mittee to carry out the said task. 
3. The programme of the said task is of a long-term nature. 
Examples of current Scientific Committees are those on : 
Antartic Research (SCAR), founded by ICSU in 1958 to take advantage of the 
excellent international scientific cooperation that had developed during the Inter- 
national Geophysical Year. SCAR is in a unique position to assess the status of 
scientific knowledge related to practical problems referred to SCAR by the consultative 
meetings of the Antarctic Treaty. Matters upon which SCAR advice is sought, and for 
which some 20 years' accumulation of knowledge has proved invaluable, cover such problems 
as the disposal of nuclear waste in the ice-sheet, biological resources of the southern 
oceans and the likely impact on the environment of exploration of exploitation of minerals. 
Space Re search (COSPAR). Founded in 1958, COSPAR's membership includes 12 
ICSU unions and 34 national scientific institutions. 
COSPAR contributes to the development of several space-based observational 
systems. In particular, those in the field of meteorology and pollution monitoring have 
special practical benefits. Through the dissemination of information on the use of earth 
survey data from spacecraft, COSPAR participates in the transfer of knowledge on how these 
data can be used for the purpose of national development. Although it is impossible to 
evaluate the effects of COSPAR's activity in pecuniary terms, it is evident that coordinated 
actions in specific areas of research permit important savings in time and money for the 
scientific community. The universality of COSPAR activities contributes to the promotion 
of peaceful international and interdisciplinary cooperation. 
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