Jim Gosz, Organizer

Abstract: The International LTER Network consists of 25 countries including the US. An ILTER Network Committee meets annually to discuss/plan activities for the network and vote on requests to be admitted to the ILTER Network. This workshop will discuss support for the Network office function of ILTER and have a presentation by the NSF International Program on their proposal for how the NSF will support the activities of the ILTER Network in the near term. The workshop will begin the strategic planning needed to move the ILTER Network into a new level of interaction and integration. Priority areas will be developed for the needs of ILTER Network countries. Long-term planning will be needed to identify how the network will continue to acquire support for its activities.

The workshop focused on discussions of ILTER in the future, International Grand Challenges to drive ILTER research efforts and support for the ILTER Network in general. Financial support for ILTER Research was also discussed. Governance issues were also discussed, including Vision, Mission and Bylaws for the ILTER Network. There were also nominations for ILTER Chair and Vice-Chair with a Committee vote

The ILTER Coordinating Committee decided to established a 1 year (until the next ILTER meeting) Interim Governance body comprised of the ILTER Coordinating Committee and the newly elected Interim Chairman (Hen-biau King). Past Chairman J. Gosz will assist Dr. King during the 1 year transition period.

The Committee also established an Executive Committee comprised of representatives from each region (Western Europe, Central/Eastern Europe, East Asia, North America, Central/South America, and Southern Africa) which will develop a draft document containing the ILTER Vision, Mission, Goals and Governance. These will be presented to the ILTER Network Committee at the 2004 meeting in Brazil for consideration and adoption.

It was decided that the ILTER Executive Committee will determine the Terms of Reference for the Coordinator Position that will be funded by NSF by mid-October, 2003. The Coordinator will be located in the US and will be dedicated to assisting/facilitating the needs of the ILTER Network.

The Regional Representatives for the ILTER Executive Committee:

Western Europe – Christian Leveque (France)

Central/Eastern Europe – Julius Oszlanyi (Slovakia)

North America – Manuel Maass (Mexico)

Central/South America – Jorge Jimenez (Costa Rica)

East Asia/Pacific – Zhao Shidong (China)

Southern Africa (ELTOSA) – Johan Pauw (S. Africa)

Other Items on the Meeting Agenda:

Introductions

New Country Applications/Presentations

Committee Vote

Next Meetings

Brazil

Mexico

China?

The Future of ILTER

Discussion on ILTER Support/Governance based on reports presented during the workshop

US – National Science Foundation (Frances Li)

Europe – Terry Parr

Asia – Hen-Biau King