Untitled - ESO

6
ESO Annual Report 006
Foreword
It would be evident even to the most casual
observer that ESO is as vibrant and
dynamic as ever with a strong track record
of excellence and ambitious projects.
Some of these projects are now operational
facilities, some are under construction
and others are in the design phase.
The task of Council is to provide the overall
strategy and a framework for the further
evolution of the organisation and it is
this forward-looking task that makes the
work of Council members so rewarding.
Arguably, the most important issue
regarding the future that Council had to
address in 006 was the decision to
endorse the proposal to embark on the
detailed design study for a European
Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). The
study, scheduled to last for three years,
will lead to a proposal for construction for
Council to consider in due course. Council
was able to take this decision not
least because of the impressive preparatory
work by ESO and the various working
groups with strong involvement by the
scientific community across Europe. In
taking this important step Council recognised
that the E-ELT is crucial to the further
development of European astronomy
and its ability to retain a competitive edge
on a global stage.
Building the E-ELT is as big a challenge
to all of us as any of the preceding projects
in ESO’s already impressive project
portfolio. We can succeed only if we
manage to harness the necessary resources
– financial, technological and
human. It is therefore gratifying that more
potential member countries continue to
express interest in joining. I was delighted
that the entry of Spain as the 1 th member
state of ESO was becoming a reality
at the end of the year, with just the final
formalities pending. Spain plays an important
role in European astronomy and
its membership of ESO is a very welcome.
At its December meeting Council
also approved the entry of the Czech
Republic, the first of the Central European
countries to join.
The expansion of ESO’s membership
base is clearly important in the context of
the E-ELT. It also strengthens ESO as
the focal point for Europe’s astronomers
and thus reinforces the significance of
the organisation as an important actor in
the European Research Area.
ESO’s overall role in the European research
landscape is an important question
that warrants serious consideration.
At the June meeting of Council, the
Science Strategy Working Group presented
several scenarios that are now
subject to further debate.
Entrusting the management of the organisation
to the most competent leader
is clearly most important to all of us. With
the term of the current Director Gener-
al coming to its end by September 007,
Council set up a search committee for
the next DG, leading to the selection
of Prof. Tim de Zeeuw as successor to
Dr. Catherine Cesarsky. With this decision,
Council has provided the base
for a smooth transition of the management
of ESO.
In conclusion I am pleased to note that by
the end of the year, Council, working with
the Executive, had acted to set ESO on
a track towards a very exciting future and
I wish to express my sincere thanks to
all involved in this important endeavour.
Richard Wade
President of the ESO Council