Aims and Objectives 
The main purpose of ICSU is "encourage international scientific activity for 
the benefit of mankind" (Statute 3a). The primary means by which ICSU fulfills this 
objective is to initiate, design and coordinate international scientific research pro- 
grams, as, for example, the International Geophysical Year (IGY) and the International 
Biological Program (IBP). In addition, ICSU acts as a focus for the exchange of ideas, 
the communication of scientific information, and the development of standards in method- 
ology, nomenclature and units. The various members of the ICSU family organize inter- 
national conferences, congresses, symposia, summer schools, and meetings of experts in 
many parts of the world, as well as general assemblies and other meetings to decide 
policies and programs. 
Committees and Commissions of ICSU are created to facilitate and coordinate 
collaborative research programs in interdisciplinary areas which are not completely 
under the aegis of one of the Scientific Unions, such as Antarctic, Oceanic, Space and 
Water Research, Problems of the Environment, etc.. Activities in areas common to all the 
Unions, such as teaching of science, numerical data, science and technology in develop- 
ing countries, etc., are also coordinated by committees. 
The ICSU family issues a wide range of publications including newsletters, 
handbooks, proceedings of meetings, congresses and symposia, professional scientific 
journals, data compilations and standard references. 
Finances 
ICSU itself operates on a current budget of about $650,000, Its member 
unions and commissions have an income of about $4 M, 
The income to ICSU comes from its unions, who pay 2-5% of their own dues, 
from the national members and from cooperating organizations such as UNESCO, which 
makes an annual subvention, 55% of which is made over to the member unions, the re- 
mainder to ICSU's committees and commissions. It is becoming increasingly common for 
the intergovernmental organizations to finance targeted objectives, while the level of 
the general subvention decreases. 
Relations with Other International Organizations 
ICSU has cooperated with UNESCO since the latter's inception in 1946. UNESCO 
influence and the intellectual resources of the Unions have assured success in studies 
of numerous problems of mutual interest, such as the International Indian Ocean Expedi- 
tion, Hydrological Decade, UN 1ST ST , Geological Correlation, etc. 
Cooperation also occurs with EC0S0C, WMO, FAO, WHO, IAEA and ITU, as noted in 
the flowsheet. 
Examples of Programs and Services 
Inter-union activities of a major and long-term nature are under the control 
of Scientific Committees. These are formed whenever: 
1. The work of the Scientific Committee is of major interest to not less than 
three Scientific Unions. 
2. The task of the Scientific Committee requires the formation of a strong Com- 
v -2 
[ 462 ] 
