The Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment 2 “Education, academia and research are key issues for ’s future. Everyone has the right to a good education. Education policy has the task of creating the conditions for equality of opportunity, parity between different educational path- ways, and access to education at any age and in any circumstances. The research carried out at higher education institutions and research institutes creates knowledge for the future and contributes to economic growth and prosperity. It grapples with the major challenges of tomor- row’s world and seeks answers to urgent questions in close collabora- tion with European and interna- tional partners.”

Dr , SPD Chairman of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment

3 The German ’s decisions are prepared by its committees, which are estab- lished at the start of each elec- toral term. Four of them are stipulated by the Basic Law, the German constitution: the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Defence Committee, the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union and the Petitions Committee. The Budget Committee and the Committee for the Rules of Procedure are also required by law. The spheres of respon- sibility of the committees essentially reflect the Federal Government’s distribution of ministerial portfolios. This enables Parliament to scruti- nise the government’s work effectively.

The Bundestag committees The German Bundestag sets political priorities of its own by establishing additional committees for specific sub- jects, such as sport, cultural affairs or tourism. In addition, special bodies such as parlia- mentary advisory councils, The committees discuss and committees of inquiry or deliberate on items referred study commissions can also to them by the plenary. They be established. The commit- also have the right to take up tees are composed of mem- issues on their own initiative, bers of all the parliamentary allowing them to set priorities groups, reflecting the balance in the parliamentary debate. of these groups in the German When necessary, they draw Bundestag. The distribution on external expertise – usu- of the chairs and deputy ally by holding public hear- chairs among the parliamen- ings. At the end of a commit- tary groups also reflects their tee’s deliberations, a majority relative strengths in the ple- of its members adopt a recom- nary. In the current electoral mendation for a decision and term, the committees have a report, which serve as the between nine and 49 mem- basis for the plenary’s deci- bers. sion.

5 Fields of work, competences and tasks

Education, academia and research – these are the policy fields which give the Commit- tee its name. Technology assessment is also a key topic for the Committee. Its 43 members help to create a good framework for education and lifelong learning in Ger- many, as these play an impor- tant role in enabling everyone to participate actively, inde- pendently and successfully in the life of the community in Germany. The Committee also deals with the question of how to boost basic research and foster sustainable innova- tions by the academic and research community. These make a major contribution to prosperity, social security and environmental compatibility in Germany, which has few natural resources. The Com- mittee is responsible within Parliament for the areas of policy which fall within the purview of the Federal Minis- try of Education and Research.

The Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment for higher education admis- sions and qualifications, as well as support for academic In line with the federal prin- research. In addition, the Fed- ciple which underpins how eration supports education, Germany is governed, the academia and research Basic Law divides the respon- through a wide range of spe- sibility and competences for cialised programmes, which education, academia and are presented and discussed research between the federal in the Committee. level and the Länder (federal The federal level and the states). For example, responsi- Länder cooperate directly in bility for schools and higher the framework of joint pro- education rests with the grammes to support academia, Länder rather than the federal research and teaching. Such level. The Federation, and measures aim, for example, to thus the Committee, is respon- secure and boost the number sible for legislation on finan- of university places, or to sup- cial support for vocational port higher education teach- training and higher education ing and excellent academic (assistance provided under research at higher education the Federal Training Assis- institutions and non-univer- tance Act and the Upgrading sity research institutes, but Training Assistance Act, and also to support highly gifted the Germany Scholarship pro- persons in schools, for exam- gramme) and legislation on ple, or to assist schools in initial and continuing training disadvantaged areas, and in provided outside of schools. particular to fund school In certain circumstances, the building and equip schools federal level is also responsible with digital technology.

15 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ CDU/CSU 9 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ SPD 5 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ AfD 5 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ FDP 4 ■ ■ ■ ■ Party 4 ■ ■ ■ ■ /The Greens 1 ■ Non-attached Member

Number of members: 43 Chairman: Dr Ernst Dieter Rossmann, SPD Deputy Chairwoman: , CDU/CSU

7 Working with various roles: the government, the coalition and the opposition

When considering matters and taking decisions, the Commit- tee reflects the balance of forces in the Bundestag’s ple- nary. While the coalition par- liamentary groups generally support or refine the Federal To this end, the cooperation Government’s policies, the between the Federation, the opposition parliamentary Länder and the municipalities groups try to identify weak is to be intensified further. points and set out their alter- This requires an amendment native policies. That said, the of Article 104c of the Basic parliamentary groups do take Law, which will be examined a differentiated approach, and by the Bundestag’s Committee so sometimes there is agree- on Education, Research and ment from all sides on the Technology Assessment; the Committee, resulting in unan- Committee will also consider imous decisions. Members of an initiative to establish a the government are held to National Education Council. account by the Committee on Each year, the Committee a continuous basis. However, members are also asked for the Federal Government also their opinion in the budget has specific obligations to deliberations, to secure appro- report to Parliament and thus priate funding in the federal the Committee. For example, budget to support education, every two years the National academia and research, and to Education Report, the Report ensure that the funding is on Vocational Education and used as effectively and inno- Training, the report published vatively as possible. under Section 35 of the Fed-

8 eral Training Assistance Act and the Federal Report on Research and Innovation are discussed, usually flanked by motions tabled by the parlia- mentary groups.

Challenges in education and important to boost the appeal academia of vocational education and training, to provide guidance Child day care centres and to pupils and ensure they schools have the task of offer- have the maturity required for ing children a good education successful vocational training, from their earliest years. Poli- and to adapt training courses cy-makers must establish a in light of new developments framework to facilitate this. In and requirements in the the current electoral term, the labour market. Universities Committee will deal with a and universities of applied raft of measures to this end, sciences are exemplary cen- including initiatives to further tres for both teaching and expand all-day schools and research. The Excellence childcare services, and will Strategy, the Higher Educa- discuss the Digital Package for tion Pact 2020 and the Quality Schools. Another item on the Pact for Teaching are initia- Committee’s agenda is sup- tives to boost cutting-edge port for vocational and aca- research, further increase the demic education and for par- number of university places ity between these educational and enhance teaching. The pathways. Germany’s youth parliamentary groups on the unemployment rate, at six per Committee take a critical but cent, is currently the lowest constructive approach as they in the EU. Nonetheless, it is examine these programmes.

9 Technology assessment: scientific policy advice for Challenges in research and the German Bundestag innovation The German Bundestag has In every electoral term, assigned the Committee the the Committee holds talks responsibility for planning with the heads of the major and managing technology research institutes and associ- assessments, and the Commit- ations. This enables the Com- tee carries out these tasks on mittee members to get an idea behalf of Parliament as a of their research priorities whole in accordance with and their staffing and funding Rule 56a of the Bundestag’s levels. The Federation, the Rules of Procedure. Analysing Länder and the business com- scientific and technical devel- munity are planning to spend opments in a comprehensive at least 3.5 per cent of gross and forward-looking manner domestic product on promot- and drawing attention to the ing R&D by 2025. The Com- social, economic and environ- mittee’s agenda will focus, mental opportunities and besides financing issues, on risks – these are the main the process of updating the functions of technology High-Tech Strategy and the assessment. The scientists Pact for Research and Inno- at the Office of Technology vation. Other key topics Assessment at the German include the transfer of know- Bundestag are independent ledge and technology to busi- in both political and aca- nesses, citizen science and demic terms, and work solely research, the reinforcement of for Parliament. In the current academic autonomy, and electoral term, the Office of good academic practice. Technology Assessment is run

10 by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in coopera- tion with the Institute for Futures Studies and Technol- ogy Assessment (IZT) and VDI/VDE Innovation und Technik GmbH. The results of its analyses and studies serve as background information for the Members of the Bundestag and Parliament’s bodies in their work and in delibera- society such as the future of tions on complex scientific work and long-term care. In and technological issues and the current electoral term, the challenges. A selection of the Office of Technology Assess- final reports are published as ment will be presenting Bundestag printed papers and reports on subjects such as thus formally enter the parlia- genome editing in humans, mentary deliberations. To the digital transformation in date, the Office of Technology the agricultural sector, pre- Assessment has submitted natal and pre-implantation more than 180 reports on a genetic diagnosis, and autono- wide range of topics, covering mous weapons systems, to the fields of the environment, give just a few examples of climate issues, energy, trans- the wide-ranging requests for port, biotechnology and the advice submitted by the par- digital transformation, but liamentary groups and com- also highly topical issues for mittees.

11 Dr Ernst Dieter Rossmann, SPD Sybille Benning, Chairman CDU/CSU Psychologist, Deputy Chairwoman doctor of sports science, Landscape manager, b. 4 Feb. 1951 b. 8 Jan. 1961 in Elmshorn; in Münster; married; one child. married; four children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 1998 since 2013

Committee members The 43 members of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment

12 Dr , , , CDU/CSU CDU/CSU CDU/CSU Agricultural specialist, Physicist, Economist, b. 17 Nov. 1952 b. 3 June 1968 b. 27 July 1972 in Ehlerstorf; in Göttingen; in Marl, Westphalia; married; two children. married; three children. married; two children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2017 since 2013 since 2017

Dr Stefan Kaufmann, CDU/CSU , , CDU/CSU spokesman CDU/CSU CDU/CSU on the Committee Economist, Business administrator, Lawyer, b. 3 May 1989 b. 21 July 1951 b. 21 Aug. 1969 in Esslingen in Künzelsau; in Stuttgart; am Neckar; married; three children. civil partnership. married. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2002 since 2009 since 2014

13 , CDU/CSU Dr , CDU/CSU spokesman , CDU/CSU on education and CDU/CSU Historian, research policy Sociologist, former mayor, Economist, b. 28 Nov. 1979 b. 2 Jan. 1967 b. 10 June 1968 in Rodewisch, in Hilden; in Waldthurn; Vogtland. unmarried. married; two children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2013 since 2017 since 2002

Tankred Schipanski, CDU/CSU , Dr , Lawyer, CDU/CSU CDU/CSU b. 30 Dec. 1976 Biochemist, Business administrator, in ; b. 4 Nov. 1981 b. 20 Apr. 1985 married. in Dachau; married. in . Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2009 since 2017 since 2013

14 Dr CDU/CSU , , Former mayor, SPD CDU/CSU economist, Teacher, Engineer, b. 30 Aug. 1955 b. 25 Apr. 1964 b. 7 Jan. 1972 in Trier; in Genthin; in Nördlingen; married; three children. married; one child. married. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2017 since 2017 since 2013

Dr , SPD Dr , , Chemist, SPD SPD b. 27 Nov. 1961 Psychologist, Chemist, in Marsassoum, b. 11 Feb. 1984 former State Secretary, Senegal; in ; b. 25 Dec. 1967 married; three children. unmarried. in . Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2013 since 2017 since 2017

15 , SPD SPD spokesman on the Committee René Röspel, Dr Manja Schüle, Former civil servant, SPD SPD social scientist, Biologist, Political scientist, b. 8 Aug. 1970 b. 9 July 1964 b. 4 Aug. 1976 in ; in Hagen; in (Oder); unmarried; one child. married; four children. married; one child. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2009 since 1998 since 2017

Dr , Dr Götz Frömming, AfD AfD Mathematician, AfD spokesman on the Parliamentary Committee Marja-Liisa Völlers, Secretary of the AfD Academic secondary SPD parliamentary group school teacher, former Academic secondary in the Bundestag, director of studies, school teacher, b. 5 May 1989 b. 30 Aug. 1968 b. 28 Sep. 1984 in ; in Eutin; in Bückeburg. unmarried. married; two children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2017 since 2017 since 2017

16 Nicole Höchst, AfD Dr , , Former civil servant in AfD AfD the field of education, Philosophy lecturer, Employee b. 10 Feb. 1970 b. 23 May 1968 b. 30 July 1969 in Homburg, Saarland; in Merano, Italy; in ; four children. unmarried. married; three children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2017 since 2017 since 2017

Dr Jens , FDP FDP spokesman on the , , Committee FDP FDP Business consultant, IT business engineer, Entrepreneur, b. 8 Mar. 1986 b. 3 Oct. 1983 b. 22 July 1964 in Simmerath; in Bad Bergzabern; in Jülich; civil partnership. married; two children. married; two children. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2017 since 2017 since 2017

17 Matthias Dr h.c. Seestern-Pauly, , FDP Birke Bull-Bischoff, FDP Academic secondary The Left Party Business administrator, school teacher, Education specialist, retired management b. 28 Feb. 1984 sociologist, board member, in Osnabrück; b. 9 Nov. 1963 b. 5 June 1949 married; in Weißenfels; in Munderkingen. one child. married; one child. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2017 since 2017 since 2017

Sören Pellmann, The Left Party , The Left Party spokes- The Left Party man on the Committee Dr , Communication Primary school and The Left Party specialist, special needs teacher, Economist, b. 15 Nov. 1975 b. 11 Feb. 1977 b. 1 Dec. 1960 in Munich; in Leipzig; in Dresden; married; one child. married. unmarried. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2009 since 2017 since 2005

18 , Alliance 90/The Greens Alliance 90/The Greens spokesman on the Dr , Committee Alliance 90/The Greens Social scientist, Political scientist, b. 26 Dec. 1977 b. 24 Sep. 1983 in Mülheim in Hanover; an der ; married; one child. unmarried. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2017 since 2005

Margit Stumpp, Beate Walter-Rosen- Alliance 90/The Greens heimer, , Senior teacher, Alliance 90/The Greens Non-attached Member precision engineer, Psychologist, Mechatronics engineer, b. 13 Apr. 1963 b. 20 Nov. 1964 in b. 16 Aug. 1975 in Mengen; Weißenburg (); in Magdeburg; married; two children. five children. married. Bundestag Member Bundestag Member Bundestag Member since 2017 since 2012 since 2017

19 Information online

The Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment www.bundestag.de/en/committees/a18

20 Contact details for the Committee Secretariat

Deutscher Bundestag Ausschuss für Bildung, Forschung und Technikfolgenabschätzung Platz der Republik 11011 Berlin Tel.: +49 30 227-32861 Fax: +49 30 227-36845

Technology Assessment: Tel.: +49 30 227-33543 Fax: +49 30 227-36845

Email: [email protected]

21 Published by: German Bundestag, Public Relations Division Coordination: Robert Schönbrodt Texts: Georgia Rauer (p. 4 – 5), Secretariat of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment (p. 6 – 21); revised by: Committees Directorate (p. 4 – 5) Edited by: Marianne Wollenweber Translated by: Language Service of the German Bundestag, in cooperation with Emma Hardie Design: Marc Mendelson Bundestag eagle: Created by Professor Ludwig Gies, revised in 2008 by büro uebele Photos: p. 2 Deutscher Bundestag (DBT) / Linus Lintner Fotografie; p. 8–9, 10–11 DBT / Werner Schüring; p. 23 DBT / studio kohlmeier Portrait photos: p. 3, 12 SPD-Parteivorstand / Susie Knoll (Ernst Dieter Rossmann); p. 12 Sybille Benning / Tobias Koch (Sybille Benning); p. 13 DBT / Julia Nowak (Michael von Abercron); Stephan Albani / Markus Hibbeler (Stephan Albani); DBT / Thomas Köhler / photothek (Norbert Altenkamp); Eberhard Gienger / Lars Heinicke-Clemm (Eberhard Gienger); DBT / Julia Nowak (Stefan Kaufmann); Ronja Kemmer / Jan Kopetzky (Ronja Kemmer); p. 14 Yvonne Magwas / Tobias Koch (Yvonne Magwas); Dr Astrid Mannes / Christian Grau (Astrid Mannes); Thomas Kierok Fotografie (Albert Rupprecht); Tobias Koch (); tokography/ Tobias Koch (Katrin Staffler); Dr Wolfgang ­Stefinger / ​tokography / Tobias Koch (Wolfgang Stefinger); p. 15 CDU / Jan Kopetzky (Andreas Steier); Dr Dietlind Tiemann / Franziska Günther (Dietlind Tiemann); SPD-Partei- vorstand / Susie Knoll (Ulrike Bahr); SPD-Parteivorstand / Susie Knoll (Karamba Diaby); DBT / Thomas Trutschel /photothek (Wiebke Esdar); SPD-Parteivorstand / Benno Kraehahn (Yasmin Fahimi); p. 16 SPD-Partei- vorstand / Benno Kraehahn (Oliver Kaczmarek); René Röspel / Susie Knoll (René Röspel); Dr Manja Schüle / Karoline Wolf (Manja Schüle); SPD-Partei- vorstand / Susie Knoll (Marja-Liisa Völlers); Michael Espendiller / Siegfried Rettgen (Michael Espendiller); DBT / Stella von Saldern (Götz Frömming); p. 17 DBT / Julia Nowak (Nicole Höchst); DBT / Achim Melde (Marc Jongen); Martin Reichardt / Alexander Winzer (Martin Reichardt); DBT / Julia Nowak (); DBT / Stella von Saldern (Mario Brandenburg); Britta Dassler / Sanjar Khaksari (Britta Dassler); p. 18 Dr Thomas Sattelberger / Bussenius & Reinicke (Thomas Sattelberger); DBT / ​Thomas Köhler / ​photo- thek (Matthias Seestern-Pauly); DBT / Julia Nowak (Birke Bull-Bischoff); Nicole Gohlke/ Katja-Julia Fischer (Nicole Gohlke); Sören Pellmann / Die Linke Sachsen / Agentur Trialon (Sören Pellmann); Dr Petra Sitte / personal photo (Petra Sitte); p. 19 Anna Christmann / Stefan Kaminski (Anna Christ- mann); DBT / Thomas Köhler / photothek (Kai Gehring); DBT / Inga Haar (); Beate Walter-Rosenheimer / “All eyes on you” photo studio (Beate Walter-Rosenheimer); DBT / Julia Nowak (Mario Mieruch) Graphic: p. 7 Marc Mendelson Printed by: Druckhaus Waiblingen Remstal-Bote GmbH As at: March 2019 © Deutscher Bundestag, Berlin All rights reserved. This publication has been produced as part of the German Bundestag’s public relations activities. It is provided free of charge and is not intended for sale. It may not be used for election campaign purposes or utilised by parties or parliamentary groups in their own public relations activities. 23 The German Bundestag takes decisions on what are at times highly complex and controversial bills and parliamentary initiatives relating to the entire spectrum of policy fields. The committees play a central role in parliamentary deliberations. They are the forum where the Members thrash out compromises and draw on expert advice before submitting their reports and recommen­dations for decisions to be voted on by the Bundestag as a whole. www.bundestag.de/en/committees