RG XXI: Academy Committee for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS) and National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Joint Committee for the International Foundation for Science (IFS)

Historical Note

The Academy Committee for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS) and National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Joint Committee for the International Foundation for Science (IFS) was in operation from 1972-1975. However, activity to establish the IFS began in 1969 and a relationship continued to exist between the Academy and the IFS after 1975. Founded to promote fundamental and applied research in developing countries, it was inspired by the success of the establishment of the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), which also involved the Academy. Detlev Bronk served as Chair for the duration, with committee members Robert Marshak, Roger Revelle, and Alexander Rich. 

Steps were taken at a July 1970 meeting in Stockholm to launch the foundation, sponsored by UNESCO, and held in cooperation by the Academy and the Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. A fifteen-member interim board composed of representatives from national academies around the world was appointed to oversee the planning and establishment of the IFS. The IFS was formally established in Stockholm on May 26, 1972. The interim board of trustees was replaced with an elected board at the first General Assembly of the IFS in Stockholm on September 23-24, 1975.

Scope and Content

The series is contained within the Academy Archives’ Record Group XXI: Academy Projects and Programs. This series contains the administrative and project records of the Academy relating to the founding and operation of IFS, from 1969 to 1980. Records of the Academy Committee were kept by the office of John Voss, Chief Executive Officer of the Academy. The majority are records created between 1969-1975 by the executive office of John Voss. Records are comprised of general administrative records and IFS meeting records. Meeting records include minutes, and also hold correspondence and memoranda, though specifically relating to the planning and follow-up of these meetings.

Significant materials include John Voss' notes and November 1970 memoranda arguing for the establishment of the IFS. The greatest amount of materials relating to the meeting records are for the initial July 23-24, 1970 meeting in Stockholm.

Arrangement

Processing for the series utilized MPLP principles, thus minimum preservation steps were taken, and folder titles listed in the finding aid are as they appear on the actual folders. Original order of the records was generally maintained, with records interfiled where appropriate.
The series is divided into two subseries: Subseries 1: Administrative Records; Subseries 2: Meetings of the IFS. Both are arranged chronologically.

Volume

2 records center cartons (1.25 linear feet)

Preferred Citation

[Item title, date]. Record Group XXI: Academy Projects – Academy Committee for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS) and National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Joint Committee for the International Foundation for Science (IFS), 1969-1980. Archives, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Subjects

Bronk, Detlev W. (Detlev Wulf), 1897-1975
Marshak, Robert E. (Robert Eugene), 1916-1992
Revelle, Roger, 1909-1991
Rich, Alexander
Voss, John, 1917-
Ingenjörsvetenskapsakademien (Sweden)
International Foundation for Science
National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)
Unesco
Science--International cooperation
Science--Research--Developing countries