Suchergebnisse

A l'hora de fer balanç sobre la Cimera Mundial de la Societat de la Informació, potser el més remarcable es trobi en el terreny dels procediments, més que no pas dels resultats. És a dir, en la incorporació de mecanismes de debat i seguiment multisectorials - amb la presència de representants de la societat civil, d'interlocutors governamentals i del món empresarial- per tal de pensar els futurs desenvolupaments de la societat de la informació. Precisament, la multisectorialitat serà una de las característiques de l'Internet Governance Forum, un nou instrument internacional per debatre sobre el govern d'internet impulsat a la Cimera. ; A la hora de hacer balance sobre la Cumbre mundial de la sociedad de la información, quizás lo más remarcable se halle en el ámbito de los procedimientos, más que no en el de los resultados. Es decir, en la incorporación de mecanismos de debate y seguimiento multisectoriales -con la presencia de representantes de la sociedad civil, de interlocutores gubernamentales y del mundo empresarial- para pensar en los desarrollos futuros de la sociedad de la información. Precisamente, la multisectorialidad será una de las características del Internet Governance Forum, un nuevo instrumento internacional para debatir sobre el gobierno de internet impulsado en la Cumbre. ; When it comes to assessing the World Summit on the Information Society, the most remarkable point may lie in the field of procedures rather than results. In other words, in the incorporation of multisectoral debate and monitoring mechanisms - with the presence of civil society representatives as well as governmental and corporate interlocutors - when it comes to thinking about future developments of the information society. In fact, multisectorality will be one of the characteristics of the Internet Governance Forum, a new international instrument to discuss Internet governance as promoted at the Summit.

If we want to share data, the long-term storage of those data in a trustworthy digital archive is an essential condition. Trust is the basis of storing and sharing data. That trust must be present in the various stakeholders involved. Certification of digital archives can make an important contribution to the confidence of these stakeholders in the digital archives. Ten years ago DANS was assigned the task of developing a Seal of Approval for digital data to ensure that archived data can still be found, understood and used in the future. In 2009 this Data Seal of Approval (DSA) was transferred to an international body, the DSA Board, which has managed and further developed the guidelines and the peer review process ever since. The objectives of the DSA are to safeguard data, ensure high quality and guide reliable management of data for the future without requiring implementation of new standards, regulations or heavy investments. The DSA contains 16 guidelines for applying and verifying quality aspects concerning the creation, storage, use and reuse of digital data. Based on feedback from data archives that applied for a DSA and different case studies we have gained some insight into the benefits of DSA. Still, the impact of having the Seal is not easy to measure. Seal holders usually refer to qualitative benefits in the form of increased awareness of the value of their repositories to their communities, funders and publishers. Ten years down the line we can safely state that the Data Seal of Approval has proven its added value. If we try to look five years into the future, what can we expect? There are different developments: a growing interest in DSA among European research infrastructures, the collaboration between DSA and the ISCU World Data System under the umbrella of the RDA (Research Data Alliance) and the European Commission is showing a growing interest in certification services. The success of DSA also provides the challenge to further professionalize the DSA organization in the coming years, this to enable its community to continue to grow.

This thesis is focused on temporal information processing, which is a task framed in the field of natural language processing. The aim of this task is to obtain the temporal location and ordering of the events expressed in text or discourse, which requires the automatic interpretation of temporal expressions, events, and the temporal relations between them. The majority of current approaches are based on morphosyntactic knowledge. However, temporal entities are often ambiguous at that language analysis level. Our hypothesis is that the linguistic expression of time is a semantic phenomenon and therefore, to achieve a better extraction performance, temporal information must be processed using semantics. To prove this hypothesis, we present a semantic approach to temporal information processing: TIPSem. This is an automated system that includes features based on lexical semantics, semantic roles, and temporal semantics, in addition to morphosyntactic features. TIPSem has been empirically evaluated through the participation in the TempEval-2 international evaluation exercise and subsequent experiments based on this test. The results obtained firmly support the presented hypothesis and their analysis demonstrates that semantic features aid in handling morphosyntactic ambiguity and favour generalization capabilities. These conclusions have been reached for different languages (i.e., English, Spanish, Italian, and Chinese), which supports the defended hypothesis at a multilingual level. Finally, as compared with the state of the art, TIPSem obtains a very competitive performance level and introduces a remarkable improvement in event processing. TIPSem has been applied to the problem of graphical representation of temporal information. We have developed a dynamic interface which brings users time-based access to information: Time-Surfer. The results obtained through a user-oriented evaluation of this interface demonstrate that TIPSem's performance is also satisfactory from an extrinsic standpoint. ; This PhD thesis has been supported by the Spanish Government, in projects: TIN-2006-15265-C06-01, TIN-2009-13391-C04-01 and PROMETEO/2009/119, where Hector Llorens is funded under a FPI grant (BES-2007-16256).

El projecte internacional CLICO (Climate Change, Hydro Conflicts and Human security), liderat per l'ICTA, ha reunit a Nicòsia (Xipre), investigadors de 14 institucions per donar a conèixer i debatre els resultats dels estudis realitzats al llarg de tres anys en diverses àrees del Mediterrani, Orient Mitjà i del Sahel per investigar les dimensions socials del canvi climàtic i en particular els conflictes relacionats amb l'aigua. Els investigadors indiquen que el canvi climàtic juga per ara un paper secundari en l'origen i l'agreujament d'aquests conflictes i fa una crida a evitar discursos polítics que els vinculin directament sens considerar el paper d'altres factors polítics i socioeconòmics. ; El proyecto internacional CLICO (Climate Change, Hydro Conflicts and Human security), liderado por el ICTA, ha reunido en Nicosia (Chipre) a investigadores de 14 instituciones los días 10 y 11 de diciembre para presentar y debatir los resultados de los estudios realizados a lo largo de tres años en varias áreas del Mediterráneo, Oriente Medio y Sahel para investigar las dimensiones sociales del cambio climático, y en particular los conflictos relacionados con el agua. Los investigadores indican que el cambio climático juega de momento un papel secundario en el origen o agravamineto de estos conflictos y hace un llamamiento a evitar discursos políticos que los vinculen directamente, sin considerar el papel de otros factores políticos y socio-económicos. ; The international project CLICO (Climate Change, Hydro Conflicts and Human security), led by ICTA, united researchers from 14 institutions in Nicosia on 10 and 11 December to present and debate the results of studies on water, conflict and security conducted in the past three years in a variety of locations in the Mediterranean, Middle East and the Sahel. The CLICO project explored the social dimensions of climate change and in particular, conflicts related to water, and the threats this may pose for national and human security. The results found that climate change plays a secondary role -at least for the time being- in the origin or aggravation of social conflicts linked to water and that political discourses must avoid directly linking them without first taking into account other political and socio-economic factors.

L'experiment T2K, una col·laboració internacional on participen més de 500 físics de 12 països, ha detectat l'aparició de neutrins electrònics a partir d'un feix de neutrins muònics. És la primera vegada que s'observa aquest fenomen, conegut com a "oscil·lació", entre aquest tipus de neutrins, la qual cosa suposa un important pas per entendre millor aquesta partícula elemental. A més, aquesta detecció obre la porta a l'estudi experimental d'un dels principals misteris de l'Univers: el domini de la matèria enfront de l'antimatèria. En l'experiment participen investigadors de l'Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE, consorci Generalitat de Catalunya-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) i de l'Institut de Física Corpuscular (IFIC, CSIC-Universitat de València). ; El experimento T2K, una colaboración internacional donde participan más de 500 físicos de 12 países, ha detectado la aparición de neutrinos electrónicos a partir de un haz de neutrinos muónicos. Es la primera vez que se observa este fenómeno, conocido como "oscilación", entre este tipo de neutrinos, lo que supone un importante paso para entender mejor esta partícula elemental. Además, esta detección abre la puerta al estudio experimental de uno de los principales misterios del Universo: el dominio de la materia frente a la antimateria. En el experimento participan investigadores del Institut de Física d'Altes Energies (IFAE, consorcio Generalitat de Catalunya-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) y del Institut de Física Corpuscular (IFIC, CSIC-Universitat de València). ; The T2K experiment, an international collaboration with over 500 physicists from 12 different countries, has detected the appearance of electron neutrinos in a muon neutrino beam. It is the first time researchers observe this phenomenon - known as "oscillation" - in these types of neutrinos. The discovery could represent an important step towards a clearer understanding of this elementary particle. Having detected the presence of these types of neutrinos opens the door to an experimental study of one of the greatest mysteries of the Universe: the power of matter over antimatter. The experiment includes participation of researchers from the Institute of High Energy Physics (IFAE, consortium formed by the Government of Catalonia-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) and from the Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC, CSIC- Universitat de València).

La connexió entre la Xina i el Moviment Olímpic es remunta a principis del segle XX. No obstant això, la participació de la Xina en el període inicial va ser marginal i controvertida a causa de les condicions socials internes i al context polític internacional. L'any 1979 va ser crucial en la relació entre el Moviment Olímpic i la Xina ja que en la Sessió del CIO celebrada a Nagoya va acabar el llarg debat polític mantingut sobre la participació olímpica de la Xina, i aquest fet va facilitar les coses perquè la Xina exercís un paper bastant actiu en els assumptes olímpics i al mateix temps les seves polítiques esportives es veiessin influïdes en gran mesura pel Moviment Olímpic. ; La conexión entre China y el Movimiento Olímpico se remonta a principios del siglo XX. Sin embargo, la participación de China en el período inicial fue marginal y controvertida debido a las condiciones sociales internas y al contexto político internacional. El año 1979 fue crucial en la relación entre el Movimiento Olímpico y China ya que en la Sesión del CIO celebrada en Nagoya terminó el largo debate político mantenido sobre la participación olímpica de China, y este hecho facilitó las cosas para que China desempeñara un papel bastante activo en los asuntos olímpicos y al mismo tiempo sus políticas deportivas se vieran influidas en gran medida por el Movimiento Olímpico. ; The connection of China and the Olympic Movement could be tracked down to the early 20th century. However, the initiative period of China's Olympic involvement was marginal and controversial one due to its domestic social conditions and the international political background. 1979 was a turning point for the relationship between the Olympic movement and China for the IOC Session in Nagoya ended the long political debate over the China's Olympic participation, which paved the road for China taking quite active role in Olympic affairs and at the same time its sport policies have been deeply influenced by the Olympic movement. Beijing's two bids for the Olympics, one failed in 1993 (2000 Olympic Games) and another succeed in 2001 (2008 Olympic Games*), were the milestones for the development of Olympic movement in China. China may offer a unique contribution to the Olympic movement due to its special cultural heritage.

Diese Masterarbeit verfolgt das Ziel, die Übertragbarkeit der niederländischen Radverkehrspolitik auf Deutschland zu untersuchen. Aus dieser Zielsetzung ergibt sich die folgende Hauptfrage: "Inwiefern kann die niederländische Radverkehrspolitik als Beispiel für die weitere Förderung der alltäglichen Fahrradnutzung in deutschen Städten dienen?" Es wurden deutsche und niederländische Experten befragt, die sich beruflich mit Radverkehrsförderung auf politischer oder gesellschaftlicher Ebene beschäftigen. Die Interviews wurden durch eine vergleichende Politikdokumentenanalyse der niederländischen und deutschen Masterpläne unterstützt. Aus dieser Studie ergibt sich, dass sich deutsche Städte gut an den Niederlanden orientieren können. Inwiefern aber die niederländischen Elemente tatsächlich in die Praxis der deutschen Städten umgesetzt werden können, hängt von der Stadtgröße, dem zugehörigen Kreis/Bundesland und das politische Engagement der lokalen Verwaltung ab.

"Han passat cent anys des que es va fer la pregunta que avui és famosa a la Xina: 'Quan podrà la Xina convidar el món sencer a Pequín per a una competició internacional olímpica?'. Al 2008, els Jocs Olímpics es duran a terme a la nació menys 'occidentalitzada' on mai s'han celebrat. Serà la tercera vegada que els Jocs Olímpics d'Estiu se celebrin fora d'Occident o d'una de les seves antigues colònies, i serà la trobada més important entre Orient i Occident en temps de pau. Serà un moment crucial quan la Xina comenci a ocupar el seu lloc com a peça fonamental de la política mundial, en l'economia i en la cultura després de gairebé 170 anys de subordinació als poders occidentals i al Japó. Per als xinesos, l'eslògan olímpic 'Un món, un somni' significa que tota la gent del món vol un bon nivell de vida i seguretat, i que totes les nacions desitgen modernitzar-se i arribar a condicions polítiques i econòmiques estables (.)". ; "Han pasado cien años desde que se formuló la pregunta que ahora es famosa en China: '¿Cuándo podrá China invitar al mundo entero a Pekín para una competición internacional olímpica?'. En 2008, los Juegos Olímpicos se llevarán a cabo en la nación menos 'occidentalizada' en la que se han celebrado hasta ahora. Será la tercera vez que los Juegos Olímpicos de Verano se celebren fuera de Occidente o de sus antiguas colonias, y será el mayor encuentro entre Oriente y Occidente en tiempos de paz. Será un momento fundamental cuando China empiece a ocupar su lugar como pieza fundamental en la política mundial, en economía y en cultura después de casi 170 años de subordinación a los poderes occidentales y a Japón. Para los chinos, el eslogan olímpico 'Un mundo, un sueño' significa que toda la gente del mundo quiere un buen nivel de vida y seguridad, y que todas las naciones desean modernizarse y alcanzar condiciones políticas y económicas estables (.)". ; "One hundred years have passed since the question now famous in China was asked, 'When will China be able to invite all the world to Peking [Beijing] for an International Olympic contest…?' In 2008 the Olympic Games will be hosted by the least 'Westernized' nation in the world to yet host them. It will be only the third time the Olympic Summer Games have been held outside the West and its former colonies, and it will be the greatest-ever meeting of East and West in peacetime. It will mark a pivotal moment when China begins to take its place as a major force in global politics, economics, and culture after nearly 170 years of subordination to the Western powers and Japan. For Chinese people the Olympic slogan 'One World, One Dream' means that all the world's peoples want a high standard of living and a secure life, and all the world's nations want to modernize and achieve stable economic and political conditions (.)".

El fenomen de la globalització que vivim actualment ha provocat canvis lingüístics molt importants a escala mundial. L'anglès ha esdevingut la llengua internacional, del poder econòmic i polític, i s'està convertint en la llengua de les classes socials altes i el jovent. Paral·lelament, però, les llengües regionals també estan experimentant una gran difusió, gràcies a les noves interaccions socials i al suport econòmic dels governs que les representen. Alhora, i com a resultat d'aquestes dues tendències, sorgeix el sentiment d'arrelament de les comunitats locals, que veuen la llengua local com a marca d'autenticitat que cal defensar davant del fenomen de la globalització i la regionalització. Ens dirigim, doncs, cap a una societat multilingüe, en què cada llengua ha de tenir les seves pròpies funcions socials distintives, encara que sigui inevitable que es generin conflictes entre les llengües en contacte. En vista d'aquesta situació, l'autor anticipa una pèrdua de l'hegemonia de l'anglès a favor de l'augment de les llengües regionals i una futura extinció de les llengües més minoritàries. ; The globalisation phenomenon that we are currently seeing has lead to major linguistic changes on a worldwide scale. English has become the leading international language, in economic and political spheres, and is becoming the language of high society and of the young. At the same time, however, regional languages are also making considerable headway, thanks to new social interaction and economic backing from their governments. In turn, and as a result of these two trends, there is impetus for feelings of belonging to local communities which see their language as a sign of their own authenticity, one that has to be defended against the phenomena of globalisation and regionalisation. We are thus heading towards a multilingual society, in which each language has its own, distinct social functions, even though it is inevitable that there will be conflict between the languages that come into contact. In this scenario, the author predicts a loss of hegemony for English, in favour of regional languages, and the future extinction of the least spoken minority languages. ; El fenómeno de la globalización que vivimos actualmente ha provocado cambios lingüísticos muy importantes a escala mundial. El inglés se ha convertido en la lengua internacional, del poder económico y político, y se está convirtiendo en la lengua de las clases sociales altas y la juventud. Paralelamente, sin embargo, las lenguas regionales también están experimentado una gran difusión, gracias a las nuevas interacciones sociales y al apoyo económico de los gobiernos que las representan. A su vez, y como resultado de estas dos tendencias, surge el sentimiento de arraigo de las comunidades locales, que ven la lengua local como signo de autenticidad que hay que defender frente al fenómeno de la globalización y de la regionalización. Nos dirigimos, pues, hacia una sociedad multilingüe, en que cada lengua debe tener sus propias funciones sociales distintivas, aunque sea inevitable que se generen conflictos entre las lenguas en contacto. Ante esta situación, el autor anticipa una pérdida de la hegemonía del inglés a favor del aumento de les lenguas regionales y una futura extinción de las lenguas más minoritarias.

Esta es una obra coral elaborada por el personal del Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra Jaume Almera (ICTJA-CSIC) con la coordinación del Dr. Pere Anadón. ; El 25 de novembre de 2015 l'Institut de Ciències de la Terra Jaume Almera va celebrar el 50è aniversari. El seu nom recorda els primers temps de la recerca en Geologia de final del segle XIX i principi del XX, en homenatge a Jaume Almera, prohom de la Geologia de Catalunya de projecció internacional. D'ençà els primers dies el 1965 com un nou institut de Geologia a Barcelona, ha evolucionat fins a esdevenir un centre innovador i dinàmic, amb rellevància internacional en el camp de les Ciències de la Terra. Si bé les Ciències de la Terra estudien el sistema Terra, també van molt més enllà, i plantegen interrogants sobre el món en què vivim per contribuir a un futur en el qual volem viure. Les Ciències de la Terra són avui dia particularment rellevants en molts aspectes de la nostra vida quotidiana. Els investigadors de l'ICTJA apliquem metodologies experimentals i analítiques avançades per assolir objectius ben definits d'investigació orientada i no orientada. Una part clau de la nostra missió és satisfer les necessitats industrials i socials a través de la transferència de coneixements aplicats als riscos geològics i a l'exploració i explotació dels recursos geològics. D'altra banda, és fonamental la nostra implicació en la formacióde qualitat de les properes generacions d'investigadors i tècnics de Ciències de la Terra. En aquest llibre sobre el nostre 50è aniversari, Pere Anadón, amb l'entusiasta participació dels seus companys de treball, revifa les persones, els esdeveniments, els èxits i els reptes que profusament han enriquit el mig segle d'existència d'aquest institut des que Lluís Solé i Sabarís i els seus col·legues van abordar-ne la fundació. Molts i destacats noms van seguir després la seva tasca en els cinquanta anys que celebrem, orientant l'Institut cap a noves perspectives per adaptar-se a les condicions canviants de la política, l'economia, la tecnologia i el coneixement científic, per citar uns pocs exemples de les grans transformacions experimentades durant aquest període. És una bona oportunitat per als membres de qualsevol institució ser capaços de mirar cap enrere, comprovar els seus èxits i mancances, els seus punts forts i els seus punts febles, durant un període prolongat de temps per trobar nous camins cap a l'èxit. La nostra història és part integrant de la memòria de tots aquells que van participar amb entusiasme i perseverança en la realització de l'Institut, i van contribuir a la tasca investigadora del CSIC en el seu conjunt. La història de l'ICTJA durant anys, aquest mig segle, és digna de celebració, no només per a l'institut mateix, sinó també per a la societat a la qual serveix. I seguirà sent així mentre es mantingui viva la passió per avançar amb rigor i dedicació en el coneixement de les Ciències de la Terra. ; El 25 de noviembre de 2015 el Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra Jaume Almera celebró su 50 aniversario. Su nombre recuerda los primeros tiempos de la investigación en Geología a finales del siglo XIX y principios del XX, en homenaje a Jaume Almera, prohombre de la geología de Cataluña de proyección internacional. Desde sus primeros días en 1965 como un nuevo instituto de Geología en Barcelona, ha evolucionado hasta llegar a ser un centro innovador y dinámico, con relevancia internacional en el campo de las Ciencias de la Tierra. Si bien las Ciencias de la Tierra estudian el sistema Tierra, también van mucho más allá, planteándonos interrogantes sobre el mundo en el que vivimos para contribuir a un futuro en el que queremos vivir. Las Ciencias de la Tierra son hoy en día particularmente relevantes en muchos aspectos de nuestra vida cotidiana. Los investigadores del ICTJA aplicamos metodologías experimentales y analíticas avanzadas para alcanzar objetivos bien definidos de investigación orientada y no orientada. Una parte clave de nuestra misión es satisfacer las necesidades industriales y sociales a través de la transferencia de conocimientos aplicados a los riesgos geológicos y a la exploración y explotación de los recursos geológicos. Por otro lado, es fun-damental nuestra implicación en la formación de calidad de las próximas generaciones de investigadores y técnicos de Ciencias de la Tierra. En este libro acerca de nuestro 50 aniversario, Pere Anadón con la entusiasta participación de sus compañeros de trabajo dan vida a las personas, los acontecimientos, los logros y los retos que profusamente han enriquecido el medio siglo de existencia de este instituto desde que Lluís Solé i Sabarís y sus colegas abordaron su fundación. Muchos y destacados nombres siguieron después su labor en los cincuenta años que celebramos, orientando el Instituto hacia nuevas perspectivas para adaptarse a las condiciones cambiantes de la política, la economía, la tecnología y el conocimiento científico, por citar unos pocos ejemplos de las grandes transformaciones experimentadas durante este período. Es una buena oportunidad para los miembros de cualquier institución ser capaces de mirar hacia atrás, comprobar sus logros y carencias, sus puntos fuertes y sus puntos débiles, durante un período prolongado de tiempo para encontrar nuevos caminos hacia el éxito. Nuestra historia es parte integrante de la memoria de todos aquellos que participaron con entusiasmo y perseverancia en la realización del Instituto contribuyendo así a la labor investigadora del CSIC en su conjunto. La historia del ICTJA durante este medio siglo es digna de celebración, no sólo por el propio instituto, sino también por la sociedad a la que sirve. Y seguirá siendo así mientras se mantenga viva la pasión por avanzar con rigor y dedicación en el conocimiento de las Ciencias de la Tierra. ; On November 25, 2015, the Institute of Earth Sciences Jaume Almera celebrated its 50th anniversary. Its name recalls the early days of research in Geology in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, paying tribute to Jaume Almera, an expert in the geology of Catalonia with international renown. From its earliest days in 1965 as a new Geology institute in Barcelona, it has evolved to become an innovative and dynamic centre, with international relevance in the field of Earth Sciences. Earth Sciences study the Earth's system, but they are about much more than that. They engage intellectual inquiry through interrogating the world in which we live to contribute to a future in which we want to live. Earth Sciences are particularly relevant today in many aspects of our everyday life. ICTJA researchers look forward to applying advanced experimental and analytical methodologies to well-defined, knowledge-driven research objectives. A key part of our mission is to meet industrial and societal needs through knowledge transfer applied to geohazards and exploration and exploitation of geological resources. Central to our mission is quality training of the next generation of researchers and technicians In this book about our 50th anniversary, Pere Anadón and his enthusiastic co-workers have brought to life the personalities, the events, the achievements and the challenges that have so richly populated the half-century since Lluís Solé i Sabarís and his colleagues started their work. Many notable names followed them, moving the Institute forward to adapt to the changing conditions of politics, economy, technology and scientific knowledge, to mention but a few examples of the transformations experienced during this period. It is a good opportunity for the members of any institution to be able to look back upon its achievements and its failures, its strengths and its weaknesses, to find new pathways to success. Our history is of all those who helped to establish the Institute with enthusiasm and perseverance, contributing to the research work of CSIC as a whole. ICTJA history over the last fifty years is worthy of celebration, not only by the Institute itself, but also by the society it serves. The ICTJA will continue to keep alive our passion for advancing knowledge of Earth Sciences with rigor and dedication. ; Peer reviewed

The hereafter following is abstract of the discourse held by Prof. dr. ir. C. L. Temminck Groll in honour of the jubilee 1899-1989 of the KNOB on September 23th 1989. The KNOB (Royal Antiquarian Society of the Netherlands) exists 90 years. A respectable age after human standards. Although a society depends on human devotion it does not know age limitations. This is an excellent moment to reflect upon our centenary. Then, in 1999, we will have to present an extremely good manifest for the coming millennium! We have been spoiled very much during the past 90 years. Which of the founders would have expected so many people professionally involved at the protection of monuments? Which of them could have estimated the money available to realize restoration activities? Still, despite of all we obtained, we are rightly concerned about our country and especially that part of the world beyond our borders. These concerns are formulated by the National Geographic Society which hereby stated: 'Can we save this fragile earth?' This society aims at the earth herself as well as at human achievements. Co-operation between the protection of nature and the protection of monuments certainly is sensible and could be one of our future actions. How much nature, how much culture is not already 'dead'! Wren's St. Benet in London f.e. seems saved, but surrounded by flowing thoroughfares the church misses every relation with the original urban structure. Thus in fact the monument has not been saved. At Liège, Belgium, 20th century traffic and concrete buildings overran the medieval Place St. Lambert. And what about the European countryside? How much harmonious farmer's land has not been industrialized yet? Old structures disappear everywhere. Instead of the newly made our Society had to study more and more the continuous changes of the already extant. As to our foreign activities, we can distinguish three angles of incidence. First of all: what can we learn from other countries? Our founder mr. dr. J.C. Overvoorde already realized the importance of study of the way monuments are protected in different European countries. ICOMOS at present is the platform to discuss organizational and substantial aspects. Second: stock-taking of Dutch cultural influences to other regions in Europe, which subject used to attract more attention than it does now. At last: Dutch influences beyond European borders. Like our founder in 1910-11 studied Hindu-Buddhistic antiquaries and the monuments of the Dutch East-Indian Company our Foundation Social History of the Dutch Oversea studies these treasures now. One of her working-groups tries to solve Indonesian problems with respect to the protection of monuments and started stocktaking of especially younger architecture and town-planning. Still, a lot remains to be done on this field in the 'West'! Borders fade. But with the introduction of new fields of work we may not forget the old. Not the older monuments, since we are occupied with the young, not the Dutch, being directed at the whole world. After the question of what we study, the question rises how. Our purpose always was protection. Unlike nature culture cannot renew herself: we have to 'maintain'. And then mankind also is a piece of nature with continuous new desires to which the extant has been adapted. 'Maintain' as well as 'adapt to' means: to change. We can let nature change the made - how beautifully weathered the ruins are! - but we can also preserve the weathering - until now. Replacement of weathered material by new in the shape of colour it used to have is another possibility. Also opinions about this sort of alterations are constantly changing. Thus a platform like the KNOB at national level or ICOMOS at international level will always be needed. That's why: an extremely good manifesto in 10 years. One that states that we are occupied with changing instead of static affairs. Alterations must be directed professionally in a careful and modest way. For the real is infinitely more valuable than the copy.

POLITICS BY PROVINCE: Goal-oriented rational action or value-oriented rational action in closed debate on the Wadden region and public consultation on the ecological infrastructure General This thesis is a study of political conduct, and of provincial politics in particular. It is based on three research projects. The first two research projects are empirical studies that examine, respectively, the functioning of the discussion platform for government bodies relating to the Wadden Islands area and the relationship between the regional press and provincial political organs. Each of these two projects is based on a defined problem, a theoretical framework, methodology and conclusions. Although both case studies deal with provincial politics, they are completely separate from each other. The third case study is theoretical. It seeks to clarify the rationalization theories of Max Weber and Karl Mannheim, and place the concepts of goaloriented rational action and value-oriented rational action in their theoretical context. This theoretical chapter produces a number of research questions that can be used as a 'rationality grid' to be applied to the two empirical case studies in order to determine what form of action, goal-rational or value-rational, characterizes provincial politics. Chapter One describes the background to the studies and gives a short introduction to the research themes. This chapter also presents a view of contemporary provincial politics and discusses the scientific position from which this thesis has been written, emphasizing the unique role of the sociological vision. How does the government manage the Wadden Sea? The first section examines the way in which the government manages the Wadden Sea. The study is based on an evaluation study of the functioning of the Coördinatiecollege Waddengebied (CCW) in the period 1987 to 1994. The CCW (a platform for administrative consultation between the government, the Wadden provinces and the Wadden municipalities) was set up in 1980 for the purpose of "ensuring coherent administration and an coordinated policy by the government, provinces and municipalities with regard to the Wadden region." The study is based on a bottleneck analysis; in other words, by identifying problems, concrete solutions can be proposed. The evaluation study employed a combination of two popular lines of research in organizational sociology literature – the 'whole-system approach' and the 'parties approach'. In the whole-system approach, shared values or a feeling of solidarity are what unites the organization. In the parties approach, the organization is seen as a coalition of parties with different interests and aims. The parties work together for their own benefit, or because negative sanctions force them to do so. Both approaches are integrated in the 'parties-withina-system' perspective, which focuses on the relationships between the parties and the organization as a whole. This integral approach was used to evaluate the functioning of the CCW because the CCW places great emphasis on shared values and responsibilities, which are the core elements of the whole-system approach. At the same time, however, the CCW is composed of different parties which all have their own tasks, powers and interests – the core elements of the parties approach. This perspective has been tailored to the evaluation of the CCW using the following criteria: shared values, support base, differing interests, power structure, sense of purpose, and success/failure factors. The study is based on qualitative interviews with participants in the CCW platforms, telephone interviews with councillors and members of the States General, dossier analyses and reconstructions from minutes from the CCW consultations on the following cases: enlarging the scope of the Nature Conservation Act; delegation of powers with regard to inspection and control; co-ordination of international activities, problems relating to 'traditional brown shipping'; the review of the Waddenzee II Key Planning Decision, and gas extraction in the Wadden Sea. This treatment of the original research report emphasizes a systematic description of conduct within the context of the administrative co-ordination of the Wadden region, which is usually of a closed nature. The main problem areas are the following:  a lack of shared values due to the fact that the purpose of the Wadden consultation platform is given a different interpretation depending on the interests in question;  by way of preparation for the Wadden consultations, a process of harmonization takes place within the various authorities, thereby creating an administrative support base. However, this process of preliminary consultation and feedback reveals the other side of the bureaucratic coin – this circuit is, administratively and politically speaking, strongly inward-looking;  there are no substantial conflicts of interest between the layers of government. However, mutual suspicion exists with regard to the extent to which other parties are committed to the Wadden policy. Each party suspects that the other parties will ultimately allow economic interests to prevail;  with regard to the delegation of authority, the balance of power between the government and the provinces is seen as unacceptable. The continuous lack of consensus, whether manifest or otherwise, is a barrier to discussion on a equal footing;  there are various problems relating to the sense of purpose, including the role of the Chairman and the lack of a clear definition/delegation of tasks. This analysis shows that the problems are not related to the structure of the Wadden consultative platform but rather to its culture, and more specifically to the participants' perceptions of the role and responsibilities of the platform. In addition, there appears to be a distinct lack of leadership. The main conclusions are as follows:  harmonization within the various Wadden authorities (government, provinces and municipalities) hampers harmonization between the Wadden authorities;  the representatives from the three layers of government do not present the role and purpose of the consultative platform in a consistent and uniform way;  the CCW is hampered in its work by an ongoing debate about how powers are delegated between the layers of government. Because the analysis of success and failure factors revealed that clearly defined relationships between the government authorities are essential for successful consultation, possible solutions aim to create that clarity. Recommendations have been laid down, for example, relating to the role of the Chairman, drawing up the agenda, and clearly defining the tasks of the various bodies. Although, as far back as 1995, the CCW largely acknowledged the problem areas and supported the proposals for improvement, none of the recommendations will actually be implemented before 2001. Politics and the press on the ecological infrastructure in Friesland and Drenthe Section 2 describes a study of the relationship between the regional press and northern provincial politics. The basis for the study is the political decision-making regarding the establishment of the ecological infrastructure in the provinces of Friesland and Drenthe in the period 1989 to 1996. The conclusion of a survey of the relationship between the printed press and parliamentary democracy is that the main function of the press is to provide information, criticism and comment. The role of information-provider is examined on the basis of the following:  actual report of a meeting of the Provincial Councils;  a news report giving information about matters relating to the ecological infrastructure in both provinces;  a background article describing the context, history and/or different interpretations of matters relating to the ecological infrastructure. The role of critic is examined on the basis of the following:  editorial comment;  a column in which one of the editors gives his opinion under his own name;  opinions of third parties, in which a third party, who is not an editor, is given the opportunity to express an opinion. Using four recent examples, it is then argued that the central question relating to the relationship between politics and the press is one of management – who controls political communication or, put another way, is the relationship determined by 'party logic' or by 'media logic'? The study will compare decision-making on the ecological infrastructure (as this was perceived in decision-making meetings of the provincial councils) with reporting by the regional press in both provinces. The decision-making process of the provincial councils was reconstructed for this purpose. The result is not only an analytical reconstruction of the decision-making surrounding the ecological infrastructure in Friesland and Drenthe, but also a chronicle of provincial political customs and morals. A quantitative and qualitative analysis subsequently shows how the regional press fulfils its role as information provider and critic. The quantitative analysis addresses the question of how often the press fulfils its role as information provider and critic with regard to decision-making on the ecological infrastructure. The qualitative analysis addresses the question of how the press fulfils those roles. It is argued that the quality of the information provided is determined by the degree of objectivity, but that the best measure of quality is a clear standpoint. These conclusions were used to formulate an 'ideal' against which the quality of informative and critical articles can be measured. A factual report is as objective as possible when:  it deals not only with the decision itself, but also with the opinion-forming process;  it gives the opinion not only of the representatives of official bodies, but also of opponents or those outside such bodies;  the reporter does not give his own opinion. A news report or background article is as objective as possible when:  it presents more than one perspective and/or quotes more than one authority on the subject. An editorial or column makes a constructive critical contribution when:  the author adopts a clear standpoint;  the context (history, background or current event) of that standpoint is given;  the author describes how the standpoint was reached, and on which information or authorities it is based. Conclusions about the information function:  in almost half of the cases, the regional newspapers do not report on provincial council meetings relating to the ecological infrastructure. The people who live in the province, but fall outside a given environmental or agricultural target group, will not become informed about the ecological infrastructure by reading their local newspaper. Neither will they become informed about the role of the provincial government in this;  in the reports which do deal with meetings of the provincial councils, there is a lack of balance. Generally speaking, no effort is made in such reports to show the full palette of political colours represented in the provincial council;  there is only relatively wide newspaper coverage on occasions when political emotions are running high. Examples are: Friesland in 1993, when an agreement was reached with the agricultural sector, and Drenthe in 1993, when an amended programme of intent for the soil-protection areas was introduced (the agricultural lobby also played an important role in this). This attention from the press can be explained by incident politics. Political groups hold widely different opinions; they make no effort to hide their differences and journalists are keen to pick up on this. Another possible explanation is that, in these cases, ecological policy is heavily influenced by the farming lobby, which itself is strongly supported by influential political groups;  the news reports are usually brief and present an event from only one perspective, without a journalistic contribution from the author. This leads to the inevitable conclusion that press releases sent to the newspapers have been published without any further interpretation;  the most common simple perspective is that which opposes the ecological infrastructure;  there are very few background articles. Background articles that clarify the situation, and outline the problems confronting provincial politicians, are indispensable with regard to a far-reaching and complex plan such as the development of the ecological infrastructure of the two provinces;  it is notable that most of the background articles are only written from one perspective, with very little informative context. On the basis of these findings, it appears that the way in which the regional press fulfils its role as information provider leaves room for improvement. Scant attention is paid to council decision-making and the quality of reporting also leaves something to be desired. Little can be said about how the press fulfils the role as critic because so few articles appear in this context. The question Who controls political communication? cannot therefore be answered because the press pays too little attention to provincial politics. Goal-oriented or value-oriented rationality: which form of rationality determines political action? Section 3 examines which form of rationality (i.e. goal-oriented or value-oriented rationality) occurs most in the closed discussions between government bodies in the Wadden study, or in public discussions on the ecological infrastructure from the study of the relationship between politics and the press. For this purpose the rationalization theories from the work of Weber and Mannheim were used. Both Weber and Mannheim recognise increasing instrumental and formal rationality (Weber) and functional rationality (Mannheim) in all areas of life, and a decrease in material rationality (Weber) and substantial rationality (Mannheim). Weber and Mannheim identify the rise and influence of a specific form of instrumental rationality, particularly within economic, legal and bureaucratic institutions. Within such institutions, actions are characterized by goal-oriented rationality. This means that the prevalent institutional pattern of norms and values that more or less prescribes how people should act within the institutions (role-related behaviour) places great emphasis on goal-rational behaviour. In order to establish whether this also applies in provincial politics and administration, a study was made of the conception of rationality in the work of Weber and Mannheim. The question of whether goal-oriented or value-oriented rationality is dominant is addressed by a secondary analysis of the material. The secondary analysis takes the form of a 'rationality grid' that is applied to the material from the two empirical studies. The grid has a coarsely meshed structure that can separate out goal-oriented and value-oriented rationality. Following the study of Weber and Mannheim's concepts of rationality, goal-oriemted rational action is defined in this study as action that is geared towards finding the most appropriate means to achieve a goal that is considered as given. When action is successful in terms of the defined goal, we speak of goal-oriented rational action and formal rationality. Success or effectiveness is therefore the measure for goal-rational behaviour. The essence of this concept is expressed in the following questions:  is conduct geared towards resources and procedures within the given of administrative co-ordination or within the structured political (provincial) discussions?  are the goals open to discussion? If action is a logical extension of or derives from a higher value or ideal, we speak of 'valueoriented rational action' and 'material rationality'. The extent to which an action is valueoriented is therefore the measure for value-rationality. In this study, value-oriented rational action is defined as action that is based on the assessment of the desirability of a given goal by means of a party-political value system. The essence of the concept, as used in the present context, is expressed in the following question:  is the action geared towards assessing the desirability of a particular goal, based on a political value system? Conclusions: 1. With regard to discussion between government bodies on the subject of the Wadden region, the hypothesis was that, within the sphere of formalised and regulated administrative co-ordination in the Wadden region, actions are largely determined by goal-oriented rationality. The purpose of the discussion platform is, after all, to co-ordinate and realise goals defined elsewhere. The hypothesis is confirmed – the Wadden discussion platform is characterized by goal-oriented rational action. But this type of action is not related to the ultimate goal of the discussion platform but rather to another goal: the increasing of the influence and governance of the government layer in question. 2. With regard to the decision-making on the ecological infrastructure in Friesland and Drenthe, the hypothesis was that political decision-making debates are characterized by the discussion of values to be lived up to and aims to be realised. It is therefore to be expected that such debates are mainly characterized by value-oriented rationality. However, the findings do not confirm this hypothesis. The discussions of the provincial councils of Drenthe and Friesland are certainly not goal-rational in nature, yet neither can they be described as valuerational. Actions are indeed geared towards assessing the desirability of a particular goal, but that assessment is not based on a political value system. It is not party-political principles that determine political conduct; it would be more true to say that conduct is based on notions of consistency in terms of policy and support.