Establishing a Secretariat for The Science and Technology Alliance for Global Sustainability

Suny System Administration, Albany NY

Investigators

Abstract

This award will provide support to help establish a secretariat for the Science and Technology Alliance for Global Sustainability. The ?Alliance? is a high-level body composed of leaders of the leaders of international organizations committed to finding solutions to the world?s most pressing questions about the future sustainability of the planet. These organizations include composed of representatives from the ISSC, ICSU, UN, UNEP, UNU, and WMO (as an observer). The Alliance works to ensure that the results of multi-disciplinary research are accessible to decision makers concerned with the sustainability of the planet. The Alliance seeks to foster unprecedented collaboration between the natural, social, economic, engineering, and human sciences, the Alliance will contribute to the creation of creative, bold, and integrated solutions for global sustainability. The seed funding will be used to support the work of the secretariat, which will provide: 1. A platform for expanding the Alliance, including creation of the Alliance Forum, which extends the Alliance to the global business community. 2. A means for Alliance members to meet and create a strategic plan for the Alliance. 3. A visible presence for the Alliance through development of communications materials and strategies. The Alliance secretariat will help the Alliance fulfill its mission to drive and facilitate the co-design, co-production and co-delivery of knowledge with relevant stakeholders in order to address and create solution pathways for global sustainability problems. The first major activity of the Alliance is the establishment of ?Future Earth?, a 10-year initiative on Earth System research for global sustainability. This initiative will bring together and build on the strengths of existing international global environmental change program and incorporates the outcomes of recent visioning and agenda-setting processes led by the Alliance members.