World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics (WOSC)

Citation

(2001), "World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics (WOSC)", Kybernetes, Vol. 30 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/k.2001.06730aab.001

World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics (WOSC)

World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics (WOSC)

Keywords: WOSC, Cybernetics

1. 1.

   Dr Charles Musès

   It is with great regret that we have to announce the death of Dr Charles Musès, Director of Research, Mathematics Morphology Research Centre, Sardis, BC, Canada. Dr Musès was also a WOSC Director with the responsibility for Research, as well as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of this journal.

   The Editorial Team and members of the EAB of Kybernetes and also the President, Director-General and Directors of WOSC have sent their condolences to Mrs Jacqueline Musès.

   A tribute to Dr Musès and his much esteemed contributions to cybernetics and systems will be published later this year.

2. 2.

   World Congress of the Systems Sciences and 44th Annual Meeting International Society for Systems Sciences – 2000

   WOSC was represented at this World Congress and Meeting, which was held in Toronto, Canada, July 2000, by its President – Professor Stafford Beer, the Director-General, Professor Robert Vallée, members of the Directorate and officials of its Federated Institutions and organisations. A report of the event by Professor Vallée is included in this section of the journal.

3. 3.

   WOSC participation in World Events and Meetings – 2001

   WOSC will again participate at some of the world's most important events and meetings in 2001. Details of WOSC sponsorships and participation are included throughout the year in the "Announcements" and the "Special announcements" sections of the journal issues.

4. 4.

   Norbert Wiener Memorial Gold Medal.

   Details of the award of the Norbert Wiener Memorial Gold Medal to Professor Candice Pert are also included in the report by Professor Vallée of WOSC's contributions to the World Congress of the Systems Sciences. Further details of the event and a profile of Professor Candice Pert's contribution to cybernetics science through her work in molecular biology will be included in later issues of this journal.

   The Editorial Team and the EAB members of this, the officially appointed journal of WOSC, send their congratulations to Dr Pert, whose seminal work has been recognised by the award to her of one of the world's most prestigious honours.

5. 5.

   WOSC Webmaster

   Dr Alex Andrew, who is WOSC's Director of Affiliations and the Internet Editor of this journal, is also the WOSC Webmaster. Currently he is working closely with Dr David Stewart of the Cybernetics Society, an affiliated institution of WOSC, to link Web sites. Details are provided by Dr Stewart in his report of "CybCon 2000", published in this section.

6. 6.

   WOSC Triennial World Congress

   The WOSC Directorate is now considering the arrangements for the next World Congress of Cybernetics and Systems. This follows the successful 11th Congress held at Brunel University, West London, UK in August 1999.

   Members of the WOSC-affiliated societies, institutions and organisations are requested to contact the Director-General, Professor Vallée with any proposals for the Congress venue, its theme and any other suggestions concerning the arrangements that are now being consolidated. Obviously, these matters have to be discussed and settled well in advance of the event, so contact should be made as soon as possible.

7. 7.

   Norbert Wiener Institute of Systems and Cybernetics

   The Norbert Wiener Institute of WOSC will be deciding on its nominations for the Kybernetes "Outstanding contributions" awards for papers published in Volume 29 Issues 1-10, 2000. A sub-committee under the Chairmanship of the Director-General or his nominee will consider recommendations for the main award "The Norbert Wiener Kybernetes Award" and those contributions which merit nomination for the "Highly commended" citations. Members of the WOSC Federation are encouraged to send to the Director of the Institute, Professor Rudall, their own personal or Federated organisations' recommendations and comments.

   Whilst all contributors to this official journal of WOSC are members of the Institute, provided their refereed papers are published, other cyberneticians and systemists may also make an application for membership. The circle of members increases each year and members have the benefit of working and being in contact with those who continue to work for the benefit of the cybernetics and systems community worldwide. Contact can be made through the WOSC Web site or directly with the Institute personnel.