International Polar Year

International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008 is an intensive burst of internationally coordinated, interdisciplinary, scientific research and observations focused on the polar regions. This initiative allows nations to make major advances in knowledge of the Arctic and Antarctic, including a greater understanding of how the rest of the world affects these vulnerable regions and how they in turn impact the rest of the world. Many key scientific questions remain beyond the capacity of individual nations and IPY provides the opportunity for countries to work cooperatively to advance the research.

IPY 2007-2008 is the first initiative of its kind in 50 years and is only the fourth such global scientific undertaking since the first in 1882. The last similar endeavour, held in 1957-1958 as part of the International Geophysical Year, paved the way for the space age with the launch of the world's first satellites and ultimately resulted in the signing of the Antarctic Treaty in 1961.

IPY 2007-2008 is the largest-ever international program of scientific research focused on the Earth's polar regions. It involves thousands of scientists from more than 60 nations, involved in more than 200 projects, examining a wide range of physical, biological and social research topics. For the first time, due in large part to Canada's leadership, IPY includes the human dimension of polar issues.

To do research in the Arctic, it is increasingly important for researchers to work closely with Canadian northern residents who know and understand the land and who may bring with them generations of traditional knowledge. All Canadian research projects had to meet strict criteria to promote Northern participation, including skills training to build long-term Northern research capacity and foster a new generation of Northern scientists.

IPY promises to provide a greater understanding of the physical, biological and social issues in the Arctic and Antarctic regions and to foster greater connections between Arctic residents, other Canadians and the rest of the world.