cc: "K. Briffa@Uea. Ac. Uk" , "Mike Hulme" , "Phil Jones" date: Mon, 15 May 2000 16:06:22 +0100 from: "Jean Palutikof" subject: RE: CRU statements to: Hi Mick The only thought I have is that the vision statement must mention climate change. I appreciate that 'Advancing the understanding of climate change' is maybe a bit boring, but at least it says what we're at. Another thought - the Tyndall Centre has a 3-para Vision Statement. Jean > -----Original Message----- > From: Mick Kelly [mailto:m.kelly@uea.ac.uk] > Sent: 15 May 2000 07:31 > To: k.briffa@uea.ac.uk; m.hulme@uea.ac.uk; p.jones@uea.ac.uk; > j.palutikof@uea.ac.uk > Subject: CRU statements > > > 1. Here is the mission statement revamped after last week's discussion. I > have subsituted challenges and opportunities for uncertainties in the > second paragraph as the latter seemed rather technical. I suggest we leave > this now till its discussed by CRU Forum. > > The mission of the Climatic Research Unit is to undertake pioneering > research on the nature, predictability and impact of natural and > anthropogenic climate change, maintaining a position as a world authority > in this field. > > The Unit will support a sustainable response to the challenges and > opportunities created by climate variability and trends, being recognised > as a principal source of information, training, data, analysis tools and > advice on climate issues because of the high quality, objectivity, > topicality and policy-relevance of its work. > > 2. Here is a vision statement. Mission statement = commitment. Vision > statement = inspiration. The vision statement should be very short and > almost a slogan. For us, I don't think the vision statement is that > important but we might as well have one I suppose. What sprung to mind > when working on the mission statement was: > > "Extending the frontiers of knowledge" > > Can frontiers be extended? I reckon so as I see the frontier of knowledge > as being roughly circular so it gets longer as you push out the boundary. > But maybe... > > "Advancing the frontiers of understanding" > > 3. More important is the values statement. This amongst other > things guides > difficult decisions within a company by providing basic principles, > guldelines, etc. It should also shape the corporate culture. It > is more for > internal purposes than something you would publicise but it should affect > the company image. This is very much something that should be develoiped > by an organisation as a whole ie we need CRU Forum input, as everyone > should agree to this (at least in general terms). I suggest we develop a > draft then put it to CRU Forum. Below there are some thoughts as to the > issues we might cover. If you send me comments/additions I'll work them up > into a draft statement. This touches on substantive policy issues in > places so we may need to meet to discuss before the draft is prepared? > > Job security and career development > Nature of research we do (balance of consultancy maybe) > Degree of involvement in teaching > Relationship with rest of UEA, with rest of world > Working environment and resources available to staff > Integrity of scientific work - or do we take this as read? > Commitment to best practice. > > I'll return to this Wednesday pm so comments by return if at all possible. > Thanks > Mick > > > >    ______________________________________________ > > Mick Kelly Climatic Research Unit > University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ > United Kingdom > Tel: 44-1603-592091 Fax: 44-1603-507784 > Email: m.kelly@uea.ac.uk > Web: http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk/tiempo/ > ______________________________________________ > > >