international
polar
foundation

The International Polar Year is a large scientific programme focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic from March 2007 to March 2009. During this period, an interdisciplinary and international science programme reinforced science about polar oceans, glaciers and ice sheets, permafrost, etc. In this framework, an integrated Education & Outreach programme gave the general public, media professionals, researchers, and policy makers the opportunity to experience science in real time.

From March 30th to May 31st, Tour & Taxi (Brussels) will host the exhibition “From Brussels, Xiè Xiè Shanghai” (“Thank You, Shanghai”). The exhibition will give those who did not get to see the Belgium Pavilion in Shanghai the opportunity to feel a little of the atmosphere that reigned in China during the six months of the 41st World Expo.

On February 15th, the Princess Elisabeth research station in Antarctica (PEA) was the focal point of the launch of the 'mardis durables du Palais', a special exhibition focusing on sustainable technologies and innovations, at the ‘Palais de la Découverte’ (Paris).

On February 15th 2011 the Princess Elisabeth research station in Antarctica (PEA) will be the centre of attention at the launch of the 'mardis durables du Palais', a special exhibition focussing on sustainable technologies and innovations, at the ‘Palais de la Découverte’ (Paris).

The southern hemisphere winter is over, and as the Antarctic warms up, the members of the BELARE (Belgian Antarctic Research) 2010-2011 expedition have headed to Antarctica to re-open the Princess Elisabeth Station for its first complete “zero emission” season. Departing from Cape Town (South Africa), they landed at Utsteinen on November 11th.

The IPF was invited to attend the 2010 Sibos financial conference in Amsterdam by organizer and long-time partner, SWIFT. A commitment had been taken at the last Sibos event in Hong Kong to make this year’s event as green as possible. The IPF worked closely with SWIFT on this project as part of the continued partnership.

IPF has been invited to attend the world’s premier financial services event – Sibos – being held in Amsterdam from October 25-29, 2010.

The president of the International Polar Foundation and famous polar explorer Alain Hubert attended the inauguration of the new “Métis” building at the Collège du Biéreau in Louvain-la-Neuve on October 8th. The new passive building, built with environmentally-friendly materials, houses a kindergarten and was equipped with high-end low-consumption equipment.

On October 14th & 15th, the European Parliament hosted the Arctic Futures Symposium, an event organized by the International Polar Foundation in collaboration with the Aspen Institute and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The symposium, which welcomed over a hundred experts from North America (US and Canada), Europe (Arctic countries and others) and Australia included four workshops which aimed to "contribute to the informal dialogue between the EU and the Arctic countries", said International Polar Foundation President, Alain Hubert on the opening day.

From October 2nd to 17th, the general public will have the opportunity to discover the “Venturi Antarctica” at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris. Partnering with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the International Polar Foundation collaborated with car manufacturer Venturi from Monaco to develop the “Venturi Antarctica”, an electric vehicle to be used in the extreme conditions of Antarctica.