. Member Academies may designate additional, non-voting representatives.
II.2 Other related organizations or individuals from countries lacking Academies may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee, be invited as observers to the General Assembly.
II.3 The General Assembly shall, in particular, make the following decisions:
II.4 The General Assembly shall adopt and may amend these Statutes with a two-thirds majority vote, abstentions not considered a vote.
II.5 The General Assembly shall adopt or amend the Rules of Procedure by a majority vote.
II.6 The General Assembly may delegate specific tasks or responsibilities to the IANAS Executive Committee.
II.7 Unless explicitly otherwise provided in these Statutes or in the Rules of Procedure, the General Assembly shall decide by a majority vote, abstentions not considered a vote. No country may have more than one vote. A vote shall be taken by hand raising if the vote does not relate to a person or persons or by a secret ballot if the vote relates to a person or persons.
II.8 The General Assembly will be held every three years.
II.9 Travel and living expenses of Academy representatives at General Assemblies are the responsibility of the individual Academies. The host Academy and other Academies in a position to do so will, however, try to provide assistance where appropriate.
III The Executive Committee
III.1 The Executive Committee will ensure the continuity between two successive meetings of the General Assembly, implement the recommendations of the previous one, prepare the program of the next one, and represent IANAS through its Co-Chairs or one of its members during the time between two General Assemblies. The Executive Committee is in charge of the relations of IANAS with international institutions. The Executive Committee should follow general guidance from the previous General Assembly, and with potentially contentious issues should consult the member Academies most closely involved. All the actions of the Executive Committee will be communicated to member Academies in a timely manner.
III.2 Composition of the Executive Committee
III.3 The Co-Chairs of IANAS shall be elected as named individuals, though s/he will need to be a member of an Academy that is a member of IANAS and that is willing to meet his/her expenses.
III.4 The Executive Committee shall consult members about possible candidates for Co-Chairs, not less than three months before the completion of the term of the existing Co-Chair, and then propose one or more names to the membership for election at the General Assembly. A simple majority of the voting members of IANAS shall determine the outcome.
III.4.1 The Executive Committee shall decide by a majority of votes, abstentions not considered a vote. During meetings a vote shall be taken by hand raising if the vote does not relate to a person or persons or by a secret ballot if the vote relates to a person or persons. Between meetings a vote shall be taken by an electronic ballot with the individual votes of a member to be kept confidential if the vote relates to a person or persons.
III.5 The Co-Chairs will serve a term of three years, starting at the date of the General Assembly. For the purpose of ensuring continuity only one Co-Chair may be eligible for re-election. A Co-chair may serve at most two consecutive terms.
III.5.1 In the event a Co-Chair withdraws or becomes incapacitated the Executive Committee will appoint a Co-Chair to serve until the next General Assembly.
III.6 The Co-Chairs may invite individuals to work with the Executive Committee on a particular issue. Such individuals shall have no voting rights.
III.7 Other than the Co-Chairs, all members of the Executive Committee are Academy representatives rather than named individuals. The member Academies may choose their representative to the Executive Committee, but should try to ensure continuity of representation, in order to facilitate the efficient working of the Executive Committee.
III.8 The seven elected member Academies shall stand down at each General Assembly. At least one of the elected member Academies shall change at each election. The maximum continuous service of an elected full member of the Executive Committee shall be six years, after which that member shall be ineligible for election for the next three years.
III.9 The Executive Committee meets just before the meeting of the General Assembly in order to finalize its preparation and the newly elected Executive Committee will meet just after the General Assembly in order to implement recommendations of the General Assembly. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once per year between General Assembly meetings.
IV. The Secretariat
IV.1 Under the guidance of the IANAS Co-Chairs the IANAS Secretariat shall support the General Assembly and the Executive Committee in the discharge of their respective tasks and responsibilities.
IV.2 The Secretariat shall, in particular, be responsible for:
IV.3 The IANAS Secretariat shall be hosted by an IANAS member Academy elected by the General Assembly for a term of six years.
IV 3.1 For reasons of economy and efficiency the functions of the Secretariat may be divided between two or more Academies, but one Academy shall be deemed the lead Academy responsible for receiving and disbursing funds.
IV.3.2 The term of the lead host Academy shall be renewed unless in its previous meeting the General Assembly served notice of its intention to elect another host Academy.
IV.3.3 If the lead host Academy wishes to terminate its role as host Academy, it shall notify the Executive Committee of that intention at least one year before the date of actually ending its role as host Academy.
IV.4 The Executive Committee may adopt rules and regulations governing the tasks and responsibilities of the Secretariat.
V Budget and Finance
V.1 The Co-Chairs shall present a financial report at each General Assembly.
VI The Information Function
VI.1 A major function of IANAS is to promote and reinforce the activities of the Academies of the region through exchange of information and experiences. One main way in which this is done is through exchange of information about IANAS itself and about its members. Such exchange may be accomplished by whatever means are appropriate, taking account of advances in technology and other sources of information already easily available, and shall be the responsibility of the Co-Chairs. They shall also arrange for and maintain an IANAS website with news about IANAS and direct links to the websites of members.
VII. Programs and Initiatives
Programs and Initiatives are an integral part of meeting the capacity building objectives of IANAS and IAP. Programs and initiatives will focus on key issues for the Americas and will promote participation of the members.
Proposals from members of IANAS to the Executive Committee will be considered on an annual basis. It will be the responsibility of the Executive Committee to determine the feasibility of the program or initiative, as well as to organize its implementation.
VII.1 Programs and initiatives will be coordinated by a chairperson who will be designated by the Executive Committee. Coordinators will submit an annual progress report to the Executive Committee describing the activity undertaken.
VII.2 Upon completion or resignation, a chairperson should submit a progress report about the program or initiative. The Executive Committee will provide a copy of the report to the newly designated person.
VII.3. The Executive Committee is responsible for undertaking the evaluation of programs or initiatives.
VIII. Transitory Article
Only for the occasion of the 3rd General Assembly the requirement in article IV.3.2 shall not apply
SECTION I: ELECTIONS
Article 1: Membership
1.1 Application for membership may be made at all times. It shall be in writing and provide information on objectives, members and organizational structure of the Academy seeking membership. Each Academy seeking membership shall explicitly endorse the IANAS Statutes and Rules of Procedure.
1.2 Membership applications shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee or by a subgroup of the Executive Committee.
1.3 If eligible, the Executive Committee shall grant an Academy seeking membership the status of provisional member. Academies with provisional membership may participate fully in all IANAS programs and activities.
1.4 At its next regular meeting, the General Assembly shall vote on new applications for membership based on recommendations from the Executive Committee.
Article 2: Co-Chairs
2.1 At least nine months before the end of term of office of the Co-Chairs, the Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominations and Elections Committee of three persons selected from among representatives of member Academies that do not seek election or re-election to the position of co-chair.
2.1.1 The Nominations and Elections Committee shall canvas all IANAS member Academies for names of potential candidates for co-chair.
2.1.2 The Nominations and Elections Committee shall identify nominees for co-chair position 1 and for co-chair position 2 as two slates to be voted on separately.
2.1.3 At least three months before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly, the Nominations and Elections Committee will report to the IANAS membership the names of at least one nominee for each co-chair position.
2.2 Nominations from the floor must be endorsed by at least five IANAS member Academies and reported to the Nominations and Elections Committee at least two months prior to the General Assembly. The Nominations and Elections Committee will verify the nomination and report it to the IANAS membership at least one month prior to the General Assembly.
2.3 The General Assembly shall vote to fill each of the co-chair positions consecutively. In electing a Co-Chair, the candidate to receive a majority of votes, abstentions not considered a vote, shall be elected a Co-Chair. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the candidate with the least number of votes shall be taken off the slate of candidates and a new vote shall take place. This procedure shall be repeated until a candidate receives a majority of votes.
Article 3: Executive Committee
3.1 At least six months before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly, the Co-Chairs shall request all IANAS member Academies to indicate whether they seek membership of the Executive Committee.
3.1.1 In submitting their request to member Academies, the Co-Chairs shall fix a deadline before which member Academies shall respond. This deadline shall be at least 30 days prior to the first day of the forthcoming meeting of the General Assembly.
3.1.2 In submitting its candidacy, a member Academy shall provide a brief citation of one page at most in which it summarizes the reasons why it seeks membership of the Executive Committee, either for the first time or for a renewal of term.
3.2 At least three months before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly, the Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominations and Election Committee of three persons selected from among representatives of member Academies that do not seek election or re-election to the Executive Committee.
3.3 At least 14 days prior to the first day of the forthcoming meeting of the General Assembly, the Nominations and Election Committee shall circulate to all member Academies a list of all candidates for membership of the Executive Committee.
3.4 The election of the members of the Executive Committee shall be conducted by a secret paper ballot. The Nominations and Election Committee shall decide on any issues relating to the validity of the election process and its results.
3.5 The voting shall be organized as follows:
3.5.1. Each member Academy shall receive a ballot form. The ballot form shall not reveal the identity of the member Academy that uses it. For countries with more than one member Academy, the vote shall be fractional where the total vote from a country sums to one so that all countries have equal representation.
3.5.2 Each member Academy shall cast affirmative votes in favor of 7 candidates by placing the sign X in the box appearing opposite the name of those candidates. A ballot form is invalid if more than 7 Xs are placed on the form. If fewer than 7 Xs are placed on the form, the missing votes shall be considered abstentions.
3.5.3 The Executive committee shall appoint three tellers to count the ballots and report the results of the election to the Nominations and Elections Committee. The Nominations and Election Committee shall determine the 7 candidates that have received the largest number of affirmative votes. If two or more candidates have received the same number of affirmative votes, the elected candidates shall be taken off the slate and a new vote shall take place to decide the remaining positions. This procedure shall be repeated until a candidate receives a majority of votes.
3.5.4 On the basis of the determinations made under paragraph 3.5.3 above, the
Committee shall rule, and announce in order of votes received, which candidates are elected as members of the Executive Committee. The list will be ordered with the Academy receiving the most votes listed first, the next most second until finally the Academy elected with the least votes.
Article 4: Host Academy to the Secretariat
4.1 After having decided to propose to the General Assembly to elect an Academy as the lead host Academy for the Secretariat, the Executive Committee shall request, without delay, IANAS member Academies to indicate whether they seek election as lead host Academy to the Secretariat.
4.2 If the lead host Academy to the Secretariat has notified the Executive Committee that it wishes to terminate its role as host Academy, the Executive Committee shall request, without delay, IANAS member Academies to indicate whether they seek election as lead host Academy.
4.3 On the basis of the candidatures so received, the Executive Committee shall develop a proposal for a new lead host Academy to the Secretariat and place that proposal before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly.
4.4 If it is not possible to postpone the decision until a regular meeting of the General Assembly, the decision may be made by a vote by email.
SECTION II: STATEMENTS
Article 5: Issues of Global Concern
5.1. If the Executive Committee determines that the IANAS shall issue a Statement in which it takes a public position on a scientific or societal problem of a global nature, the Executive Committee shall appoint an Editorial Board to prepare a draft text.
5.2. Such a draft text shall be circulated to the member Academies at least six months before the General Assembly meeting at which the text is to be adopted as a Statement. Member academies shall be requested to comment on the draft text and the Editorial Board shall consider all comments so received.
5.3. The Executive Committee shall place the final draft before the General Assembly for a decision. If the draft receives the support of a majority of all IANAS member Academies, it shall be made public as a IANAS Statement. Any such Statement shall explicitly indicate the IANAS member Academies that support it.
5.4. If it is not possible to submit a final draft to a meeting of the General Assembly, the draft may be submitted by email to IANAS member Academies for a decision by a vote by email. In that case there shall also be a period of six months between the communication of the draft to IANAS member Academies and the decision on whether or not to make it public as a IANAS Statement.
Article 6: Urgent Issues
6.1. If the Co-Chairs determine that the IANAS shall issue a Statement on a scientific or societal problem that requires a rapid reaction, they shall submit a draft text to the Executive Committee.
6.2. Within two weeks after receiving the draft text the members of the Executive Committee shall send in comments, both on the text as such and on the desirability of issuing a Statement.
6.3. Within a week of receiving the above comments the Co-Chairs shall decide whether to proceed with the Statement and, if so, produce a final draft, taking account of the comments received.
6.4. The Co-Chairs shall submit the final draft of the Statement to all IANAS member Academies for approval, indicating the deadline for sending in approvals or disapprovals.
6.5. If, at the passing of the deadline, a majority of all IANAS member Academies has approved the draft, that draft shall be made public as a IANAS Statement. Any such Statement shall explicitly indicate the IANAS member Academies that support it.
Article 7: Exceptionally Urgent Issues
7.1. If the Co-Chairs determine that an exceptional event of the greatest urgency requires immediate action, they shall contact the members of the Executive Committee outlining the Statement they wish to make public.
7.2. If there is not within 48 hours after the initial message of the Co-Chairs, a negative response of a majority of the members of the Executive Committee, the Co-Chairs shall publicly issue a Statement on their own behalf.
Article 8: IANAS Publications
8.1 The Executive Committee shall appoint from among its members an IANAS Publication Committee and charge it with approving, or disapproving, draft publications emanating from a IANAS programme or activity to be issued as a IANAS publication.
8.2 The approval, or disapproval, of a draft publication shall be based on the merits of its data, analysis and conclusions and shall not imply that the IANAS or its member Academies approve the content of the publication. If necessary, the Publication Committee may decide to subject a draft publication to an independent review process.
SECTION I: ELECTIONS
Article 1: Membership
1.1 Application for membership may be made at all times. It shall be in writing and provide information on objectives, members and organizational structure of the Academy seeking membership. Each Academy seeking membership shall explicitly endorse the IANAS Statutes and Rules of Procedure.
1.2 Membership applications shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee or by a subgroup of the Executive Committee.
1.3 If eligible, the Executive Committee shall grant an Academy seeking membership the status of provisional member. Academies with provisional membership may participate fully in all IANAS programs and activities.
1.4 At its next regular meeting, the General Assembly shall vote on new applications for membership based on recommendations from the Executive Committee.
Article 2: Co-Chairs
2.1 At least nine months before the end of term of office of the Co-Chairs, the Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominations and Elections Committee of three persons selected from among representatives of member Academies that do not seek election or re-election to the position of co-chair.
2.1.1 The Nominations and Elections Committee shall canvas all IANAS member Academies for names of potential candidates for co-chair.
2.1.2 The Nominations and Elections Committee shall identify nominees for co-chair position 1 and for co-chair position 2 as two slates to be voted on separately.
2.1.3 At least three months before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly, the Nominations and Elections Committee will report to the IANAS membership the names of at least one nominee for each co-chair position.
2.2 Nominations from the floor must be endorsed by at least five IANAS member Academies and reported to the Nominations and Elections Committee at least two months prior to the General Assembly. The Nominations and Elections Committee will verify the nomination and report it to the IANAS membership at least one month prior to the General Assembly.
2.3 The General Assembly shall vote to fill each of the co-chair positions consecutively. In electing a Co-Chair, the candidate to receive a majority of votes, abstentions not considered a vote, shall be elected a Co-Chair. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the candidate with the least number of votes shall be taken off the slate of candidates and a new vote shall take place. This procedure shall be repeated until a candidate receives a majority of votes.
Article 3: Executive Committee
3.1 At least six months before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly, the Co-Chairs shall request all IANAS member Academies to indicate whether they seek membership of the Executive Committee.
3.1.1 In submitting their request to member Academies, the Co-Chairs shall fix a deadline before which member Academies shall respond. This deadline shall be at least 30 days prior to the first day of the forthcoming meeting of the General Assembly.
3.1.2 In submitting its candidacy, a member Academy shall provide a brief citation of one page at most in which it summarizes the reasons why it seeks membership of the Executive Committee, either for the first time or for a renewal of term.
3.2 At least three months before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly, the Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominations and Election Committee of three persons selected from among representatives of member Academies that do not seek election or re-election to the Executive Committee.
3.3 At least 14 days prior to the first day of the forthcoming meeting of the General Assembly, the Nominations and Election Committee shall circulate to all member Academies a list of all candidates for membership of the Executive Committee.
3.4 The election of the members of the Executive Committee shall be conducted by a secret paper ballot. The Nominations and Election Committee shall decide on any issues relating to the validity of the election process and its results.
3.5 The voting shall be organized as follows:
3.5.1. Each member Academy shall receive a ballot form. The ballot form shall not reveal the identity of the member Academy that uses it. For countries with more than one member Academy, the vote shall be fractional where the total vote from a country sums to one so that all countries have equal representation.
3.5.2 Each member Academy shall cast affirmative votes in favor of 7 candidates by placing the sign X in the box appearing opposite the name of those candidates. A ballot form is invalid if more than 7 Xs are placed on the form. If fewer than 7 Xs are placed on the form, the missing votes shall be considered abstentions.
3.5.3 The Executive committee shall appoint three tellers to count the ballots and report the results of the election to the Nominations and Elections Committee. The Nominations and Election Committee shall determine the 7 candidates that have received the largest number of affirmative votes. If two or more candidates have received the same number of affirmative votes, the elected candidates shall be taken off the slate and a new vote shall take place to decide the remaining positions. This procedure shall be repeated until a candidate receives a majority of votes.
3.5.4 On the basis of the determinations made under paragraph 3.5.3 above, the
Committee shall rule, and announce in order of votes received, which candidates are elected as members of the Executive Committee. The list will be ordered with the Academy receiving the most votes listed first, the next most second until finally the Academy elected with the least votes.
Article 4: Host Academy to the Secretariat
4.1 After having decided to propose to the General Assembly to elect an Academy as the lead host Academy for the Secretariat, the Executive Committee shall request, without delay, IANAS member Academies to indicate whether they seek election as lead host Academy to the Secretariat.
4.2 If the lead host Academy to the Secretariat has notified the Executive Committee that it wishes to terminate its role as host Academy, the Executive Committee shall request, without delay, IANAS member Academies to indicate whether they seek election as lead host Academy.
4.3 On the basis of the candidatures so received, the Executive Committee shall develop a proposal for a new lead host Academy to the Secretariat and place that proposal before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly.
4.4 If it is not possible to postpone the decision until a regular meeting of the General Assembly, the decision may be made by a vote by email.
SECTION II: STATEMENTS
Article 5: Issues of Global Concern
5.1. If the Executive Committee determines that the IANAS shall issue a Statement in which it takes a public position on a scientific or societal problem of a global nature, the Executive Committee shall appoint an Editorial Board to prepare a draft text.
5.2. Such a draft text shall be circulated to the member Academies at least six months before the General Assembly meeting at which the text is to be adopted as a Statement. Member academies shall be requested to comment on the draft text and the Editorial Board shall consider all comments so received.
5.3. The Executive Committee shall place the final draft before the General Assembly for a decision. If the draft receives the support of a majority of all IANAS member Academies, it shall be made public as a IANAS Statement. Any such Statement shall explicitly indicate the IANAS member Academies that support it.
5.4. If it is not possible to submit a final draft to a meeting of the General Assembly, the draft may be submitted by email to IANAS member Academies for a decision by a vote by email. In that case there shall also be a period of six months between the communication of the draft to IANAS member Academies and the decision on whether or not to make it public as a IANAS Statement.
Article 6: Urgent Issues
6.1. If the Co-Chairs determine that the IANAS shall issue a Statement on a scientific or societal problem that requires a rapid reaction, they shall submit a draft text to the Executive Committee.
6.2. Within two weeks after receiving the draft text the members of the Executive Committee shall send in comments, both on the text as such and on the desirability of issuing a Statement.
6.3. Within a week of receiving the above comments the Co-Chairs shall decide whether to proceed with the Statement and, if so, produce a final draft, taking account of the comments received.
6.4. The Co-Chairs shall submit the final draft of the Statement to all IANAS member Academies for approval, indicating the deadline for sending in approvals or disapprovals.
6.5. If, at the passing of the deadline, a majority of all IANAS member Academies has approved the draft, that draft shall be made public as a IANAS Statement. Any such Statement shall explicitly indicate the IANAS member Academies that support it.
Article 7: Exceptionally Urgent Issues
7.1. If the Co-Chairs determine that an exceptional event of the greatest urgency requires immediate action, they shall contact the members of the Executive Committee outlining the Statement they wish to make public.
7.2. If there is not within 48 hours after the initial message of the Co-Chairs, a negative response of a majority of the members of the Executive Committee, the Co-Chairs shall publicly issue a Statement on their own behalf.
Article 8: IANAS Publications
8.1 The Executive Committee shall appoint from among its members an IANAS Publication Committee and charge it with approving, or disapproving, draft publications emanating from a IANAS programme or activity to be issued as a IANAS publication.
8.2 The approval, or disapproval, of a draft publication shall be based on the merits of its data, analysis and conclusions and shall not imply that the IANAS or its member Academies approve the content of the publication. If necessary, the Publication Committee may decide to subject a draft publication to an independent review process.
SECTION I: ELECTIONS
Article 1: Membership
1.1 Application for membership may be made at all times. It shall be in writing and provide information on objectives, members and organizational structure of the Academy seeking membership. Each Academy seeking membership shall explicitly endorse the IANAS Statutes and Rules of Procedure.
1.2 Membership applications shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee or by a subgroup of the Executive Committee.
1.3 If eligible, the Executive Committee shall grant an Academy seeking membership the status of provisional member. Academies with provisional membership may participate fully in all IANAS programs and activities.
1.4 At its next regular meeting, the General Assembly shall vote on new applications for membership based on recommendations from the Executive Committee.
Article 2: Co-Chairs
2.1 At least nine months before the end of term of office of the Co-Chairs, the Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominations and Elections Committee of three persons selected from among representatives of member Academies that do not seek election or re-election to the position of co-chair.
2.1.1 The Nominations and Elections Committee shall canvas all IANAS member Academies for names of potential candidates for co-chair.
2.1.2 The Nominations and Elections Committee shall identify nominees for co-chair position 1 and for co-chair position 2 as two slates to be voted on separately.
2.1.3 At least three months before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly, the Nominations and Elections Committee will report to the IANAS membership the names of at least one nominee for each co-chair position.
2.2 Nominations from the floor must be endorsed by at least five IANAS member Academies and reported to the Nominations and Elections Committee at least two months prior to the General Assembly. The Nominations and Elections Committee will verify the nomination and report it to the IANAS membership at least one month prior to the General Assembly.
2.3 The General Assembly shall vote to fill each of the co-chair positions consecutively. In electing a Co-Chair, the candidate to receive a majority of votes, abstentions not considered a vote, shall be elected a Co-Chair. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the candidate with the least number of votes shall be taken off the slate of candidates and a new vote shall take place. This procedure shall be repeated until a candidate receives a majority of votes.
Article 3: Executive Committee
3.1 At least six months before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly, the Co-Chairs shall request all IANAS member Academies to indicate whether they seek membership of the Executive Committee.
3.1.1 In submitting their request to member Academies, the Co-Chairs shall fix a deadline before which member Academies shall respond. This deadline shall be at least 30 days prior to the first day of the forthcoming meeting of the General Assembly.
3.1.2 In submitting its candidacy, a member Academy shall provide a brief citation of one page at most in which it summarizes the reasons why it seeks membership of the Executive Committee, either for the first time or for a renewal of term.
3.2 At least three months before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly, the Executive Committee shall appoint a Nominations and Election Committee of three persons selected from among representatives of member Academies that do not seek election or re-election to the Executive Committee.
3.3 At least 14 days prior to the first day of the forthcoming meeting of the General Assembly, the Nominations and Election Committee shall circulate to all member Academies a list of all candidates for membership of the Executive Committee.
3.4 The election of the members of the Executive Committee shall be conducted by a secret paper ballot. The Nominations and Election Committee shall decide on any issues relating to the validity of the election process and its results.
3.5 The voting shall be organized as follows:
3.5.1. Each member Academy shall receive a ballot form. The ballot form shall not reveal the identity of the member Academy that uses it. For countries with more than one member Academy, the vote shall be fractional where the total vote from a country sums to one so that all countries have equal representation.
3.5.2 Each member Academy shall cast affirmative votes in favor of 7 candidates by placing the sign X in the box appearing opposite the name of those candidates. A ballot form is invalid if more than 7 Xs are placed on the form. If fewer than 7 Xs are placed on the form, the missing votes shall be considered abstentions.
3.5.3 The Executive committee shall appoint three tellers to count the ballots and report the results of the election to the Nominations and Elections Committee. The Nominations and Election Committee shall determine the 7 candidates that have received the largest number of affirmative votes. If two or more candidates have received the same number of affirmative votes, the elected candidates shall be taken off the slate and a new vote shall take place to decide the remaining positions. This procedure shall be repeated until a candidate receives a majority of votes.
3.5.4 On the basis of the determinations made under paragraph 3.5.3 above, the
Committee shall rule, and announce in order of votes received, which candidates are elected as members of the Executive Committee. The list will be ordered with the Academy receiving the most votes listed first, the next most second until finally the Academy elected with the least votes.
Article 4: Host Academy to the Secretariat
4.1 After having decided to propose to the General Assembly to elect an Academy as the lead host Academy for the Secretariat, the Executive Committee shall request, without delay, IANAS member Academies to indicate whether they seek election as lead host Academy to the Secretariat.
4.2 If the lead host Academy to the Secretariat has notified the Executive Committee that it wishes to terminate its role as host Academy, the Executive Committee shall request, without delay, IANAS member Academies to indicate whether they seek election as lead host Academy.
4.3 On the basis of the candidatures so received, the Executive Committee shall develop a proposal for a new lead host Academy to the Secretariat and place that proposal before the next regular meeting of the General Assembly.
4.4 If it is not possible to postpone the decision until a regular meeting of the General Assembly, the decision may be made by a vote by email.
SECTION II: STATEMENTS
Article 5: Issues of Global Concern
5.1. If the Executive Committee determines that the IANAS shall issue a Statement in which it takes a public position on a scientific or societal problem of a global nature, the Executive Committee shall appoint an Editorial Board to prepare a draft text.
5.2. Such a draft text shall be circulated to the member Academies at least six months before the General Assembly meeting at which the text is to be adopted as a Statement. Member academies shall be requested to comment on the draft text and the Editorial Board shall consider all comments so received.
5.3. The Executive Committee shall place the final draft before the General Assembly for a decision. If the draft receives the support of a majority of all IANAS member Academies, it shall be made public as a IANAS Statement. Any such Statement shall explicitly indicate the IANAS member Academies that support it.
5.4. If it is not possible to submit a final draft to a meeting of the General Assembly, the draft may be submitted by email to IANAS member Academies for a decision by a vote by email. In that case there shall also be a period of six months between the communication of the draft to IANAS member Academies and the decision on whether or not to make it public as a IANAS Statement.
Article 6: Urgent Issues
6.1. If the Co-Chairs determine that the IANAS shall issue a Statement on a scientific or societal problem that requires a rapid reaction, they shall submit a draft text to the Executive Committee.
6.2. Within two weeks after receiving the draft text the members of the Executive Committee shall send in comments, both on the text as such and on the desirability of issuing a Statement.
6.3. Within a week of receiving the above comments the Co-Chairs shall decide whether to proceed with the Statement and, if so, produce a final draft, taking account of the comments received.
6.4. The Co-Chairs shall submit the final draft of the Statement to all IANAS member Academies for approval, indicating the deadline for sending in approvals or disapprovals.
6.5. If, at the passing of the deadline, a majority of all IANAS member Academies has approved the draft, that draft shall be made public as a IANAS Statement. Any such Statement shall explicitly indicate the IANAS member Academies that support it.
Article 7: Exceptionally Urgent Issues
7.1. If the Co-Chairs determine that an exceptional event of the greatest urgency requires immediate action, they shall contact the members of the Executive Committee outlining the Statement they wish to make public.
7.2. If there is not within 48 hours after the initial message of the Co-Chairs, a negative response of a majority of the members of the Executive Committee, the Co-Chairs shall publicly issue a Statement on their own behalf.
Article 8: IANAS Publications
8.1 The Executive Committee shall appoint from among its members an IANAS Publication Committee and charge it with approving, or disapproving, draft publications emanating from a IANAS programme or activity to be issued as a IANAS publication.
8.2 The approval, or disapproval, of a draft publication shall be based on the merits of its data, analysis and conclusions and shall not imply that the IANAS or its member Academies approve the content of the publication. If necessary, the Publication Committee may decide to subject a draft publication to an independent review process.
Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS)
general assembly
Ottawa, canada, August 27-28, 2010
The Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS) held its 3rd General Assembly (GA) on August 27-28, 2010 in Ottawa, Canada. The GA took place right after the 2nd IANAS Conference, which focused on the science behind the IANAS programs and initiatives, held on August 26 at the headquarters of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The General Assembly brought together IANAS member Academies and representatives from five invited countries, to appraise the network’s actions in the 2007-2010 triennium, to revise the Statutes and approve the Rules of Procedures, and to elect the leadership of the network for the next three years.
The following IANAS member Academies attended the General Assembly: National Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences (Argentina); National Academy of Sciences of Bolivia; Brazilian Academy of Sciences; Caribbean Academy of Sciences; The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada; Caribbean Scientific Union; Chilean Academy of Sciences; Colombian Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences; Cuban Academy of Sciences; Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic; Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Sciences of Guatemala; Mexican Academy of Sciences; National Academy of Sciences of Peru; National Academy of Sciences (USA); and Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences of Venezuela.
Representatives from the national scientific communities of the following countries were also present: Melio Sáenz, Professor of the Petroleum Research Institute, Petroecuador, and Ecuadorian National Council for Science and Technology (SENACYT); Carolina Alduvin, Professor of the Department of Biology of the National Autonomous University of Honduras, and member of the Board of the National Academy of Sciences of Honduras; Jorge A. Huete-Pérez, President of the Nicaraguan Academy of Sciences; Victor Sanchez, Vice-President of the Panamanian Association for the Advancement of Science; and Manuel Gil Morlis, President of the Paraguayan Scientific Society.
The third IANAS GA was opened by the IANAS co-chairs, Hernan Chaimovich and Juan Pedro Laclette. Both addressed the audience congratulating and thanking the host Academy for the organization of the successful Conference held in the previous two days. They highlighted the importance of the General Assembly for setting the stage for the future actions of IANAS and wished participants a fruitful discussion.
In the first session “Benchmarking the Last Three Years: Achievements and Challenges”, IANAS member Academies delivered brief presentations summarizing the major activities developed by each one of them over the past three years. The engagement of the Academies in the IANAS programs was detailed, as well as the major accomplishments of each one of them. The presentations provided a good overview of the level of organization of the Academies in the region.
The second session on “Organizing National Scientific Communities” had as objective the discussion of how can IANAS contribute to capacity building in countries that are not yet members of the network. Representatives from the scientific communities of Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Paraguay delivered presentations focusing on the state of the art of Science and Technology on these countries, the level of organization of the national scientific communities, and how can IANAS be of assistance in the strengthening of local S&T. The representatives from the countries that have been interacting with IANAS in the past years stressed the importance of this experience, highlighting the importance of capacity building activities such as the “Inventing a Better Future Workshop: A Strategy for Building Regional Capacities in Science and Technology”, recently held in Brasília. It was clear to all that IANAS must develop further contacts with these countries, which should be stimulated to become engaged in the programs and initiatives of the network.
In the session “Three Years of IANAS: The Road Since 2007 and the Way Ahead”, the Co-chairs presented a report on the activities and the achievements of the network since the Margarita Island General Assembly. Chaimovich and Laclette highlighted the success of the Science Education and of the Water Programs, which were recognized as flagship programs of IANAS. The co-chairs also stressed the importance of the regional workshops (Toward a Sustainable Energy Future, Buenos Aires, October 2008; Women for Science Symposium, Mexico City, April 2009; Science Funding Landscape, Guatemala City, July 2009; and the already mentioned Inventing a Better Future) organized by IANAS. As a result of these, the network is now launching two new initiatives: the Women for Science Working Group and the Energy Working Group. The co-chairs also indicated the need to launch a bold Capacity Building Program. Capacity building has been in the agenda of IANAS through the programs and regional workshops, but the network needs to implement a more coordinated action on this area. This issue has been discussed in the meetings of the Executive Committee, but the new leadership of IANAS should look more effectively into this. A final aspect raised by the co-chairs is the need to invest more in the partnership with organizations such as the OAS. In the past IANAS played a very active role taking S&T into the agenda of the OAS, but more recently the network did not attend major meetings where the presence of IANAS would have had an impact. This is something that should be seriously considered by the new Executive Board. In conclusion, the co-chairs thanked the Academies for the continuous support to the network, congratulating all for the work achieved.
The member Academies then discussed the new IANAS Statutes and Rules of Procedures, which were drafted by a Governance Committee chaired by Michael Clegg. The IANAS Executive Committee had discussed the proposal, which was circulated to member Academies previous to the General Assembly. The suggestions that were sent by the Academies to the Governance Committee were incorporated and the only new alteration was in the composition of the Executive Board, which will now be integrated by the co-chairs, the Academy hosting the present General Assembly, the Academy hosting the next General Assembly, and seven Academies not represented in the citizenship of the co-chairs. Both the Statutes and the Rules of Procedures were unanimously approved.
The election of the new leadership of the network was the next item in the agenda. Juan Pedro Laclette, from the Mexican Academy of Sciences, and Michael Clegg, from the US National Academy of Sciences were unanimously elected IANAS co-chairs for the period 2010-2013. The Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic was elected as host Academy to the 2013 General Assembly. The Mexican Academy of Sciences was unanimously elected to host the Secretariat of the network. The following Academies were elected to the Executive Board of IANAS: National Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences (Argentina); National Academy of Sciences of Bolivia; Brazilian Academy of Sciences; Chilean Academy of Sciences; Cuban Academy of Sciences; Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Sciences of Guatemala; and Academy of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences of Venezuela. The seven elected Academies, together with the Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada (host of the 2010 General Assembly) and the Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic (host of the 2010 General Assembly) constitute to new IANAS Executive Board.
The last item in the agenda was the approval of new IANAS Members. Jorge Crisci, chair of the membership Committee, presented his report to the floor. After a short discussion the Nicaraguan Academy of Sciences was unanimously approved as a member of the network. All other invited countries were invited to become actively engaged in the programs and initiatives of the network.
Having no more further business to discuss and having covered the meeting’s agenda, the General Assembly was closed with concluding remarks from the host Academy and the elected co-chairs.
