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ACADEMY HOSTS MEETING OF INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMIES
24 September 2007

The Australian Academy of Science will host the executive meeting of the InterAcademy Panel on International Issues from 26–27 September at the Shine Dome.

The InterAcademy Panel (IAP) is a global network of science academies. Member academies work together to advise the public and officials on the scientific aspects of critical global issues. IAP is particularly interested in assisting young and small academies achieve these goals through creating communication links and networks.

The panel will be co-hosted by Professor Chen Zhu from China and Professor Howard Alper from Canada.

• Professor Zhu is a molecular biologist specialising in leukaemia research. He is the Chinese Minister of Health, until recently Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Director of the Chinese National Human Genome Center in Shanghai and Director of the Shanghai Institute of Haematology. He is also responsible for China's biotechnology programme.

• Professor Alper is Professor of Chemistry and Vice-President of Research, at the University of Ottawa. His research has applications in the pharmaceutical, petrochemical and other industries. He is currently Foreign Secretary of The Academies of the Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada, and is actively engaged in policy creation and implementation for research and innovation in Canada and abroad.

The IAP meeting coincides with the address to the National Press Club by the Australian Academy President, Professor Kurt Lambeck, on a Roadmap for a prosperous Australia in a competitive world. Professor Lambeck will be launching the Academy's 2007 policy document Research and innovation in Australia.

As outlined in the policy document, the Australian Academy recognises the need to forge stronger strategic alliances in science and technology, not only with its traditional collaborating partners in Europe and North America, but also with developing countries. Hosting the IAP emphasises Australia's willingness to forge these alliances, particularly as panel members from Asian, European, African, and North and South American academies and societies will be attending.

Further information:

The InterAcademy Panel on International Issues