international
polar
foundation

The World Meteorological Organization and the International Council for Science have awarded the International Polar Foundation's President, Mr. Alain Hubert, and Vice-President, Ms. Nighat Amin, with a certificate of appreciation.

On Wednesday April 29th, 2009, the Flemish Government's department of Economy, Science and Innovation organized an afternoon of networking within the framework of a science communication action plan. As co-organizer of the meeting, the International Polar Foundation made its pedagogical workshop "Class Zero Emission" available for the occasion. All organisations active in science communication and popularization in Flanders were invited to the event.

Invited by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Alain Hubert, Director of the Princess Elisabeth Station project and winner of the Prince Albert II Foundation's award for climate change in 2008, attended a special event on Antarctica that followed up on the Prince's journey to the 7th continent during the 2008-2009 austral season. It was held on April 14th at the Grimaldi Forum of Monaco and gathered a number of scientific personalities, schoolchildren, journalists and citizens.

Protect 7-7, a unique photography exhibition, was held on the 7th continent in January 2009. Wim Tellier, the author of this exhibit, chose the "Gedempte Zuiderdokken" in Antwerp to unfold on April 24th through 26th his six 20m X 40m photographs that had previously been carried to and displayed in Antarctica. A total of 4800 m2, it is the biggest art exhibition in the world.

During the 32nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) and 50th anniversary celebration in Baltimore, Maryland (USA), the Belgian minister in charge of Economy and Administrative Simplification, Mr. Vincent Van Quickenborne, was proud to announce Belgium's return to Antarctica through the achievement of the Princess Elisabeth Research Station. Special congratulations were given to Alain Hubert, Founding President of the International Polar Foundation (IPF) and Director of the Princess Elisabeth Station Antarctica project, "whose energy and determination transformed this project into reality."

In collaboration with the International Polar Foundation, STIB / MIVB (Société des transports intercommunaux de Bruxelles / Maatschappij voor Intercommunaal Vervoer van Brussel) inaugurated a new Metro station in Brussels on Monday, March 23rd. This new underground station, baptised "Belgica", is a tribute to Belgian exploration in Antarctica and a reminder of the dangers of climate change.

Class Zero Emission (CZE), a pedagogical workshop initiated by the International Polar Foundation (IPF) covering the themes of the Polar Regions and climate change, was officially inaugurated on 25 March 2009 at the IPF in Brussels.

On February 25th, an international delegation of scientists was present at the World Meteorological Organization (WWMO) in Geneva, Switzerland, to celebrate the 4th International Polar Year (IPY) and the important milestone it has set in our understanding of the Earth's system. The WMO, who sponsored the IPY along with the International Council for Science, released its preliminary report "The State of Polar Research".

The inauguration of the Princess Elisabeth Station on February 15th was a success and a dream come true. In the opening ceremony preceding the official inauguration, Alain Hubert reminded everyone that the International Polar Year had been the drive for Belgium's initiative to return to Antarctica in the name of science.

The renowned Belgian comic strip Suske en Wiske / Bob et Bobette has chosen to collaborate with the International Polar Foundation for their new album. The story brings Suske en Wiske / Bob et Bobette to Antarctica where they will pursue their adventures at the Princess Elisabeth Station.