Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR)

• It is an interdisciplinary body of the International Council for Science (ICSU).
• It was established in February 1958 to continue the international coordination of Antarctic scientific c activities that had begun during the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58.
• It is charged with the initiating, developing, and coordinating of scientifi c research in the Antarctic region.
• The scientific business of SCAR is conducted by its Standing Scientific Groups.
• It also provides scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings and other organisations on issues of science and conservation affecting the management of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.
• It meets every two years to conduct its administrative business at the SCAR Delegates Meeting.
• An executive committee elected from the delegates is responsible for the day-to-day administration of SCAR through its secretariat at the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge, England.
• In 2002 SCAR received the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation.