NORDIC COOPERATION IN THE GEOSCIENCES AND IGC 2008

If a successful Nordic vote is obtained at the International Geological Congress in Florence in August 2004 the Nordic Cooperation in the Geosciences and IGC 2008's goal is to advance fundamental understanding related to the geological evolution of the artic and its relation to the Nordic geosphere. Nordic collaboration in parallel with the preparation for the IGC 2008 will highlight the importance of our science to societal progress and try to transmit the excitement of geoscientific discoveries. The socio-economic benefits that accrue or could accrue to society from the geosciences and their applications are very substantial. What a World Congress can do is to bring together a unique partnership of professionals in applied geosciences with scientists from academia and science related organizations. Such partnerships can become a catalyst for the implementation of both national and Nordic programs that can capitalize on the expertise and competence of each. If the further potential benefits to the Nordic region are to be realized, the geosciences, in turn, will need to be provided support by society at both the national and regional levels. Public information, government affairs and formal and informal education are all part of the mix required for success. Outreach as described in the International Year of the Planet Earth initiative is one of many critical activities if we are to contributes to the future flow of geoscientists into research and generate professionals who will be eager to apply geoscientific knowledge to different fields of applied science. Hopefully support to the Nordic Cooperation in the Geosciences and IGC 2008 will not be considered as expenditures, but rather as wise investments which will yield manifold returns in the future.