Page - 29 - in options, Volume summer 2015

institute news 29summer 2015 + optionswww.iiasa.ac.at news at iiasa Systems Analysis 2015 On 11–13 November, in collaboration with the  Santa Fe Institute and the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), IIASA will host a conference bringing together leading researchers from around the world to discuss the current state and future directions of systems analysis. www.iiasa.ac.at/SystemsAnalysis IDRiM 2015: Disaster Risk Reduction IIASA is co‑organizing an event that aims to develop a comprehensive road map for India based on a regional framework for earthquake, flood, extreme weather, and other natural hazard‑triggered disaster risks. Hosted by the Indian National Member Organization, the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) in Delhi, India, the conference will be held on 28–30 October 2015. www.iiasa.ac.at/events/IDRiM-15 Southern African YSSP For the third year, the Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program (SA‑YSSP) was hosted by the University of the Free  State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Co‑organized by IIASA and its South African NMO, the National Research Foundation, the SA‑YSSP ran from November 2014 through February 2015. www.iiasa.ac.at/sa-yssp Enhancing Finnish research activities In February an IIASA delegation visited the  newly established Strategic Research Council and the Strategic Research Unit at  the Academy of Finland in Helsinki. Both  were  established in 2014 by the Finnish  government’s comprehensive reform of state research institutions and research funding. Discussions between IIASA  and Finnish representatives resulted in  an  agreement that IIASA would develop extensive collaborations with both bodies. www.iiasa.ac.at/news/Finland-15 Developing Indian partnerships In February IIASA leaders participated in the 15th Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, and also met members of the new Indian government, including representatives from various science ministries. They also worked with the IIASA–India national committee to  develop IIASA’s plans and priorities with the  Indian National Member Organization. www.iiasa.ac.at/news/India-15 Success of IGBP celebrated by scientific symposium at IIASA F or over two decades the International Geosphere–Biosphere Programme (IGBP) has provided critical scientific leadership and knowledge of Earth systems to help design sustainable pathways to sustainability. During this time IIASA has been a key partner and supporter of the IGBP, and many IIASA staff have held positions within the IGBP leadership and on its scientific committee. This year, many of the activities undertaken by the IGBP will transfer to the new global Future Earth initiative. The final meeting of the IGBP Scientific Committee was hosted at IIASA from 28–30 April 2015. In addition to commending the program’s successes, IIASA co-organized a Scientific Symposium under the patronage of Mrs. Margit Fischer, First Lady of Austria, entitled “Integrated Science for Sustainable Transitions.” The symposium focused on the importance and role of integrated science approaches in the future global sustainability agenda, and was followed by a public lecture by Professor Will Steffen, a former Executive Director of IGBP and internationally acclaimed climate scientist, on “Global Change and the Earth System: A Planet in Transition.” One key consideration highlighted in the discussions was the role of the next generation of researchers in developing new ideas in integrative science. In particular, participants highlighted the importance of increasing gender and national diversity among the research community, as well as the co–generation of science in conjunction with regional and local decision makers. As part of the symposium, young and mid–career IIASA researchers presented recent work, and discussed the role of innovation in research as well as the role of new ideas, which can come with new generations, in changing people’s behavior. PB www.iiasa.ac.at/events/ISGNI-14 IIASA photos | Matthias Silveri