A. Principles and Responsibilities of ICSU World Data
Centers
The basic principles and responsibilities of the international
exchange of solar, geophysical and environmental data through
the World Data Centers have carried forward under ICSU rules,
essentially unchanged since the establishment of the WDC system
for the IGY. The following text replaces the sections on "Principles
and Responsibilities of the World Data Centers" in Part I
of the Guide to the World Data Center System, dated November
1987.
- World Data Centers are operated for the benefit of the international
scientific community. WDCs in the United States are designated
as WDCA, in Russia as WDC-B, in other European countries as WDC-C
or WDC-C1, in Japan or India as WDC-C2, and in China as WDC-D.
They are supported by national organizations according to these
Principles laid down by the ICSU Panel on World Data Centers.
- The resources required to operate WDCs are the responsibility
of the host country or institution, which is expected to provide
these resources on a long-term basis. If for any reason a WDC
is closed, the data holdings shall be transferred to another WDC.
- WDCs will, subject to their financial resources, accept data
according to the data management plans of appropriate ICSU scientific
programs or monitoring activities, and store these data safely
and in good condition. WDCs may enhance their holdings by seeking
and collecting related data sets. They may prepare higher-order
data products such as indices of activity and collated or condensed
data sets.
- WDCs will prepare and publish catalogs of their data holdings,
or otherwise make freely available information on their holdings,
e.g., by electronic access.
- WDCs will exchange data among themselves, as mutually agreed
and when-ever possible without charge, to facilitate data availability,
to provide back-up copies, and to aid the preparation of higher
order data products.
- No confidential or security-classified data are to be held in
a WDC.
- Data may be subject to privileged use by their originators,
for a period to be agreed beforehand, and not to exceed two years
from the date of acquisition by the WDC.
- WDCs will provide data to scientists in any country free of
charge, on an exchange basis or at a cost not to exceed the cost
of copying and sending the requested data. Additional charges
may be made for special services, or for acquiring data from outside
the WDC system.
- WDCs will accept any scientist as a visitor to work on site
with data holdings held under WDC auspices.
- WDCs will report to the ICSU Panel as requested.
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