收到我所加入的一个国际学会的email，要选举2011-2013年学会委员会的成员。其中对每个候选人简历及学会章程的修改部分进行了详细介绍。让大家去投票，除所列出的候选人，投票者也可以自己提名。看了之后有两点感受。 1. 给每一个学会成员发email告知选举的详细情况，真正体现了其开放的态度；同时学会委员会的成员2年一个任期，一些资历较老的科学家主动让出位置，保证了成员组成的代表性和活力。 相比较而言，国内众多学会对于学会性质的理解可能有问题，或者说，还是中国人官本位的老脑子。有人为了成为学会的理事或管理成员还使用某些手段。国内学会的选举程序大多很机械且不开放，比如只是在年会上走过场，成员组成十几年不变等。另外，国内学会的分委员会真多，所以各部门负责人们也多。 2. 另一个感受较深的是，该学会在其章程中专门加入一条： Adding a student-at-large member to the board 【增加一名学生（研究生）委员】。其理由是： Training and educating the next generation ofscientists is fundamental to thesociety mission. It is logical therefore for student members to have a direct voice in the steering and governance of the society 。 确实，促进学科的发展是任何一个学术组织的根本使命，而让年轻一代研究者更快更好的成长起来，让学科更繁荣，才是实现使命的根本吧。
古植物学的故事（34 ）： 学会、协会和研究会到底有什么用？ http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=291967 发表于 2010-2-1 22:52:30 Story of Palaeobotany Series (No.34): What does professional society or association act as? (by Qigao Sun) 关键词：学会；协会；研究会；作用；公信力 孙启高 2010 年元月31日写于美国 围绕古植物学之问，我原计划编写 30期《古植物学的故事》，现已超出计划，这未必是好事情。 我在几期《古植物学的故事》里介绍了国内外古植物学研究领域内的几个专业学术团体及其附属学会，并初步探讨了学会公信力问题，认为公信力绝不是小事情！有人问：现在的学会、协会和研究会到底有什么用呢？这是一个老问题，也是很现实的问题。本期《古植物学的故事》试作回答，并提出有关学会工作的若干问题清单供大家分析与探讨。 学会、协会和研究会涵盖自然科学与社会科学及其交叉领域的众多学术团体。人们习惯将各种各样的学会、协会或研究会简称为学会。本文主要涉及自然科学领域的学会或协会。国人一般将各级科学技术协会简称为科协。 根据我的工作经验和实际观察，有些人对学会不了解，不关心学会的工作，也不积极参加学会活动。有些人对学会甚感兴趣，非常喜欢在学会捞个一官半职，如 XX主任、XX委员、XX理事长、XX理事、XX常务理事等很响亮的学术虚衔，几乎不做任何实事。真正关心学会命运和支持学会工作的人也是有的，但在如今社会并不多见。可以肯定地讲，尽管我们面临各种各样的困难和问题，但是学会大有用武之地。 半个多世纪以来，我国各级学会组织在全球冷战政治背景下和社会主义计划经济条件下逐步建立和发展起来，它对我国科学技术发展事业发挥了重要推动作用，功不可没。改革开放 30多年来，中国经济飞速发展，社会快速转型，学会工作得到较快的发展。但是，在经济全球化与网络化的现实条件下，我们的学会工作面临严峻挑战。学会工作涉及到我国科学教育、新闻出版和民政管理诸多部门，学会工作与目前的中国科学院与中国工程院院士增选制度也有密切联系。例如，国家一级学会可以向中国科学技术协会推选中国科学院和中国工程院的院士增选候选人。中国进入和平发展和全面崛起的新形势呼唤国际一流的学术团体。唯有改革才是积极推动学会工作现代化与国际化的良药，但是变革工作任重而道远。 一、维基百科对术语 society 和 association 的解释 关于 Society 的解释详见： http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society 关于Association 的解释详见： http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association 二、中国学会的一般概况 目前中国的学会可以分为民办、半官半民和官办三大类。建国后官办学会在中国学会体制中占主导地位，逐步形成学会工作的中国模式。中国科协虽然不属于正式政府机构，但拥有自上而下且呈网状发展的学会组织体系。有人认为官办学会系行政机构的衍生物。 以下文字引自中国科学技术协会官方网站： 1958年9月，经党中央批准正式成立全国科技工作者的统一组织中国科学技术协会。1991年1月，全国政协七届十二次常委会议决定，恢复中国科协为全国政协组成单位。 中国科协由全国学会、协会、研究会（以下简称学会）和地方科协组成。地方科协由同级学会和下一级科协及基层组织组成。组织系统横向跨越绝大部分自然科学学科和大部分产业部门，是一个具有较大覆盖面的网络型组织体系。 目前，中国科协主管的全国学会共 191个，其中中国科协团体会员有167个，包括理科学会41个、工科学会64个、农 科学会14个、医科学会22个、科普和交叉学科学会26个。 地方科协包括省、自治区、直辖市科协，市（地）科协和县科协，总计 3141个，其中省级科协32个，副省级、省会城市 科协32个，地市级科协381个，县级科协2696个。此外，还有大量科协基层组织，如乡镇科协（科普协会）3.1万多个、农村专业技术协会9.4万多个、企业科协1.3万多个、街道科协近8400多个、高校科协550个。 中国科协属中直系统，由中央书记处直接领导，中央政治局一位领导同志代表中央分管科协工作，国务院一位领导同志分工联系科协工作，中央书记处每年听取科协工作汇报。中国科协实行全国代表大会（五年召开一次）、全国委员会（每年召开会议一次）、常务委员会（每季度召开会议一次）领导制度。 （引用出处： http://www.cast.org.cn/n35081/n37592/10181819.html ） 三、学会的定位与特点 科协是党领导下的人民团体，是党和政府联系科技工作者的桥梁和纽带。科协工作是党的群众工作的重要组成部分，也是国家科技工作的重要组成部分。科协属于非营利性单位，接受民政部门的登记管理。 关于官办学会的一般特征，陈泽曦先生在其《 浅探官办学会的特点和发展趋势》一文中作了很好的归纳，内容如下： （一）学会必须有挂靠单位，挂靠单位的性质是政府机关、国有企、事业单位。学会在日常工作中很大程度是依赖挂靠单位，而秘书处工作主要是对理事长负责，不是对理事会负责。 （二）学会理事长、秘书长是公务员或是国有企、事业现职人员，至于理事长是退休行政领导也可以列入其特征表现。他们的薪水是由国家支付，是主要标志，他们从事的是委派性工作。 （三）学会理事长、秘书长的人选，是由挂靠单位推荐的。这一条也是典型的特征之一，这对于有编制的学会来说，只是挂靠单位内部调动事情，无编制的学会也只是委派制形式。 （四）学会活动经费主要是依靠挂靠单位的支助和提供权力影响范围内的支助。这影响范围包括行业性、地域性或某项目实施的有关联系等，离开了权力影响，支助能力就微乎其微。 （五）学会制定工作时主要是围绕挂靠单位的目标、任务、重点为依据，对于学会的特点、发展和宗旨考虑甚少。挂靠单位的影响力可以提升到决策的否决权。 文章出处： http://www.fjxhyj.cn/ShowArticle.aspx?aid=220 陈泽曦,2009, 浅探官办学会的特点和发展趋势 （ 2009年9月24日） 四、学会的功能与作用 我们的学会工作具有政治性、学术性和社会性服务功能。政治性功能表现为学会制度化服务于政治目标，我国科技社团和全国性学会承担着党和国家联系科技工作者桥梁和纽带的作用。学会的学术服务功能主要是通过出版学术刊物和组织学术会议为学术界提供服务。社会性功能体现在学会以非营利组织姿态开展各种科学普及活动和其他公益性活动。 关于学会的具体作用，中国科学技术协会在其任务中有非常明确的表述。现抄录如下： （一）是开展学术交流，活跃学术思想，促进学科发展，推动自主创新。 （二）是组织科学技术工作者为建立以企业为主体的技术创新体系、全面提升企业的自主创新能力作贡献。 （三）是依照《中华人民共和国科学技术普及法》，弘扬科学精神，普及科学知识，传播科学思想和科学方法。捍卫科学尊严，推广先进技术，开展青少年科学技术教育活动，提高全民科学素质。 （四）是反映科学技术工作者的建议、意见和诉求，维护科学技术工作者的合法权益。促进学术道德建设和学风建设。 （五）是组织科学技术工作者参与国家科学技术政策、法规制定和国家事务的政治协商、科学决策、民主监督工作。 （六）是表彰奖励优秀科学技术工作者，举荐人才。 （七）是开展科学论证、咨询服务，提出政策建议，促进科学技术成果的转化；接受委托承担项目评估、成果鉴定，参与技术标准制定、专业技术资格评审和认证等任务。 （八）是开展民间国际科学技术交流活动，促进国际科学技术合作，发展同国外的科学技术团体和科学技术工作者的友好交往。 （九）是开展继续教育和培训工作。 （十）是兴办符合中国科学技术协会宗旨的社会公益性事业。 （引 用出处 ： http://www.cast.org.cn/n35081/n37592/10181819.html ） 五、学会工作若干问题 针对国内学会工作的历史与现状，我在这里提供一份问题清单，供大家参考。 (1) 关于学会工作的中国模式： 学会如何为政治经济和社会发展的国家需求提供服务？ 学会如何建立科学研究的历史与文化传统？ 学会如何在自身建设和发展过程带头倡导科学精神？ 学会如何克服行政化倾向？ 如何逐步实现学会与行政管理机构的剥离？ 官办学会如何民办？ 学会如何走实体化的自主发展道路，从而避免空壳化？ 资金是学会开展工作的血液。 如何多渠道筹集资金发展学会事业？ 如何实现学会工作人员的生活与医疗保障等问题社会化？ （2 ）关于组织形式与结构： 如何完善学会章程？ 学会选举、运行与管理机制如何革新？ 如何在组织与结构上提高学会的工作效率？ 如何建立一个干练高效的理事会或执行委员会(Executive Committee) 为学会掌舵？ 如何减少学会内部摆设性的机构或没有实际意义的委员会？ 如何克服理事会存在人浮于事的局面？ 如何淡化学会的官本位理念？ 如何强化学会理事的学术服务与社会服务的意识？ 如何发挥理事的作用？ 学会如何设立下属分支学会（或称分会）? 如何建立和完善分会章程？ 如何支持并充分发挥分会活动的自主性？ （3 ）关于学会公信力： 当前有哪些因素直接影响学会的公信力？ 有哪些因素影响学会的活力？ 学会如何建立和加强自身的学术诚信制度？ 如何树立和提高学会声誉？ 学会如何包容正常的学术争论？ （4 ）关于会员： 学会能为会员提供哪些服务？ 学会如何吸引会员？ 如何吸纳国内会员？ 如何吸纳国际会员？ 谁现在对学会感兴趣？ 谁愿意交会员费？ 会员有哪些责任与好处？ 如何管理会员费？ 如何把学会办成 科学工作者之家？ （5 ）关于挂靠单位： 挂靠单位为学会提供哪些支持？ 如何评估挂靠单位对学会工作的影响？ 如果没有挂靠单位，学会能不能活？ （6 ）关于学术刊物： 学会如何通过其学术刊物为推动学术进步提供服务？ 学会主办的刊物实际归属学会，还是归属挂靠单位？ 刊物是否为学会的镜子？ 刊物是否体现学会的声誉与影响力？ 刊物是挂靠单位的家报，还是国际学术刊物？ 刊物编辑工作如何国际化？ 如何强化刊物编辑与编委的服务意识？ 刊物能否自主管理与经营？ 刊物能否与会员制绑定营销？ 刊物的盈利能否归属学会？ 学会的刊物能否少而精？ （7 ）关于学术会议： 学会如何通过学术会议提供学术服务？ 学术会议的盈利是否归属学会？ （8 ）关于社会化： 学会如何为社会公众提供服务？ 如何在全社会树立学会的良好形象、扩大学会的积极影响？ 如何吸引社会公众参加学会活动？ 如何吸引社会资金发展学会事业？ （9 ）关于学术奖励与人才推荐： 学会如何公平与公正开展荣誉性的学术奖励和人才推荐（包括院士推选）？ 学会如何利用多种渠道设立奖励基金？ （10 ）关于国际化： 开放的学会工作如何面向世界？ 如何提高学会的国际声誉？ 如何建设世界一流的学会或协会或研究会？ （11 ）关于财务： 学会 属于非营利性单位，如何向社会公开财务？ 在中国植物学会早期活动中，著名植物分类学家秦仁昌先生曾担任该学会的会计。中国植物学会的账目刊登在该学会主办的科普刊物《中国植物学杂志》上。 （ 12）关于 中国科学院与学会： 中国科学院是否对发展学会工作赋有历史使命？ 按照现行的学会建制，许多重要的一级学会（国字号的学会）挂靠在中国科学院所属研究机构。这些学会一般都有其主办的学术刊物，许多是国内一级学报。许多刊物与中国科学院直属的科学出版社 ( http://www2.cas.cn/index/0P/10/index.htm ; http://www.sciencep.com) 有联系。 挂靠在中国科学院的国字号学会（部分名单） 中国动物学会 http://www.czs.ioz.ac.cn/brief.asp 挂靠中国科学院动物研究所 中国植物学会 http://www.botany.org.cn/manage/news_view.asp?newsid=12 挂靠中国科学院植物研究所 中国微生物学会 http://csm.im.ac.cn/html/xuehuijianjie/20080306/57.html 挂靠中国科学院微生物研究所 中国数学会 http://www.cms.org.cn/ 挂靠中国科学院数学与系统科学研究院 中国物理学会 http://www.cps-net.org.cn/ 挂靠中国科学院物理研究所 中国化学会 http://www.ccs.ac.cn/ 挂靠中国科学院化学研究所 中国地理学会 http://www.gsc.org.cn/xh/xhjj//xhjj.htm 挂靠中国科学院地理科学与资源研究所 中国生态学学会 http://www.esc.org.cn/xhjs.asp?tid=0mkid=0 挂靠中国科学院生态环境研究中心 中国天文学会 http://www.pmo.ac.cn/xuehui/xhjs.htm 挂靠中国科学院紫金山天文台 中国古生物学会 http://www.nigpas.ac.cn/zgxh/main.htm 挂靠中国科学院南京地质与古生物学研究所 中国科学技术史学会 http://www.cshst.org.cn/default.htm 挂靠中国科学院自然科学史研究所 六、相关文献与网站 1. 胡锦涛在纪念中国科协成立50周年大会上的讲话（全文） http://www.cast.org.cn/n35081/n35096/n10225918/11008701.html （ 2008年12月15日） 2. 中国科学技术协会简介 引用出处： http://www.cast.org.cn/n35081/n37592/10181819.html ） 3. 中国科协关于加强学会工作的若干意见 http://www.cast.org.cn/n35081/n35533/n38590/10436033.html （2007 年6月1日中国科协七届四次常委会议通过，2007年06月12日公布） 4. 林林，2004，社会转型中科协功能定位及其演变的研究，清华大学管理科学与工程硕士毕业论文 5. 新浪网-- 科技时代 -- 科学探索 -- 中国科协第七次全国代表大会专题 http://tech.sina.com.cn/focus/cast2006/index.shtml 6. 王学健， 科技学术团体实现由 官办到民办的转变---- 真正把学会建成科学工作者之家 http://tech.sina.com.cn/d/2006-05-26/1416958532.shtml http://www.sina.com.cn 2006 年05月26日14:16 科学时报 7. 陈泽曦,2009, 浅探官办学会的特点和发展趋势 http://www.fjxhyj.cn/ShowArticle.aspx?aid=220 （ 2009年9月24日） 8. 中共四川新津县委关于进一步加强科协工作的意见 http://www.xjst.gov.cn/xzmx.php?tb=xjkjj_tblid=47 （ 2007年3月12日） 9. 江西九江市浔阳科协， 科协的作用是什么？ http://www.xunyang.gov.cn/xunyang/minshenminyi/check.asp?nid=45 （2007 年1月17日） -------------- 附有关资料： What is society or human society? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society Society or human society is the manner or condition in which the members of a community live together for their mutual benefit. By extension, society denotes the people of a region or country, sometimes even the world, taken as a whole. Used in the sense of an association, a society is a body of individuals outlined by the bounds of functional interdependence , possibly comprising characteristics such as national or cultural identity , social solidarity , language or hierarchical organization . Human societies are characterized by patterns of relationships between individuals sharing a distinctive culture and institutions . Like other communities or groups, a society allows its members to achieve needs or wishes they could not fulfill alone. A society, however, may be ontologically independent of, and utterly irreducible to, the qualities of constituent individuals; it may act to oppress . The urbanization and rationalization inherent in some, particularly Western capitalist , societies, has been associated with feelings of isolation and social anomie . More broadly, a society is an economic , social or industrial infrastructure , made up of a varied collection of individuals. Members of a society may be from different ethnic groups . A society may be a particular ethnic group, such as the Saxons ; a nation state , such as Bhutan ; a broader cultural group, such as a Western society . The word society may also refer to an organized voluntary association of people for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes. A society may even, though more by means of metaphor, refer to a social organism such as an ant colony . What is association? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association Association may refer to: Voluntary association , a group of individuals who voluntarily enter into an agreement to accomplish a purpose 501(c) non-profit organization Alumni association , an association of former students of a college or university Professional association An industry trade group is also known as a trade association Sports association Associations in various fields of study: Archaeological association , in archaeology, the relationship between objects found together Association (astronomy) , combined or co-added group of astronomical exposures Association (ecology) , a set of organisms which appear together and cover areas in a roughly uniform way Association (object-oriented programming) , in object-oriented programming, a relationship between classes Association (psychology) , Association (statistics) , Association of Ideas , philosophical und psychological term Genetic association Names of particular entities or things: Continental Association , often called the Association, an economic boycott during the American Revolution HMS Association (1697) , a Royal Navy ship which sank in 1707 L'Association , a French comic book publisher The Association , a pop band ------------------------- Professional association http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_association A professional association (also called a professional body , professional organization , or professional society ) is a non-profit organization seeking to further a particular profession , the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest . The roles of these professional associations have been variously defined: A group of people in a learned occupation who are entrusted with maintaining control or oversight of the legitimate practice of the occupation; also a body acting to safeguard the public interest; organizations which represent the interest of the professional practitioners, and so act to maintain their own privileged and powerful position as a controlling body. Such bodies generally strive to achieve a balance between these two often conflicting mandates. Though professional bodies often act to protect the public by maintaining and enforcing standards of training and ethics in their profession, they often also act like a cartel or a labor union (trade union) for the members of the profession, though this description is commonly rejected by the body concerned. Therefore, in certain dispute situations the balance between these two aims may get tipped more in favor of protecting and defending the professionals than in protecting the public. An example can be used to illustrate this. In a dispute between a lawyer and his/her client or between a patient and his/her doctor, the Law Society of England and Wales or the General Medical Council will inevitably find itself plunged into a conflict of interest in (a) its wish to defend the interests of the client, while also (b) wishing to defend the interests, status and privileges of the professional. It is clearly a tough call for it do both. Many professional bodies are involved in the development and monitoring of professional educational programs, and the updating of skills, and thus perform professional certification to indicate that a person possesses qualifications in the subject area. Sometimes membership of a professional body is synonymous with certification, though not always. Membership of a professional body, as a legal requirement, can in some professions form the primary formal basis for gaining entry to and setting up practice within the profession; see licensure . Many professional bodies also act as learned societies for the academic disciplines underlying their professions.
古植物学的故事（27）： 中国有两个国字号古植物学分会（之六）--学会公信力绝不是小事情！ http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=289370 发表于 2010-1-22 1:02:04 Story of Palaeobotany Series (No.27) ： Two state-run palaeobotanical associations in China (Part VI): Credibility is extremely important to professional society or association! (by Qigao Sun) 关键词：古植物学；学会；公信力 时下公信力一词已成为中国社会各行各业的一个热词和熟词。我没有考证这个词的词源，有人认为它所对应的英文可能是credibility或别的单词。尽管人们对公信力的词源有不同的解释，但它的核心意义在于信用和声誉。就学会工作而言，学会公信力主要体现在：学会是否有良好的学术信用、崇高的学术声誉和广阔的服务功能？学会是否为整个社会的公器？我们的学会公信力亟待提高，官本位思想是影响学会公信力的大敌，拉帮结派是扼杀学会公信力的死敌。变革学会工作的中国模式，提高学会工作的公信力绝不是小事情！ 围绕学会公信力这一主题，我在前面几期的《古植物学的故事》里介绍了国内外古植物学研究领域内的几个专业学术团体及其附属学会，内容如下： 古植物学的故事（15）：介绍国际古植物学协会(IOP) http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=276479 发表于 2009-12-6 12:21:41 古植物学的故事（16）：介绍美国植物学会 美国植物学会及其古植物学分会(附一则科学通信) （第1部分-----介绍美国植物学会） http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=276973 发表于 2009-12-8 11:16:35 古植物学的故事（17）：介绍美国植物学会古植物学分会 美国植物学会及其古植物学分会(附一则科学通信) （第2部分---介绍美国植物学会古植物学分会） http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=277482 发表于 2009-12-10 5:26:02 古植物学的故事（18）：关于美国植物学会若干问题的科学通讯 美国植物学会及其古植物学分会(附一则科学通信) （第3部分---关于美国植物学会若干问题的科学通讯） http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=277484 发表于 2009-12-10 5:34:16 古植物学的故事(19)： 中国有两个国字号古植物学分会（之一）---介绍中国科学技术协会 http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=278420 发表于 2009-12-14 4:24:35 古植物学的故事(20)： 中国有两个国字号古植物学分会（之二）--介绍中国植物学会 http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=284387 发表于 2010-1-5 12:36:41 古植物学的故事(21)： 中国有两个国字号古植物学分会（之三）--介绍中国植物学会古植物学分会 http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=285165 发表于 2010-1-7 23:22:37 古植物学的故事(22)： 中国有两个国字号古植物学分会（之四）--介绍中国古生物学会 http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=286021 发表于 2010-1-10 21:50:27 古植物学的故事(23)： 中国有两个国字号古植物学分会（之五）--介绍中国古生物学会古植物学分会 http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=286184 发表于 2010-1-11 12:17:07 古植物学的故事（24）：关于国际古植物学协会(IOP)的早期历史问题 http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=286664 发表于 2010-1-12 23:39:04 目前，中国有两个国字号古植物学分会，一个隶属中国植物学会，该学会挂靠中国科学院植物研究所；另一个隶属中国古生物学会，此学会挂靠中国科学院南京地质古生物研究所。实际上，这两个古植物学分会都挂在一个中国科学院系统里！多年来，两个古植物学分会一直并存，似乎都有一定的存在合理性。诚然，我们有时候不得不用存在主义的思想观念解释已有的现状。但是，我有如下问题： （1）成立两个国字号古植物学分会的历史经过如何？ （2）为什么两个国字号古植物学分会能并存多年？ （3）两个国字号古植物学分会是如何运作的？ （4）两个国字号古植物学分会的发展状况如何评估？ （5）两个国字号古植物学分会的未来发展如何？ 2009年2月19日英国《自然》杂志发表社论，评述中国科学研究需要新型的学术社团（文章附后）。实际上，我们的学会工作必须在体制上进行改革。改革的路线虽然不复杂，但是实际操作可能非常困难。 我认为，中国的两个古植物学分会显然不是狗肉和羊肉的关系，两者可以精诚合作，共同努力，为提高中国古植物学的综合实力与国际竞争力多做贡献。 孙启高 2010年元月20日晚写于美国 ----------- Editorial Nature 457, 935 (19 February 2009) | doi:10.1038/457935a; Published online 18 February 2009 http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v457/n7232/full/457935a.html China should stop discouraging scientists from setting up learned societies. The spread in China of unproven stem-cell therapies for conditions such as epilepsy and spinal cord injuries has left the nation's health authorities concerned. There is no clear evidence that these treatments work nor that they are killing people. Of the thousands of patients from China and abroad who have been treated, some seem to think that they have been helped, even if only modestly, and many more are ready to fork out thousands or tens of thousands of dollars to try out the treatments. Are the clinicians taking advantage of people desperate for a cure? How can the government and the potential patients make sense of this? One obvious place from which to seek guidance would be the national stem-cell society. But China doesn't have one. A group of scientists, including many of the country's most prominent and internationally established researchers, are trying to create one. China's stem-cell hopefuls must go through the slow process of planning and applying to become a 'level 2' society. That means they have to convince an established society to take them on as an appendage, which will dramatically reduce their ability to function effectively. A level 2 society doesn't control its own purse strings and decisions have to pass through the parent organization. Yet, as the example above illustrates, allowing scientists to draw together can only benefit China, both by helping scientific progress and by assisting with the challenges faced by the Chinese nation. It is not just the government that needs to rethink its approach: the researchers themselves need to pursue newer forms of social organization. Scientists in the south often don't know what is happening in the north and vice versa. Most of the current learned societies do not function well. Annual meetings are often a matter of pomp, with elite researchers showing up to swagger about and form cliques based on pedigree rather than scientific views. Introducing graduate students to the broader community is a low priority. Constructive criticism is more likely be taken as grounds for breaking off relations than as insightful advice. Many scientists simply don't bother to go. Sometimes 'megaprojects' draw researchers together. But the planning meetings for such packages can be more like dividing the spoils than building the most constructive research programme. China's science loses competitiveness because of these failings. Stronger societies would pave the way for better communication and more productive collaborations, and would allow a platform for feedback of scientific criticism. That, in turn, would provide a body of honest reviewers with whom funding bodies could consult. Too often, instead of listening to a variety of voices to get a representative view from 'the community', funding bodies listen only to certain well connected scientists. Strong domestic scientific societies have the additional benefit of being reference points for constructive contact with scientists and societies elsewhere. And they can also act as advisory bodies to the government. Gone are the days of small research communities in China. Science has grown significantly, to China's credit and benefit. For the country to benefit more fully, networking by its researchers likewise needs to be allowed to flourish. Scientists in the south of China often don't know what is happening in the north and vice versa. ---------------- 中国科学亟需新型学术社团 http://www.sciencenet.cn/htmlnews/2009/2/216419.html 《自然》社论：中国科学亟需新型学术社团 这会促进科学的发展，也有助于中国从容面对种种挑战 2月19日出版的《自然》杂志刊登社论《集体责任》（Collective responsibilities），批评了中国专业学术团体的现状。该社论认为，中国科学家必须有效地组织起来，中国科学才能健康发展。 该社论说，近来在中国吵得沸沸扬扬的干细胞疗法已经引起卫生部门的担忧。至今并无明确证据表明这些疗法管用，但也没有证据说明它们对人体有害。目前仍有成千上万的人准备花费数以千计甚至万计的金钱来尝试这种疗法。问题是，医生们是否利用了病人们想要得到治疗的急切心态？人们又该如何认清这一切？ 社论说，显而易见的是，人们应该到国家干细胞学会去寻求指导。但可惜的是，中国并没有这样的学会。中国的一群科学家，包括很多具有国际声誉的著名研究人员正在设法创建这样一个学会。不过因为种种原因，中国只成立了附属性质的相关二级机构。这些二级学会协会没有经济自主权，决策也必须通过其母机构。 社论说，种种事例表明，让科学家团结起来对中国有利而无害。这不仅会帮助促进科学的发展，同时也有助于中国从容面对种种挑战。 社论表示，中国科学家需要新型的社会团体。中国南方的科学家经常不了解北方科学界的状况，反之亦然，而当前的大部分学术团体运行得并不是很好。年会经常成为了炫耀的机会，精英科学家昂首阔步，夸夸其谈，他们根据血统而不是科学观点形成派系。大家都不重视向学界引见研究生。建设性批评意见更易被当作是翻脸的手段，而不是真知灼见。结果，许多科学家根本懒得参加这类会议。有时候一些大工程确实将研究人员聚集在了一起，但是工程的策划会更像是在瓜分战利品，而不是构建最富建设性的研究计划。 社论称，这些缺点导致中国科学失去竞争力。更强大的学术团体将为更好的交流和更高产的合作铺平道路，也将为科学批评反馈提供平台。而这反过来又将鼓励大批诚实的批评家的出现，然后资助机构才可以咨询他们。现在经常出现的情况是，资助机构并没有听取多种声音来获得来自学界的代表性观点，而只是听从了某几个人脉广泛的科学家。强大的国内科学团体另外一个好处是，它可作为与其它地方科学家和团体进行建设性接触的参考点。而且，它们也可成为政府的咨询部门。 社论最后说，中国只拥有小型研究团体的日子已经过去了，科学现在对于中国的声誉和利益已经变得非常重要。中国如果要更充分地从其中受益，研究人员的网络化也应该允许繁荣发展。（科学网梅进/编译 何姣校） --------------
古植物学的故事 15 介绍国际古植物学协会 古植物学的故事（ 15 ）：介绍国际古植物学协会 (IOP) http://www.sciencenet.cn/blog/user_content.aspx?id=276479 发表于 2009-12-6 12:21:41 Story of Palaeobotany Series (No.15) ： Brief introduction to International Organization of Palaeobotany (IOP) (compiled by Qigao Sun) 关键词：国际古植物学协会；学会； IOP 有人问我：目前世界上到底有多少位古植物学家（ palaeobotanist---- 主要从事植物大化石研究的人员）？ 我的回答是：虽无精确统计，但数量不多。根据近年来国际古植物学大会的会议规模和古植物学研究论文的发表情况，我估计全世界职业古植物学家的数量总和可能在 400 左右，远少于中国现存大熊猫的数量。 国际古植物学协会是联络各国古植物学家的民间专业学会组织，现作简要介绍。 1. 英文名称： International Organization of Palaeobotany （简称： IOP ） 中文名称：国际古植物学协会 2. 官方网站： http://www.palaeobotany.org/ 3. 隶属关系： The IOP shall be affiliated to the International Union of the Biological Sciences (IUBS). 4. 成立过程：（需要考证） 5. 协会宗旨： The International Organization of Palaeobotany (IOP) promotes international co-operation in the study of palaeobotany including palaeo-palynology. This is achieved through the publication of an informative newsletter and organization of international conferences focussing on all aspects of palaeobotany. Organizational activities include collaboration with other international organizations to ensure the continued development of palaeobotany as a scientific discipline. 6. 组织形式 (2008----2012) ： 根据章程， IOP 实行会员制，按照会员所在地区进行管理。现设有 9 个地区，并推选了地区代表。 2008 年夏在德国举行了第 8 届国际古植物学大会。经过民主选举产生了 IOP 新一届领导与管理机构之人选（ 2008---20012 ）。 President: Professor Gar W. Rothwell (Ohio University, USA). Vice Presidents: Professor R. Cuneo (Museo Paleontolgico E. Feruglio, Argentina). Dr C. Gee (University of Bonn, Germany). Professor E. L. Taylor (University of Kansas, USA). Members at large: Professor Sun Ge (Jilin University and Shenyang Normal University, China). Dr L. Golovneva (Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Professor D. K. Ferguson (Palaeontological Institute, University of Vienna, Austria). Secretary and Treasurer: Professor J. Eder-kovar (Staatliches Museum fr Naturkund Stuttgart, Germany). Conference/Congress Member: Harufumi Nishida (Laboratory of Biosphere Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Japan). Excecutive Committee Professor R. Cuneo (Museo Paleontolgico E. Feruglio, Argentina). Dr C. Gee (University of Bonn, Germany). Professor E. L. Taylor (University of Kansas, USA). Professor Sun Ge (Jilin University and Shenyang Normal University, China). Dr L. Golovneva (Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Professor D. K. Ferguson (Palaeontological Institute, University of Vienna, Austria). Regional Representatives: Africa and Arabian Peninsula: Marion Bamford (School of Geosciences, University of Witwatersrand, Van Riet Lowe Building, Republic of South Africa). China: Dr Jun Wang (Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.39 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, CHINA). Eastern Europe: Maria Barbacka (Department of Botany, Hungarian Natural History Museum, H-1088 Budapest, Knyves Klmn krt. 40, Hungary). India: Manju Banerjee (Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata - 700 019, India). Asian Pacific: Harufumi Nishida (Laboratory of Biosphere Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Chuo University, Japan). Russia and Central Asian Republics: Lena Goloveneva (Botanical Institute, 2 Popova, St. Petersburg, Russia). South America: Georgina del Fueyo (Divisin Paleobotnica, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales, Bernardino Rivadavia, Buenos Aires, Argentina). Southern Europe: Brigitte Meyer-Berthaud (CIRAD AMAP, TA 40/PS2, Boulevarde de la Lironde, F-34398 Montpellier cedex 5, France). North America: Steven R. Manchester (Curator of Paleobotany, Florida Museum of Natural History, 214 Dickinson Hall, Museum Road and Newell Drive, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA). Northern Europe: Christopher M. Berry (School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Cardiff University, Park Place Cardiff, CF10 3YE, UK). 7. 工作语言 The Official Languages of IOP will be those of IUBS. The use of English is advocated. 8. 主要活动 国际古植物学协会每 4 年召开一次大会，即国际古植物学大学 ( 简称 IOPC) 。当然，这是全球古植物学家的盛会。第一届国际古植物学大会 (IOPCI) 于 1980 年在英国召开。迄今为止，已召开 8 届国际古植物学大会。其中，第六届国际古植物学大会 (IOPCVI) 于 2000 年在中国秦皇岛召开。下一届国际古植物学大会将于 2012 年在日本举行。 关于第六届国际古植物学大会 (IOPCVI) 的申办及筹备工作，这是一个很长的古植物学的故事。 9. IOP 出版物 国际古植物学协会每年出版 3 或 4 期 IOP Newsletter ，系内部交流的非正式刊物。自 1976 年夏至 2009 年秋，已出版 90 期 IOP Newsletter ，每期电子版都已放在 IOP 官方网站。 IOP Newsletter 刊发国际同行喜闻乐见的信息或短文，有些内容非常实用，有些文章为探讨世界古植物学的发展历史及现状提供非常有益的线索。 10. 中国与 IOP 的关系及其地位 中国与 IOP 的历史渊源是值得仔细考证的。中国疆域辽阔，是古植物学研究不可或缺的重要区域。改革开放以来，中国古植物学研究人员积极参与 IOP 学术交流活动。由于中国的大国地位， IOP 已将中国设立为一个单独的地区。但是，中国古植物学的综合实力及国际竞争力与美国、英国等国家存在巨大的差距。到目前为止，我们还没有中国同行担任 IOP 主席及秘书长的学术任职。中国在推动 IOP 向前发展的历史过程中尚缺乏大国应有的领导地位及影响力。我认为，中国同行只有扎实努力，不断提升中国古植物学的综合实力，才能充分发挥中国作为大国在 IOP 各种事务中的积极作用。 孙启高 (Qigao Sun) 2009 年 12 月 5 日晚编写于美国康州 主要参考资料： http://www.palaeobotany.org/ -------------------- 附： IOP STATUES http://www.palaeobotany.org/page/about/statutes-and-bylaws/ IOP STATUES This September 2008 version supersedes all previous versions. Article 1. NAME The name of the organization is INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF PALAEOBOTANY (IOP). Article 2. AFFILIATION The IOP shall be affiliated to the International Union of the Biological Sciences. Article 3. AIM The aim of IOP is to promote international co-operation in the study of palaeobotany including palaeo-palynology. This includes: 3.1. Publication of an informative newsletter that will announce all palaeobotanical meetings, report on their proceedings, describe regional bibliographies and how to obtain them, as well as other pertinent information of wide interest. Some articles of topical interest will also be included from time to time. These will not be refereed and will not have any formal status, either nomenclaturally or as a formal publication. 3.2. Collaboration with officers responsible for programmes of International Botanical Congresses to ensure the inclusion therein of items of palaeobotanical interest. To organize and sponsor other conferences from time to time at the discretion of the Executive Committee. 3.3. The encouragement of the work of regional groups of palaeobotanists and of groups of specialists within the broader field of palaeobotany. 3.4. Co-operation with other international organizations have interest allied to palaeobotany, such as the International Palaeontological Association, the International Association for Plant Taxonomy, the Commission International de Microflora du Paleozoique and the International Federation of Palynological Societies. 3.5. Any other activities considered appropriate by the Executive Committee for warranted by interest shown by the membership. When financial support is available, publications such as a world bibliography of palaeobotany and palaeopalynology should be encouraged. Article 4. OFFICERS The officers of IOP form the Executive Committee 4.1 The officers of IOP shall be: President; three Vice-Presidents; Secretary/Treasurer; three Members at Large; Conference/Congress Member. 4.2.1 The President shall chair meetings of the Executive Committee and the General Assembly. 4.2.2 If the Office of President becomes vacant, one of the Vice-Presidents shall be elected by the Executive Committee to succeed to the office for the remainder of the term. 4.3.1 The Secretary/Treasurer is the driving force behind the Organization. He/she shall transmit suggestions from the membership to the President and Executive Committee, maintain an IOP web site on the internet, maintain contact with regional and local groups of palaeobotanists, maintain contact with IUBS by the assistance of one of the Vice Presidents, control the income and expenditure of IOP and maintain a central treasury, transmit decisions of the Executive Committee and President to the membership. The newsletter shall be the Secretary/Treasurer's chief medium of communication. 4.3.2 The Secretary/Treasurer may be re-elected. 4.4 The Conference/Congress Member is chosen by the Executive Committee. He/she shall be responsible for the co-ordinating with the appropriate authorities concerning the palaeobotanical program at the next IOP Conference or International Botanical Congress. He/she normally be a resident of the country in which that conference or congress is to be held. 4.5 Vice presidents shall not serve more than one consecutive term of office. One of the three Vice Presidents is selected by the Executive Committee to take special responsibility for the Committee with IUBS affairs. He/she will instigate creative projects, in consultation with the Executive Committee, which will be part of the activities of IUBS relevant to the aims of the IOP. 4.6 The three Members at Large must be from different countries: they may not serve more than two consecutive terms of office. 4.7 One term of office is from the end of one International Organization of Palaeobotany Conference (or its equivalent as defined by the Executive Committee) to the end of the next. 4.8 If any office other than that of President becomes vacant, the Executive Committee is empowered to select a replacement. Article 5. REGIONS AND REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES 5.1 To help produce the newsletter, the Secretary/Treasurer is empowered to select, invite, and appoint as many and as diverse Regional Representatives and Correspondents as are required to ensure effective coverage of world palaeobotany. The Correspondents may include the persons who are responsible for each regional or topical newsletters or bibliographies as currently exist or that are initiated in the future. Regional representatives and Correspondents will serve at the pleasure of the Secretary/Treasurer, and their appointment is open to review on a regular basis. 5.2 The role of each Regional Representative is to: 5.2.1 Maintain a full list of names and addresses of members in that region, and to transmit these to the Secretary/Treasurer each year. 5.2.2 Collect membership dues from each member, and after deduction of operational expenses, to transfer the surplus to the Secretary/Treasurer. 5.2.3 Stimulate contributions to the newsletter from members in the region. Contributions should include announcements and reports of national meetings, news of individuals and their projects, obituaries, and articles of general interest. Books for review should be solicited from publishers in the region and their reviews appointed in consultation with the Secretary/Treasurer. 5.2.4 Receive one master copy of each IOP newsletter from the Secretary/Treasurer, and arrange for duplication and distribution to members in the region. Communications and distributions will be via electronic media (e.g., e-mail and posting on the IOP Web Site, etc.), except for those members without electronic communications capabilities. For the latter members, hard copies will be provided by the Regional Representatives to the members by post. Article 6. MEMBERSHIP 6.1.1 Any palaeobotanist who subscribes to the aims of IOP is eligible for membership. 6.2 The Secretary/Treasurer shall maintain a roll of members' names and institutional addresses. This will comprise information received from all Regional Representatives. It will be revised at least once a year. It will serve as an electoral roll for the election of officers to the Executive Committee, as well as a useful world list of palaeobotanists. 6.3 Membership takes effect immediately upon receipt of membership dues by the appropriate Regional Representative. 6.4 Membership gives voting rights, the privilege of holding office , access to the most recent issues of the newsletter, reduced registration fee for the International Organization of Palaeobotany Conferences (IOPC), financial assistance and reduced IOPC costs for student members, as funds are available, and other benefits that are made available from time-to-time. 6.5 Institutions such as libraries and publishers may receive the newsletter by paying the annual dues set out in the By-Laws. They may not vote at elections or nominate candidates for election to office, and shall not be regarded as members. 6.6 The amount to be paid for annual dues shall be laid down from time to time by the Executive Committee and incorporated by the By-Laws. 6.7 Membership may be terminated for non-payment of dues extending over two years. 6.8 Honorary Membership in IOP may be extended to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to palaeobotany (especially through a career long effort) and are now retired, or have given exceptional service to the IOP, or to regional palaeobotanical organizations but are now retired from that role. Honorary members will have free membership of IOP for life and enjoy all the benefits of a fully paid member. The process of establishing honorary members shall include nominations, to be accompanied by the names of two proposers, a brief statement of justification, and an active e-mail address for the nominee or the name of a Regional Representative willing to forward hard copy information. Nominations shall be approved by the Executive and/or by the membership. Article 7. ELECTIONS The election of officers should take place at each General Assembly during the International Organization of Palaeobotany Conference, (or its equivalent as determined by the Executive Committee). 7.1 The Executive Committee shall seek nominations for eight of the places (see Article 4) by advertising in the newsletter. 7.2 Nominations may be made in writing, by any member of IOP. The call for nominations must be made by the Secretary/Treasurer in the IOP newsletter no later than six months before the Conference at which the election shall take place. 7.3 All candidates must be current members of IOP, defined by their inclusion of the membership election roll (see Article 6.2 above). 7.4 The Executive Committee shall determine the status of the nominees, ascertain that they are prepared to stand for election, and shall publish a list, in the form of a ballot in the newsletter at least one month before the start of the Conference (or equivalent as determined by the Executive). 7.5 Each member whose name appears on the electoral roll (Article 6.2 and 6.3) may vote. Member voting must have paid their membership dues to their Regional Representative for the year of the election. 7.6 Any member not in attendance at the General Assembly who wishes to vote may send their ballot to the Secretary/Treasurer, to be received before the time of the vote tabulation Ballots will be accepted by the Secretary/Treasurer either by e-mail or by post. E-mail ballots can either be sent as attachments or in the body of the e-mail (with authenticity established by the member's registered e-mail address). Each paper ballot should be enclosed in a sealed envelope with the voter's name clearly written on the reverse side of the envelope to establish authenticity. 7.7 Election of the President and of the Secretary/Treasurer shall be declared for the respective candidate who receives a simple majority of the votes cast. 7.8 Election of the three Vice-Presidents and of the three Members at Large of the Executive Committee shall be awarded to the candidates in each category who receive the largest number of votes. Article 8. ADMINISTRATION 8.1.1 The General Assembly consists of all current members of IOP, meetings of the General Assembly shall be held at each meeting of the International Organization of Palaeobotany Conference and at such other International conferences as may be designated, with a adequate prior notice, by the Executive Committee. 8.1.2 Meetings will be conducted in accordance with the customary Rules of Order (e.g., Robert's Rules of Order as kept online at .) 8.1.3 The agenda of a General Assembly shall be determined by the Secretary/Treasurer and the Executive Committee and published in a newsletter in advance of the meeting. 8.2.1 The Executive Committee undertakes such business as may be delegated to it by the Constitution and By-Laws or by decisions of the General Assembly, or by requests of the President or Secretary/Treasurer. 8.2.2 The Executive Committee should meet at least once at each International Organization of Palaeobotany Conference, and/or and at such other International conferences as may be designated prior to the meeting of the General Assembly. Otherwise, much of its business will be conducted by either e-mail or by mail. Article 9. FINANCES Membership dues shall be determined by the Executive Committee and laid down in the By-Laws. Dues are payable to the appropriate Regional Representative on January 1st each year. Any surplus money, after payment of postal and duplication costs should be forwarded to the Secretary/Treasurer by the Regional Representatives. Article 10. AMENDMENTS 10.1 These statues of the IOP may be amended only at a meeting of the General Assembly. 10.2 Amendments may be proposed by the Executive Committee or may be submitted to that committee by any member. 10.3 The Secretary/Treasurer will cause the proposed amendments to be published in the newsletter at least six months before the next General Assembly together with any comments the Executive Committee offers. 10.4 Amendments shall be effective if ratified by a two-thirds majority of members present at a General Assembly. Article 11. LANGUAGE The Official Languages of IOP will be those of IUBS. The use of English is advocated. BY-LAWS Membership dues - Dues for Individual and Corporate members are US $10.00, 10 Euros, or UK 5.00 per year. For some of the old Independent Regions the amount will be as agreed by the Secretary/Treasurer and Regional Representative until such a time as economic conditions allow for the regular dues to be assessed. Dues are payable to the appropriate Regional Representative and thence to the Secretary/Treasurer, who will use them in the production of the newsletter and for the business of the organization. A computer print-out of members' names and addresses is available to members from the Secretary/Treasurer, upon payment of a fee to cover costs determined by the Secretary/Treasurer. A series of informal leaflets, named IOP Circulars, may be produced from time to time, with the authority of the Executive Committee. Production costs shall be paid by the author from whom members may obtain free copies, thought postal charges are discretionary. These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee provided that the proposed amendments have been circulated to the Committee at least three months before a vote is taken. (END) -------------------------
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