ISI Committee Matters

This Committee was established as a result of the motion that was passed during the during the ISI General Assembly, to develop a Committee which would suggest procedures and criteria for the awarding of ISI service medals. This Committee will present its report to the ISI Executive Committee who will make the report of their recommendations available, together with their views on it, to the members of ISI and Sections.

In the aftermath of the successful ISI Cutting Edge Conference on "Uncertainty in the Risk Assessment of Environmental and Occupational Hazards" held in Bologna, a decision was made to establish a new ISI Committee on Risk Analysis. Risk analysis is a vital activity in modern society as it provides the scientific basis for effort to identify and control hazards to health and life. This Committee, which will examine various applications of the risk analysis process and its methodology, is also giving consideration to the organisation of future conferences on this topic.

Work is underway to establish a new Committee on Professional Ethics. Strong support for this initiative was expressed during the special open meeting on Professional Ethics held during the Helsinki ISI Session. For those interested in participating in the work of this future Committee should contact Prof. Elsner at: e.elsner@statistik-berlin.de

This Committee is responsible for the review of the ISI’s overall publications policy, and provides advice to the ISI Executive Committee and Council with regard to the development of the publications programme. It also convenes search committees when new editors are required for ISI publications, and monitors the implementation of the agreed editorial policies, as well as the arrangements for the production and publishing of ISI publications, taking into account basic requirements regarding economy, quality and dissemination.

Members are encouraged to submit their suggestions to Dr. Klaassen, who can be reached at: chrisk@wins.uva.nl

This Committee focuses on the historical evolution of probability and official statistics and profiles the historical development of statistical concepts.

Those who are interested in taking part in the Committee can contact the Chairman at: awfe@cam.ac.UK

This Committee is working to provide an umbrella and focus for research and applications of statistical concepts and methodologies in industry. The Committee is presently developing plans for new Committee activities. For additional information, please contact Chairman Prof. Nick Fisher at: Nick.Fisher@cmis.csiro.au. Website of the Industrial Statistics Committee: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~sbi

This Committee is responsible for selecting a slate of candidates for the ISI Executive Committee (President Elect and three Vice-Presidents) and for eight members of Council. Their task being completed during the ISI Session in Helsinki, we thank the Committee and Chairman Prof. Siegmund for their work in determining the composition of the forthcoming ISI elections ballot.

This co-ordinator is responsible for the organization of the joint meeting of Statistical Societies that takes place in conjunction with the ISI Sessions. These meetings are intended to develop co-operative arrangements between various statistical societies, including the ISI. The next joint meeting will take place during the 53rd ISI Session in Seoul.

This Committee is charged with the duty of examining all nominations for ordinary and honorary membership. We thank Dr. Erhard Hrushka and his committee for their work with respect to the 1999 elections (see Elections for second round election results).

This Committee is working to stimulate international statistical co-operation with countries in the Arabic world. Anyone interested in participating in the Committee’s work should contact Prof. Awartani at: fawarta@palnet.com

This Committee is responsible for developing the scientific programme for the ISI Sessions. Prof. Richard Gill is very busy with his work in developing the programme for the Seoul ISI Session. It is our pleasure to announce that Susan Linacre (Australia) has agreed to Chair the Programme and Programme Co-ordinating Committee for the 54th ISI Session in Berlin.

This Committee is working to promote and strengthen the representation of women statisticians in the ISI and its Sections. Anyone interested in participating in the Committee should contact Chair Beverley Carlson at: bcarlson@eclac.cl

This Committee is working to facilitate contacts between statisticians of the central banks and the rest of the broad statistical community. Those interested in participating in the Committee should contact Committee Secretary Mr. Bart Meganck at: generalstatistics@nbb.be

Originally responsible for the development of activities that help to stimulate the spread of quantitative skills all over the world, a decision was made by the ISI EC to transfer the leadership of this Committee to the IASE. This Committee is presently reconsidering its mandate and future activities.

The responsibilities of Committee, which included monitoring the process of nominating and electing new member, have been transferred to the ISI EC and Council.

A Word of Thanks ...

We are grateful to Mr. Dennis Trewin for his work as the previous ISI Publications Committee Chair, to Prof. Chris Heyde, for his contributions as the previous Chair of the Committee on History of Statistics and Prof. V.N. Nair for his work as the previous Chair of the Statistics in Industry Committee.

Appreciation is due to Prof. Mary Regier for her work as previous Chair of the Women in Statistics Committee. Our thanks are also due to Prof. Luigi Biggeri for his past work as Chair of the ISI Committee for the Strengthening of Co-operation between ISI and Statistical Societies, and the World Numeracy Project Working Group. Prof. J.C. Lee is due our thanks for his work on the ISI Membership Committee. Mr. Emerico Zautzik is also due a word of thanks for his role as previous Chair of the Irving Fisher Committee.

The second Administrative Meeting was held on August 20, 1999 at the 52nd ISI Session — Helsinki 1999. The following officers were elected:

Chair: Scott M. Meis (Canadian Tourism Commission)
Vice-Chair: Stephen L. J. Smith (University of Waterloo, Canada)
Editor: Raphael Raymond Bar-On (Tourism Consultant, Israel)
Secretary: Mara Manente (CISET, University of Venice, Italy)
Members: Sophia Erickson (EUROSTAT, Luxembourg), with special attention to national and international statistical offices;
Trude Evanson (Norwegian Statistical Office, Norway), with special attention to national accounts;
Antonio Massieu (World Tourism Organization, Spain), with special attention to international organizatons;
Joesep T. O'Leary (Purdue, University, USA), with special attention to database networking and web-site;
Susan Starkins (South Bank University, London), with special attention to education and IASE (International Association for Statistical Education).

Tourism Statistics on the Web

Official and other statisticians are requested to inform us of web-sites which include tourism statistics.

Forthcoming Conferences

Website: www.ulai.org.il
Contact: The National Association of Local Authorities in Iceland
Fax: +354-568 7868
Telephone: +354-581 3711
E-mail: unnar@samband.is