UNESCO’ International Geological Correlation Programme as a Means of Liberation of Geological Research in State-Socialist Czechoslovakia

• In Event: Experts as Agents of Liberation?: Expert Cultures and Transnational Knowledge Networks in the Cold War Era I

Abstract

IGCP was launched by UNESCO in 1973 as a response to raising voices of geologists who
called for international action on the rising demand for minerals and energy sources
worldwide. Given the growing population rates and energy demands of expanding industries
the programme became the prime concern also for politicians on both sides of the Iron
Curtain. Czechoslovak scientists played a key role in formulation of goals and administration
of the programme, being the members of IGCP executive Board and Scientific Committees.
Moreover, out of the first 13 key projects involved in the programme were four led by
Czechoslovak scientists. In the presentation I will demonstrate in what ways the IGCP
programme allowed Czechoslovak geologists to pursue the research relatively independent
from economic priorities of the government and how it contributed to internationalization and
environmentalization of geological sciences in Czechoslovaki

Author

• Barbora Buzássyová, Institute of History SAS (Slovakia)