The International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008 officially started on March 1 2007. Below you will find information on the many international and national launch events, as written before the events. Also, please visit the Educators Icy IPY Activities Page to learn how teachers, students, and local communities got involved around the world.

For more details about specific events, please consult this list of press officers (PDF) or see contacts below. We have also made these Press Materials available.

INTERNATIONAL OPENING CEREMONY

Palais de la Decouvèrte, Paris, March 1st

IPY Launch Press Release (PDF)

The Official Opening Ceremony to launch International Polar Year 2007-2008 will take place at the Palais de la Découverte, a famous science museum in central Paris, France. The event will start at 11.00 Central European Time (CET) with a press conference, followed by a buffet lunch. The co-sponsors of IPY, the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) are hosting the event. To request an invitation, please email {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Frederica Kostadinoff"} or see this media advisory. For for further enquiries please contact {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Rhian Salmon"}.

NATIONAL AND REGIONAL EVENTS

New Zealand

Scott Base, Antarctica, January 20th

IPY New Zealand is holding a launch event at Scott base, Antarctica, attended by the New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, and Sir Edmund Hillary, who, in 1953 with Tenzing Norgay, became the first man to climb Mount Everest. The press contact for this event is {encode="mailto: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )." title="Keiran Bleach"}.

Indigenous Peoples Year, Norway

Báktehárji, Kautokeino, February 14-16th

Programme

The official opening of Indigenous Peoples’ International Polar Year will take place in Kautokeino. Representatives of indigenous peoples from all Arctic regions, climate researchers, managers, reindeer herders, Sámi youth and politicians are invited. This event will mark the beginning of the IPY which will include a human dimension with focus on changes in the indigenous peoples' society in the Arctic. A research station was established in Kautokeino during the first International Polar Year 1882/83 to study the Northern Lights. This time Kautokeino will have its own projects during the Polar Year. The press contact for this event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Svein Mathieson"}.Visit the webpage.

Argentina

Palacio San Martín, Buenos Aires, February 22nd
Argentinian Programme

Argentina will be holding the launch ceremony for the IPY together with the ceremony of Argentina's National Antarctic Day (inauguration of the Orcadas Station in 1904) at 19.00 local time. The ceremony will be headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship and by two other ministers (Defense and Education, Science and Technology). National authorities and scientists will also be present. Contact for the event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Sergio A Marenssi"}

There will also be a launch event in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, on February 28th. Different cultural activities will take place starting from 10 pm and an official launch at midnight. Local artists will provide dance and music performances, power point and video presentations will help familiarize people with images from both poles, and Ushuaia´s children will present their demands for a future with environmental awareness and protected areas of nature. One of the highlights of the event will be a videoclip with interviews of local people about their opinion and knowledge about IPY. Contact for this event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Monika Schillat"}.

Ukraine

Antarctic Center of Ukraine, Kiev, February 22nd

To celebrate the beginning of IPY, Ukraine is presenting the following programme: A press conference, the launch of the Ukrainian XII Antarctic Expedition and exhibitions on the theme “Ukraine in Two Poles”. Later on in March, an IPY stamp will be issued, and Ukraine’s participation in IPY will be broadcast on television and radio. {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Vladimir Bochkariov"} and {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Sergey Smoliannikov"} are press contacts for the event.

Europe

Strasbourg, The European Parliament, Strasbourg, February 26th
European Launch Programme, European Press Release (PDF)

The European Science Foundation and the European Polar Board will mark the launch of IPY in Europe with a day-long event focusing on polar research and its relevance for European citizens. The day kicks off with an opening press conference, followed by special sessions on the political and strategic aspects of European polar research, highlights from European IPY projects, European polar research infrastructures and IPY, plus interdisciplinary science and European Science Foundation contributions to IPY. The event features special guest speakers from the Russian federation, funding agencies and ministries. The press contact for this event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Becky Allen"}.

United Kingdom

Royal Society, London, February 26th
UK Press Release (PDF)

The UK will be celebrating the launch of IPY with a special event at the Royal Society. A press conference will be followed by an official opening by Royal Society president, Lord Rees, a guest presentation by HRH the Princess Royal and presentations by leading polar scientists. Messages from the poles and supporters of IPY will be shown. The press contact for this event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Athena Dinar"}.

United States

National Academy of Sciences Auditorium, Washington DC, February 26th

This event is being organized by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation. The opening ceremony will include remarks from polar scientists about research set to take place during this historic time, as well as remarks from government leaders whose agencies play an active role in this important international effort. This event will provide a unique opportunity to network and learn how to get involved in International Polar Year activities.

Speakers will include: Dr. Ralph Cicerone, National Academy of Sciences; Dr. Ardent Bement, National Science Foundation; Dr. Robin Bell, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory; Dr. Robert Bindschadler, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Dr. Konrad Steffen, University of Colorado; and others. Those who cannot attend may watch a live video webcast of the event and submit questions using an e-mail form.

Press contacts for the event are {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Peter West"} and {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Maureen O´Leary"}.

Portugal

Pavillion of Knowledge, Lisbon, February 28th
Portugal Launch Press Release, Portugese Invitation

Opening ceremony of the IPY, 10am - 1pm, with invited talks from polar scientists, presentation of the Portuguese IPY programme and educational activities for students. This event precedes the 1st Week of the Polar Regions that will occur from 5 to 9 March in over 80 participating schools all over the country. Contacts are {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="José Xavier"} and {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Goncalo Vieira"}.

Australia

Hobart, Tasmania, March 1st

The national kick off program in Australia will be announced. The press contact for the event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Sally Chambers"} .

Brazil

Ministry of Science and Technology, Brasilia, March 1st

Brazil will be celebrating the launch of IPY in a special event at the Ministry of Science and Technology in Brasilia. The ceremony will start at 3 pm on March 1st, 2007. In addition to the presence of Federal Authorities, the scientific community will be represented by the Brazilian Society of Advancement of Science (SPBC), the Brazilian Academy of Science (ABC), representatives from the International Council for Science (ICSU) and members of the scientific community. For more information, please contact {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Maria Cordelia Machado"}.

Canada

Canadian Launch: Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau, Quebec, March 1st, 10.30am -1pm
Yukon Celebration of IPY: Elijah Smith Building, Whitehorse, Yukon, March 1st,

For more information, please contact {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Karen Edwards"}.

China

Beijing, March 1st

The IPY Chinese Committee and State Oceanic Administration will hold a ceremony to launch the China IPY Programme. For more information, please contact {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Chen Danhong"} of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration.

Denmark/Faroe Islands/Greenland/Iceland

Danish Polar Centre, Copenhagen, March 1st
Danish Programme

Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland will join forces in celebrating IPY. VIPs from the four countries, including His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, as well as researchers and the public will participate in the event. The program includes popular science talks, entertainment and a polar exhibition at the North Atlantic House in Copenhagen. The press contact for this event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Poul-Erik Philbert"}.

Finland

Arctic Centre, Rovaniemi, March 1st
Finnish programme

The Finnish IPY launch will take place in University pf Lapland’s Arctic Centre in Rovaniemi. The Program includes scientific presentations about Finnish IPY and Polar research, IPY stamp presentation, key note speech about explorer and scientist Nordenskiöld as well presentation of Nordenskiöld Commemorative Coin and a press conference. School pupils’s will have their own press conference, where kids from different grades have a chance to ask scientists directly about nature, climate change and science & research in general. The press contact for this event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Riku Lavia"}.

France

The French Senate, Palais du Luxembourg, Paris, March 1st

This event will bring together government leaders, elected representatives and leading polar scientists. The ceremony, organized by the "Office parlementaire d'évaluation des choix scientifiques et technologiques", will include speeches from the senate's president, France's research minister, environment minister and overseas territories minister. A special scientific session will focus on polar research in the context of global climate change, biodiversity, and indigenous peoples from the Arctic. Contact for the event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Alain Lesquer"} or visit the French launch webpage.

Germany

Lagenbeck Virchow Haus, Berlin, March 1st
German Programme, German Press Release

A press conference and scientific presentations will take place in Berlin. An award ceremony will be conducted for a childrens contest and also the programme will be framed with music and live broadcasts from the Polarstern. The press contact for this event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Margarete Pauls"}.

Italy

March 1st

Programme to be announced. The point of contact is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Carlo Ossola"}

Japan

Science Council, Roppongi, March 1st

A research symposium for Asian and non-Asian IPY scientists is being arranged by the Japanese IPY Committee. For more details, please contact {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Hajime Ito"} and the symposium website.

Norway

Rådhusplassen, Oslo, March 1st

A high-profile kick-off event is planned in Oslo together with events in Longyearbyen, Ny Ålesund and Tromsö. Rådhusplassen and Karl Johan Avenue will be filled with several diverse events. There will be full TV coverage from 11.00-12:30 CET at Rådhuspladsen. The official opening will be attended by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Norway. During the full launch programme, views from Troll Station and Svalbard will be screened at Rådhusplassen. Liv Arensen and Ann Bancroft will start their skiing expedition to the North Pole. The press contact for this event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Kristen Ulstein"}.

Poland

University of Silesia, Sosnowiec, March 1st

The first regional ceremony will be held at the Faculty of Earth Sciences. The Rector Magnificus of the University and the heads of local authorities will attend. The 30th anniversary of the University of Silesia's Polar Research Programme will also be celebrated. The press contact for this event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Maciej Burzyk"}.

South Africa

Cape Town, March 1st

The South African IPY/IHY launch will take place at 17:00 UCT on 1 March 2007 on the SA Agulhas, the South African Polar Research vessel while at anchor in the Cape Town harbour. The Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena will conduct the official opening of the IPY and IHY in South Africa. Several Government a officials will attend, among others the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and representatives of the National Research Foundation and of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The Antarctic Scientific community will be represented by the South African National Committee for IPY/IHY and representatives of the scientific programmes. The launch will take the form of a sit-down meal on the helicopter landing pad on the SA Agulhas. A short video on the South African Antarctic programme will be shown. The following presentations are scheduled:

1. The IPY: Dr Pierre Cilliers, Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (PI for the IPY project Polar Space Weather Studies during IPY/IHY)
2. The IHY: Dr Peter Martinez, South African Astronomical Observatory (Member of the National Steering Committee of the IPY/IHY)
3. Official opening: Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena
The press contact for the event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Prof Dave Walker"}

Spain

Geological and Mining Institute in Spain, March 1st

Spain will open the IPY at the IGME (Ministry of Education and Science) headquarters. The ceremony will be at 9.30 am on March 1st, 2007. The Minister of Education and Science, Mercedes Cabrera, will open officially the IPY in Spain. The polar scientific community will be represented as well as the Spanish Polar Committee. Representatives of the scientific programs will also present posters explaining their fieldworks and most relevant results. Images from the research carried out at the Spanish Antartic bases, Juan Carlos I and Gabriel de Castilla, will be displayed during the event. For more information, please contact {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="José Manuel Abad Liñán"}.

Sweden

The Ice Hotel, Jukkasjärvi, March 1st
Swedish programme, Swedish Press Invitation

A two-day event in northernmost Sweden celebrates the start of IPY. The kick-off starts with the launch of a 1500-cubic meter IPY balloon. As the balloon is a symbol of nations working together, it will be launched by Embassy representatives from the US, Australia, the Netherlands and Germany. The programme includes scientific presentations, IPY stamp presentations and a cultural event at the Ice Hotel and Old Homestead restaurant. On the second day there will be a tour of the Swedish Institute for Space Physics and the Swedish Space Centre at Esrange. A press room is available at the Ice Hotel. The contact for this event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Camilla Hansen"}.

The Netherlands

Leeuwarden and Groningen, March 8-9th

The Netherlands is holding a two-day event with the cultural kick-off on March 8, which includes a performance of the Antarctic Symphony (Sir Peter Maxwell Davies) by the North Netherlands Orchestra in Leeuwarden. The IPY science launch, a one-day national polar symposium, will be held on March 9 in Groningen. The press contact for this event is {encode=" This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it " title="Michael van der Meer"}.