the interior driving formations of mountains, volcanism and earthquakes, and the
processes changing the atmosphere and hydrosphere cannot be solved without
extensive exploration of the ocean. The cooperation between scientists from
many different disciplines was considered to be even more necessary in the future.
In light of all this the Committee recommended the establishment by ICSU of a
Special Committee for Oceanic Research (Wolff 2010). The activities of the
proposed committee should take note of actions of intergovernmental bodies as
UNESCO, ICES and others. The non-governmental character of the proposed
committee could constructively supplement the work of these other bodies. The
recommendation resulted in the creation by ICSU of SCOR in 1957.
The Special Committee on Oceanic Research was given the initial task to
continue the oceanographic programmes initiated during the International Geophysical Year 1957–1958 for a 5 year period (Wolff 2010). The method of
organizing the specific scientific work through dedicated working groups was
adopted. This brought scientists together, which had been an essential aim, to
formulate and specify programmes to address the problem areas and agree on
distribution of implementation. Much new technologies had been developed for
different applications, and they could be applied in ocean research. The aim was to
make this a reality. This should stimulate well qualified scientists to do ocean
research. The incentives were the opportunities to do science in a new realm
using new ideas and technologies. The working groups generated contacts between
scientists, stimulating cooperation and preparation of joint proposals, pooling of
limited resources, human and equipment, including between different disciplines.
In parallel to this development UNESCO continued exploring the interest and
possibility of creating an intergovernmental mechanism dedicated to ocean science,
observations and related education and training. It soon became clear that there was
a strong need for involving the governments in the global efforts concerning the
strenghtening of ocean science, observations and capacity development.
The need for cooperation involving also the governments in such global efforts
became clear. The intergovernmental need in relation to ocean research was
evaluated already soon after the War through UNESCO by a committee of oceanographers and biologists meeting in spring of 1947 at the Royal Society. They
expressed strong support for creation of an organized platform for such cooperation. The meeting was followed up by another one in 1950. However, it took a
decade until the intergovernmental UNESCO Conference in Copenhagen in July
1960 reached agreement on the establishment of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. The scientific community had expressed its support and the
Conference was needed to confirm the commitment and involvement of the governments. UNESCO had accordingly prepared a draft agreement which was
accepted with minor amendments. The support of the major powers at the time
UK, USA and Soviet Union was secured with participation of the leaders Drs
Deacon, Revelle, and Zenkevitch. The leader of the ‘Galathea’ expedition
Dr. Anton Bruun referred to the acceptance from the governments as “the largest
milestone in the history of ocean research”. The ocean research had so far been
mainly supported by private efforts. The research community had problems to
536
G. Kullenberg
processes changing the atmosphere and hydrosphere cannot be solved without
extensive exploration of the ocean. The cooperation between scientists from
many different disciplines was considered to be even more necessary in the future.
In light of all this the Committee recommended the establishment by ICSU of a
Special Committee for Oceanic Research (Wolff 2010). The activities of the
proposed committee should take note of actions of intergovernmental bodies as
UNESCO, ICES and others. The non-governmental character of the proposed
committee could constructively supplement the work of these other bodies. The
recommendation resulted in the creation by ICSU of SCOR in 1957.
The Special Committee on Oceanic Research was given the initial task to
continue the oceanographic programmes initiated during the International Geophysical Year 1957–1958 for a 5 year period (Wolff 2010). The method of
organizing the specific scientific work through dedicated working groups was
adopted. This brought scientists together, which had been an essential aim, to
formulate and specify programmes to address the problem areas and agree on
distribution of implementation. Much new technologies had been developed for
different applications, and they could be applied in ocean research. The aim was to
make this a reality. This should stimulate well qualified scientists to do ocean
research. The incentives were the opportunities to do science in a new realm
using new ideas and technologies. The working groups generated contacts between
scientists, stimulating cooperation and preparation of joint proposals, pooling of
limited resources, human and equipment, including between different disciplines.
In parallel to this development UNESCO continued exploring the interest and
possibility of creating an intergovernmental mechanism dedicated to ocean science,
observations and related education and training. It soon became clear that there was
a strong need for involving the governments in the global efforts concerning the
strenghtening of ocean science, observations and capacity development.
The need for cooperation involving also the governments in such global efforts
became clear. The intergovernmental need in relation to ocean research was
evaluated already soon after the War through UNESCO by a committee of oceanographers and biologists meeting in spring of 1947 at the Royal Society. They
expressed strong support for creation of an organized platform for such cooperation. The meeting was followed up by another one in 1950. However, it took a
decade until the intergovernmental UNESCO Conference in Copenhagen in July
1960 reached agreement on the establishment of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. The scientific community had expressed its support and the
Conference was needed to confirm the commitment and involvement of the governments. UNESCO had accordingly prepared a draft agreement which was
accepted with minor amendments. The support of the major powers at the time
UK, USA and Soviet Union was secured with participation of the leaders Drs
Deacon, Revelle, and Zenkevitch. The leader of the ‘Galathea’ expedition
Dr. Anton Bruun referred to the acceptance from the governments as “the largest
milestone in the history of ocean research”. The ocean research had so far been
mainly supported by private efforts. The research community had problems to
536
G. Kullenberg