This session will look at the current global state of affairs in the development of the next generation of geoscientists. In particular, the future population of geoscientists is critical to the economic and societal stability and growth of all nations into the foreseeable future. Developed nations face the immediate need to replace their current aging population of geoscientists, whereas developing nations have an immediate need to cultivate human and capital infrastructure to support the training of future geoscientists. International collaborative efforts must be made into new energy and mineral sources and enabling the appropriate stewardship of the environment. However, will the developing world be able to educate enough geoscientists to meet their own social and economic needs in building sustainable economies while protecting their natural environment into the future? Presentations that examine these themes, and particularly these topics are encouraged:
• Broad surveys of the state of the geoscience workforce across national boundaries
• The cultural and social impacts on the next generation of geoscientists
• Programs that are focused on improving capacity building in developing nations and underrepresented populations
• The transferability of geoscience credentials across political boundaries
• The mobility of geoscientists across political and organizational boundaries
• How different national strategies are addressing domestic geoscience issues and the need for expertise
• The role of the private sector in training local workforce and strategies for cooperation with the public sector.