COSPAR'S COUP DE GRACE

摘要

The decision by the international Committee on Space Research to cancel its biennial Scientific Assembly in July -just 12 days before it was to start in Istanbul - is a cautionary tale for any conference organizer with a strong international mandate. Founded in 1958, COSPAR's principal mission is to promote global cooperation in space. Its Assemblies typically attract more than 2,000 participants, forcing the organization to select venues four years in advance to secure conference centers.