Via della Navicella, 12
00184 Roma - Italy
Tel/Fax: +39 06 77591183
http://www.homeofgeography.org

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GENERAL FUNCTIONS

To pursue its goals, the Home of Geography will operate the following range of functions:

1. provide a base for innovative projects to promote scientific goals of IGU;
2. provide a structure which will make it possible to consult archives and IGU documents;
3. provide a meeting place for the members of the Executive Commissions and Study Groups of the IGU;
4. make it possible to organise international scientific conferences and other scientific events related to geography.

To contribute to the implementation of international education and research programmes on behalf of geographers throughout the world. In this view, a focal point will be established in the Home of Geography with the role of collecting and networking information and data among geographers and, where possible, of promoting interaction between geographers and international research organisations and inter?governmental organisations. New functions may, at any time, be suggested by the Executive Committee of the International Geographical Union.

FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT THE HOME OF GEOGRAPHY

Facilities available during the Italian Geographical Society's (SGI)working hours are:

1. Two rooms which house the IGU archives, business office, working space as well as the necessary public conveniences;
2. SGI general libraries, newspaper library, map collection, archives and photograph library;
3. Black and white and colour photocopier.

Facilities available upon request and if available (please contact the Home of Geography at least 6 Months in advance):

• Conference room with seating capacity of 100;
• Council chamber with seating capacity of 20;
• Buffet dining room which accommodates approximately 100 people, standing.

HOME OF GEOGRAPHY

The International Geographical Union (IGU) and the Società Geografica Italiana (SGI), recognising that their mandates and roles are concerned With the promotion of geography at all scales from local to global, and that conditions are now favourable to promote collaboration within the world community of geographers, undertake to establish the 'Villa Celimontana ? Home of Geography IGU Archives and Study Centre", herein called "Home of Geography".

The Home of Geography is located in Rome, Villa Celimontana ?Palazetto Mattei, seat of the SGI. This building, which belongs to the cultural patrimony of Italy, is Italian National Property conferred by the Italian Government to the SGI, by concession. The activity of Villa Celimontana ? Home of Geography is planned and operates in accordance with the spirit and the organisational criteria of the Statutes of both the IGU and the SGI.

The Executive Committee, called "Committee Celimontana" and the Director are in charge of the management of the Home of Geography. The Committee Celimontana consists of eight members?from whom a President is nominated?of whom four will be designated by the IGU, and four by the SGI. For the first term, its mandate will last a triennium and can be renewed totally or partially. For the first term, members of the Committee Celimontana are Ronald F. Abler, Anne Buttimer (President), Luciano Buzzetti, Sergio Conti (Vice?President), Bruno Messerli, Cosimo Palagiano, Franco Salvatori, Adalberto Vallega. Armando Montanari is Director and Tania Lines is Executive Secretary.

The organisation of the Home of Geography includes the staff offices, meeting rooms, information and computer facilities. Their use is regulated and operates according to the criteria established by the Committee Celimontana.

The Committee Celimontana adopts an annual budget with expenditures consistent with the relevant year's programme. Expenditures are justified by an annual report of activity. These documents are addressed to the Executive Committees of the IGU and SGI, and are regarded as the basis for optimising collaboration between the two organisations.

OBJECTIVES

The International Geographical Union and the Società Geografica Italiana recognise that the Villa Celimontana Home of Geography will:

1. host, process, and manage the IGU archives;
2. serve as a focal point to network geographers from all the world;
3. provide room and facilities for geographers and other scholars to carry out research, as well as for meetings and short courses;
4. provide technical assistance for implementing the participation of geographers in international research and education programmes and in promoting new international research projects;
5. collaborate with the IGU Executive Committee in disseminating information about geography. In this context, the SGI will open its library, map collection, and museum to geographers who wish to visit the Home of Geography.

The Home of Geography aims to:

1. set up and develop an international meeting ground for scholars and researchers who want to investigate issues and problems concerning geography;
2. promote, study and research in areas of interest to the IGU programmes;
3. acquire, catalogue and develop an information system for IGU archives;
4. maintain IGU archives in an appropriate location;
5. offer a potential meeting headquarters for resident/permanent research groups, Commissions and Study Groups etc. dedicated to the investigation of specific problems for given periods of time;
6. foster the participation and involvement of students, young researchers, scholars and academics from Third World countries;
7. respond to requests from IGU Executive Committee for other tasks as these may arise.

In the context of the celebrations for the Year 2000, the Municipality of Rome has promoted the location in Rome of the Home of Geography. This new international centre for the development of ideas and scientific research reaffirms yet again the city's role as a global capital city of culture and science.

The International Geographical Union and the Italian Geographical Society provide a centre for visiting scholars, or meetings and for the development of ideas on geography and environmental issues in the spirit of ecumenical collaboration, solidarity and friendship.

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