Reflections on a new structure for IAG Beyond 2000 — conclusions from the IAG Section II Symposium in Munich

Abstract

The current structure and possible future modifications of the IAG were in the focus of the Section II meeting of IAG in October 1998 in Munich.

The main conclusion was, that the IAG should invoke a thorough review process within the next IAG “legislation period” from 1999–2003. This process should include at least one special retreat of the IAG Executive Committee with a well selected list of guests. It must involve all IAG sections and all other relevant IAG entities (like IAG services).

Section II is convinced that a thorough review process is necessary because

• geodesy underwent a dramatic development since the creation of the current structure,

• space geodesy became increasingly important in the same period: today, it plays a dominant role in all sections,

• the current section structure does not seem to reflect the present-day situation in an adequate way

• the IAG services (like IERS, IGS, etc.) play an increasingly important role also for research in geodesy and geodynamics but are not well (if at all) integrated in the current structure.

Section II is convinced that these facts fully justify a thorough reorganization. Section II is also convinced, however, that the entire spectrum of IAG must participate in this important process in order to converge to a satisfactory solution.