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CODATA

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CODATA is the International Committee on Data for Science and Technology of the International Council for Science (ICSU). The mission of CODATA is to strengthen international science for the benefit of society by promoting improved scientific and technical data management and use. ICSU established CODATA in 1966 to promote and encourage, on a world-wide basis, the compilation, evaluation, and dissemination of reliable numerical data of importance to science and technology. The Secretariat is hosted at the ICSU headquarters in Paris.

CODATA's membership includes 24 countries, and 15 International Scientific Unions. These members, together with 5 co-opted organizations and over 20 supporting organizations provide an international network where scientists at the national level can develop international collaborations and the sharing of facilities, information and resources on scientific data and information issues. CODATA works to improve the quality, reliability, management, and accessibility of data of importance to all fields of science and technology.

CODATA is a resource that provides scientists and engineers with access to international data activities for increased awareness, direct cooperation, and new knowledge. CODATA is concerned with all types of data resulting from experimental measurements, observations and calculations in every field of science and technology, including the physical sciences, biology, geology, astronomy, engineering, environmental science, ecology, and others. Particular emphasis is given to data management problems common to different disciplines and to data used outside the field in which they were generated.

CODATA’s interests are:

  • Open access to data and information
  • Cross-disciplinary access to data and information
  • Preservation and archival of data and information • Intellectual property (e.g. WIPO negotiations)
  • Technology, standards, and applications of modern distributed information systems
  • Development of a science information commons
  • Improving access to scientific data and publications by developing countries
  • Standards for the capture and exchange of scientific datasets

CODATA achieves its objectives via Task Groups, Working Groups, National Member activities, conferences and workshops, publications, and co-operation with other organisations on common interests. It provides an opportunity for member countries to promote their national activities and for their scientists to make international contacts and forge international collaborations. CODATA is undergoing a revival as a consequence of the revolution that is taking place in informatics (i.e., information science, data and information systems, information management, web services, e-Science).

CODATA has an excellent infrastructure comprising a Secretariat at the ICSU headquarters in Paris, task groups, a history of biennial conferences, and the Data Science Journal. It is viewed by many as being well-positioned for playing a central role in informatics policy and coordination worldwide, and is growing, with three new National members in 2006-2007.

 
This page last updated by Ray Norris 15-Mar-2008
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