Robert C. BARBER
University of Manitoba

IUPAP - A Brief Introduction

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The International Union of Pure and Applied Physics was formed in 1922 and is one of the oldest international scientific organizations. Its main purpose is the promotion of international scientific exchange in physics. It does this by sponsoring international conferences that attract a wider constituency than those of national conferences and by implementing the principle of the free international circulation of scientists. While its organization is centred around a representative set of classic disciplines, it is adapting its structure to respond to a number of new challenges, notably those around big science and international cooperation. An overview of the organization and its current activities will be presented.