International Union of Speleology

The Union Internationale de Spéléologie ( German International Union of Speleology ) is a non-governmental organization founded in 1965 whose purpose is to promote cooperation between both academic and technical cavers. She is considered the undisputed international umbrella organization for all of karst and cave explorers.

History

After caving became increasingly recognized as an interdisciplinary science in the early 20th century, the need for researchers to exchange ideas grew. As of 1953, there were regular international congresses, as well as 1965 in Postojna. In this suggested an initiative of several cavers to establish an international association which was to unite the scientists around the world and coordinate their activities. On September 16, 1965 then the Union International de Spéléologie was founded (UIS ) during the closing ceremony of the conference. The delegates to the congress were thus among the founding members of the Union. The organization and its statutes were confirmed by the subsequent Congress in Stuttgart in 1969.

Since 1978 exists with the International Journal of Speleology an official scientific journal whose articles are reviewed before publication by peer review. The journal, which was published as early as 1964, by researchers in the Netherlands, went through in the last decades several times restructurings. By 2010, the Italian Speläologiegesellschaft acted as owner and publisher.

Structure

In a narrower sense, the association of a President, two Vice Presidents, a Secretary-General and eight auxiliary secretaries there. Each person must come from a different country. These officials are elected by the General Meeting during the four annual International Speleological Congress.

The voting members of the General Assembly seconded by national associations cave. The work of the UIS will be held in various committees and working groups in the first place.

Outside the regular statutes, there is the possibility of Honorary President. So far there with Bernard Geze (1977-1997 [† 1996 ] ), Hubert Trimmel (1993 - [† 2013 ] ), Paolo Forti ( since 1997) and Andrew Eavis (since 2013), four honorary president.

In German-speaking countries of the Association of the German caves and karst researchers and the Association of Austrian cavers are a member of the UIS. Represent all researchers in Germany or Austria, as the UIS only a / n delegate / s per State permits. If there are several member organizations in a country, they have to agree on a delegate.