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distinction with scholarship the Tree Issue 22–June 2006 n Other News n 2006 Directory of Members is now available (on request) n List of new members (2005 cycle) elected in 2006 n Letter from the Treasurer to all members – subscriptions n Nomination of new members – process and forms for 2006 cycle n The ‘EUROPEAN REVIEW’ San Souci Palace in Potsdam, see page 28 n This newsletter contains Programmes n Conference and meetings and registration forms for the following announcements events, all of which can be accessed on n Advance notice of events 2006-2007 the website of the Academia (www. n 9th annual conference – acadeuro.org): Toledo 9-2 September 2007 n the 8th Annual meeting of the Academy “Brain, Mind & Matter”, 2-23 September 2006 n workshop (9-20 September): – “Liberty & the Search for Identity” n Workshop (9-20 September): “Grand Challenges of Informatics” Please register for these events NOW by returning the completed forms to the London office as indicated. See inside for reports of n recent workshops and meetings The Klaus Tschira Foundation, see page 18 Academia Europaea’s newsletter–The Tree– From the President The expanding numbers of scholars continent. We are working towards – and we elected 94 in April this year a younger and more balanced and – are all elected after a rigorous peer representative membership that reflects review process. They come from all the the European academic community of disciplines of scholarship and cover the today, and we continue to increase the whole continent and are a testament to number of members from the ‘borders’ the continuing relevance of the Academy of Europe. I am sure there are people today. of excellent academic merit that come to your mind – please have a look In 2008 we will celebrate our 20th at the election procedures, reprinted anniversary – yes, we are very young elsewhere in this newsletter, and make a when stood against our sister national nomination! I would urge each member academies across Europe. Nonetheless, to nominate at least two new candidates we fulfill a unique and critical niche per year. – being the only truly pan-European Academy of Sciences, Humanities Despite our small infrastructure and and Letters. It is because of this resource base, we are continually unique role, and composition, that developing the quality and number of we continue to be sought out for the our activities. The European Review value of our independent expertise continues to grow; we continue to and advice, and we are also well placed provide advice, whether through the to explore through our publications, European Science Advisory Council or conferences and related activities the real independently; we are working hard interdisciplinary areas of scholarship that to forge a better position in Europe for are all too often nowadays neglected in the Humanities research base, and we favour of the narrow and highly subject are looking to develop a new range of specific. support structures through fellowships, grants and other activities. Of course, We have already played a constructive these all require money and so I would role in the ideas leading up to the ask members to help the Council with appointment of the first governing this task and to put us into contact with science council of the new European individuals, foundations, companies Research Council (the ERC). In fact and other organisations that might be when I am asked, “what is the value willing to sponsor us in achieving these of the AE, compared to national objectives. academies?”, I can point to a very clear expression of that value – the fact that Over the coming year we will continue of the initial 22 members of the ERC to develop ourselves into a more effective appointed by the European Commission and operationally ‘virtual’ organisation. no less than 3 are elected members of Our structure and resources make this the Academia Europaea. So, it brings me an imperative. This will mean, that more great pleasure as I start my second term and more our communications will be as President, to point to the increasing electronic and web-based. However, we number of events, publications and other will continue to retain the printed word types of activity that demonstrate so well for all of us not addicted to the Internet! that the Academia is thriving. Today we are truly the Academy of Europe. Jürgen Mittelstrass Our membership not only consists of some of the most distinguished scientists across all disciplines from the European 2–The Tree–Academia Europaea’s newsletter Subscriptions A background note by the Treasurer The level of the subscription will be set each year by Council; for the coming year it will be 20 Euros (80 pounds sterling), Our Academy, now properly subtitled ’The Academy of with a reduction to 80 Euros for those Members who indicate Europe’, is unique in a number of respects. It is the only truly that they do not wish to receive the European Review. Europe-wide academy of independent scholars, embracing the full range of natural and social sciences with the humanities. As Any Member who finds him- or her-self unable to pay, such it is increasingly making the case for disinterested research will be invited to contact the Treasurer with a request to be and scholarship heard at the European level, not least in the excused. Such requests will be sympathetically received and European Commission, where it has played a major part in will remain confidential. Nevertheless, Council hopes that shaping the ongoing debate about the remit and procedures of Members who find themselves in this position will make some the newly established European Research Council. (Indeed, 3 lower voluntary contribution at a level appropriate to their of the 22 members of that body are Members of our Academy). circumstances. In this, as in all its functions, it acts essentially as a ‘virtual’ organisation with an extremely small permanent staff of four, Members over the age of 75 are automatically excused though, three of whom are part-time. again, it is hoped that as many as are able to do so will make a voluntary contribution. Unlike many national academies, because of its Europe-wide character, the Academia receives no automatic support from Life subscriptions will be available for a single payment. This any national government sources, although several (principally level of this will take into account the age of the member the UK, Germany and Spain) have provided continuing requesting to make such a payment. generous sponsorship. More than most academies, therefore, we have to look to our Members to finance our activities. Members who do not paying the subscription, and who do not Because of the wide disparities in national customs and ask to be excused, will receive one reminder six months after personal circumstances, from its foundation the Academia has the first request. In the event of no response being received by solicited voluntary contributions from Members. However, with the Office, they will receive no further communications from changing circumstances, it is now widely felt that the time has the Academia and their names will be placed in a register of come to move towards a system of mandatory subscriptions. inactive Members. Such a recommendation was indeed made to Council by the Governance Group and endorsed at the 2005 Annual Members’ The operation of these arrangements will be reviewed by Meeting in Berlin. There the Board and Council were asked Council after two years. to bring forward a specific proposal to the following Members’ Meeting after consulting the Membership at large. I have place this announcement in The Tree, so that all members are made aware of the changes that will be proposed The proposal below takes account of the consultation and and put to the annual business meeting. The Annual meting of views expressed by Council. Clearly, across such a widely of members of the Academy will take place at 5:00 hours on constituted Membership as ours, complete unanimity is 2 September. The venue will be the Hungarian Academy of unlikely to be found but it is fair to say that a broad level of Sciences in Budapest. agreement exists. The Board looked at several models but they believe the one below represents the best balance between Peter Day Treasurer equity and practicability in implementation. Members attending the annual business meeting will be invited to endorse the proposal. If accepted, it will be put into effect in the coming financial year (2007-8). The proposal will be along the lines of: Council proposes that, in place of the present system of voluntary contributions, an obligation should be placed on Members to pay an annual subscription, with effect from 2007. Academia Europaea’s newsletter–The Tree–3 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 TIMetaBLE OF EVENTS CONFERENCE OPENING CEREMONY 8th Annual • 2006 ERASMUS medal and BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST19th –2006 20th September BUDAPEST symposium Lecture2006 of Professor BUDAPEST Bert Sakmann 2006 organised by the History section (Heidelberg) BUDAPESTconference 2006 BUDAPEST of • “LIBERTY 2006 AND BUDAPESTTHE SEARCH FOR •2006 2006 BURGEN BUDAPEST Scholars awards 2006 BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPESTIDENTITY” 2006 BUDAPEST •2006 Induction ofBUDAPEST new members of the 2006 the Academia 19th – 20th September workshop Academy organised by the Informatics section. 22nd – 23rd September. plenary BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST• “GRAND 2006 CHALLENGES BUDAPEST OF conference2006 sessions: BUDAPEST 2006 Europaea INFORMATICS “BRAIN, MIND, MATTER” BUDAPEST 2006 BUDAPEST20th September2006 18:00 BUDAPEST – 20:00 Board (private) For2006 full programme BUDAPEST information, venue, 2006 9 – 23 September 2006 21st September 10:00 – 12:30 Council hotels, registration form and contact BUDAPESTHungarian 2006 Academy BUDAPESTof Sciences (private) 2006 BUDAPEST details2006 go to theBUDAPEST Academia Website at 2006 Roosevelt Square, 9 Budapest H-05.