4.4: New Horizons
Emerging international research priorities of importance to science and society and to develop mechanisms to ensure that these
can be addressed in a timely manner by the relevant members of the ICSU community.
Other Information:
As science develops and opens up new opportunities and challenges, the interchange between different disciplines and countries
is critical for defining those areas where early international planning and coordination is necessary. For many emerging areas,
international collaboration occurs almost spontaneously. For other topics, some of which may eventually be of greater importance
for science and society, additional mechanisms and/or incentives are necessary. A number of important emerging scientific
areas have been identified in the various strategic assessment and consultation exercises that have informed this Strategic
Plan. Many of these are appropriate for new international and interdisciplinary initiatives from the ICSU community. Specific
topics, not mentioned elsewhere in this Strategic Plan, include: - Cognitive neurosciences - Complex systems science - Human
security and environmental refugees - Molecular biosciences - Nanosciences and nanotechnology - Transgenic crops and animals
ICSU does not have the resources to initiate major strategic initiatives addressing each of these topics. However, one mechanism
by which ICSU can facilitate the development of these areas is by providing seed funding through its grants programme. Further
to this, preliminary discussions with the European Science Foundation (ESF) have indicated that it would be interested in
co-sponsoring a series of international conferences to explore some of these topics.
Objective(s):
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