SZ/IIASA - International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

SZ/IIASA

Series

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

1972-1983

9 boxes

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) was founded in 1972 "to study the problems of modern societies arising from scientific and technological development". SZ chaired the Founding and Charter committees. IIASA’s foundation followed five years of international negotiation after McGeorge Bundy (then President of the Ford Foundation) announced that President Johnson had authorised him, in a personal capacity, to explore the possibility of establishing such a centre (16.12.66).

In 1967, at Bundy’s suggestion, Britain (in the form of SZ at the Cabinet Office) took the lead in developing the idea further. Initially it was hoped that the Institute would be based in Britain; a site at Milton Hill, Oxford, was considered, then another near Haslemere. Then, without any prompting, the Austrian and French governments both offered sites. After seriously considering the French site, near Fontainebleau, the Austrian offer was accepted and IIASA set up home in Vienna.

Much of the early correspondence is with personnel of the Royal Society, which was to be the British institutional link with IIASA.

The publications consist chiefly of copies of IIASA annual reports and issues of its journal IIASA Reports and its newsletter Options, but also include copies of brochures and pamphlets relating to the Institute and its activities.