About us
History
The Czech Republic is one of the countries which has historically carried out significant scientific research in Antarctica, enjoyed an international recognition, and since 2006 has had its own research polar station. In the northern part of James Ross Island, the research station has been built by the Masaryk University in the years 2005–2006, to serve as a base for the Antarctic research of the Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, as well as other national and international academic institutions. The plans for setting up a Czech base in the Antarctic go back to the 1990s, when the necessary legal, logistical and later constructional preparations began.
The Czech scientists at the time did not operate any facility which could provide technical, logistical and laboratory support for complex multidisciplinary excellent research in the Polar Regions. Construction of the station was finished in February 2006. Since then, successful scientific expeditions are undertaken there each austral summer. The base bears the name of Johann Gregor Mendel (1822–1884), a founder of modern genetics and pioneering meteorologist, who lived and worked in Brno.
Czech Antarctic Research Programme
Masaryk University is the only university in the world (and the only public institution in the Czech Republic) that owns and operates a scientific station in Antarctica. The operation of this unique research infrastructure (hereinafter also referred to as “RI” or just “the station”) managed by Masaryk University, which includes the J.G. Mendel Czech Antarctic Station on James Ross Island, its technical and logistical facilities CZ*ECO Nelson on Nelson Island and the auxiliary laboratory and technical infrastructure located at the premises of Masaryk University in Brno, without which the operation of the Station would not be possible, brings the Czech and foreign research community a unique opportunity to conduct complex multidisciplinary research in an area that is currently undergoing unprecedented changes in the natural environment and which has a fundamental impact on the entire planetary system. Through its long-standing and internationally recognised Antarctic Research Programme (also known as the Czech Antarctic Research Programme, which also uses the English acronym CARP) implemented through this RI, Masaryk University ensures that the Czech Republic maintains its consultative membership within the Antarctic Treaty community, thus enabling the Czech Republic to co-determine the current and future use of this continent.
The National Antarctic Research Program is seen abroad as a major government-funded initiative whose primary goal is to increase scientific knowledge and understanding of the Antarctic region and thus the global geo-ecosystem. The main benefits of having a state-sponsored national Antarctic research programme (CARP in the case of the Czech Republic) are that the national Antarctic research programme provides valuable scientific knowledge; however, it also brings benefits to the national economy and environmental protection, while contributing to building and improving international relations of both the scientific community and foreign policy, as well as national security.
Code of Conduct
Czech Antarctic Research Programme is dedicated to providing productive, enjoyable, and safe experiences across its expeditions, meetings, conferences, workshops, and any other events. This Code of Conduct applies to all participants in the CARP, including expedition members, officers, and any guests involved in program-related activities.
CARP, as a part of Masaryk University, also meets the requirements set out in the Code of Ethics of the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.
Structure
The CARP management structure is ordered at several levels, with the Executive Management consisting of Board of Coordinators forming the main body in the hierarchy. The Principal Investigator (Responsible Scientist) is the head of the Executive, followed by four Coordinators: 1) Project and Logistic Coordinator, who is simultaneously the J.G. Mendel Station Chief, 2) Scientific Coordinator and EEL (or Polar-Bio-Lab) Head, 3) Educational Coordinator and Polar-Geo-Lab Head, and 4) Technical Innovation Coordinator and Open Access Data Unit Head. The above-mentioned Board of Coordinators is overseen by the Supervisory Board, and collaborates with the Scientific Board and External Advisory Board. The Support Services include the Administration and Technical Staff, Logistics and Public Relations
ATCM
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., on 1 December 1959, and entered into force in 1961. Currently, the Antarctic Treaty has 29 Consultative Parties (including Czechia) and 25 Non-Consultative Parties. The Antarctic Treaty regulates the legal regime of Antarctica and related areas south of 60° South Latitude. The Parties to the Treaty, in meet every year “for the purpose of exchanging information, consulting together on matters of common interest pertaining to Antarctica, and formulating, and considering, and recommending to their Governments measures in furtherance of the principles and objectives of the Treaty”. These meetings are known as Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM).
The treaty stipulates that Antarctica may be used only for peaceful purposes. It prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military manoeuvres, as well as the testing of any type of weapon. It allows freedom of scientific research in Antarctica. In order to comply with this objective, the Parties agreed to exchange information regarding any projects of their scientific programmes and their results. Periodical inspections are arranged as a tool for ensuring compliance with the Treaty provisions. The Antarctic Treaty further prohibits any nuclear explosions in Antarctica and the disposal of radioactive waste material in these areas. For the period when the Antarctic Treaty is in force all previously made territorial claims are frozen.
Czechoslovakia was the first country that acceded to the Antarctic Treaty on 14 June 1962. In 2013, at the ATCM in Brussels, a consultative status of the Czech Republic as a Contracting Party to the Antarctic Treaty was recognized, effective from 1 April 2014. The Czech Republic hosted the ATCM XLII in 2019 in Prague.
SCAR
The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) is a thematic organisation of the International Science Council (ISC). SCAR is charged with initiating, developing and coordinating high quality international scientific research in the Antarctic region (including the Southern Ocean), and on the role of the Antarctic region in the Earth system. The scientific business of SCAR is conducted by its Science Groups which represent the scientific disciplines active in Antarctic research and report to SCAR. Masaryk University is proud member of SCAR since 2014.
COMNAP
The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) is an international association, formed in 1988, which facilitates support to Antarctic operations amongst the governmental National Antarctic Programs. Members are responsible for delivering and supporting scientific research in the Antarctic Treaty Area on behalf of their respective governments and in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty. They work collaboratively and individually to ensure data from Antarctica is available to the world. Masaryk University is proud member of COMNAP since 2013.
EPB
The European Polar Board (EPB) is an independent organisation focused on major strategic priorities in the Arctic and Antarctic. EPB Members include research institutes, logistics operators, funding agencies, scientific academies and government ministries from across Europe. The EPB’s vision is of a strong and cohesive European Polar research community, wherein decisions affecting or affected by the Polar Regions are informed by independent, accurate, and timely advice from the EPB. Masaryk University is proud member of SCAR since 2024.