UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC & CULTURAL ORGANIZATION - REGIONAL BUREAU FOR SCIENCE IN EUROPE (ROSTE), VENICE, ITALY
Rebuilding the Scientific Cooperation in South East Europe ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
Interventions Final Communiqué List of Participants
UNESCO, Paris 24 October 2001
This document prepared by the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) is an outcome of the Round Table of Ministers of Science held at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, during the 31st Session of the General Conference on 24 October 2001.
The ideas and opinions expressed in this book are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of UNESCO.
The designation employed and the presentation of the material throughout the publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries.
© UNESCO 2002 Rebuilding the Scientific Cooperation in South East Europe
ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
Interventions
Final Communiqué
List of Participants
UNESCO, Paris 24 October 2001
Contents
7 OPENING SPEECH BY FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA MR KOÏCHIRO MATSUURA, Director-General PROF GEORGI EFREMOV, of UNESCO Former Minister, Past President of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts
STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTERS GREECE OF SCIENCE OF THE PROF NIKOS KATSAROS, SOUTH EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES National Center of Research “Demokritos”
11 ALBANIA ROMANIA PROF GRAMOZ PASHKO, MR ADRIAN MIHAIL CÂMPUREAN, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Education State Secretary, Scientific and Science Research and Relations with the Parliament, Ministry of Education & Research 13 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA PROF MUJO DEMIROVIC, SLOVENIA Minister of Education, Science, Culture PROF STANE PEJOVNIK, and Sport State Secretary, Ministry of Education, (Represented by MR SLOBODAN SOJA, Science and Sport Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to France, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO) TURKEY PROF NAMIK KEMAL PAK, 15 PROF MITAR NOVACOVIC´, President, Scientific and Technical Minister of Culture and Science, Research Organization (TUBITAK) Republic Srpska YUGOSLAVIA BULGARIA PROF VUKO DOMAZETOVIC, 17 PROF IGOR DAMIANOV, Federal Secretary for Science and Development Vice-Minister, Research, Ministry of Education and Science PROF DRAGAN DOMAZET, Minister of Science, Technology CROATIA and Development, Republic of Serbia PROF DAVO R BUTKOVIC´, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Sciences and Technology
5 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE CO-ORGANIZERS GERMANY OF THE VENICE CONFERENCE AND TASK MR NORBERT KLINGLER, Ambassador, FORCE REPRESENTATIVES Permanent Delegate to UNESCO
MR WALTER ERDELEN, ITALY Assistant Director-General for Natural DR GUIDO POSSA, Sciences, UNESCO Vice Minister for Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research PROF NORBERT KROO, Member of the Governing Council RUSSIAN FEDERATION of the European Science Foundation MR EVGUENY SIDOROV, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO PROF IAN BUTTERWORTH, Vice-President of the Academia Europaea POLAND DR JAN-KRZYSTOF FRAÇKOWIAK, PROF HERWIG SCHOPPER, Vice Minister for Science, Former Director-General of CERN Ministry of Science and Technology
MR PIERRE LASSERRE, CONTRIBUTIONS BY REPRESENTATIVES Director UNESCO-ROSTE OF IGOS AND NGOS1
PROF ALEXANDER BOKSENBERG, COST Fellow of the Royal Society MR GÖST DIEHL, Director, European Cooperation in the field PROF PIERRE PAPON, of Scientific and Technical Research (COST) President, OST, Paris
EUROPEAN COMMISSION DR HANS FALK HOFFMANN, MR LOUIS BELLEMIN, Head, CERN, Geneva Unit of International Scientific Cooperation, Directorate General Research PROF NIKOS KATSAROS, National Centre of Research EUROSCIENCE “Demokritos”, Athens PROF JEAN-PATRICK CONNERADE, President, Imperial College, London MR ANDRAS SZÖLLÖSI-NAGY, Deputy Assistant Director-General NATO for Natural Sciences, UNESCO MR FERNANDO CARVALHO RODRIGUES, Programme Director, Division of Scientific Affairs INTERVENTIONS BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES AND OF CENTRAL FINAL COMMUNIQUÉ AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ADOPTED BY ROUND TABLE
AUSTRIA ANNEXES DR RAOUL KNEUCKER, Director-General for Research, Federal Agenda Ministry of Education, Science and Culture Background Note
FRANCE List of Participants MR ROGER-GÉRARD SCHWARTZENBERG, List of Acronysm and Abbreviations Minister of Research (Represented by MR GILLES LE CHEVALIER, 1 Due to the lack of time for oral presentation during this Session, the interven- Director of the Cabinet of the Minister) tions were kindly provided in written form by the authors after the Round Table.
6 OPENING SPEECH
Mr Koïchiro Matsuura Director-General of UNESCO
Excellencies, Europaea, and Professor Enric Banda, Secretary-Gen- Distinguished Ministers, eral of the European Science Foundation, ways and Ladies and Gentlemen, means of combining our efforts in South Eastern Eu- rope with a view to preparing a set of coordinated ac- It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this tivities that would facilitate the reconstruction of sci- Round Table on “Rebuilding Scientific Cooperation entific cooperation networks in these countries. Sub- in South East Europe”. For UNESCO, it is a challenge sequently, a conference on this subject was held at as well as a natural obligation to address a situation UNESCO’s Office in Venice in March 2001, which characterized by the disintegration of research net- focused on country presentations, on the present state works and scientific cooperation infrastructures dur- of collaboration and on the potential to develop co- ing the past decade. This process has so badly affected operative action in strategic fields of research. scientific productivity that, unless it is brought to a It is on the basis of these initiatives that the idea of halt rapidly, it may have long-term adverse effects on organizing the present Round Table was born. I am the economic development of the entire region. pleased to see that the Academia Europea and the Eu- But before going any further, let me try to put to- ropean Science Foundation have joined UNESCO in day’s event into its context. I shall then briefly outline preparing this meeting. I am also happy to note that what I believe this Round Table may be expected to Professor Herwig Schopper, former Director-General achieve today. of the European Centre for Nuclear Research Through its Regional Bureau for Science and (CERN), has been closely associated with the enter- Technology in Europe (ROSTE), located in Venice, prise from its very inception. and with the generous support provided by the Italian Our gathering today should also be seen in the Government, UNESCO has been assisting for over framework of the enlargement process of the Euro- twelve years the scientific communities of Central pean Union and in the perspective of the eventual in- and Eastern Europe in adapting their institutions to tegration of the South East European countries. For all the deep political and economic changes that have countries of the sub-region, the development of this taken place since the end of the Cold War. I am hap- perspective represents an important milestone and is py to note that the rhythm of our activities in the field considered a top national priority. In this context, I of science has recently stepped up. would like to extend a warm welcome to the represen- On the occasion of the World Conference on Sci- tatives of the European Commission and of the mem- ence, held in Budapest in June/July 1999, UNESCO or- ber states of the European Union. ganized a meeting of Central and Eastern European sci- Some further efforts, of course, need to be made in ence ministers and senior experts in science policies. order to obtain the full cooperation of the Council of The participants recognized the importance of regular Europe and the NATO Science for Peace Programme consultations on science policy-making and stressed as well as various non-governmental organizations. A the need to bridge the gap between Eastern and West- special effort should be made to strengthen our rela- ern Europe in research strength and capacity. Four tions with the Stability Pact and to cooperate as ac- months later, a second meeting was organized in Paris tive partners in the planning and implementation of on the occasion of the 30th session of UNESCO’s Gen- science policies and related projects. Establishing eral Conference and within the framework of the fol- partnerships and creating synergies are a matter of cru- low-up to the World Conference on Science. cial importance. I can assure you that UNESCO clear- About one year ago, I was pleased to discuss with ly recognizes the risks and disadvantages of isolated Professor Stig Strömholm, President of the Academia initiatives. For its part, UNESCO has already provid-
7 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE ed assistance of various kinds to South East Europe but cial science for sustainable development have so far we recognize that these efforts need more systematic been identified as priorities for international coopera- integration. tion. Some of the small-scale projects may be submit- ted directly to the competent organizations in order to become quickly operational in the coming months. Excellencies, Other projects may require concerted efforts by several Ladies and gentlemen, organizations and national authorities. Recently, I had discussions with senior representa- I would like now to broaden my remarks to cover tives of the European Commission in regard to South not only science but also UNESCO’s other fields of East European issues. I am pleased to announce today competence. We all know that the dramatic deterio- that I shall organize, during the first quarter of 2002, a ration of the educational, scientific and cultural situa- high-level meeting with the participation of decision- tion in South Eastern Europe has arisen from the con- makers from South East Europe and high officials from flicts that accompanied the disintegration of Yu- the European Commission and the Stability Pact with goslavia and from the long and sometimes difficult a view to coordinating our actions in the the fields of transitions in process. The crisis in Kosovo has had education, culture and science in the Balkans. This particularly far-reaching consequences. The recon- meeting will be a natural follow-up of other coopera- struction of the educational, scientific and cultural in- tive initiatives such as the Conference on Develop- frastructures and an enhanced international coopera- ment and Security in the Adriatic and Ionian region, tion in these fields are becoming as important as the held in Ancona, Italy, on 20th May 2000. search for a political settlement. In fact, I believe that sustainable peace, stability and development are not possible without a dramatic Excellencies, improvement in all the fields of UNESCO’s compe- Ladies and Gentlemen, tence. That is why I have decided to establish an in- terdisciplinary task force to focus on South East Euro- I hope that this meeting today is not simply one of pean issues. The main function of this task force is to a sequence of such meetings but becomes a special develop a coherent and integrated strategic approach moment for articulating serious intentions and for de- to guide UNESCO’s strengthened cooperation with termining concrete action. This is the right time for its South East European Member States. A compre- action and boldness. Let us take this opportunity to hensive policy paper for this purpose has been pre- show that both are possible. The communiqué that pared by the task force, highlighting such priority ar- you are invited to approve today will, I believe, show eas as education for democracy, the creation of scien- the way forward for us all. tific networks, cultural diversity and independent me- Together, we stand a good chance to succeed in dia. The policy paper will be published shortly. making a significant contribution towards generating I am happy to note that the science-related subjects changes that are both necessary and desirable. I am you will be dealing with today have found a prominent confident that you, distinguished delegates, will be place in that policy document: concrete projects on able to strengthen the credibility of the enterprise by life sciences, environmental sciences, computer tech- giving it the indispensable political support and fol- nologies, materials science, and selected aspects of so- low-up it requires.
8 CONTENTS
STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTERS OF SCIENCE OF THE SOUTH EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
The Session was chaired by the Director General of UNESCO, Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, and his representative, the Assistant Director General for Natural Sciences, Mr Walter Erdelen
ALBANIA
Professor Gramoz Pashko Vice Minister, Ministry of Education and Science
Your Excellency, Mr Director General, aiming at regenerating it with young talented re- Excellencies, searchers being trained and qualified inside and out- Ladies and Gentlemen, side Albania. At the same time, proper attention should be paid to the return or to the serious collabo- First of all let me thank you for this opportunity to ration of immigrant researchers who currently work in present some of the views of the Albanian Govern- foreign research institutions. ment about this very important topic such as the fu- We already are familiar with the detailed analysis ture development of science in our countries. and conclusions of the Venice meeting. Considering It’s a well-known fact that due to numerous factors, them correct, well wishing and constructive, we’ll try mainly those inherited from the past, but also duration to gradually carry them out. The Albanian Govern- and difficulties of the present transition from commu- ment made a step forward, lately, by issuing a special nism to democracy, the situation of research in Alba- decree, which increased by almost 50% the salaries of nia is below the desired level. Poor funding allocated staff of the universities and research institutes. Mean- to science and consequently very poor salaries to the while, other relevant steps will be taken in terms of scientists, absence of contemporary equipment and fa- strengthening and updating the existing laboratories cilities, absence of accurate orientation in a rapidly with modern technology equipment, building new changing economy and brain drain are obvious phe- laboratories, further supporting the exchange of Al- nomena of the Albanian research institutions. Conse- banian researchers with the Western European and re- quently, the scientific community is in a crossroad, not gional ones, better meeting the demands of scholars able to respond to the demands raised by the current for contemporary literature, supporting the publica- and future development of the market economy. tion of the country’s scientific achievements, etc. However we hope that science will follow the pos- We’re certain that soon Albania will have its centers itive trends of our economy, which has reached satis- of excellence in science. factory equilibriums, macroeconomic stability and Hopefully we’ll not be alone in our efforts and cer- rapid growth in the recent years. The political and tainly we’ll enjoy the support of the international or- economic stability of the country in the last three-four ganizations, the governments of the developed Euro- years has created some good conditions for the Gov- pean countries, the domestic and foreign business, etc. ernment to pay more attention to higher education We particularly feel and understand the goodwill for and to scientific institutions. In the last two years, but cooperation on the part of important European scien- also in the next three years, the budget for education tific centers like CERN in Geneva, etc. We’re also and science has almost doubled to become the largest convinced that the directors and researchers of these in GDP terms. centers recognize and appropriately understand our Most importantly, the deepening of the education- difficulties and situation, our limited human and ma- al and scientific reform constitutes one of the priori- terial means and in this context they will provide sup- ties of the programme of the Albanian Government port to us, especially for the young researchers’ train- and soon concrete measures will be taken in order to ing who, given their energy, will accelerate the inte- avoid and mitigate the aforesaid phenomena, guided gration of the Albanian scientific thinking into the by the objective to adapt university education and re- international contemporary one. search to the up-to-date levels. I would like to underline our deep appreciation The institutions responsible for the research devel- particularly for the initiative taken by UNESCO- opment will have to be concentrated to the mainte- ROSTE, Academia Europea and the European Sci- nance of the human potential contributing to science, ence Foundation, their work and achievements since
11 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE the Venice meeting and onward, including the organ- we’re of the opinion that in addition to the research ization of this inter-ministerial round-table. development for natural and technical sciences, sci- In addition to the detailed analysis of the situation entific projects of broad interest to introduction, of scientific research in the region and the construc- affinity and integration of the regional countries may tive recommendations to re-establish the research and should be undertaken projects in the domain of structures, we highly appreciate the idea of undertak- social and human sciences. ing joint regional projects of various scientific, social, As stated above, I propose that these areas be con- economical, developing, progressive and integrating sidered a priority as well and make way for concrete interests. In this context, we support the proposal ex- project proposals. We are ready to come up with such tended by UNESCO-ROSTE to call a donors’ confer- concrete proposals, for instance “The common and ence with the objective of ensuring financial means contrast aspects of the cultural inheritance of peoples necessary to accomplish the idea. belonging to the Central and Southeast European The five areas which need the undertaking of con- countries” and “Archaeological data on the develop- crete projects open up considerable space for research ment and communication among peoples of the re- and development, with a well-defined impact on each gion”. country in particular and the whole region. As such The approval of these areas and others that may they meet the priorities defined by the Council of Sci- come up in this round-table paves the way for acting entific Policies of the Republic of Albania. Some of in an organizational and institutional way with regard these projects are assisted, through a limited budget, to gathering the project proposals from the scientific by the Government National Programme for Re- communities of our countries. For this reason we con- search and Development. They will advance further, sider the proposals arising from the scientific universi- thanks to the international cooperation. ty and academic institutions of the countries partici- Among these projects and studies, we’ll attach pri- pating in this meeting very important. Meanwhile, ority to the Information Systems and Technologies highly estimating the good work of the Task Force for and in this framework, we warmly welcome the visit of the concrete project design we propose that it contin- an expert group who will collaborate with the Alban- ues the work in reviewing, assessing and working out ian researchers in order to explore the situation and the proposals by making them regional projects ready make recommendations for necessary steps so that the to be submitted to available donors. project is soon implemented in Albania. The projects in the domain of Life Sciences, Envi- Let me conclude by thanking the organizers for the ronmental Studies, Material Sciences and Sustainable opportunity to meet each other and prepare an agen- Development are significant as well. Meanwhile, da for future cooperation in South East Europe.
12 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Professor Mujo Demirovic1 Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, promotion of concrete science projects by some compe- tent country institutions didn’t exist up to now. Only re- It is my pleasure to contribute to the work of the cently, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Round Table of Ministers of Science on the Rebuilding Sport of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has Scientific Cooperation in South East Europe. taken several measures to improve the situation: As many other countries in the post war period, my country, Bosnia and Herzegovina, still has many exis- •Preparing regulations concerning science and scien- tential problems that are obscuring the fact that invest- tific research based on the same principles as in the ment in education and science are our most secured in- countries of the Western Europe. The new law that vestments for the future. Up to now, the educational is in preparation will provide financing of science and research projects were more results of individual and technology development from state budget. initiatives and less of systematically organized and regu- Procedure of acceptance is beginning in December. lated inter-institutional cooperation. After the war, our • For the first time after the war, Bosnia and Herzegov- experts established collaborative projects with many ina has prepared for the next fundraising conference universities abroad, and only as an illustration I will a project for reconstruction of science and research give you a few examples: institutions, with the aim to become an appropriate partner to institutions in developed parts of the •University Paris Sud at Orsay, France and Universi- world. We consider this as the first and the most im- ty of Sarajevo on biosistemacy and cytogenesis. portant step towards our reintegration in Europe. • University of Graz, Austria and University of Sara- • Several months ago, our Ministry, for the first time jevo on the development of new biosensors. This after ten years, launched a tender for financing sci- project started during 1997 and it resulted in about entific and research projects. We accepted 169 ap- 20 scientific papers, one Ph.D. and three masters of plications that demonstrated the great interest for Science degree. The next phase is Development of this kind of support notwithstanding the conditions new optical Biosensors. of the tender, which were very strict and obligatory. • University of Sarajevo and University of Florence •There is also an ongoing tender for support of Mas- on searching for potential anticancer cure using Ru ter Degrees and PhDs. complexes • Cooperation between Dental Faculty in Sarajevo and University of Heidelberg, Germany on matters FIRST PRIORITY concerning research in a dental science; one Ph.D. and many visits of research workers. To start with a serious process of rebuilding scientific cooperation, on the first place- as the highest priority- All examples mentioned and many others witness the we want to place, the resolving the problems of BI- highest scientific level of cooperation, but they are based HARNET: Academic research net, and of Cooperative on personal contacts of enthusiasts in Bosnia and Herze- on line bibliography system- COBISS. Both systems govina with colleagues’ abroad, so, the main problem is have been established during 1998 on the basis of a do- to institutionalize them and make them more general. nation from the Government of Slovenia and with the Adequate cares for the science research activities and the participation of the Universities of BiH. Up to now in
1 The statement was presented by Mr Slobodan Soja, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to France.
13 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE the system of COBISS are included about 20 libraries, for scientists who have made successful careers and some 250 librarians were trained to use it. The sys- abroad and wish to return to their native countries. tem is based on installation of mutual databases, avail- • Establishing a fund for exchanges of young scien- able on line to all users not only in the country, but also tists, visiting professors, research workers, engi- from abroad. neers and technicians within the Balkans region and between it and the rest of Europe.
SECOND PRIORITY After resolving these two priorities, the rebuilding of scientific cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina •Providing funds for equipment and research grants would be officially open.
14 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Professor Mitar Novacovic Minister of Science and Culture, Republika Srpska
Excellencies, fined within the Development Plan, which is being Ladies and Gentlemen, implemented by the Ministry of Science and Culture of the Republic of Srpska. Scientific research activities in the Republic of The Plan presumes intensive research directed to- Srpska, one of the entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, wards the development of fields closely connected are organized in two universities: the University of with food production and processing and the scientif- Banja Luka and the University in Serbian Sarajevo. ic fields that should support the development of in- They are organized as scientific-research institutions dustrial food processing. Following that aim, the prior- with 26 faculties functioning in their framework, as ity has been given to the area of primary agricultural well as 6 institutes and a certain number of offices. production (farming, fruit growing, truck farming, cat- The Universities currently employ 750 scientific tle breeding and production of organic food), in which workers, out of which 500 have the highest scientific 2 agricultural faculties, the agricultural institute and degrees and 250 are young researchers. Besides, 450 several agricultural offices have already been in- other employees are engaged in administrative and volved. other accompanying services. Processing of raw materials in the food industry, in- Due to the events occurred in the last 10 years, a surance of the quality of agricultural products, their number of professors and scientific research fellows of control, as well as the control of hygienic validity of the middle-aged generation left the country and went food is being conducted by the faculties of technology, to Western Europe, USA, Canada and Australia. That within their departments and institutes. The depart- is why a lack of professional staff is being felt all the ment of environment protection has been established time and wide activities have been undertaken to get at one of the faculties, so that those activities have younger scientific staff again. In the last 5 years, about been expanded to most other faculties as well. 150 young research assistants have been employed at Issues of how nutrition influences the health of the universities. Most of them are post-graduate stu- people and research conducted to define the state of dents, either at our universities or at universities in health of the local population are followed and imple- neighbouring countries, countries of the EU, US and mented by 2 medical faculties, 2 faculties of stomatol- Japan. ogy, 1 pharmaceutical faculty, several institutes and Except regular studies, 15 faculties have organized offices as a part of their research work. Within the post-graduate studies for the acquisition of doctor’s de- fields that follow the development of the agricultural gree. Conditions that those students have been of- and food industries, research connected to the pro- fered for research are far from those we wish them to duction and processing, construction of objects in have. The biggest problem is the lack of infrastructure. agricultural production and in the field of protection Internet link is of a very low capacity, libraries are not of environment and decrease of energy consumption, supplied with the scientific journals needed, laborato- is carried out. ries and equipment for research are out of date; they Significant efforts are made towards the develop- were equipped 10 or 15 years ago, so that the equip- ment of legal regulations in the field of food produc- ment has been depreciated and needs to be replaced tion and processing as well as in restructuring of eco- by modern ones. Recently, some laboratories have nomic relations through the process of privatization been equipped out of grants, but exclusively for educa- and strengthening of the market economy. tion purposes at post-graduate level. Basic strategic directions of the development of The strategic plan for the development of scientif- scientific-research work at the Universities in Banja ic research work in our two Universities has been de- Luka and Serbian Sarajevo are the following:
15 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
1. Infrastructure c) Strengthen the international exchange of staff; a) Provision of quality links with INTERNET net- d) Ensure motivation/stimulation for young fel- work in Europe (minimum 2 MB link) and de- lows (scholarships, flats, etc), so that they could velopment of the local network, which should go in for science. provide quality information to all institutions and each individual researcher in the scientific 3. Financing of the research projects organizations; a) Financing of projects in the field of research of b) Provide University libraries as well as the li- production and processing of food in those braries at the faculties and the institutes with spheres that should foster production and pro- scientific journals and magazines: cessing of food; c) Equip laboratories for research in the priority b) Financing of projects in the field of protection fields with the most up-to-date equipment. of environment; c) Financing of projects for equipment of research 2. Incentives for younger staff laboratories and research centers and motivate a) Organize post-graduate studies and doctorates’ involvement of the scientists in the internation- studies at all faculties: al cooperation, participation in international b) More young researchers should be recommend- projects and exchange of scientific information; ed to study in the universities of the developed d) Motivate/stimulate the development of market- countries; oriented research centers.
16 BULGARIA
Professor Igor Damianov Vice-ministre, Ministère de l’éducation et de la science
Excellences, le développement de la science bulgare, qui sont à la Mesdames et Messieurs, base de l’élaboration de la stratégie à moyen terme, une tâche provenant des décisions de la Conférence Le ministère de l’éducation et de la science de la mondiale pour la science. Bulgarie soutient, avec une grande satisfaction, les Le développement des biotechnologies des plantes initiatives du Bureau régional de l’UNESCO pour la et des génomes végétaux basés sur le génie génétique science en l’Europe (ROSTE) ayant pour but la re- est d’une importance particulière pour nous. C’est un construction de la coopération scientifique en Eu- domaine dans lequel les savants bulgares du centre rope du Sud-Est. Je voudrais exprimer la satisfaction d’excellence, qui est l’Institut des sciences bio-agraires de la Bulgarie pour le travail des experts du groupe ad auprès du Centre national des sciences agraires, ont hoc de l’UNESCO-ROSTE, de l’Académie Europaea établi des contacts utiles avec des collègues renommés et de la Fondation européenne pour la science. Très et des institutions de premier ordre dans les pays professionnellement et bien argumenté, ils ont for- voisins pour faire des recherches en commun. Ce cen- mulé les problèmes pour lesquels on doit chercher tre d’excellence fait partie du réseau régional des cen- des solutions afin que la coopération entre les pays de tres de compétence et participe avec succès aux l’Europe du Sud-Est et les autres pays de l’Europe équipes internationales essayant de résoudre des prob- puisse contribuer à la stabilité et à la sécurité dans les lèmes communs. Balkans et en Europe. Nous sommes prêts avec des accords préliminaires Je voudrais souligner que la Bulgarie porte vrai- pour des projets de collaboration dans le domaine de ment une grande attention au développement des do- la biodiversité. La participation de la Bulgarie dans le maines scientifiques liés aux sciences de la vie, à l’en- réseau global de biodiversité avec ses institutions sci- vironnement et au développement durable. Ces do- entifiques est une base prometteuse. Nous disposons maines sont directement liés à la solution des prob- de bases de donnée dans ce domaine, l’accès aux- lèmes scientifiques et économiques qui ont une grande quelles est possible. importance pour la société. Bien évidemment, j’y in- Voilà quelques projets dans les domaines en ques- clue la science des matériaux. C’est sans aucun doute tion, qui sont en état de préparation: Les changements un domaine qui a un grand avenir grâce aux apports au climatiques et leur impact sur le cycle hydrologique développement et à l’application des technologies les des pays de l’Europe du Sud-Est, Recherche sur la ré- plus avancées à l’industrie régionale en gestation. duction du risque d’érosion de sol due aux activités La Bulgarie dispose de spécialistes de haute qualifi- géologiques et technologiques dans les pays des Balka- cation dans les domaines énumérés, qui ont intégré ns. Nous sommes prêts à développer des projets sur la leurs efforts dans les programmes nationaux approuvés gestion et le développement durable de la région de la par le Conseil des Ministres de la Bulgarie. Ces do- Mer noire et sur le développement et l’application des maines deviennent des priorités nationales pour la technologies et les nouveaux matériaux pertinents recherche scientifique et le développement tech- aux technologies des énergies renouvelables. Le Cen- nologique. tre national de nanotechnologies en Bulgarie, unis- En formulant ces priorités, la Bulgarie a pris en sant des scientifiques des universités, des instituts de considération les tendances actuelles en Europe et les recherche et des PME, a élaboré l’initiative COSENT capacités des institutions nationales pour l’éducation pour la coopération entre les pays de l’Europe du Sud- et la recherche en vue d’une coopération scientifique Est dans le domaine des nano-technologies. régionale et européenne. Plus particulièrement, je voudrais souligner la La Bulgarie a adopté les principes cardinaux pour disponibilité de notre pays de soutenir des recherch-
17 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE es scientifiques communes en utilisant quelques-unes exemple l’Académie des sciences bulgare et les de nos infrastructures de taille moyenne telles que grandes universités de Sofia, qui peuvent dédier des l’observatoire astronomique national “ Rojen ”, le moyens suffisants de leurs propres budgets pour établir vaisseau de recherche “ Akademik ”, spécialement leurs propres réseaux et assurer l’accès à l’INTERNET. équipé et modernisé pour faire des recherches sur la Cela dit, je voudrais souligner encore une fois l’in- Mer noire. térêt, le soutien, ainsi que la volonté de notre pays de La revitalisation de la coopération scientifique entre participer activement aux activités à venir, liées à l’ini- les pays de l’Europe du Sud-Est est d’une importance tiative de l’UNESCO- ROSTE pour la reconstruction particulière et nous sommes prêts avec des projets dont de la coopération scientifique entre les pays de l’Europe une partie était mentionnée ci-dessous. Mais un prob- du Sud-Est. Nous acceptons les constatations et les lème extrêmement sérieux vient de surgir et on doit le recommandations des experts et des organisations qui résoudre en priorité. C’est le problème de l’établisse- ont rendu possible notre rencontre actuelle et nous ment, le fonctionnement et le maintien d’un réseau in- soutenons le projet de Communiqué. On a déjà effectué formatique éducatif et scientifique performant à travers une partie significative du travail et on doit continuer le quel on puisse assurer des communications rapides et avec détermination à définir des projets concrets de de haute qualité, ainsi que des possibilités d’un échange coopération scientifiques multilatérale et particulière- d’information non seulement entre les institutions ment des projets pour moderniser les infrastructures in- académiques nationales, mais aussi avec les pays voisins formatiques et communicatives. et les principales institutions académiques et scien- Nos aspirations sont liées aux activités futures sus- tifiques de l’UE et le reste du monde. ceptibles de créer les conditions nécessaires pour l’or- Les efforts pour établir un tel réseau en Bulgarie ganisation et le déroulement des rencontres avec les sont considérables, mais nous avons toujours de graves donateurs potentiels auxquels nous sommes prêts de difficultés financières qui empêchent la réalisation de proposer de projets que, bien évidemment, nous aussi nos projets. Il existe certaines institutions, comme par allons soutenir.
18 CROATIA
Professor Davor Butkovic Vice-Minister, Ministry of Science,Technology and Development
Excellencies, Danube. I consider valuable this initiative about wa- Ladies and Gentlemen, ters, i.e. connecting the Black Sea with the Mediter- ranean, Aegean Sea etc. There are some initiatives in I will try to enhance discussion so I will not speak the Ionic basin, which operate on a different bases. in a very organized way. What is the situation in Greece and Italy are allocating funding from their na- South Eastern Europe, and what can we do? Surely, tional budgets for this initiative, and I believe that the situation is on a lower level than ten years ago, be- there is a chance for expansion. I believe that Turkey fore the war and the transition. Especially, if we con- must be admitted as an observer. We can rely on the sider what the situation could have been! However, it manpower that is present in those countries. Bulgaria is what it is. There are also some good things because has good manpower in some fields, and Croatia in not everything has been destroyed. New efforts began other fields. We have to create centers of excellence, during the war; for example, Slovenia initiated sus- e.g. in cooperation with Paris-Necker: the Medical tainable development during the war in the region of School Necker Enfants Malades. There is a Croatian ex-Yugoslavia. Also, during the war Croatia made in- professor there, Professor Radman, as well as many vestigations on how to clean the mines. There are students from Croatia. The Croatian language is spo- some things that have been initiated and some things ken in the building. At present we are in the process have existed before. of establishing an Institute of Life Sciences in Split: In Dubrovnik there was a very good international life sciences because we do not want to be restrictive. center that unified the East but also Europe, the US Science is something that evolves and lives: some and the whole world. It was an international universi- branches will develop and other will die out. ty center with more than a hundred associated univer- There are some ongoing programs like those con- sities. Practically it did not stop its operation during nected to the Association and Stabilization Agree- the war. Of course, some people from Serbia and ment, Stability Pact, CARDS Program. CARDS in- Bosnia and Herzegovina did not dare to come, but cludes TEMPUS, a valuable program for universities. there were Serbs from the US who were coming to However, the research part is not at the same level as Dubrovnik during the cease-fire. Now we have profes- other parts. The CARDS program will provide an in- sors from Novi Sad and Belgrade coming to frastructure, but the research part must be strength- Dubrovnik. It is something that we need to put on a ened from other sources. I am strongly in favor of this broad basis and this is the way, how to integrate and project in the Communiqué about donors. We have to give more meaning to existing things that can be im- be careful and wise in looking for donors. We are not proved. The other thing that works is marine research: just seeking money, we believe that we have to ask we have good centers for marine research on the sea- donors to invest money into life and science, as this is side. There is a large international cooperation there. the best investment. The region of SE Europe lies be- A large specter of organizations from NGOs to NATO tween two bodies of water: Danube on one side, and showed their interest. There is a US research ship the Mediterranean on the other. It is similar to there and the US is contributing financially. Some- Mesopotamia: like the Promised Land. I believe that thing must be done on a similar basis with the South Eastern Europe is a land of promise.
19 FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Professor Georgi Efremov Former Minister, Past President of Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Honourable Mr. President, this project have been expressed by institutions from: Distinguished Ministers, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Albania, Bosnia and Herze- Honourable Participants, govina and Yugoslavia. We also accept the recommendation of the Task Allow me first, to excuse our Minister for Educa- Force for developing more centers of excellence in SEE tion and Science for not being able to participate at countries. At present we have in the Republic of Mace- this very important Ministerial Round Table. donia three such centers of excellence: The Research The Ministry of Science and Education of the Re- Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at public of Macedonia is welcoming and accepting the the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Insti- actions and recommendations brought by the joint tute for Seismology and Earthquake Engineering and UNESCO-ROSTE / Academia Europea / European Institute for Informatics – University of Skopje. Science Foundation Task Force. We believe that We fully accept the recommendation of the Task “training and fellowships in science and technology” Force for funding collaborative projects in the priority will be of great help for rebuilding science in the SEE scientific areas, i.e. in life sciences, environment, region. Training of young scientists and re-training of computer sciences and information technologies, ma- existing competent scientists, exchange of scientists terial sciences and sustainable development. We are among SEE countries and between them and EU very much interested in participating in the following countries, and instituting international competitive priority areas – projects: research grants which will provide funds for equip- ment and salaries in particular for those scientists who • Life sciences: Regional genome research project, have made successful careers abroad and wish to re- Genetic analysis of ethnic diversity of the SEE turn in their home countries, is the solution for recov- populations, Assessment and management of ery of science and technology in SEE countries. stress- related disorders among the youth popula- As stated in the Intended Actions of the Task tions of SEE countries, Conservation of domestic Force, we believe that information technologies and animals and plant diversity, and Cancer research; computer networks for scientific research and training • Environmental sciences: Climate change, Biodi- is vital for further development of science in SEE versity and Ecosystems, Polution management countries. We are proposing a regional project titled projects, Seismic problems, and Toxic waste man- “Balkan’s Research and Educational Portal in Elec- agement; tronic Education”. The project objective is to estab- • Sustainable development: Renewable energy sources, lish a virtual network of competence centers (higher Water and Ecosystem management. educational and research institutions, research labora- tories and distance learning study centers) in the area We hope and we do believe that the effort of the of computer sciences, informatics, information sci- joint UNESCO-ROSTE /Academia Europea /Euro- ences and mathematics, on a regional level, working pean Science Foundation Task Force will bring better, in the field of electronic-learning, distance learning, happier and productive days for the scientific commu- IT supported learning and tele-learning. Interest for nity of the SEE countries.
20 GREECE
Professor Nikos Katsaros1 National Research Center “Demokritos”
First I have to apologize for our Minister that due GEANT and is already connected with the net- to unexpected last-moment urgent matters, could not work in CERN. participate. The country has developed mainly during the last Mr Chairman, 20 years through the structural funds of the EU that Ministers, has constructed a very good scientific research infra- Dear Participants, structure, which could provide the bases for collabora- tion with the neighboring countries in the area. In the The efforts of the international community for re- Foundation for Research and Technology in Crete covery and development assistance within the South there is an Institute of Molecular Structure and Lasers, Eastern European region have been organized so far which has been approved by the EU as a Large Scale under different frameworks among which the Stabili- Facility, where all members of the EU have access to ty Pact and the Ancona Declaration on the Adriatic it, and this could be expanded also to scientists of the and Ionian seas are important steps. The European region. In the National Research Center “Demokri- Commission has put forward the European Union’s tos” we have an experimental nuclear reactor, labora- framework programme for research and technological tories for radio-isotope production and a tandem van development as a major tool to support the creation of den Graaf accelerator. In addition, in the Marine Re- a European Research Area. Reinforcing the action in search Center we have two oceanographic research the Balkans has been recently underlined by the EC as vessels that can make measurements of all oceano- an important step for the EU enlargement. Concern- graphic parameters and a submersible vessel that can ing the intended actions proposed by the Task Force go down to 600 m; it has equipment for remote con- and the Conference of Experts that took place this trol and can take measurements of a large number of year in Venice, 24-27 March, organized by UNESCO oceanographic parameters. In the research centers, in we have the following comments: particular, those of Athens and Salonika there are large Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometers of • concerning the electronic up-graded networking, 500 MHz and above, Electron Spin Resonance spec- which is a fundamental action for improving the trometers, gas chromatographs and mass spectrome- capacity for scientific research in the research cen- ters of high precision and crystallographic equipment ters and the universities. In Greece there is an with large data banks. All of these could serve as bases electronic network under the name GRNET and for further collaboration. But here I have to emphasize research centers, institutes, universities, professors that our country has many bilateral agreements for the and students have access to it. The GRNET is con- last twenty- five years in all fields of science and tech- nected with Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Yugoslavia, nology and they have become very attractive to all Romania, Slovenia, and Croatia and soon will be scientists from SEE. For example, we have such agree- connected also to FYR of Macedonia. There are al- ments with Albania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania, so plans to upgrade the existing networks with the Slovenia, and Croatia with every one of these coun- neighboring countries mentioned. The GRNET is tries and right now there are in progress more than in process of connecting to the European network 400 research projects. However, all of them are bilat-
1 Statement on behalf of the State Secretary for Science and Technology, Mr Deniosos.
21 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE eral. They are not multilateral projects. The Task terization of new functional materials, and numer- Force and the Venice Conference proposed certain ous others which could participate in collabora- priority areas, where multilateral projects of that sort tions in this area. We started developing a network could be established. Among these priority areas, in our country for the laboratories, which are work- which have been identified by the Venice Confer- ing on the nano-technologies and on the advanced ence, the human genome project is of particular inter- technologies for new materials. If similar networks est to our country since in the National Research will be developed in the neighboring areas then Center “Demokritos” and in the National Center of the suggestion of the Task Force that one or more Research there are laboratories that for years have centers of excellence in the field of materials sci- worked on genome projects and are associated to ence should be developed, these centers could also many laboratories of the European Union and else- transfer technologies to different partners while at where like Canada, USA etc. the same time play a very important and necessary coordinating role. •We are interested particularly in environment •With respect to the next projects suggested in the projects of trans-boundary dimensions. Among field of sustainable development it is very impor- them the networking of the marine research cen- tant nowadays that technology should be in ters, biodiversity and ecosystems, catchment-based progress but at the same time this development and urban fresh water resources are priorities for should become sustainable. So, for the fields of our country. Because of the geographic position, energy, water resources management, pollution, it SEE have seismic problems; the Danube green cor- will be very important to take into consideration ridor, the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediter- the sustainability. The suggestion of the Task ranean projects and among them the project of Force to develop a center of excellence in the toxic waste management of trans-boundary dimen- field of sustainable development is very essential, sion, are also priorities for our country. because this could act as a coordinator among the • In the field of material science there is a number of science and technology partners in the neighbor- laboratories, universities and research centers that ing countries. Finally, we fully agree with the have been engaged in projects of the Framework communiqué that was distributed on the rebuild- Programmes 4th and 5th, where the EU places a lot ing scientific cooperation in South East Europe of emphasis on material sciences. So, laboratories and we fully share the view that rebuilding scien- on nano-technologies in metallo-ceramic and tific cooperation is a key element for consolidat- polymeric materials are in good status in our coun- ing stability in the area. In view of the above, we try. Electronic, optical, photonic, and magnetic endorse the proposal that UNESCO should con- materials are also investigated in many laboratories tinue to promote cooperation in the area along and there are also projects on advanced materials the lines mentioned in the communiqué and ex- for clean energy production, synthesis and charac- plore the conditions for a donors’ conference.
22 ROMANIA
M. Adrian Mihai Câmpurean Secrétaire d’État pour la Recherche et les Relations avec le Parlement au Ministère de l’Education et de la Recherche
Excellence, coopération entre les pays riverains du Danube: Messieurs les ministres, “Modification de l’environnement et le développe- Chers collègues, ment durable du bassin Danube - Mer Noire”. L’im- portance du fleuve Danube comme un des couloirs Premièrement, permettez-moi de remercier UNESCO majeurs de transport pour l’Europe Centrale et de l’Est pour cette admirable initiative de placer autour d’une table est une certitude pour le continent européen, et en ronde “les chevaliers” de la science des pays du Sud-Est eu- particulier pour les pays riverains. D’autre part les pays ropéen. danubiens constituent une des régions avec un grand C’est avec plaisir que nous prenons connaissance potentiel humain et économique et avec une grande du fait que nos efforts dans le domaine de la science et diversité de problèmes, peut-être une des plus com- de la technologie se retrouvent dans les actions que plexes del’Europe. UNESCO-ROSTE propose en collaboration avec de Je voudrais aussi donner l’exemple de l’Institut As- prestigieuses institutions académiques internationales. tronomique Roumain, membre de la Société As- Les domaines prioritaires de l’activité de recherche tronomique Européenne. Nous félicitons la création du en Roumanie se retrouvent dans les 14 programmes du Groupe Sud-Est européen au niveau de la Société ayant Plan national pour la recherche, le développement et comme but l’identification efficace des problèmes au l’innovation qui se déroulent sous l’égide des princi- niveau régional, l’échange d’informations sur les paux objectives de développement: modalités de les résoudre dans le contexte régional et l’identification de projets de collaboration au niveau ré- a) Modernisation et relancement de l’économie (8 gional pour leur financement dans le cadre des pro- programmes); grammes de l’Union Européenne. En même temps, b) Renforcement des éléments de la nouvelle nous apprécions l’initiative de l’Institut Astronomique économie appuyé sur le savoir (4 programmes); Roumain de diriger des jeunes vers ce domaine par la c) Stimulation de l’intégration de la communauté sci- création de contrats pour une position de chercheur as- entifique et technologique roumaine dans la com- socié. C’est ici qu’on voudrait féliciter le projet UN- munauté internationale, avec priorité dans celles ESCO des jeunes scientifiques vers leurs pays d’origine. européenne (1 programme); Il y a peu de temps, la Roumanie a reçu la visite d) Recherche pour le progrès général du savoir scien- d’une délégation d’experts de l’UNESCO en vue de la tifique et technique, le développement des poli- réalisation d’un ample projet sur la corrélation des tiques publiques et pour le soutien culturel (1 pro- réseaux informatiques dans la région du Sud-Est eu- gramme). ropéen. Ce programme a en vue le futur de la circula- tion de données résultant des grands projets eu- Le Plan National a comme principe de base le système ropéens. Nous avons déjà exprimé notre disponibilité de compétition par projets de recherche-développement, de participer à ce programme et nous avons proposé développement. Dans certainscas, il y a la possibilité d’al- d’organiser pendant le premier trimestre 2002, une louer des fonds directement. Ce cadre permet la coopéra- première réunion des coordonnateurs des réseaux na- tion dans des projets d’intérêt national et international tionaux, afin de réaliser un inventaire général des be- car nous ne pouvons pas parler de compétitivité indus- soins au niveau national et régional. trielle et technologique, du bienêtre social, sans l’ouver- Je voudrais souligner que la Roumanie, sous l’ad- ture des frontières scientifiques. ministration et la gestion du Ministère de l’Éducation Notre pays a présenté dans le cadre de l’UNESCO et de la Recherche et du Ministère de la Communica- un projet de grande envergure, qui prévoit une ample tion et de la Technologie de l’Information, a lancé des
23 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE programmes de priorité absolue pour la promotion de du déroulement d’un projet régional dans le domaine la technologie de l’information et de la communica- de l’information au bénéfice des pays Sud-Est eu- tion dans toutes les structures de la vie sociale. ropéen. Le Ministère de l’Éducation et de la Recherche Un autre aspect à prendre en considération est déroule le programme INFOSOC en valeur de celui de la réalisation d’un équilibre entre la recherche 1.360.000 Euro (pour 2001), et le Ministère de la dans les pays membres de l’Union Européenne et les Communication et de la Technologie de l’Information pays associés. C’est le sujet du programme des infra- des projets pilots, les plus importants éfant dans le do- structures de recherche et qui se retrouve dans les pri- maine des réseaux informatiques, en valeur de orités de la Roumanie. 720.000 Euro pour cette année. Le projet de Communiqué de notre réunion reflet Dans ce contexte, la Roumanie déclare avoir la ca- des actions de la politique de la Roumanie dans le do- pacité institutionnelle, la compétence professionnelle maine de la recherche scientifique et de la technolo- et la volonté politique pour assumer la responsabilité gie. C’est le motif pour lequel la Roumanie l’adopte.
24 SLOVENIA
Professor Stane Pejovnik State Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Sport
Excellences, cepted with pleasure the participation in the initiative Colleagues, of UNESCO-ROSTE. We do believe that the Na- Distinguished representatives of countries tional Commissions for UNESCO in the countries and international organizations, should participate further; this will ensure that the Ladies and Gentlemen, initiative will remain to UNESCO. We are among the donating countries in the Stability Pact: we are not re- I have decided to inform you about only two main ceivers any more. The activities in the framework of topics: first, about the position of the Republic of the Stability Pact as well for example establishment of Slovenia and its Government concerning the scientif- a center for education policies studies- this is a joint ic cooperation with Central and Southeastern Euro- activity with Austria- reconfirms the position of pean countries, and secondly, about the current activ- Slovenia in the regional peace process. In this respect, ities in this respect, because they do exist. At the end, we want to propose to avoid the establishment of new I would like to define precisely what Slovenia can of- organizations, new institutions, new centers. We fer at this very moment. I will start with a statement favour the use of the existing ones and we propose the that might shock you and some of you might not expansion of their activities like the above mentioned agree. Transition in Slovenia is over. But during the center for education policies studies. rather difficult transition time, we learned a lot, and Thus the activities of UNESCO and Stability Pact some of our experience I would like to share today meet, proving that both activities are complementary, with you. We have seen that the international scien- and not competitive. I believe that could be an exam- tific cooperation should be developed through open- ple that can be used in a very near future. ing towards each and every environment and what is What can we offer as a small country? Of course, especially important by overcoming the exclusion of we have limitations: economic, in people, in any re- certain societies. And secondly, Slovenia is striving spect, but we are able to offer something now. The for this part of Europe, we belong to it, and we want Slovenian Government has formed a special fund that this part of Europe becomes an equal partner in called Ad Futura. This fund will provide fifty scholar- the international commitment so as to enable the ships to foreign students. The only criterion will be countries that recently were involved in conflicts, excellence and we want to include the very best stu- that still are suffering due to transition, to overcome dents from everywhere to participate in the research the distrust and re-start the collaboration among teams that are working in this very moment. Of themselves and other countries as well. But this can course, the countries can select whom to send accord- only be achieved through encouraging their own ini- ing to what are the priorities of the countries, but we tiatives, thus enabling them to use the help and are willing to take over all the costs. achievements of other countries. The essential pre- A remark about the electronic networking. Some condition for resolving the problem of countries in colleagues in the Former Yugoslavia know what crisis is cooperation on equal footing. Slovenia has done in this respect. We are willing to We are convinced that the scientists out of the cooperate further. For instance, we are offering a di- region as well as the international organizations, rect connection Sarajevo-Ljubljana at 2 Mb per sec- UNESCO being one of them, are willing to help. ond and I believe that some basic talks with Bosnia Europe is interested in stability: stability in each and have been already conducted. every European country. Therefore, we fully support And concerning sustainable development. As the programme of the Director General of UNESCO mentioned by my Croatian colleague, the interna- on the need of a real regional development and we ac- tional network of Centres for sustainable develop-
25 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE ment already exists: Albania, B&H, Croatia, Macedo- action. As it can be seen from my report, Slovenia has nia, Yugoslavia have joined. already started in this direction, and we expect that So, we could consider this as a good starting point the donors’ conference will confirm our expectations for a future cooperation in the field of sustainable de- with a real support, and you know what I have in velopment. As the Director General said during his mind, needed for the reconstruction of the scientific introductory intervention, it is just the right time for cooperation in the region.
26 TURKEY
Professor Namik Kemal Pak President,The Scientific and Technical Research Council (TUBITAK)
Excellencies, • Improving and upgrading the national research in- frastructure in a way to enable networking with the It is a great honour for me to address such a distin- existing European research infrastructure, and cre- guished audience. ating favourable conditions for active participation Since we do not have a Ministry of Science in in the work performed in the well established Eu- Turkey, my organisation, The Scientific and Techni- ropean research facilities, such as CERN, EMBL, cal Research Council of Turkey, briefly TUBITAK, ESRF etc. takes care of the duties of such a ministry. TUBITAK operates under the direction of the Prime Minister, • Developing feasible collaborative research projects and is currently attached to the Deputy Prime Minis- in the priority areas specified as ter, Dr Devlet Bahceli. Due to other commitments, Dr (i) life sciences, Bahceli was unable to attend this Round Table Meet- (ii) environmental sciences, ing in person. He asked me to represent him here, and (iii) information & communication technologies, to convey his apologies, kind regards and best wishes. (iv) materials science and (v) sustainable development, concerned especial- Excellencies, ly with the regional problems.
We do appreciate the activities of the Task Force Excellencies, with the support of the UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Technology for Europe (ROSTE), Acad- We consider all of these proposals very useful. Fur- emia Europaea (AE) and European Science Founda- thermore, we believe that the outcome can be most tion (ESF), towards fostering the scientific coopera- beneficial for all parties involved, if national resources tion among the South Eastern European countries and are combined with international contributions in all between these countries and the rest of Europe. of the recommended activities. Some of the South The Task Force appears to have identified a few Eastern European countries are EU members or candi- lines of action towards the integration of the South dates; thus, they are already entitled to participate in Eastern European countries into the European re- the European research programmes, which provide a search. Their proposals include: suitable medium for the realisation of the above men- tioned cooperation. The possibility of enlarging this • Measures towards preventing or at least decelerat- medium to include the other South Eastern European ing the brain drain problem, such as countries needs to be investigated. (i) introducing international research grants for We expect a collaborative research programme to scientists who wish to return home after mak- be launched, to serve as a very suitable initiation for ing a successful career abroad and the desired cooperation. With these considerations, (ii) establishing funds for mobility and training of we propose the Task Force to continue its activities to- young researchers. wards developing some concrete research projects in- volving collaboration of scientists from the EU coun- • Improving and upgrading the national academic tries as well as those from the South Eastern Europe, electronic networks to enable easy access to the preferably complying with the requirements of the EU sources of information and to enable communica- Framework Programmes. If a sufficient number of sci- tion with the leading international scientific and entifically high quality projects can be compiled, academic institutions. these projects can be brought to the attention of the
27 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE international funding bodies, and their contributions Sixth Framework Programme of the European Union. may be requested. The economical hardship we are presently going If successfully realised, this activity may very well through may delay our participation for a while. How- lead to some other modes of cooperation concerning ever, we do not let this situation prevent us from tak- the other proposals of the Task Force, such as, easy ac- ing part in collaborative projects; we are determined cess of the scientists of the region to the European re- to participate in such projects, if necessary, on project- search facilities like CERN, EMBL, ESRF etc., and al- by-project basis, by funding the Turkish part of the location of funds for mobility and training of young re- work out of national resources through my organisa- searchers etc. tion, namely TUBITAK. Being a pre-accession candidate country, Turkey is In conclusion, I would like to repeat that Turkey is very enthusiastic to participate in all kinds of collabo- prepared to participate actively in all collaborative re- rative activities with all European countries. We have search projects, provided the project is scientifically repeatedly declared our intention to participate in the sound and it complies with our national priorities.
28 YUGOSLAVIA
Professor Vuko Domazetovic Federal Secretary for Science and Development
Honourable Ministers, constructive and beneficial ties among the peoples in Distinguished Representatives of UNESCO, European the region so that they can jointly meet their own in- Commission and European Research community, terests and those of the region at large. Rebuilding sci- Ladies and Gentlemen, entific cooperation gives us an excellent opportunity to realize this goal. Today, I have the great pleasure and privilege to In this new century, technology research and inno- address this important gathering on behalf of the Gov- vation will play an increasingly central role in the way ernment of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. in which our societies develop. Together with educa- Our presence at this meeting is a result of the po- tion and training, it is a fundamental pillar of the litical changes in FR Yugoslavia that happened a year “knowledge-based” society, which we gradually see ago and the fact that the new democratically elected emerging. Economic performance and quality of life Government established and re-established our rela- will depend more and more on the production, trans- tions with the major international organizations. As a mission and exploitation of knowledge. positive consequence, FR Yugoslavia and its institu- Scientific research and technological development tions are becoming again almost after a decade of iso- should play an increasingly important and central role lation, a member of European democratic societies, in our societies. Over the years to come they should where it actually belong. become a major focus of effort and investment. After a decade of difficulties we are facing new Economists realized for a long time that research challenges of transition to democratic political system and technological development (R&TD) play a vital and from close to market-oriented economy. role in the process of economic development. Used Expectations from political changes will fail and wisely, science and technology can also help enormous- the democratic reforms will be jeopardized if we are ly to increase the general well being and improve the not able to cope with challenges of the problems in- quality of life for individuals and the society as a whole. herited from our past. Whatever might appear advisable in other fields, At this point, I would like to express our gratitude there is at least one idea that no one disputes today: and compliments to UNESCO-ROSTE for taking ini- European cooperation in the research and technology tiative to organize this meeting that will allow us to is a vital necessity. Being a geographical part of Eu- offer our views in connection with such important is- rope, and intending to become a political part of it, as sue like it is the rebuilding scientific cooperation in soon as possible, this is valid for South East Europe the region of South East Europe. You will agree that too. This idea gradually gaining ground in scientific, scientific cooperation in this region in this very mo- industrial and political circles in South East Europe is ment is more than scientific challenge. It is an impor- rightly perceived to be a highly collective venture. It tant political and development issue. is clear today that in research and technological de- However, we shall have to take into account that velopment South East Europe’s only salvation lies in South East Europe is very heterogeneous and that it systematic and purposeful cooperation. was that is why throughout history this region fre- By coordinating our efforts, concentrating our fa- quently went through conflicts and destructive cilities and combining our human and financial re- processes which adversely affected the development of sources, the ESS countries can create conditions that individual countries and the region as a whole. There- will enable us to make optimum use of our potentials. fore, we think that now, more than at any other time Scientific and technical cooperation on the scale of in our recent past, it is necessary to initiate activities SEE will in many fields supply the necessary “critical and processes conductive to establishing positive, mass” below which there is a little chance of R&TD
29 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE yielding high-quality results. Through cooperation, generators and sources to be directed in the industry full advantage can be taken of the complementary fea- and manufacturing will be supported a s much as pos- tures in know-how, expertise and training found in sible. SEE so that the whole becomes greater than its parts, New S&T development strategy based on the and a combined research effort can be made in highly above mentioned principles will be developed in two interdisciplinary fields, on topics calling for intersec- phases, first as revitalization of the S&T sector during torial approach. Cooperation will also allow full ex- the years 2001-2003, and second as building the inno- ploitation of the potential inherent in the larger SEE vative society and basic innovative infrastructure for market, now emerging, while at the same time helping rapid and sustainable development for the period to establish it. 2003-2008. The second phase will encompass large This theme of the link between SEE countries and number of programmes, just to mention some of them: R&TD and the creation of a larger market is suffi- Basic Research Programme, Technology Develop- ciently important to warrant a detailed examination ment Programme, R&D Facility and Infrastructure of the details involved. Upgrade Programme, etc. If successful, rebuilding the scientific cooperation In the context of this initiative, I would like to in South East Europe will allow accelerated involve- stress the importance of the Communication Network ment of the region in the pan European research Area and Computers Upgrade Programmme, aimed to build as the most important collective effort in this moment and maintain the scientific information network: the in the field of scientific research. SINYU Project. This project is well accommodated to Allow me now to say a few words on the basic one of the main recent initiatives related to making changes in our Science & Technology policy and de- interconnections of the academic networks of SEE velopment strategy in this field in the years to come. countries. It represents the first step in building the Our R&D activities should have a more significant necessary infrastructure for cooperation in all areas of impact on the economy and society. High priority will science and technology in the region. It also initiates be given to the international cooperation in all pro- R&D related to the computer networking. grammes and projects. Particular interest will be fo- Last but not least, I would like to thank the joint cused on the cooperation with EU’s institutions, with- UNESCO-ROSTE/ AE/ ESF Task Force with the in its major R&D programmes. hope that it will continue its important work. We be- Reducing the brain drain by launching special pro- lieve that the realization of the ideas and proposals of- grammes, and establishing good working relations fered in the document “intended actions” would serve with those who have left the country in the last as a good starting point, if we wish to have fast and ef- decade is a must. Knowledge and Technology transfer ficient rebuilding of the scientific cooperation in from local and foreign knowledge and technology South East Europe.
30 YUGOSLAVIA
Professor Dragan Domazet Minister for Science,Technology and Development Republic of Serbia
Honourable Ministers, volvement of S&T in the development of our nations. Distinguished Representatives of UNESCO, European The meeting will be successful only if it initiates a Commission and European Research Community, process that will produce as one of the results a re- Ladies and Gentlemen, gional collaboration model that will maximize all our development potential, especially in S&T, so that it This is the first time that I have the privilege and could become a region of peace, democracy and fast pleasure to address you. A year ago, I was just one of economic growth. the thousands of Yugoslav scientists working abroad, I believe that all SEE countries share the same far from their home country and their roots. Now, I problem related to the science and technology. We have the privilege to work with my colleagues in the have a poorly equipped, disoriented, inefficient S&T Government that set a very difficult goal: to stop eco- sector with low-paid scientists and an underdeveloped nomic, moral and political devastation of the country and R&D infrastructure. Our R&D efforts have not gener- to build a new, innovative society, fully integrated into ally produced a significant impact on our industries, European democratic and economic society, that we economy and society. We all face the brain-drain have to build in this 21st century. This is a great chal- problem that will prevent us from building the knowl- lenge for our new Government, and each of us is tak- edge-based industry that will be the most-profitable ing this as our own personal challenge. industry in the 21st century. Many of us probably share the opinion that in the What are the solutions to these problems? We see 21st century “Knowledge is The Power.” But knowledge the following solution steps: as such is not the magic solution to all the problems of our civilization. Creating knowledge is only the pre- 1. To find the appropriate national and regional de- condition for solving the problems. A second, and velopment strategies with appropriate national pri- most important, precondition is “Wisdom”, or the orities based on specific advantages and strengths ability to use the knowledge in the most effective and of each country. useful way for the society. 2. To build the appropriate R&D infrastructure and Our challenge today is to find and to use “Wisdom” an innovative environment necessary for the real- in order to find the most effective way to use all our po- ization of national priorities and the development tentials and knowledge to build our countries and the strategy. region as a region of peace and progress. We do not 3. Due to the lack of appropriate resources, SEE need a normal, incremental and linear economic countries should put together a part of their re- growth. We need a non-linear and fast economic search capacities, scientists and funds and work to- growth in order to overcome the gap in development gether on a number of collaboration programmes of our region and developed countries. Our challenge that should have a high influence over their econ- is to find out a development model that will provide omy and GDP growth. such a fast and non-linear economic growth and sus- 4. The most developed countries, especially EU, if tainable development. I hope that we all share the they want to contribute to the development of the opinion that the Science and Technology may be and SEE region, should have in mind the interests and should be the major factor in this development model. clearly specified priorities of SEE countries. For ex- I want to express our gratitude and compliments to ample, our priority in Yugoslavia now is to build UNESCO, and more specifically to UNESCO-ROSTE the appropriate R&D infrastructure and few large- for organizing this meeting. The meeting is offering us scale R&D laboratories and centers. This is costly, the opportunity to search for the most effective in- but we estimate that such a infrastructure is what
31 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
we need more than many feasibility studies, train- institutes of Yugoslavia with similar institutions in ing courses and low-impact, small-scale projects, the region and Europe. It can be easily transformed very often offered by some donors. For instance, into a regional initiative for building a scientific what is the purpose of projects such as projects in information network of the SEE region, as part of telemedicine, if we have unreliable, expensive and the GEANT network. slow internet links as poorly equipped hospitals? • The TESLA project, aiming at building a regional research center with high-energy ion beams and Along with these recommendations, the Govern- production of radio isotopes. The Government of ment of Serbia has initiated the following actions: Serbia invested more than 18 million US $ so far and is willing to share this facility with its neigh- •A team of 380 experts is working on a new Na- bours. But due to financial constraints the Govern- tional Development Strategy till 2010 with the ment of Serbia cannot finish this facility without aim to propose the national development priorities help. We hope that the initiative for regional co- and a model for fast economic growth. operation and collaboration will be partially spon- • The following R&D infrastructural programmes sored by the international community willing to and initiatives have been identified as national pri- support the regional R&D collaboration. orities: a) Building a new, broad-band and high perform- I am sure that other SEE countries also have some ance scientific internet network, as part of the programmes that could be of our interest. In order to European GEANT network and the similar re- identify potentials for regional collaboration, it will gional network that we want to initiate. be necessary that we meet from time to time and dis- b) Building few medium-size R&D facilities that cuss such initiatives. We would like to propose that will provide world-class R&D conditions that we organize such ministerial meetings regularly, will generate the knowledge, build the expertise twice a year. and human resources, as well as technologies for the new, knowledge-based industry that we Honourable participants, want to develop. c) Building a new innovative infrastructure that We can achieve much more, if we collaborate and will include incubators of new, technology-ori- cooperate, especially on costly programmes that might ented companies, and science and technology be of common interest. By optimizing tiny R&D re- parks targeting to attract foreign companies and sources and sharing such costly facilities, we can real- MNCs to operate in four new technological ize our plans easier and faster. We hope that the de- zones of development planned to be build in veloped countries will respect our priorities and pri- university cities along the corridor 10. marily support initiatives that are in line with these priorities. •A special programme is being prepared for brain drain reduction. It includes the provision of low- We are fully supporting the initiative for a special rent apartments for young scientists and experts, regional donors’ conference that will focus only on special project and R&D grants and schemes. Science & Technology. We also support the ideas and proposals offered in the document “Intended Ac- Some of these initiatives might be of interest for tions”, as a good starting point for an efficient and ef- some of our neighbours. Sharing the cost and the ben- fective scientific cooperation in South East Europe. efits of such facilities of common interest, all parties involved may realize their development needs sooner. Mr Chairman, On this occasion, I am offering to our neighbours two Honourable participants, of such initiatives: I hope that today we have initiated a process that • The SINYu project (The Scientific Information will lead us to The Wisdom that we need. We must Network of Yugoslavia) aiming at linking by high- not miss this opportunity, as we did on so many occa- performance Internet network all universities and sions in the past.
32 CONTRIBUTION BY THE CO-ORGANIZERS OF THE VENICE CONFERENCE AND TASK FORCE REPRESENTATIVES
The Session was chaired by Professor Herwig Schopper, Chairman of the Venice Conference of Experts, held on 24-27 March 2001
Mr Walter Erdelen Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, UNESCO
Excellencies, Ambitious but realistic regional projects in the life Ministers and Ambassadors, sciences, environmental sciences, computer science Distinguished delegates to the General Conference, and information technologies, materials science and Ladies and Gentlemen, sustainable development could and should contribute not only to solving important practical problems of Let me begin by adding my own personal word of the region, but also to revitalizing national S&T sys- welcome to you all gathered here in UNESCO for this tems. most important event. By its very nature, science is an It is one of UNESCO’s major goals to facilitate the activity without borders, mobilizing efforts for solving application of knowledge and the mobilization of the complex and challenging problems facing society. skills for the solution (or prevention) of problems that In the wake of the crises that occurred in the South- Member States are facing. This “service to Member eastern European countries throughout the nineties, I States” role is chiefly embodied in capacity-building, strongly believe that scientific cooperation can – and technical advice, policy-making assistance and what should – make an important contribution to the stabi- are commonly referred to as “cooperation for develop- lization process in the region. ment” activities. This idea inspired the Venice International Con- The programmes currently being examined by the ference of Experts on Reconstruction of Scientific Co- 31st Session of the General Conference concentrate operation in South East Europe which was held in on five principal priorities: March this year organized by the UNESCO Regional - basic education for all, Bureau for Science for Europe (ROSTE), in coopera- - water resources and related ecosystems, tion with the Academia Europaea and the European - the ethics of science and technology Science Foundation. - cultural pluralism and dialogue among cultures and Many of the experts here present took part in the civilizations, and Venice Conference and contributed significantly to - access to information, especially in the public do- its success. As you will know from the distributed ma- main. terials, the Venice Conference identified certain pri- orities and recommended lines for future actions: Ladies and Gentlemen,
• Rebuilding the work-force and national expertise It is widely recognized today that Man and his en- with a solid scientific and technological back- vironment are inseparable. It is no coincidence that ground; culture and the environmental sciences are closer than ever before. The structure of UNESCO itself re- • Building and completion of the national academic flects the conviction that culture and environment electronic networks, their interconnection within are interrelated, and that this interaction is of direct the SEE region and connection to the pan-Euro- benefit to society. pean and global nets; The promotion of trans-boundary biosphere re- serves within UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Pro- •Up-grading the research facilities of the region; gramme, and biodiversity conservation, are to be pur- sued in Central and Eastern Europe, with the help of • and, finally, stimulating collaborative S&T proj- the UNESCO Venice Office, as a means of enhancing ects in Southeast Europe involving partners from peace and the sustainable use of living resources and the rest of Europe. the integrated management of ecosystems.
35 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
The International Hydrological Programme (IHP) seeking partnerships. We strongly believe that this offers very encouraging prospects for increasing scien- ministerial Round Table on Rebuilding Scientific tific dialogue among countries sharing water re- Cooperation in Southeast Europe will contribute to sources. It is noteworthy that in South East Europe, a radical review, a stocktaking, a dispassionate at- river systems, watersheds and the underlying aquifers tempt to compare opinions, policies and prac- need to be analysed as a whole, including natural and tices. This is why UNESCO is here, on the strength human-induced processes at various scales in space of its ethical vocation and intellectual mission with- and time, in order to derive appropriate water man- in the international scientific community, to stage agement practices. this meeting. In this particular venture, two impor- UNESCO contributes to, and participates in, glob- tant Non-Governmental Organizations were in- al efforts that enhance disaster prevention and risk re- volved from the very beginning: the European Sci- duction. The International Geological Correlation ence Foundation uniting research agencies and insti- Programme (IGCP) is developing a project on earth- tutes from many European countries, and the Acade- quake hazards in the Mediterranean region. mia Europaea bringing together the most eminent New perspectives in marine environmental protec- European scientists. Intensive contacts have also tion require new integrated approaches in research as been established with the European Commission, well as management. The Intergovernmental Oceano- CERN, the Max Planck Society, EUROSCIENCE graphic Commission (IOC) began implementing the and many national institutions in the countries of Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) in 1998. In Southeast Europe. We are convinced that only by this context, there appear to be several areas where the acting together would we be able to be wholly effec- South Eastern European countries might be able to col- tive and useful to the countries of the region. laborate in the Mediterranean-Adriatic-Ionic and the The General Conference of UNESCO has offered Black Sea context. us an excellent opportunity for gathering together The new initiative to boost electronic networking Ministers and senior officials responsible for the re- of research institutes and universities in the South- search policies in their countries. eastern Europe, launched by the UNESCO Venice Office in cooperation with our Communication and Ladies and Gentlemen, Information Sector, and in association with CERN, the ESF and the Academia Europaea, should improve Let me conclude by underscoring my personal con- research work and facilitate the involvement of the viction that dialogue among civilizations is a central scientific community of the region in a pan-European issue for the harmonious future of pan-European coop- research space. eration in science and technology. This implies a true sense of responsibility and solidarity on the part of the Ladies and Gentlemen, scientific community and governments alike. This Round Table, and your presence today, are clear and For action on such a scale, UNESCO is always tangible expressions of the will to succeed in this.
36 Professor Norbert Kroo European Science Foudation
Excellencies, this problem expects the answer mainly from the con- Ladies and Gentlemen, cept, called European Research Area and its support- Dear Guests, ive 6th Framework Programme. There are a few ele- ments in this programme I want to emphasize now. It gives me a great pleasure to welcome you to this One is the lack of intellectual capacity and my hope is meeting on behalf of the European Science Founda- that the enlarged Europe is able to supply at least part- tion. Unfortunately, neither the President, Dr van ly this missing capacity. The other element I would Duinen, nor the Secretary-General, Professor Enric like to emphasize is connected to the already several Banda, can be here today but both asked me to say times mentioned Stability Pact, and stability in gener- that they wish the meeting every success and are look- al. Stability is of vital importance for the development ing forward to seeing a very positive outcome from of the economies and therefore science is an inherent this initiative for South East Europe. Personally it is source of stability too, being one of the most impor- always a great pleasure to speak on behalf of ESF, the tant bases of development in knowledge based association of research councils, national research or- economies. Therefore, cooperation in science, which ganizations, and academies of sciences and arts of 27 is one of the basic instruments of scientific develop- countries. As the Chairman, Professor Schopper, ment furthermore peaceful competition, which is a mentioned, I am from Hungary, representing the driving force of it, are vitally important and the bal- Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Hungarian ance between them is badly needed. National Fund. They were among the first new mem- The ESF, this prominent European organization in bers of ESF following the lifting of the Iron Curtain research, gains in significance in recent times. This or- from Europe and it was an important step for science ganization has five basic aims: in my country to join this influential European family. Knowledge is getting more and more important in 1. cooperation on European level in basic research the world. We are speaking about knowledge-based and the fostering of it, societies. But at the same time we experience the dry- 2. science and research policy issues to give advice ing out of the existing technologies and we know that on it, most of the badly needed new technologies will be 3. mobility of researchers and free flow of ideas, based on new ideas, coming mostly out of research. 4. cooperation at existing facilities and planning and Another significant change of our age is that the sci- provision of new ones, ence of the 21st century is and will be different from 5. planning and managing of the collaborative re- that of the 20th. While earlier it was disciplinary-ori- search. Since these aims co-inside with the goals of ented now we are facing a problem-oriented age where this conference, we are – of course – here. multi-disciplinary approaches are needed and where applications get a stronger emphasis. At the same A few words about South East Europe: in addition time, we in Europe are facing another problem, which to the sad experience of the recent past, I think the is called European innovation paradox, meaning that, last events of September 11th demand from us that we while in basic research we are doing reasonably well, should pay much more attention to stability and so to in its utilization we are lagging behind the other two stability of research in the region. The region needs a big centers of R&D in the world, namely the USA lot of help in order to make it able to contribute to and the Far East. broad scientific cooperation, we have to help to har- In this picture science has an increasing signifi- monize local science policies with all-European cance. The European Union when looking to solve trends. The mobility of the researchers should be
37 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE made a two-way street instead of a one-way one. prepare this Round Table in the hope of a positive There should be a chance to scale-up the existing re- outcome. And we would like to continue to partici- search facilities in the region and regional and all-Eu- pate in the evolution of this initiative together with ropean research programmes should also be supported. UNESCO, which has always been the driving force, with Academia Europaea and with the European If you look at these points, you may see that they Union. I wish that this conference should contribute coincide with the basic aims of the European Sci- to this goal and should help to solve the existing ence Foundation. That is why the Foundation was problems. My hope is that through these efforts Eu- very happy to join forces with UNESCO, Academia rope will be stronger, more prosperous and more sta- Europaea and the European Union to organize the ble. I wish once more success to this conference on sequence of meetings: Venice, Task Force meetings behalf of the European Science Foundation and to in Geneva, Paris, Budapest and Venice in order to our common work in the future.
38 Professor Ian Butterworth Vice-President, Academia Europaea
Mr President, ample, the Academia itself is organising1 an interna- Ministers, tional conference in 2002 looking at “Excellence in Ladies and Gentlemen, Higher Education in Europe”, including a regional perspective. We have also been discussing with The Academia Europaea is honoured to be invited UNESCO-ROSTE, the provision of a series of “Acad- to make a statement of support for the proposed ini- emia Masterclasses” to be held across the region and tiatives that form the basis of this Round Table of given by Academia scientists to the upcoming genera- Ministers. tion of researchers and students. Therefore, we would The Academia Europaea is the only truly pan-Eu- encourage UNESCO, and its Task Force, to seek to ropean Academy of Sciences, Humanities and Letters co-ordinate any initiatives, with those of other inter- speaking with the authority of our 2000 members, in- national bodies with a track record in supporting in- ternationally renowned and eminent scholars from all ternational scientific cooperation, with the aim of the countries of Europe. We are particularly pleased to maximizing their impact. see a number of our members here today as experts or as representatives of their countries or organisations from the region. Turning to the priorities for regional scientific We should remember that we are not starting from cooperation zero in terms of international scientific cooperation. There already exists an extensive and active European The UNESCO-Academia Europaea-ESF co-ordi- infrastructure to support scientific collaboration. The nated conference in Venice, and the work of the Task region is already actively engaged in at least some of Force with individual countries identified a number of these. The Academia Europaea itself, the European barriers to the better integration of the region into Eu- Science Foundation, UNESCO, the COST coopera- ropean scientific cooperation, and made recommenda- tion and of course the Framework programmes of the tions which seek to improve research capacity and infra- European Union - all provide opportunities for the re- structure. Many could be delivered nationally but some gion. But the events of recent history have collective- can only be achieved on a co-ordinated regional basis. ly damaged the regional infrastructure and capacity of Thus, the Venice Conference recognised the lack the scientific communities’ abilities to capture many of large bandwidth computing networks for research of these opportunities. This Ministerial meeting is and training as the largest single impediment to therefore timely. Not least in the context of the gen- strengthening scientific cooperation around the coun- eral desire to build a genuine and effective European tries of South East Europe. I have just returned from Research Space. A concept that the Academia strong- fact-finding visits to Romania and Bosnia-Herzegov- ly supports. ina in connection with such networks. It was clear to At this point, we (the Academia) would make a me that what is needed is a regional network for South plea not to re-invent the wheel. We must avoid re- East Europe, collaboratively owned by the various ducing the impact of these initiatives through unnec- states. Such collaboration would be important not on- essary duplication of activities. All the organisations I ly for scientific reasons but to encourage collaboration have mentioned have ongoing activities that could be on a broader basis. Computer screens do not distin- complimentary to those discussed here today. For ex- guish national identities.
1 In conjunction with the International Academy of Education and the Wenner Gren Foundation of Stockholm.
39 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
The Academia feels it important to draw the Min- flexibly and quickly to scientific opportunities. The isters’ attention, to the need for each regional admin- recommendations for action put before you today will istration to look also at their national systems for sci- tackle certain constraints. They are critically impor- entific policy management, research prioritisation and tant but they are incomplete. Agreement to support systems for allocating funds. A recent cooperation be- these actions, must also be accompanied by a clear re- tween the Academia and one of the regional adminis- quest to the countries in the region, to identify and trations represented here today, identified a number of eliminate any national institutional, administrative or institutional weaknesses that may be the case across legal barriers that could reduce effectiveness of these the region. They can be summarised as a tendency to initiatives. ‘over-management’ from the centre: science policy, re- Mr President and Ministers: the Academia Eu- search priorities and funding allocations, (even down ropaea will be pleased to continue to work with to the individual grant application), all being decided UNESCO and the other agencies and organisations at the centre. There are a number of disadvantages to across Europe, in seeking to achieve an effective re- this approach which is not followed by the rest of Eu- building of cooperation in the region. We are grateful rope. Such centralised systems tend to become politi- for the opportunity to state our views on this important cised and sclerotic, decreasing their ability to respond matter.
40 Professor Herwig Schopper Chairman,Venice Conference of Experts
After having heard the important and encouraging training and in establishing the necessary infrastruc- statements of the Ministers from the region and the ture, third, to identify some strategic fields of research interventions of the supporting organizations, the and propose concrete actions. The guiding principles time comes for the concrete results of the Venice during all these discussions were to mobilize the best Conference of Experts because after all that is the ba- local and regional expertise to promote competitive- sis for this meeting, the basis for the communiqué I ness and excellence and all that with a strong empha- hope, will be approved at the end. sis on promoting young scientists. Of course, the ini- Since most of what I wanted to say has been said tiative for any new activity must come from the coun- already because of the restructuring of the agenda, I tries themselves. All we can do from the outside is to will be very brief. Science is certainly the essential ba- help them that they will help themselves. We became sis for cultural life and economy and it seems urgent to aware during the conference that the situation in the make an attempt to re-establish scientific cooperation different countries is quite different, as it has been in the region. To be successful such an initiative must pointed out by some of the Ministers. At the Venice involve both politicians and scientists. Revitalization meeting and at the follow-up meetings of the task could provide a better basis for such an undertaking of force, we tried to concentrate on concrete proposals. UNESCO, which has an excellent reputation among We thought that producing proceedings was not the Governments and after all still has the S in its enough, because the danger is that they would not be acronym. In particular, the Regional Office for Sci- read and there will be no concrete consequences. ence and Technology: ROSTE in Venice, seems to be Therefore, we proposed concrete actions to be pre- an excellent tool for coordinating this efforts and sented to you in different fields in a few minutes by thanks to the initiative of the Director of ROSTE, the rapporteurs. Let me use this moment to thank the Professor Pierre Lasserre, the three organizations: rapporteurs for the work they did, but I also want to UNESCO/ Academia Europaea and European Sci- thank warmly those colleagues who did most of the ence Foundation agreed to set up this task force of ex- work to organize the Venice Conference and also this perts composed both of members of the scientific com- meeting who are Pierre Lasserre, the Director of munity inside and outside the region. This Task Force ROSTE in Venice, Peter Colyer, the Executive Sec- decided to organize a conference with the title “Re- retary of AE, and Tony Mayer Secretary of ESF. And construction of the Scientific Cooperation in South last not least, Ambassador Simeon Anguelov who East Europe”. The term “reconstruction” in the title was the Secretary of the Task Force. We all hope that was selected after long deliberations, and I think it this round table will end with a declaration, which was suitably chosen. It indicates that we do not have will provide us with concrete and encouraging bases to deal with a situation where science has to be start- for reestablishing and creating many new scientific ed from nothing, but on the contrary, South East Eu- cooperations. For this purpose, nothing can be done rope has contributed to European science during the without money. Therefore, the idea of a donors’ con- past centuries in many ways and we can only deplore ference came up, but let me warn you: I think one can- that the political events in the recent history make it not ask for sponsors and sit back and do nothing. One necessary that a restart is needed in some areas. idea, which came up again and again during our work The main objectives of the Venice Conference was the idea of co-financing. I think it will be very dif- were the following: first, to take stock of the most im- ficult to ask other organizations to finance projects portant ongoing scientific research projects, which unless even a small effort is done by the country pro- still exist in the region, second, to explore the possi- posing the project. Let me emphasize this idea of co-fi- bilities of future regional cooperations in research, nancing very strongly.
41 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
A second point I would like to make is: during our Force and ROSTE in particular has already started to work I was sometimes struck a little bit that many sci- become active in this respect for instance in the field entists and some politicians in the region still pre- of information technologies. dominantly think about national projects. I was en- To conclude, I believe that the scientific collabora- couraged by some of the statements made by the Min- tion is an excellent tool to establish and promote a isters, that they are open now to regional and interna- better understanding between people of various eth- tional projects. I have the impression that still some nic origins having different cultural traditions or reli- development of the mentality is needed, and I am gions and being subjects of variety of political systems. convinced that all the projects we are going to discuss Working on common scientific problems builds mutu- will succeed only if they are realized through a real re- al confidence and trust. I am confident that the activ- gional or international collaboration. This might re- ities, which might result from this meeting will help to quire sometimes help from the outside and the Task foster these human values.
42 M. Pierre Lasserre Directeur, Bureau Régional de l’UNESCO pour la Science en l’Europe (ROSTE)
La conférence internationale d’experts de Venise, nité unique de renforcer les liens entre communautés co-organisée par l’UNESCO et son Bureau de Venise, scientifiques trop souvent isolées. On nous a re- Academia Europaea et la Fondation européenne pour proché quelques fois de ne pas parler suffisamment de la science, a réuni des experts de 20 pays de l’Europe sciences sociales. Je pense que c’est effectivement en au mois de mars 2001 dont 11 pays de l’Europe du Sud- partie vrai: une majorité des participants à la con- Est, de nombreuses organisations intergouvernemen- férence de Venise provenait du monde des sciences tales et non gouvernementales, dont l’UNITAR et le exactes et naturelles. Il n’en demeure pas moins CERN à Genève, la Commission européenne, TERE- qu’ils étaient animés par le souhait de cibler leurs NA. Je dois aussi souligner le fait que deux journaux recherches vers des préoccupations sociales. Par con- bien connus des scientifiques, Nature et Science, séquent, nous tiendrons le plus grand compte, Mon- étaient également représentés et cela était une chose sieur le Ministre Possa, des conseils que vous nous qui nous a beaucoup encouragé pour aller de l’avant. avez prodigués. Je voudrais ici citer une phrase de Le volume des Actes (Proceedings) représente un tra- Monsieur Schwartzenberg, Ministre de la recherche vail considérable. C’est le résultat d’une action collec- de la France, prononcée lors d’un colloque interna- tive de tous les participants. Les interventions des tional organisé à la Sorbonne en novembre 2000, sur représentants de chaque pays de l’Europe du Sud-Est les rapports entre science et société ; il disait qu’il fal- ont été suivies par des débats animés, établis autour de lait “re-politiser la science, c’est-à-dire lui faire cinq sessions: Session I: revue des projets considérés retrouver sa place dans la cité”. Voilà, je pense, un comme prioritaires, Session II: ressources humaines, programme qui évidemment interpelle tous les scien- Session III et IV: revitalisation des infrastructures, tifiques que nous sommes et certainement tout parti- réseaux électroniques et technologies de communica- culièrement dans le cadre de cette action en faveur tion en recherche scientifiques, thèmes qui sont ap- des pays de l’Europe du Sud-Est. Il appartient aux parus certainement comme les plus porteurs, et la Ses- gouvernements de débattre davantage des choix sci- sion V qui traitait de l’impact de la science sur l’é- entifiques et technologiques en organisant péri- conomie et sur le développement social. Ainsi que l’a odiquement des rencontres entre scientifiques et exprimé Monsieur le Ministre Possa de l’Italie, le citoyens, en donnant à la recherche scientifique thème de l’ingénierie doit être également fortement toute sa dimension dans le débat civique, si néces- soutenu. L’assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de saire à toute démocratie. Je pense aussi que nous l’Europe, réunie récemment à Strasbourg, a adopté tenons absolument à ce que tout cet effort tenté vers une résolution qui très clairement encourage une reconstruction de la coopération scientifique l’UNESCO à développer un programme sur la forma- dans cette région soit réalisé dans un cadre résolu- tion avancée des jeunes scientifiques dans le cadre eu- ment pan-européen. Je sais que dans cette salle nous ropéen et en particulier articulé sur les pays du Sud-Est avons aussi d’éminents représentants de l’Europe européen. centrale et orientale qui ont tenu à apporter leur sou- Cette table ronde ministérielle a été pressentie tien à cette Table ronde. par les experts qui ont participé à la conférence de Merci infiniment pour votre aide et vos encourage- Venise comme une nécessité, comme une opportu- ments.
43 Professor Alexander Boksenberg Fellow of the Royal Society, Cambridge
Human resources, training and fellowships Centers of excellence with a high reputation and a high rating in science attract international visitors, Solving the human resources problem is really the which also raises the governments’ view of science fundamental priority in rebuilding the scientific coop- generally. If one is successful, it enables partnerships eration in South East Europe. There exists in South and collaborations, and creates a greater awareness of East Europe an intrinsically high intellectual capacity science. This is much more than simply raising the in science with a high potential of advancement in profile for its intrinsic use of science that one should world terms, but currently underused. And in the cli- have internationally recognized centres of excellence. mate of limited opportunity, brain drain is the natural I am working in one such Centre of excellence and I result. So, let’s see what are the factors to facilitate a see the value of this, and, in particular, the way it at- constructive brain drain reversal. Now, I want to be tracts visitors internationally, thus allowing collabora- clear here: I don’t simply mean bringing back people; tions and partnerships to begin, and all these are very I also mean bringing in people, in other words, making positive things. an attractive environment. As such this is also a fun- Access to large facilities: what I do. I make a grant damental requirement for the science recovery and application to apply to use the space facilities of ESA, sustained advancement in the region, factors to facili- of ground-based telescopes of ESO and also some of tate a constructive brain drain reversal. There are two CERN. This is a very straightforward way of operat- main tasks to be solved: ing, if one doesn’t have one’s own facilities. There is an advantage too in building instruments for these fa- • Development of centres of excellence to raise the in- cilities, so having in one’s infrastructure laboratories is ternational status of South East Europe science ac- a benefit but it is not essential. tivity; I don’t here mean new centers, I mean a de- And finally networks. It is not simply here a mat- velopment of the existing centers to a level of excel- ter of being in communication, exchanging e-mails lence, and I’ll explain why that is very important and and so on. There are data banks. One could have in relevant apart from its obvious importance. fact access to vast data archives, which allow original • Access to the use of leading European research facil- research, and don’t require the equipment, which ities by South East European scientists; comprehen- produce the data in the first place; usually, this is sive information and communication networks. done by the most developed countries. At the end, one has to produce papers and put them into the net- Before addressing these issues in some more detail, work and also allow them to be published, so, one I’ll give you some of my own experiences. I am an as- needs the access through the net to the scientific tronomer after have been physicist. It has been said journals. This very important process of acquiring that science is without boarders, now you might think data and contributing data is part of the whole won- astronomy is without uses but this is not so. Science is, derful process of science in which really there are no of course, the fundamental basis for astronomy, it’s the secrets. application of whole science, all physics discoveries I would say have come through astronomy and technol- ogy through its challenges also is developed. But it is Factors to facilitate very important too in training in science. I had stu- the constructive brain drain reversal dents myself who worked with galaxies and intergalac- tic medium and then went to work in climate change I have just mentioned things so far. Of course, one with the same tools. needs to consider the people. It has been said already,
44 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE and it is very important. Repatriation grants are need- They can undertake research and participate in visits ed to enable scientists who have gone away to return projects and conferences through grants given by the to work to their home countries with provisions for Royal Society. This requires funds and agreements salaries and equipment. And salaries have been men- with other organizations. So let me come to the bot- tioned today too: they really have to be attractive. tom line. There are some proposed actions in the doc- Joint research and teaching appointments among ument prepared for the Round Table: South East European countries and with the leading institutions abroad are crucial. Easy access to fellow- • Instituting international competitive grants, ships across the South East European countries and which should provide funds for equipment and two-way scientific exchanges between the region and salaries, in particular, for those scientists who have abroad are all needed. But on the positive side as it made part of their successful carriers abroad and was already said, the positive side of the brain drain, is wish to return to their home countries. that young people benefit from the knowledge they gain scientifically in more developed countries, and • Establishing a fund for exchanging young scientists therefore this process of going away but coming back visiting professor, research workers, engineers and too and, as I said before, being sufficiently attractive technicians within the region, and organizing spe- to bring in people who did not even leave the country, cific training for scientific managers those are the but come from other countries is part of that whole proposed actions. process of reconstruction. A role for academies and scientific organizations comes here. An example is the They are one part of the story, but the other part of Royal Society, where there are 3000 foreign scientists. the story is internal self-help.
45 Professeur Pierre Papon Ecole de Physique et Chimie Industrielles de Paris, Observatoire des Sciences et des Techniques,Paris
Un programme d’action pour une approche l’importance des infrastructures de recherche pour sa inter-régionale des infrastructures de recherche compétitivité scientifique. Elle a progressivement construit un réseau d’organisations européennes (une L’instrumentation scientifique a toujours joué un douzaine au total) qui ont reçu la mission de construi- rôle central dans la recherche scientifique mais depuis re et de gérer de grandes infrastructures. Le CERN, une cinquantaine d’années l’évolution de la science et fondé en 1954, est la première d’entre elles, l’ESRF le progrès des techniques instrumentales ont favorisé (European synchrotron radiation facility), l’EMBO en la construction de très grands équipements (accéléra- biologie, en sont deux autres exemples. Puis, plus ré- teurs de particules, réacteurs à neutrons, radio-téles- cemment, à travers le Programme-Cadre pour la re- copes, etc.) qui sont devenus indispensables dans cer- cherche de l’Union européenne et des coopérations taines disciplines. Certaines de ces machines (réac- bilatérales, elle a pratiqué une ouverture des infra- teurs neutroniques, accélérateurs émettant le rayon- structures de recherche nationales aux chercheurs des nement synchrotron) sont désormais largement utili- autres pays. Cette politique, poursuivie avec une cer- sées par les physiciens, les chimistes et les biologistes taine continuité, basée sur la coopération scientifique qui étudient les propriétés des solides et des liquides entre partenaires, a probablement contribué à mainte- ainsi que les structures des molécules complexes telles nir, voir à accroître la compétitivité scientifique de que les protéines. l’Europe, comme l’attestent plusieurs indicateurs de la Aujourd’hui, le concept “d’infrastructure de re- science (le poids mondial de la production scienti- cherché” englobe des catégories très différentes fique européenne mesurée en termes de publications d’équipements scientifiques pour la recherche: – les est supérieur à celui des Etats-Unis). grandes machines (accélérateurs, réacteurs, etc.) – des Il n’est donc pas exagéré de considérer qu’aujour- installations de taille moyenne qui ont des perform- d’hui les infrastructures de recherche sont la colonne ances spécifiques et sont parfois utilisées en complé- vertébrale des activités scientifiques dans tous les do- ment des très grands équipements (spectromètres de maines de la science. masse, de résonance magnétique, lasers, etc.) – des banques de données spécifiques (en biologie et en sciences sociales, par exemple) – des archives – des la- Des propositions d’action boratoires de service (produisant par exemple des sou- ris transgéniques). Il faut souligner que l’accroisse- La conférence, organisée par le bureau ROSTE à ment de la puissance des ordinateurs et de leur vitesse Venise du 24 au 27 mars 2001, a fait clairement appa- de traitement des informations a facilité le traitement raître d’une part, les besoins des pays de l’Europe du et l’archivage des données produites par les infrastruc- Sud-Est de l’Europe en infrastructures de recherche, tures. Enfin, les programmes de recherché qui s’inté- mettant en œuvre des techniques modernes, et d’autre ressent à des problèmes “globaux” (à l’échelle de la part, les opportunités qui pourraient s’offrir à des co- planète comme l’évolution du climat ou de régions, opérations entre les pays de la région pour l’utilisation comme des zones côtières) ont rendu nécessaire la de tels équipements (instrumentation de pointe pour construction de stations de terrain avec des équipe- la recherche en physique, chimie et biologie, navires ments spécifiques (sismographes, par exemple), de na- pour la recherche océanographique côtière, réseaux de vires océanographiques, de réseaux de suivi de l’évolu- sismographes, etc.). Il est apparu par ailleurs que les tion d’écosystèmes, etc. qui sont aussi des infrastruc- scientifiques des pays de la région ont besoin d’accéder tures de recherche importantes. aux grandes infrastructures européennes qui ont été L’Europe a pris progressivement conscience de crées ces trente dernières années et dont certaines
46 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
(l’Ill et l’ESRF en particulier) sont des laboratoires au • Dans une étape préliminaire, qui pourrait être rela- service de larges communautés scientifiques. Des tra- tivement brève (six mois) l’identification des infra- vaux de la conférence de Venise et de ceux de la “task- structures existantes dans les pays de l’ESE et ayant force” se sont dégagées un certain nombre de proposi- une dimension inter-régionale devrait être entre- tions d’action: prise; les possibilités de les moderniser devraient être étudiées pour certaines d’entre elles. • Encourager et faciliter la mise en réseau des infra- •Dans une deuxième étape, des mécanismes et des structures de recherche existantes et la construc- directives pour permettre l’accès à ces équipements tion de nouvelles infrastructures d’intérêt régional, et dans toute la mesure du possible leur mise en ré- en priorité des équipements de taille moyenne. seau, devraient être proposés. Une évaluation des infrastructures existantes et des •Dans une troisième étape, il serait procédé à besoins les plus urgents devrait constituer la pre- l’identification et à l’évaluation: – des projets pour mière étape de la mise en œuvre d’une telle action. la construction de nouvelles infrastructures de • Faciliter l’accès aux infrastructures existantes natio- taille moyenne, ayant une dimension inter-régio- nales de taille moyenne, telles que: lasers, spectro- nale pour les pays de l’ESE; – des besoins de for- mètres, sismographes, stations marines et leurs na- mation de haut niveau pour les chercheurs des vires côtiers, et plate-formes d’observation etc., ain- pays de la région (la réalisation effective de cette si que l’accès et une participation active aux activi- étape s’échelonnerait, elle, sur plusieurs années, tés des principaux centres nationaux et européens projet par projet). (tels que le CERN, l’EMBL, l’ESRF, Elettra etc.). • Former les scientifiques à l’utilisation des tech- L’exploration des moyens de financement possibles niques instrumentales les plus modernes sur les in- pour la mise en œuvre de l’ensemble du programme frastructures existantes, en particulier dans les pays (deuxième et troisième étapes) devrait être effectuée de l’Union européenne. La formation de gestion- en parallèle. naires de futures infrastructures devrait être égale- ment entreprise. La réalisation d’un tel programme d’action n’est possible que si les institutions scientifiques des pays concernés décident de travailler ensemble pour at- Un échéancier teindre les objectifs qui ont été proposés lors de la ré- union de Venise. La “task-force” a recommandé que la mise en Cette coopération devrait leur permettre d’at- œuvre de telles mesures soit échelonnée avec un ca- teindre collectivement la masse critique dans un cer- lendrier précis: tain nombre de domaines de la recherche.
47 Dr Hans F.Hoffmann CERN
Information Technologies and Computer stner, IBM, where he talked about “a billion people in- Networks for Research and Training teracting with a million e-businesses with a trillion in- telligent devices interconnected.” By its very nature, science is an activity without As in the past such developments start in sciences borders, having the strong and unique capacity to mo- and introduce themselves rapidly into business. bilize the intellectual effort on both theoretical and Therefore the scientific reconstruction and connec- practical problems. Amongst the basic features of sci- tion to the rest of the scientific world needs to be ence is a continuous, open dialog, questioning re- based to a considerable degree on Information Tech- ceived wisdom and prejudices. nologies and, in particular, on computer networks. After the crisis in South East Europe, rebuilding The principal ingredient needed is educated and scientific cooperation is an important element of the talented persons working in any well-connected place stabilization process in the region. supplemented by rather modest additional local com- Open, immediate and unhindered scientific com- puting hardware. This principal “ingredient” to a sus- munication, exchange of data, remote participation to tainable scientific and industrial development exists major scientific undertakings is provided by the pre- to a high degree in the region. The scarcity of such cipitous developments of the internet and additional persons in Europe and other developed regions is utilities such as the World Wide Web and the Grid. widely debated and many such talented people have The progress envisaged is nicely described in a recent left the South East European countries for scientific or statement on the future of networked computing, industrial jobs elsewhere. Therefore in the same way communications and subsequent business by Lou Ger- as highways, bridges, railways and power transmission
Research & Higher Education Institutions Thematic fields of Research and Education
National Networks One National Internet Exchange Point per Country National Backbone
SEE Regional Network Tw o Regional Internet Exchange Points Regional Broadband Backbone
GEANT - Other Networks
Figure 1: Connection of research and higher education institutes to the European scientific and other networks.
48 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE lines are reconstructed also a modern electronic com- civil engineering of providing the “sewer pipe” like munication infrastructure is mandatory. basic infrastructure for the fibre optic cables, repeaters It is mandatory for world level science to have ac- and other electronic routing equipment. Providing cess to distant research facilities, digital libraries, sci- simple and transparent opportunities for routing and entific databases and depositories, networked comput- constructing such infrastructure using local industries ing facilities and distant training. will greatly facilitate the rapid deployment of the This interdependence is summarised in Fig. 1 be- wanted communication infrastructure. low1. This means in particular to implement transparent The services to be shared with the international and simple legislation alleviating the routing and con- partners are stated in Figure 2. struction work. Furthermore tender procedures are re- In more detail the network architecture in South quired for the providing the networking components East Europe will be based on local networks connect- such as fibres, routers, and base level services that are ed to national and regional networks, which in turn open to complete international competition. should be connected to the European infrastructure. CERN, as an international research facility with Local and regional Telecoms are potential partners close, existing ties to all countries in the region and as well as international Internet providers and net- recognised for its achievements in advanced scientific work equipment suppliers. applications of Information Technologies, can provide It should be noted that a very important part of the “disinterested” consultancy and high level training cost of providing connectivity has to be spent in basic opportunities in all aspects of the described problem.
International Partners Services SEE Partners
Research Specific applications Research & Higher Education & services & Higher Education Institutions Institutions Data bases & libraries Life sciences - Environment sciences Life sciences - Environment sciences Computer science - Materials sciences Access to Computer science - Materials sciences Sustainable development Research infrastructure Sustainable development
Shared applications International Regional & National & services Internet Internet Teleconferencing Exchange Nodes Groupware Exchange Nodes Computing
Transport services Transport services Transport services Providers Providers Data transport Telecom Te lecommunications Telecom
Figure 2: Research fields and shared services
1 The figures are from the paper of René Cluzels South East European Research and Higher Education Network: A Project for the Overall Architecture Need- ed, in “Reconstruction of Scientific Cooperation in South East Europe, Proceedings of the International Conference of Experts, 24-27 March 2001,” Venice, page 195.
49 Professor Nikos Katsaros National Research Center “Demokritos”, Athens
Collaborative projects in the priority scientific gies (e.g. tele-medicine, digitalization of medical re- domains, Life Sciences, Material Sciences sults, computer facilities) will further facilitate collab- and Sustainable Development orative research projects between different research centers at national and regional level. Meaningful and ambitious collaborative projects The research on the genome project will encour- in Life Sciences, Material Science and Sustainable age and expand the collaboration in other projects in Development should facilitate the national choices in the field of Life Sciences in the region particularly the revitalization of the research capacities and in the projects on: cancer research, telemedicine, plant stabilization of human resources. biotechnology and genetics. The networking of research centers and laborato- ries would be an essential means to implement these projects. Material Sciences
Encourage regional institutions to develop R&D Life Sciences in material sciences using the most recent concepts e.g. nano-technologies and modern domains relevant Initiate a regional genome project relying on local for regional industries. human resources and based on access to public do- The setting up of one centre of excellence in mate- main data-bases and advanced training courses for rial sciences is considered a priority for scientific and young scientists on bio-informatics, in cooperation economic development in the region. with existing international genome projects. There is a considerable number of research activities Since the beginning of the year 2001 and in partic- in the field of material sciences in the SEEC using ular after the Venice Conference in March, the Task advanced technologies that were identified by the Force in collaboration with experts from South-East- Task Force in collaboration with the country ex- ern European countries identified a number of good perts among them: quality laboratories working on Genome Research • Nanotechnologies in metallic, ceramic and poly- Projects among them: meric materials, biomaterials for medical applica- The Institute of Biological Research S. Stankovich tions, biodegradable polymers. and the Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic • Electronic, optical, photonic and magnetic materi- Engineering in Yugoslavia, the National Research als Center (Institute of Molecular Biology and NCSR •Advanced materials in relation to clean energy “Demokritos”) in Greece, the Research Institute for production. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in the Mar- • Synthesis and characterization of new functional mara Research Center in Turkey, the Institute of Bio- polymers logical Research in Albania, the Faculty of Natural •New materials using accelarators technology Sciences in the FRY, the Institute of Molecular Biolo- (TAI) gy in the Croatian Academy of Sciences, the respec- • Photovoltaic transformers, fuel cells, batteries and tive institutes in the Academies of Sciences in Bulgar- solid electrolytes ia and Romania are only a few of the laboratories that • Composite materials carry out good quality research on genome projects in collaboration with University laboratories. Quality Research in the field of Material Science is The encouragement and support of new technolo- carried out in a number of research institutes and Uni-
50 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE versities and some of the are: Institute of Solid State taken into account. The aim of this proposal is to set Physics, Central Laboratory of Physico-chemical Me- up on the first stage a network of national teams from chanics, Institute of Catalysis, space research Institute, SEEC, which will investigate options and pathways Institute of Electronics in Bulgaria, National Research for an accelerated transition towards sustainable tech- Center (Institute of Materials), NCSR “Demokritos” nologies and systems. (Institute of Microelectronics, Institute of Material Given the wide range of factors involved, a broad Science, Institute of Physical Chemistry), National system analysis will be required taking into account all Technical University of Athens, Polytechnic Faculty three aspects of sustainability i.e. the economic, envi- University of Greece, Faculty of Technology and Met- ronmental and social aspects. allurgy Salonika, Polytechnic Faculty University of Pa- The objectives of the network are to conduct inte- tras, University of Skopje in FYR Macedonia; Mar- grated research and training paying particular atten- mara Research Centre, Middle East Technical Univer- tion to certain strategies as for example for the reduc- sity, Turkey; Institute of Physical Chemistry National tion of greenhouse gas emissions in the field of energy. Institute for Research and Development Romania; It is the goal of the integrated research and training University of Tirana; the Dubrovnik International to ultimately contribute to the design of effective University, the University of Zagreb. R&D and implementations policies which adopting a These are only a few of the research centers and far-sighted and precautionary strategy-must gradually academic institutions that are engaged in advanced rebuild existing structures and phase in, new sustain- material research. able technologies. To obtain the required in depth un- The networking of these institutions at a national derstanding, multidisciplinarirty and multinational and regional level will be an essential factor to imple- teams will conduct scenario and pathway analysis. ment research projects in the field. The center of excellence on sustainable technolo- gies on sustainable technologies will be organized in such a way as to act as a center for: Sustainable Development • technology transfer on sustainable technologies Promoting sustainable development at national • technology evaluation and R&D needs and regional levels, the establishment of an advanced •resources, infrastructure and technology integra- center on sustainable development in the region is tion considered a priority. Within the framework of the • techno-economics of sustainable technologies and Center of Sustainable Development advanced train- environmental policy ing and research projects at national and regional lev- • socio-economics impacts els will be developed, placing an emphasis on pro- • sustainability assessments and environmental im- grams stimulating economies of energy, promotion of pacts based on sustainability indicators renewable energy sources and technologies, promo- • scenarios, pathways and recommendations tion of management and promotion of ecosystem management, taking into account the socio-economic The Task Force is ready to continue together with and environmental interactions. The principles of the competent Institutions in the countries the elabo- sustainability quantification (general index of sustain- ration of the projects in the priority fields mentioned ability, social and environmental efficiency) will be above.
51 Mr Andras Szöllösi-Nagy Deputy Assistant Director-General, Coordinator of UNESCO’s Environmental Programmes, Secretary of the International Hydrological Programme
Excellencies, yet, in part it is due to land-use change, and in part Ladies and Gentlemen, due to climate variability and change. Several hy- potheses need to be tested that none of the countries It is a great honour to address you this afternoon on can do in isolation. We do not yet know the full scale the occasion of identifying opportunities how of the hydrological impacts but one thing seems to be UNESCO could and should help rebuild scientific co- quite sure: the probability of extremes will likely in- operation in South East Europe. With your permission crease. The region will likely face more frequent and I will concentrate on one, but very important, issue, more devastating flooding and will also move towards that is the environmental problematique in the re- a higher degree of aridity. The sine qua non of success gion. There are many challenges and opportunities in this climate/Hydrology programme is to set up one needs to consider in the light of the breaking up jointly a shared data base of climatic and hydrological of well-functioning scientific cooperative networks information. IHP is ready to help set up a Balkan over the past decade. I have had several contacts over FRIEND project (here FRIEND stands for Flow the past months with representatives of the environ- Regimes from International Experimental and Net- mental science community in the region. I came to work Data, although it certainly has other connota- the conclusion that, as far as environmental science tions as well…) FRIEND proved to be a very useful cooperation goes, there is the will to cooperate towards tool in the past decade and tremendous progress has solving common regional problems. been achieved with it. Upon consulting my colleagues in areas of geology We would also like to assist the South East Euro- and ecology, I believe, Mr Chairman, that meaningful pean countries sharing the Danube basin to play a regional cooperation can start fairly soon in four areas, more active role, both as contributors and recipients which are: in the successful IHP Danube Cooperation Network. Needless to say that we need your participation in the 1. Climate, hydrology and water resources UNESCO-led UN system-wide World Water Assess- 2. Earthquake impact mitigation ment Programme. Let me also mention that over the 3. Transboundary biosphere reserves and last but not past five years we had a successful cooperative project least, an interdisciplinary project on on assessing land subsidence related to hydrogeologi- 4. Karst systems cal and engineering geological conditions in the Sofia, Skopje and Tirana regions. It is expected that this I hope you will forgive me for I will start with wa- project will continue for yet another five years, as land ter. I am doing this not only because I also happen to subsidence if unchecked, will have tremendous eco- serve as Secretary of the International Hydrological nomic and social consequences. Programme, but essentially because water and sup- Let me now turn to earthquake impact mitigation porting ecosystems will be the principal priority of as the Balkan region is one of the world’s most active UNESCO’s science programmes in the coming years. seismic areas. Indeed the main natural hazard in the I also have to mention that, in spite of all the difficul- region is the occurrence of earthquakes. Earthquakes ties over the past ten years, some cooperation was car- have struck many of the countries of the region ried out in the water field through IHP. We already through history causing widespread losses of life and had initial discussions on launching a major regional property. With expanding public and private infra- programme on ‘Identifying the hydrological impacts structures, and continuing trends towards urbaniza- of climate change’ as the whole region faces a dramat- tion and industrialization, the vulnerability to earth- ic decrease in water supply. The causes are not know quakes is on the rise.
52 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
UNDRO, UNIDO and UNESCO undertook sev- yet full participants in the MAB Programme. The al- eral projects with the financial assistance of UNDP ready existing biosphere reserves in the region there- from the late sixties until 1985. The follow-up of these fore represent much less activity than its potential. quite successful projects was the establishment of the The MAB Programme encourages initiatives to estab- ‘Permanent Coordinating Committee for Earthquake lish new biosphere reserves, or improve the function- Reduction in the Balkan Region’, which was opera- ing of some of the existing biosphere reserves. In par- tive in the period 1985-1992, afterwards the Commit- ticular, attention could be given especially to shared tee ceased its operations due to general political insta- ecosystems and the designation of transboundary bios- bility in the region. In the past UNESCO has initiat- phere reserves as part of the strategy to manage them. ed and implemented cooperative projects related to An excellent example of this is the transboundary the mitigation of earthquake hazards in the region. In biosphere reserve already existing in the Danube particular, the Organization has served as the imple- Delta, linking Romania and Ukraine. menting agency of two intergovernmental efforts in Last but not least, let me mention a very specific this field, which involved Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, South East European environmental issue: the Karst. Hungary, Romania, Turkey and former Yugoslavia, Economic development and environmental pro- within the period 1970-1986. Seismological networks, tection of karst areas are equally important and pro- hazard mapping, research studies and training of engi- vide pressing problems to nearly all Balkan countries. neers have successfully been implemented. Countries These problems should be solved in a comprehensive, of the Balkan regional have many institutions and interdisciplinary way. There are basically two ques- programmes dealing with the reduction of earthquake tions the region shares in this regard: risk that could take part in a revitalized programme. As the threat of the earthquake hazard remains, one 1. What can be done to improve the prospects of the could envisage a renewal of the efforts to generate Balkan’s karst regions in the 21st century? groundshaking maps and promote the establishment 2. How can the economic development in the Balkan of appropriate building codes, as well as encourage- karst regions be sustained? ment of the latter. We know today that several coun- tries in the region would be prepared in furthering To answer these questions, cooperation is needed new cooperative endeavours in this field. between UNESCO’s environmental and sustainable We believe that according to certain classifica- development programmes, ie. IGCP, IHP, MAB, CSI tions, the Balkan region is considered as one of the and MOST, both at national and regional levels. A world’s biodiversity “hot spots”, being at a meeting truly interdisciplinary framework is sought that can point of several biogeographical regions. It is also very bring together the various science communities of the much under threat from natural and anthropogenic region. changes, which needs urgent action. This calls for a Needless to say, Mr Chairman, that all of us at the coordinated strategy for biodiversity management environment and development science programmes among the countries, that UNESCO can help to de- of UNESCO are ready to assist re-building scientific fine and develop. Such a strategy should rely on al- cooperation in the region. With the UNESCO Venice ready-existing initiatives and focus on joint invento- Office and your regional expertise, we can, I believe, ries, conservation measures, common ecological re- achieve this relatively quickly. I am confident you search and specific activities in shared ecosystems. share my view that it would serve everybody’s interest Through the MAB programme such interdiscipli- in the region if we could report at next year’s World nary research, demonstration and training in natural Summit on Sustainable Development that the region- resources management can be promoted, in particular al environmental science networks are re-established by using the world Network of biosphere Reserves. and are ready to contribute to the solution of regional Many of the South East European countries are not and global environmental issues.
53
CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES AND OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES
The Session was chaired by Professor Herwig Schopper
AUSTRIA
Dr Raoul Kneucker Director General, Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture
Chairman, a multilateral initiative is concerned, this was a mod- Dear colleagues el for the students, which might be expanded but also new programmes are necessary. Third, whenever joint To open up to and welcome our colleagues in re- research projects are approved only on their merits bi- search and teaching in the South East European coun- lateral, multilateral all on the basis of the framework tries in new forms of collaboration, to connect re- programme of the EU. search groups trans-nationally and to revitalize the re- Special funds should be considered for rebuilding search systems and infrastructures in order to make the science infrastructure connected to these projects. workplaces in these countries more attractive, these That would be a bonus for those who cooperate trans- are the aims that we all support. They are also ele- nationally. Fourth, the candidate countries and in ad- ments of the philosophy expressed in the documents dition Croatia and all the other countries qualified for of the European Research Area (ERA), which we in- participation in the European framework programme tend to make a reality. What are the five key measures should accede to the framework programme at the ear- I would like to speak about briefly? First, the data net- liest possible moment. works have to be up-graded and the interconnectivity Fifth, it is however I think our national responsi- has to be ensured. I suggest to create a task force. I bility to create networks and partnerships to motivate, agree with Mr. Butterworth that this could be called a invigorate and reconstruct the cooperation. Cost- meeting, but that is not sufficient in our view. We sharing principle is the correct principle, however, at need a task force to do the job of clearing the inter- the beginning additional support schemes are neces- connectivity in these countries. Second, brain drain: sary by whatever source. We have just instituted a horizontal and vertical, is just the negative side of the partnership for research for the candidate countries. I desirable mobility. Promoting mobility and avoiding think this could be a model for other additional pro- brain drain should lead us to develop specific return grammes. At the end let me declare our support to the programme for researchers into these countries and draft communiqué. We appreciate very much the ini- programmes that allow European scholars to work in tiative of UNESCO and ROSTE and thank the ex- these countries. Now as far as the Central European perts of the Task Force and of the other scientific in- exchange programme for university students CEPOS, stitutions in Europe.
57 FRANCE
M. Roger-Gérard Schwartzenberg1 Ministre de la Recherche
Excellences, est, bien évidemment, vivement attaché, requiert aus- Mesdames, Messieurs, si une politique à long terme à laquelle des initiatives pour le développement de la coopération scientifiques En organisant cette rencontre ministérielle sur la devraient contribuer. Que ce soit à travers l’adhésion à coopération scientifique en Europe du Sud-Est, l’Union européenne à laquelle plusieurs pays de cette l’UNESCO a pris une initiative opportune qui répond zone sont, d’ores et déjà, candidats (Slovénie, Bulgarie à une préoccupation que la France fait sienne: établir et Roumanie) et/ou leur participation au futur espace les bases d’un développement scientifique et techno- européen de la recherche, cette politique à long terme logique de la région qui contribue à sa stabilisation et exige des actions urgentes de soutien à leur dévelop- à son développement. pement scientifique et technologique que la France, Notre ambassadeur à l’UNESCO, M. Jean Musitel- au plan bilatéral comme dans le cadre multilatéral, li, avec ses collègues de Grèce et de Roumanie, a en- encouragera et soutiendra. couragé et appuyé cette démarche. Qu’ils en soient, Après la crise dans l’Europe du Sud-Est, la France avec les plus hautes autorités de l’UNESCO et M. est convaincue que la reconstruction du tissu scienti- Pierre Lasserre, Directeur du Bureau régional de Veni- fique et technologique, comme la promotion de la co- se, à l’origine de cette réunion, vivement remerciés. opération scientifique entre les pays des Balkans, est Le Sud-Est de l’Europe a connu, vous ne le savez un élément important du processus de stabilisation malheureusement que trop, une série de crises poli- dans la région et peuvent être un facteur important de tiques graves au cours de la dernière décennie: progrès économique et social. • transition démocratique difficile dans plusieurs Le maintien et le développement d’un réseau, le pays, plus dense possible, de scientifiques et plus générale- • conflits qui ont suivi l’éclatement de la Yougosla- ment “d’intellectuels”, porteurs et gardiens des va- vie, le dernier en date étant la crise dans l’ex-Ré- leurs, qui nous sont communes, de l’humanisme et du publique Yougoslave de Macédoine. rationalisme européens, sont le moyen le plus noble et le plus efficace de combattre l’obscurantisme et les Les difficultés économiques et certaines destructions tentations du fondamentalisme qu’il suscite. n’ont pas épargné les centres de recherche, et le déve- Le “pacte de stabilité” dans les Balkans, que la loppement scientifique et technologique de bon France a signé avec tous les pays de l’Union européen- nombre de pays des Balkans en a été gravement affecté. ne, en 1999, n’a pas encore pris en compte la dimen- La France qui a noué des liens historiques, poli- sion scientifique et technologique de la reconstruction tiques et culturels, avec la plupart des pays de la ré- des économies des Balkans. L’initiative de l’UNESCO gion, est intervenue à plusieurs reprises avec ses parte- vient donc, fort opportunément, à un moment où il naires européens pour permettre à plusieurs pays de faut préparer la paix par le dialogue. cette partie de l’Europe de retrouver le chemin de sta- L’UNESCO, grâce au travail de son bureau régio- bilité et de la paix. nal de Venise, et avec le soutien de l’Academia Euro- Elle l’a encore fait très récemment dans l’ex-répu- paea et de la Fondation Européenne de la science, blique yougoslave de Macédoine. avec l’aide de nombreux experts scientifiques des pays Mais elle considère que la stabilité dans le Sud-Est concernés mais aussi de pays de l’Europe centrale et de l’Europe et en Méditerranée, à laquelle notre pays orientale et de l’UE, a identifié plusieurs actions ur-
1 Representé par son Directeur de cabinet, M. Gilles Le Chevallier.
58 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE gentes à entreprendre dans différents domaines qui veau, sur l’état des lieux de la recherche en SHS sur les dessinent ainsi les grandes lignes d’un plan pour l’ave- Balkans et qui m’a été remis au début de cette année, nir. j’ai demandé au conseil scientifique de “l’action Je note que quatre types d’actions concrètes sont concertée incitative: internationalisation des SHS” envisagés et qui reçoivent mon plein soutien: que j’ai installé le 20 mars dernier de lui donner rapi- • Des programmes de bourses de recherche et d’en- dement de suites concrètes. Une première proposition seignement universitaire pour former des cher- vient d’être retenue qui consiste à la mise en réseau cheurs. La formation des hommes, et en particulier des chercheurs européens sur les Balkans. Je ne verrais de scientifiques, est très certainement une priorité que des avantages à ce que cette initiative française pour tous les pays de la région et la mise en œuvre trouve, au plan multilatéral, soutien et prolonge- de programmes de bourse est urgente. ments. • Des plans d’équipement pour les technologies de Sur ces bases, un plan précis devrait être élaboré l’information et les réseaux d’informatique pour la pour lancer une dynamique de coopération. La France recherche; relier les centres de recherche de la ré- propose la tenue, l’an prochain, d’une “conférence des gion aux réseaux européens est impératif. donateurs” qui devrait permettre de financer des pro- • La rénovation d’infrastructures de recherche ayant jets concrets. Avec ses partenaires de l’union euro- une dimension régionale, la mise en réseau des péenne, la France oeuvrera pour faciliter l’engage- équipements existants peuvent être réalisées à ment de programmes européens dans le financement moyen terme. La mise en place d’un fonds pour fa- d’un certain nombre de projets. Quant aux organismes ciliter l’accès aux équipements de recherche des de recherche français (le CNRS, l’INRA, l’INSERM, pays de l’UE est aussi indispensable. Je suis person- etc.) et aux laboratoires universitaires, ils seront inci- nellement très attaché à cette recommandation: je tés à accueillir des chercheurs des pays de la région. souhaite, en particulier que notre Synchrotron de L’organisation de cette conférence pourrait être nouvelle génération “Soleil” soit largement acces- confiée au bureau régional Europe de l’UNESCO qui sible aux chercheurs des pays d’Europe centrale et a préparé rapidement et efficacement cette réunion orientale et ai donné des instructions en ce sens à ministérielle. ceux qui ont en charge ce projet. Enfin, la mise en L’initiative de l’UNESCO s’inscrit dans un proces- service de nouvelles infrastructures de taille sus à long terme de reconstruction du tissu scientifique moyenne sur une base inter-régionale devrait être dans une région de l’Europe riche en potentialités également étudiée. mais qui sort d’une grave crise. Le président de la ré- • Le lancement de programmes et de projets multi- publique d’Albanie, Reixhep Meidani, scientifique disciplinaires (gestion de l’eau, des côtes, bassin du formé en France, soulignait dans une interview au ma- Danube, accès aux bases des données en biologie, gazine américain Science (4 mai 2001), que la coopéra- recherches sur les matériaux, risques sismiques, tion entre les Etats de la région était indispensable etc.) permettant de mettre en réseau les labora- pour assurer leur développement scientifique. Elle est toires de la région et les centres d’excellence et de aussi un moyen efficace pour établir le dialogue entre faciliter leur coopération avec les centres de re- les acteurs de la région, gage de paix et de stabilité. cherche des pays de l’UE. L’Europe occidentale a fait ce chemin, dans les années • J’y ajouterais, si vous le permettez, une suggestion: d’après guerre, lorsqu’il lui a fallu reconstruire son po- que la recherche et les coopérations dans le domai- tentiel scientifique: la création du CERN, en 1954, sur ne des sciences humaines et sociales soient sensi- l’initiative de l’UNESCO, il faut le rappeler, partait de blement renforcées. L’édification d’une Europe l’idée que la coopération scientifique était l’un des apaisée et solidaire suppose que ceux qui la peu- moyens pour ouvrir la voie à la construction euro- plent connaissent, admettent et mieux encore me- péenne. surent les bienfaits potentiels de la diversité cultu- La réunion d’aujourd’hui doit permettre de poser relle de notre continent. les bases de cette coopération entre les pays du Sud- Est de l’Europe mais aussi entre l’Est et l’Ouest de l’Eu- La contribution des Sciences humaines et sociales rope. La démarche de l’UNESCO est pleinement à la réussite d’un si pressant objectif est évidente. conforme à sa mission et la France lui apportera son Aussi, sur la base d’un rapport commandé par mon appui pour qu’elle aboutisse à des résultats concrets prédécesseur, Claude Allègre, au Professeur Rémy Le- dans un très proche avenir.
59 GERMANY
M. Norbert Klingler Ambassadeur, Délégué permanent auprès de l’UNESCO
Vu l’importance accordée ces dernières années l’UNESCO s’inscrive dans le cadre des efforts con- dans le contexte du Pacte de stabilité pour l’ex- joints de la communauté internationale dans le con- Yougoslavie à la coopération dans les champs des com- texte du Pacte de stabilité tout en apportant la dimen- pétences de l’UNESCO, notre organisation ne peut sion internationale soit globale de la coopération sci- certainement pas faire cavalier seul. L’Allemagne se entifique ainsi que la concertation avec la société félicite, par exemple, des efforts récents de l’OTAN civile y compris les universités et leurs réseaux multi- dans son nouveau programme “ Science pour la paix”, ples. Il va de soi que le nouveau programme transver- consacré essentiellement à encourager la collabora- sal de l’UNESCO et je cite “ La contribution des tech- tion scientifique avec nos partenaires en Europe de nologies de l’information et de la communication au l’Est et du Sud-Est. Une approche conjointe s’impose développement de l’éducation, de la science et de la donc. L’UNESCO pourrait bien jouer un rôle moteur culture et à la construction d’une société de savoir ” en ce qui concerne la coordination des programmes devrait se traduire en une stratégie régionale pour le scientifiques pour la région du Sud-Est européen qui Sud-Est européen. L’Allemagne rappelle le paragraphe sont en cours ou en préparation de la part de toutes les 65 du Plan d’action adopté par la Conférence mondi- organisations intergouvernementales européennes, du ale pour la science invitant l’UNESCO et l’ICSU à Conseil de l’Europe, de l’Union européenne, de travailler pour une meilleure comptabilité de leurs l’OCDE, mais aussi de la part du système onusien, de bases de données scientifiques afin de faciliter l’accès à la Banque mondiale et du PNUD. En plus, presque la matière première de la recherche universitaire et toutes les ONG spécialisées dans les sciences: les fon- extra-universitaire à travers le monde. Suivant l’ex- dations ainsi que les grandes organisations nationales emple du serveur éducatif de l’UNESCO pour l’éduca- dans le domaines de la science comme le C.N.R.S., en tion civique qui a été établi récemment à Sarajevo, le France ou la Société Max Planck, en Allemagne sont plurilinguisme et surtout l’usage de toutes les langues en train de multiplier leurs contacts avec les institu- de la région ainsi que de la communication mondiale tions scientifiques dans le Sud-Est européen. L’Alle- pourrait être conseillé en ce qui concerne la présenta- magne n’évoque pas le grand nombre des acteurs sur tion des données scientifiques pour la région du Sud- scène dans le but de recommender un rôle plutôt mod- Est européen, en étroite collaboration avec les institu- este de notre organisation dans cette affaire. Au con- tions spécialisées dans le domaine de la terminologie traire, l’UNESCO, conjointement avec le Conseil tels qu’INFOTERME à Vienne, une création de mondial pour la science (ICSU), son partenaire ONG l’UNESCO dans le cadre de l’ancien programme privilégié, est appelée à inviter les institutions scien- UNISIX soutenu par les composantes science et infor- tifiques du Sud-Est européen à établir et renforcer les matique de notre Organisation dès les années 80. Pour liens avec la communauté scientifique internationale conclure, Monsieur le Président, en ce qui concerne la tels qu’ils se sont organisés dans le cadre des pro- coopération scientifique dans le Sud Est européen le grammes intergouvernementaux scientifiques de rôle de l’UNESCO pourrait être très important et l’UNESCO et des programmes internationaux de même revêtir celui du chef d’orchestre dans la mesure l’ICSU. Ces programmes pourraient bien jouer un rôle où l’organisation se concerte étroitement avec le mobilisateur en ce qui concerne la définition de prior- grand nombre d’acteurs compétents et actifs dans ce ités des autres acteurs intergouvernementaux et non- domaine tout en partageant ces réseaux multiples avec gouvernementaux. L’Allemagne propose donc que le des partenaires intéressés par un élargissement de leurs nouveau programme sous régional scientifique de projets scientifiques au Sud- Est européen.
60 ITALY
Dr Guido Possa State Secretary, Ministry of Education, Universities and Scientific Research
Your Excellencies, ment, legal and political sciences. Distinguished Representatives of the European In this connection, I was pleased to hear the Al- Countries, banian representative, one hour ago, emphasize the Ladies and Gentlemen, need for cooperation in the domain of human and so- cial sciences. I wish, first of all, to join the general appreciation A second remark. In addition to the human and of the Round Table. The goal of helping the Balkan social sciences, I have just mentioned, priority should countries to recover from the severe political and so- be given also to the cooperation in the engineering cial disruptions they have experienced in the last science, especially in the engineering disciplines hav- decades, deserves indeed our full appreciation. ing to do with the infrastructures, namely earth engi- Science transcends political and geographical board- neering, road engineering, hydraulic engineering, seis- ers and act as catalyst for deeper understanding and co- mic engineering, electrical engineering. operation between nations: a positive path could be em- This need has also been underlined, this afternoon, barked upon, ultimately leading to full stability. “Stabil- by several representatives of the Balkan countries. ity”, the magic word, someone has said here. A last remark. To my mind also the cooperation in I wish therefore express my warm gratitude to the agricultural sciences and in the food industry sci- UNESCO and to the UNESCO Office in Venice ences is of the biggest importance. (ROSTE), led by Mr Lasserre, for preparing and or- The European Union cooperation in this field can ganizing this conference. be of great value for a number of Balkan countries. I have carefully examined the actions identified so This also has been underlined this afternoon. far for implementing scientific cooperation. I fully Taking into account these remarks, we fully agree agree on the four specific actions. with the draft communiqué which has been proposed I have only few remarks to add. In my opinion, the to us. In the communiqué we would also recommend word “science” in this document should be understood to mention explicitly the idea of a future donor coun- in its broadest meaning, that is including all the hu- tries’ conference, which has to be properly examined man and social sciences, such as economics, manage- by ROSTE.
61 RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Mr Evgueny SIDOROV Ambassador, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO
Mr President, tural cooperation with all the South East European Distinguished Ministers, countries. In spite of the current difficulties our scien- Ladies and Gentlemen, tific community is facing, the cooperation between different scientific institutions and universities and First of all, on behalf of the Russian Government I major research institutions of South East European would like to express sincere gratitude for the impor- countries is successfully developing. tant initiative of UNESCO and namely of the Re- The Russian Academy of Sciences co-operates fruit- gional Bureau for Science in Europe, located in fully with practically all academies of these countries. Venice, aimed at reconstruction of intellectual, and These bilateral links contribute positively to the cre- first of all, of scientific and technological cooperation ation of favourable conditions for widening and of South East European countries, as well as between strengthening scientific-cultural cooperation as well as these countries and the rest of Europe. for initiating and developing multilateral cooperation. The majority of states, located in South East Eu- The Russian Federation is ready to participate in rope has a substantial scientific-technological poten- multilateral projects and programs and to provide its tial, which was created during the last five decades. intellectual and practical contribution to their imple- This potential is an integral part of the all European mentation. intellectual and scientific potential and that is why all We also think, that the idea to convene an Inter- European Nations should be interested (involved) in national Conference of International Donors, which supporting and developing this intellectual heritage, might make financial and other contributions to the which should, with no doubt, be on the service of sta- above cooperation in South East Europe, should meet bility and socio-economic and cultural development a very favourable consideration and support. Of of this important part of Europe. course, the Russian Federation would participate ac- Russia has a long experience of economic and cul- tively in this important international action.
62 POLAND
Dr Jan-Krzystof Fraçkowiak State Secretary, Government Committee for Scientific Research
The Polish delegation supports actions proposed in create and develop a network of European PhD stud- the Background Note prepared for the Round Table of ies – facilitating regional exchange of PhD students as Ministers of Science on Rebuilding Scientific Cooper- well as visiting professors. We count on an active sup- ation in South East Europe, held within the frame- port of ROSTE for this initiative. work of the 31st Session of UNESCO’s General Con- The Polish delegation appreciates and supports the ference in Paris, on 24 October 2001. We expect that presentation of Mr Stane Pejovnik, Slovenian Minis- this cooperation will contribute to consolidation of ter of Education, Science and Sport. During the work- stability in the region. We appreciate the initiative of ing meeting in September this year in Bled, science UNESCO and UVO-ROSTE to organize this Round and education ministers of the Czech Republic, Hun- Table and take advantage of valuable results achieved gary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia agreed on a need by the Venice Conference which took place in March and urgency of assistance to be given to the non-can- this year. didate countries from Southern and Eastern Europe. The re-launched scientific cooperation in the The ministers expressed their unanimous support for South East Europe should contribute to the success of introducing a new instrument called “stairways to ex- building and developing the European Research Area. cellence” to the next 6th Framework Programme of the We believe that instruments applied or expected to be European Union. The very promising idea of the Eu- applied within the European framework programmes ropean Parliament aims to improve and develop sci- will serve well involving South East European coun- entific infrastructure and human potential in the can- tries into all-European scientific cooperation. didate countries – associated with the 6th FP. We are Poland regards creating and supporting centres of convinced that the same instrument would successful- scientific excellence as particularly important instru- ly serve to achieve the same goals in the European ment of European S&T cooperation. Networking of non-candidate, or better – future candidate countries. the centres will help to gain an added value to the In the process, a special role could be played by the functioning of national research systems. European Union member countries. Their assistance We declare to assure an open access to Polish cen- should help develop the European Research Area tres of excellence for researchers from South East Eu- through building stronger links of scientific coopera- ropean countries, with special attention given to tion involving candidate and non-candidate countries young researchers or post-graduated students, benefi- of Southern, Central and North Eastern Europe. That ciaries of European and national R&D fellowship pro- should be an important element of the UNESCO- grammes. We also reiterate our earlier proposition to ROSTE policy as well.
63
CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF IGOS AND NGOS
Mr Göst Diehl Chairman, COST
Excellencies, Five COST Member Countries can together start a Distinguished participants, COST Action. Since there are more COST members than that in the region of Southeast Europe there is As the chairman of the initiative called European no reason why COST Actions could not be generated Cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology, to explicitly serve this specific area, even though I am or COST in short, I very much welcome the opportu- sure that if such Actions started, countries from other nity to participate in this round table. I support very regions would also join as well, which would be excel- much the specific measures proposed in the draft com- lent. Since also research entities from non-COST muniqué and would like to comment in particular on countries are welcome to join COST Actions as soon numbers 6. and 7. as they are approved to start, the whole region could COST is very much about facilitating networking easily be involved. and encouraging meaningful and ambitious collabora- There are obstacles to equal participation, one is a tive projects also in all the sciences mentioned in the general shortness of funds as has been discussed in this communiqué. forum, but in COST there is also the inability under We organise the networking on a very large scale the current rules to pay for cooperation costs for par- upon proposals from the field and we pay cooperation ticipants from certain countries. I therefore suggest costs to the extent that our financial rules allow. that the proposed donors’ conference should look at COST research project cooperation is currently fi- possibilities to arrange financing also for participation nanced through the EU FP budget for participants in COST Actions for these less favoured countries on from the EU member countries and from countries equal terms and I would be glad to participate in ex- that are associated to the FP5. ploring the possibilities. Of the countries mentioned in the agenda Bulgar- The money involved in centrally funding COST ia, Greece, Romania and Slovenia belong to this cat- cooperation is, after all, very small. It is interesting to egory, and they participate actively in COST activi- note that even in the proposed rules for participating ties. For the others it is not so easy, but even so both in the 6th Framework Programme a possibility to fi- Turkey and Croatia also manage to participate quite nance participation from third countries in FP proj- actively, because they have decided that the mecha- ects, under certain conditions, exists. nism is very efficient for participating in and integrat- COST would be interested in discussing a more ac- ing into European research; efficient enough so that in tive role in this UNESCO effort to rebuild scientific these countries, it has been given a high priority. cooperation in in Southeast Europe.
67 EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Mr Louis Bellemin Director, International Scientific Cooperation Policy Unit Research Directorate-General
Scientific and Technological Policy Dialogue researchers in these countries and in the Union, to act and the Cooperation between EU and the Western as a catalyst which will help to overcome the barriers Balkans in the European Research Area of language and culture, to provide responses to im- and the Framework Programme portant regional problems thus contributing the qual- ity of life of this region. Ten years ago, we have lost the On the behalf of the Commission’s General Direc- accumulated cooperation benefits. Today, our goal is tor for Research, Mr Achilleas Mitsos, I would like to to develop again an ambitious cooperation in order to express our thankfulness for the invitation to partici- contribute to the reinforcement of peace and of sus- pate to this Round Table and contribute to a formida- tainable development in this region. ble European commitment considering to promote scientific cooperation as a mean to consolidate lasting peace in the Western Balkan area. Our Objectives The history of the region often makes me think about a Charles Dickens novel “A tale of two cities” But what are we trying to do exactly? Very simply: which introduction states: “It was the best of times, it our objectives are to assist the transformation of this was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the part of our European continent, to equip it, to sustain age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the democracy and the rule of law, rooted in strong institu- epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the tions supported by thriving market economies trading season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the with each other and with the wider Europe, promote a winter of despair”. knowledgeable society and regional cooperation. This reflects the scientific research cooperation de- Building this requires a comprehensive strategy, tai- veloped since 1984 between the European Union and lored to the needs of individual countries, but designed these countries. At this time, Bosnia-Herzegovina, to meet the needs of the region as a whole. Science and Croatia, FYROM and the present Federal Republic of technology cooperation will certainly contribute to Yugoslavia was just part of a single country, Yu- strengthen the Community’s effort for Balkan recon- goslavia. Its scientific potential and capabilities was of struction, development and stabilisation of the region. high quality and thus a strong and innovative S&T To this end, Western Balkan countries are invited cooperation with the Union was rapidly developed in to participate to the implementation of the European the frame of the International Scientific Cooperation Research Area. The European research Area is indeed programme of the European Community. Over 7 a Community policy goal which aims to do just what years, several joint research projects were funded un- it says - achieve a common market for research, at the der this cooperation on new materials and industrial image and example of the common market policy for technologies, biotechnology and medical research, goods and services dreamt of by the EU’s founding fa- agrofood, environment, fine chemistry and physics, to thers. Researchers, wherever they may be physically mention the most important thematic sectors of coop- located in Europe, should feel that they are working eration. Moreover, a scientific mobility scheme was si- not only in Europe but for Europe - for the benefit, ul- multaneously promoted by the EU, permitting Yu- timately of all European inhabitants. goslavian high level scientists to spend 6 to 12 month Perhaps for the first time, Science and Technology research stays to Community laboratories and to bet- are now a high priority on the European political ter tie relationships and partnerships. agenda; it is recognised that they are essential ele- In this context, the European Commission has ments in ensuring economic growth, employment and been working to build the necessary bridges between improved quality of life. This was clearly stated at the
68 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
European Council in Lisbon, when the EU’s Heads of reality of the European Research Area, too, will nec- State and Government gave the European Research essarily require a joint effort by the EU, its Member Area their full support as a central component in es- States and research stakeholders. tablishing a knowledge-based society in Europe. In practice this means implementing the action ar- Since then, science and technology have remained eas I have already mentioned, which can be summed high on the political agenda in Europe. up as follows. This political prominence recognises the fact that To begin with it will require a number of legal and the globalisation of the economy and communica- regulatory changes - particularly to remove obstacles to tions, and the acceleration of scientific and techno- the free movement of researchers, knowledge and tech- logical progress and its many social implications make nologies in Europe. This includes such areas as scientific the European Research Area an objective which can- careers, social security and intellectual property. not be postponed. Equally important is the need to improve the per- But ideas require action. How is the objective to be formance of European research. Again, this is not just achieved? Something has to be changed. Quite a about public funding. To do this we must improve the number of ‘somethings’, in fact. The following areas coordination between national programmes, network for action have been identified. centres of excellence in the public and private sectors •Networking of existing centres of excellence in Eu- in the Member States, and focus EU-level research on rope and the creation of virtual centres through a limited number of priorities: post-genomics and the use of new interactive communication tools. biotechnology, technologies for the information soci- •A common approach to the needs and means of fi- ety, nanotechnologies and intelligent materials, aero- nancing large research facilities in Europe. nautics and space, food safety and environmental •More coherent implementation of national and health risks, sustainable development and global European research activities and closer relations change, and citizens and governance in a knowledge- between the various organisations of scientific and based society. technological cooperation in Europe. We must strengthen the EU’s capacity for techno- • Better use of instruments and resources to encour- logical innovation, too, in particular by supporting re- age investment in research and innovation includ- search for and in SMEs, dissemination, transfer and ing patents and venture capital. take-up of knowledge and technologies, exploitation •More abundant and more mobile human resources. of research results and setting-up of technology-based This means: businesses. Substantial progress has been made in re- –Increasing the mobility of researchers and in- cent years in creating a favourable environment for re- troducing a European dimension to scientific search and innovation, and this is reflected in an in- careers. creasing number of small start-ups. - giving more prominence to the place and Then, Europe’s research infrastructure must be role of women in research. strengthened by implementing a European strategy in this - stimulating young people’s taste for research area, taking into account questions concerning access, op- and careers in science. eration and construction, and also covering the question – Bringing together the scientific communities, of large-capacity electronic networks for research. companies and researchers of Western and In support of the development of a knowledge- Eastern Europe. based economy, we must improve Europe’s human re- – Improving the attractiveness of Europe for re- sources in science, technology and innovation, in par- searchers from the rest of the world. ticular by increasing cross-border mobility, developing •Promotion of common social and ethical values in European careers, increasing the participation of scientific and technological matters. women in research and making the scientific profes- sions more attractive to young people and Europe Implementing the ERA more attractive to researchers from other countries. Lastly, we must establish, on a European scale, a Even if the initiative for the European Research new contract between science and society, strength- Area has come from the Commission, I would not ening the link between research activities and policies want to give the impression that it is some kind of top- and the needs of society, taking greater account of the down, central government ‘master plan’. It does have needs relating to the application of the precautionary widespread political support, but the idea of the Euro- and sustainable development principles, as well as the pean Research Area has also been warmly welcomed social and ethical consequences of scientific and tech- by the scientific community and industry. Making a nological progress.
69 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
A European Area open to the Western Balkan Countries hopefully will set up a backbone of a network of ‘virtual centres of excellence’ across Europe. The Commission is working to establish not only a • participation in integrated projects – these are in- European Research Area, but a European Research tended to mobilise a considerable volume of re- Area that is open to the whole world, for mutual ben- sources for pre-defined objectives (in terms of efit. Quite naturally and logically we have begun this processes and products, and/or scientific and tech- close to home within the areas of Europe that are not nological knowledge). They may be a way to de- yet part of the European Union. velop public-private partnerships, which should Western Balkan countries are invited to partici- create very strong and dynamic linkages between pate to the implementation of the European Research the industrial and university sectors. Area mainstream. The most appropriate ways, means • mobility: Mechanisms will be introduced to facilitate and activities in order to realise it will be identified the return of scientists to their countries or regions soon, in close cooperation with the countries con- of origin (either on individual or global scale). cerned, through the S&T Policy dialogue between the EU and Western Balkan countries, which is progres- All these future Community activities are particu- sively launched. The first preparatory meeting took larly relevant to the Balkan countries’ needs and we place just yesterday, in Brussels, on the invitation of intend to do our best in order to get them better par- the Commission and an action plan has been agreed. ticipating in our Framework Programme for RTD. Under the ongoing five-year Research Framework Programme, the Community finances their involve- ment in recognition of their limited means. Conclusion New Framework Programme 2002-2006 and the Western Balkan Countries The message I have tried to convey to you is that For the coming years, the Commission proposes an Europe is entering a new era of development of re- increased participation of Western Balkan countries search and innovation driven by the political recogni- in the new Framework Programme 2002 - 2006. In- tion of their importance for economic growth, em- deed, relations with these countries are taking on ever ployment and quality of life. This development is also increasing relevance for the European Union. They supported by the researchers in Europe to make it a must evolve into a genuine co-development policy, ‘centre of excellence’ on an equal footing with our which alone can ensure stability, prosperity and secu- main competitors. Much has been achieved, but there rity in this region. Specific international cooperation is still a lot to be accomplished. activities under the new Research Framework Pro- We are resolved that Europe will live up to its po- gramme will be defined in relation to the objectives of tential, we are convinced that science, research, the policy partnership of the Community with the technological development and innovation are es- Western Balkan countries, through mutual concerta- sential to this, and we are determined to do whatev- tion and taking into account their economic and so- er is necessary to build a European Research Area, cial needs. The Commission thinks that problems re- open to the world. lated to the environment, health, integrated manage- The question is now whether we have a strategy, ment of water, agriculture and the agro-food industry, whether we have a comprehensive plan of action to seismology, energy and the protection of cultural her- integrate Western Balkan countries to the wider Euro- itage deserves particular attention. pean Research Area. It is whether or not we have a Moreover, opening EU research operations ad- staying power, the political will, to see it through. We dressed under the 7 thematic priorities up to the par- are convinced that we have them. ticipation of research staff and organisations from Our hope and our aim is that children starting at Balkan countries may help them to access the knowl- primary school today in Albania, in Bosnia, in Croat- edge and skills available in Europe. Some of the activ- ia, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and ities of the future Framework programme are indeed in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, will, when they particularly important for the Balkan countries: come to leave school, be living in countries - their • networking - networks of excellence are designed to own countries - that are radically changed for the bet- create close and enduring partnerships between ex- ter, full members of the European Research Area, on isting research entities, capable of generating very the road to the EU. This is a big challenge and I be- high quality knowledge. They will be achieved lieve that Science and Technology can effectively through common programming arrangements and contribute to realize it.
70 EUROSCIENCE
Professor Jean-Patrick Connerade President
Where are the soldiers? Europe. Enormous disparities exist within our conti- nent. In 1991 already, the statistics were quite shock- Great plans are being laid for the scientific future ing. The probability that a citizen born in a Scandina- of Europe. But who will carry them out? We have no vian country would achieve a doctorate was some 25 shortage of gifted generals, but where are all the sol- times greater than in some of the poorer European na- diers? Grandiose schemes come to nothing without tions. It is unlikely that this situation has in any way the manpower to accomplish them. improved in 2001. Clearly, there is an enormous Look around you: talk to young people with sci- wastage of human potential going on. A key action for ence degrees. What do they tell us? What do they the future must concern better access to higher educa- want to do with their lives? By and large, they all say tion. Of course, access to education is a fundamental the same, wherever they may be in Europe, towards right, but this is not the real point I am making. The the East or towards the West, towards the North or to- present situation is simply inefficient. At the moment, wards the South. In this, there is no divide. Students our European future is being compromised by the fail- will be very polite about your lectures. They will tell ure to work out a common education policy. you that they love science very deeply, and that you On a similar line, what is the sense of the policies taught it very well, if you happen to have been doing concerning postdoctoral positions in Europe? Is it re- that. However, in the next breath, they will explain ally the case that richer countries are helping the that, for practical reasons, they must get into business poorer ones? Or could it be that they are, in fact, steal- and management as quickly as possible. ing grey matter from them under the guise of helping What does this imply for the future of European to train their young scientists? All the evidence sug- science and technology? The real shortage will not be gests that well under 40% of young postdocs ever re- money. It will not be lack of advanced apparatus, or of turn to the poorer countries they came from. excellent and innovative ideas. In fact, the shortage of So, not only do we see inequalities in the chances grey matter will be the limiting factor in the future. of achieving higher degrees in different parts of Eu- We cannot just rely, as governments and planners rope, but there is a further inequality: less prosperous have done for so long, on a natural enthusiasm of countries risk being drained of the very talent which young people for science. This casual attitude is no might help them to initiate economic recovery. How longer adequate. The reality is now different, and the can we establish a European Research Area if there is best policies will fail if nothing is done about it. no European Education Area to go alongside it? What In Euroscience, we are well aware of this situation. is the sense of signing treaties today if the investment Our association represents ordinary research scientists is not made now to fulfil the commitments tomorrow? and engineers at the grass roots level from no less than In short, the message is: look after the people who thirty-eight different European countries. The situa- will do the work and put them first. Any other ap- tion in this respect is the same everywhere. proach would be like re-arranging the deck chairs on Having said this, however, how should progress in the Titanic. All the ambitious European programmes higher education and research be conducted in order to renovate European science will flounder if there are to sustain a common advance in the different parts of only generals giving orders and no soldiers to carry Europe? Here, the situation is far from uniform across them out.
71 NATO
Fernando Carvalho Rodrigues1 Scientific and Environmental Affairs Division, NATO2
The NATO Science Programme liance have expanded, the appeal of the Alliance’s ide- al is now much wider than on the 4th of April 1949 and Ignorance, technological gap and ensuing econom- Article 2 is, again, very central to the NATO mission. ic differences have been diagnosed as causes of social Within this mission, education and the narrowing unrest. They have also been recognized as the source of the technological gap are tasks that constitute the of instability. very core of the prevention of armed conflict. They Prevention measures have also been identified. are central to “seek to promote stability and well-be- These are education and the building up of scientific ing” as stated in the Treaty’s preamble. and engineering capabilities. Cyclically, the same di- Education and the building up of technological ca- agnosis and the same remedies have been found and, pabilities are the two pillars of the NATO Science readily, forgotten. In the case of the North Atlantic Programme (see fig. 1). Alliance the principle of solidarity is still inscribed in The NATO Science Programme is designed to give the Treaty. The Treaty was signed in troubled and un- access to higher education and professional training certain times: 4th April 1949. across “barriers of language, nationality and culture” Maybe we can trace to these times the insertion of in the 19 NATO countries, 27 Partner countries and 7 Article 2 of the Treaty: “The Parties will contribute to- Mediterranean Dialogue countries. The Science Fel- ward the further development of peaceful and friendly in- lowships and the Cooperative Science and Technolo- ternational relations by strengthening their free institu- gy sub-programmes ensure that people from fifty-three tions, by bringing about a better understanding of the prin- countries can be educated and trained anywhere in ciples upon which these institutions are founded, and by these countries as well as guaranteeing, through peer promoting conditions of stability and well-being. They will review, the highest scientific standards. The Science seek to eliminate conflict in their international economic Fellowships and Cooperative Science and Technology policies and will encourage economic collaboration be- sub-programmes constitute the basis for the pillar of tween any or all of them”. Education and the search for excellence. A little over fifty years later, again the need to The Science Fellowships sub-programme, which is work towards cohesion has made its way to the fore- basically about education and training, gives rise front of our daily lives. Again the Alliance is meeting through interchange to a desire for the search for ex- new security challenges. Although the security envi- cellence. More than eighty percent of NATO Science ronment is different to what it was fifty years ago, even fellows are aged below forty. Many will participate in ten years ago, the need for an enhanced role of part- the Cooperative Science and Technology sub-pro- nership is part of the Alliance’s strategic outlook. gramme, covering the areas of Physics, Life Sciences, Although new members will join the Alliance in Environmental Sciences and Security where a forum the not too distant future, the promotion of wide- is created producing the highest quality of science and ranging partnership and cooperation to build mutual engineering. Some of these fellows will become Nobel confidence remains essential to the welcoming of Prize laureates in later life. these new members. The Research Infrastructure Support and the Sci- Although the geographical boundaries of the Al- ence for Peace sub-programmes give rise to the pillar
1 On leave from the Universidade Independente, Av. Marechal Gomes da Costa Lote 9, 1800-255 Lisbon, Portugal (www: uni.pt). 2 Disclaimer: The views presented in this paper are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of his employer or that of any NATO country government.
72 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE where technological capability is built upon. Through the two programmes (Science for Peace and Research these programmes equipment and science manage- Infrastructure Support) which are the core of an in- ment skills can be acquired anywhere in NATO and creased capacity in equipment while those who still Partner countries. have the desire for innovation focus more on Fellow- The Science for Peace sub-programme with its in- ships and on Cooperative Science and Technology. vestment in equipment is complemented by the in- A strength of the NATO Science Programme is crease in connectivity given by the Computer Net- that it relies on a bottom-up process in which individ- working area and supplemented by the training of ual NATO and Partner country scientists work to- managers through the Science and Technology Policy gether to develop grant applications. These applica- area of the Research Infrastructure Support sub-pro- tions are then reviewed by the above Panels of re- gramme in building up the capability of Partner coun- spected scientists, who determine the scientific quali- tries to achieve a healthy economic environment. But ty of the proposed activities. this effort would not be of any consequence in time, if The four NATO Science sub- programmes (Sci- the renewed capacity was not taken up by those, who ence Fellowships, Cooperative Science and Technolo- push engineering capability and scientific knowledge gy, Research Infrastructure Support and Science for to the edge of innovation. Peace) are a unique model of coherence. They provide The coherent uniqueness of the NATO Science the means for capacity building and for the search for Programme also resides in the fact that those who are excellence. One without the other will not give rise to well-established scientists participate more often in sustainable development. The NATO Science Pro-
Science Committee Science Committee Liaison Group (SCLG)
Scientific & Environmental Affairs Division (SEA)
National Fellowship Physical & Engineering Computer Networking Science of Peace Administrators S&T Panel Panel Steering Group
Life Science & S&T Policy & Organization Technology Panel Panel
Environment & Earth S&T Panel
Security-Related Civil S&T Panel
Science Cooperative Science Research Infra- Science Fellowships & Technology Structure Support for Peace { Education { Capacity Building Scientific Excellence Technological Gap
Fig. 1:The Science Committee is chaired by the Assistant Secretary General for Scientific and Environmental Affairs. Its members are ap- pointed by the NATO countries. Its executive arm is the Scientific and Environmental Affairs Division.The details on how it is organized and access to application forms can be downloaded from the website: www.nato.int/science.
73 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE gramme does. It complies with the guidelines provid- herence model to be followed by others. It is, then, ed by the United Nations. only natural that the co-sponsorship of events be- In fact, at this Ministerial Round Table organized tween the NATO Scientific Affairs Division and by UNESCO, some countries’ representatives gave UNESCO, in particular UNESCO-ROSTE, will be the NATO Science Programme as an example of a co- further increased.
74 FINAL COMMUNIQUÉ ADOPTED BY THE ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE ON REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE
FINAL COMMUNIQUÉ adopted by the Round Table of Ministers of Science on Rebuilding Scientific Cooperation in South East Europe
UNESCO, Paris 24 October 2001
The Ministerial Round Table on Rebuilding Sci- The Round Table of Ministers recognized that, in entific Cooperation in South East Europe agrees that, order to promote scientific cooperation in South East by its very nature, science transcends political borders Europe, specific measures should be enacted with a and geography, acting as a catalyst for shared intellec- view to: tual endeavours among national communities. The Round Table believes, however, that the political con- 1. mobilizing resources for equipment and research ditions prevailing on the European continent up to grants for scientists who have made successful ca- 1989, and the open conflicts which later disrupted the reers abroad and wish to return to their home political and social texture of the Balkans have affect- countries; ed scientific exchanges in this region so adversely that 2. promoting exchanges of young scientists, visiting a relaunching of scientific cooperation in the area can professors, research workers, engineers and techni- hardly be expected without special effort. Such effort cians within the region and between the countries should encompass all Governments concerned on the of the region and the rest of Europe; basis of a mutually acceptable approach. The Round 3. developing electronic networks among research Table shares the view that rebuilding scientific coop- institutes and universities in Southeastern Euro- eration in Southeastern Europe is a key element for pean countries with the appropriate connections consolidating stability in the area. In this respect, it is to the main scientific and academic institutions in commonly accepted that projects in social sciences EU and CEE countries; and human sciences should also be supported. 4. up-grading of the existing National Research and The Round Table of Ministers expresses its thanks Education Networks (NRENs) in order to make and appreciation to UNESCO, and its Regional Bu- them compatible among them and with the pan- reau in Venice (ROSTE) in particular, for taking the European networks; initiative of convening this Round Table. They have 5. encouraging and supporting communication serv- found very useful the work done by the Venice Confer- ices, such as specific computing facilities, digitizing ence of Experts (24-27 March 2001) on the “Recon- of data and information, and electronic publishing; struction of Scientific Cooperation in South East Eu- 6. facilitating the networking of existing research in- rope”, and have considered with interest the recom- frastructures and building up new facilities at the mendations made by the ad hoc UNESCO–ROSTE/ interregional level, in particular medium size infra- Academia Europaea/ European Science Foundation structures; Task Force. On that basis they recognize the need for: 7. encouraging research collaborative projects in the •reducing the brain drain by a general consolidation life sciences, agriculture, environmental sciences, of national science and technology systems; computer science and information technologies, • establishing appropriate training fellowships and materials science, civil engineering and sustainable exchange grants of scientists and professors; development, as well as in social and human sci- •facilitating networking of research institutes and ences, as means for solving important regional universities; problems, revitalizing regional research capacities • up-grading and strengthening research infrastruc- and stabilizing human resources. tures; •promoting renewed cooperation in social and hu- The participants deem that these measures should man sciences; be funded on the basis of cost-sharing among the • launching collaborative projects in some strategic countries directly concerned, as well as with the sup- fields. port of external donors.
77 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
The Ministerial Round Table invites UNESCO and above-mentioned lines and explore the conditions for its Regional Office for Science for Europe (ROSTE) to a donors’ conference. continue to promote cooperation in the area along the
78 ANNEXES
AGENDA
15:00 - 15:15 Opening Speech by: research infrastructures; information technologies and MR KOÏCHIRO MATSUURA, computer networks for research and training; assis- Director-General of UNESCO tance and support for collaborative projects in the life sciences, materials science; sustainable development and environmental challenges. 15:15 - 16:30 SESSION 1. National and Regional Strategies, and Cooperation Priorities 17:15 - 17:30 Break Statements by the Ministers of Science of the South Eastern European countries 17:30 - 19:00 SESSION 3. Towards a Pan-European Partnership in Science By its very nature, science transcends political borders Contributions by the Representatives of the European and geography, acting as a catalyst for shared intellec- Union Member States and of the Central Eastern tual endeavours among national communities. After a European Countries long period of transition and conflict, the re-launch- Interventions by representatives ing of scientific cooperation in the area can hardly be of IGOs and NGOs expected without special effort. Rebuilding scientific cooperation in South East Europe is a key element for Over the last years, a new effort at convergence has been consolidating stability in the area. started with the European Union enlargement to Cen- tral and Eastern European Countries. This move comes at a time when European R&D and innovation policies 16:30 - 17:15 SESSION 2. need reappraisal and probably reorientation. The Views, Ideas and Strategies process of intellectual enlargement is by no means con- Contributions by co-organizers of the Venice fined to these countries. The problem is to bridge the Conference and presentations of results gaps still existing in research capacities and opportuni- ties for doing science, in particular for young scientists. General Presentation of Priority Actions as defined by the Venice Conference of Experts on the “Recon- struction of the Scientific Cooperation in South East 19:00 - 19:30 Discussion on the draft Communiqué Europe”: human resources, training and fellowships; of the Round Table and Adoption
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BACKGROUND NOTE
The efforts of the international community for re- at contributing to the establishment of new links and habilitation/recovery and development assistance forms of cooperation, in relevant scientific fields, within the Southeast Europe (SEE) region have been among the SEE countries and between them and the organized so far under different frameworks, among rest of Europe, and thus to help settle the political, which the Stability Pact and the Ancona Declaration economic and social situation of the region. From on the Adriatic and Ionian Area are important steps. both the position papers prepared by experts from The European Commission has put forward the EU’s the concerned countries of SEE, and the ensuing dis- Framework Programme for Research and Technologi- cussions, the Venice Conference identified several cal Development as a major tool to support the cre- lines of action which should be rapidly implemented ation of the European Research Area. The central ob- in order to accelerate the involvement of the region servation on which the European Research Area ini- in a pan-European research area, as well as to tiative is founded was that research in Europe is not strengthen existing cooperation and to promote new only diverse but also highly fragmented. Reinforced linkages. The following actions were considered as action in the Balkans has been recently underlined by urgent issues: the European Commission as an important step of the - identify research priorities of national and regional EU enlargement. interest; Two years ago (26 June-1 July 1999), UNESCO to- - undertake a systematic effort to reduce the brain gether with the International Council for Science drain so as to avoid shortages of competence and (ICSU) held the World Conference on Science in skills; Budapest (Hungary). The Conference adopted two - improve communication and data handling infra- basic documents: Declaration on Science and the Use structures; of Scientific Knowledge, and Science Agenda – - improve joint work in multidisciplinary problem- Framework for Action. The latter stressed that: “One orientated projects; of the greatest challenges facing the world community - encourage the co-funding of projects and pro- in the next century will be the attainment of sustain- grammes at the regional level; able development, calling for balanced interrelated - raise the awareness of politicians and decision- policies aimed at economic growth, poverty reduc- makers of the importance of science for the gener- tion, human well-being, social equity and protection al evolution of the economy and society. of the Earth’s resources and life-support systems.” In order to ensure the follow up of the recom- By its very nature, science is an activity without mendations of the Venice Conference of experts, borders, having the strong and unique capacity to mo- the participants decided to establish an ad hoc joint bilize the intellectual effort on both theoretical and UNESCO-ROSTE/Academia Europaea/European practical problems. After the crisis in Southeast Eu- Science Foundation Task Force. The senior experts rope, rebuilding scientific cooperation is an important from SEE countries who organized the preparation of element of the stabilization process in the region. the position papers were associated with the Task In this context, UNESCO - Regional Office for Sci- Force. This Task Force assisted in the development ence and Technology in Europe (UNESCO-ROSTE), of some collaborative projects in the life sciences, the Academia Europaea (AE) and the European Sci- environmental sciences, computer sciences and in- ence Foundation (ESF) jointly organized in Venice, formation technologies, materials science and sus- Italy, from 24 to 27 March 2001, an International tainable development. It could further explore fund- Conference of Experts on “Reconstruction of the ing sources and financial mechanisms, and help in Scientific Cooperation in South East Europe” aimed the preparation of donors’ conferences.
83 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
The joint UNESCO-ROSTE/AE/ESF Task Force could be a good long-term solution and could also pro- has taken stock of the results of the Venice Confer- vide scientific leadership. ence and stresses the following priorities. - Rebuilding the work-force and national expertise Proposed actions with a solid scientific and technological back- 1.1 Instituting international competitive grants, ground, in the framework of a knowledge-based so- which will provide funds for equipment and salaries, ciety. This means that younger people will take in particular for those scientists who have made part over the responsibilities for Science & Technology, of their successful careers abroad and wish to return to within a short time and on a large scale in most of their home countries. European countries. In this perspective, there is an 1.2 Establishing a fund for the exchange of young urgent need for more comprehensive training and scientists, visiting professors and research workers, en- fellowships schemes and programmes. gineers and technicians within the region. Organizing - Building and completion of national academic specific training for scientific managers. electronic networks, their interconnection within the SEE region and connection to the pan-Euro- 2. Information Technologies and Computer Networks pean and global nets. This should be the main in- for Scientific Research and Training strument for enabling SEE scientists to participate The Venice Conference of Experts recognized that actively in regional and pan-European coopera- the lack of large bandwidth computer networks for re- tion. search and training is the largest single impediment to - The research facilities of the region need to be up- strengthening scientific cooperation among the coun- graded. Some of them need to be established as tries of Southeast Europe and between them and the world-class centres of excellence and competence rest of Europe. Electronic up-graded networking is for attracting young research workers, not only fundamental for improving the capacity for scientific from the region but also from other parts of Europe. research of the institutes and universities. This could help to halt the brain drain and pro- An integrated academic information, communica- mote economic and social stabilization. tion and research network in SEE should provide es- - Assistance and support for some collaborative sential services at three levels: S&T projects in Southeast Europe involving part- - information technologies services and access to ners from the rest of Europe. This should be pro- communication facilities, at both national and re- vided in the larger context of pan-European scien- gional levels; tific cooperation and considered as an important - shared applications and tools based on high-speed element of European integration: networking of and interactive Internet services such as groupware laboratories will be an important step in this re- for scientists, video-conferencing, remote data spect. Realistic but ambitious regional projects in storage capacities and remote data processing facil- the life sciences, environmental sciences, comput- ities; er science and information technologies, materials - thematic applications and services such as specific science and sustainable development could and data bases and desk top publishing. should contribute not only to solving important practical problems of the region, but also to revi- Proposed actions: talizing national S&T systems. 2.1 Rapidly develop electronic networks among scientific institutes and universities in SEE countries with appropriate connections to the main scientific Intended Actions and academic institutions in EU countries and CEE countries. 1.Training and fellowships in S&T as a prerequisite 2.2 Encourage the upgrading of the existing Na- of a knowledge-based society tional Research and Education Networks (NRENs) in Training a new generation of scientists and re- order to make them compatible with the other net- training existing competent scientists in the use of works. new techniques is an urgent requirement. This should 2.3 Encourage and support the development of be done using an appropriate fund to promote the ex- new services for the research institutions, e.g. digitiz- change of scientists among SEE countries and be- ing of data, creation of specific databases, desk top tween them and EU countries. Grants to facilitate the publishing. professional reinsertion in their home countries of SEE scientists who have worked successfully abroad The joint UNESCO - ROSTE/AE/ESF Task Force
84 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE could help to review the current situation and prepare tainable development should facilitate the national proposals for implementation of these recommenda- choices in the revitalization of the research capacities tions, building on existing initiatives promoted by dif- and in the stabilization of the human resources. The ferent actors in Europe. networking of research centres and laboratories would be an essential mean to implement those projects. 3. Research Infrastructures Research infrastructures are the backbone for sci- 4.1 - Life Sciences entific activities in every domain of science. They in- Initiate a Regional Genome Research Project rely- clude large equipment, medium size facilities, such as ing on local human resources and based on access to spectrometers, data banks, archives and service labo- public domain data-bases and advanced training for ratories. Upgrading those facilities in the region is young scientists on bio-informatics, in cooperation necessary, as well as training of scientists in the use of with the existing international genome projects. modern techniques. It is necessary to develop more centres of excellence, which advantageously can both 4.2 - Environmental Sciences give specific focus, and raise the profile of science in Emphasize the trans-boundary dimension of SEE the SEE countries generally, with the benefit of facili- environmental problems: regional assessment of the tating a better climate for the broad support of science consequences of climate change, biodiversity, and in the region. ecosystems, networking of marine research centres, catchment-based and urban freshwater resources and Proposed actions: pollution management projects. Environmental projects 3.1 Encourage and facilitate the networking of ex- should be related or linked to national and regional eco- isting research infrastructures and the building of new nomic development. Special attention should be given facilities at the regional level, in particular medium- to topics arising from the specific geographical position size infrastructures. An assessment of existing infra- of Southeast European countries, in particular along structures and of the most urgent needs would be the the Danube Green Corridor, the Black Sea and the first step towards such an action. Eastern Mediterranean coasts, the seismic problems of 3.2 Facilitate access to existing national infrastruc- the region of South Eastern Europe, and the problem tures of medium size such as: lasers, spectrometers, of toxic waste management and general issues of envi- seismographs, telescopes, marine research centres and ronment and health. their coastal vessels and observatory platforms, etc. and the access to and the active participation in the 4.3 - Material Sciences use of leading established facilities in Europe (e.g. Encourage regional institutions to develop R&D CERN, EMBL, ESRF, Elettra, etc.); in material sciences using the most recent concepts (including those in nano-technologies) and modern To prepare, co-ordinate and make proposals con- domains relevant for regional industries. The setting cerning the implementation of the recommendations, up of one or more centres of excellence in material the UNESCO-ROSTE/AE/ESF Task Force of Experts sciences is considered a priority for scientific and eco- may contribute in particular to the following tasks: nomic development in the region and which can - identify and map the existing infrastructures in build on existing expertise in chemistry and physics SEE countries and assess the possibility for their research centres in the region having a long tradition up-grading; of excellent research. - propose mechanisms and guidelines for the access to those facilities and their networking; 4.4 - Sustainable Development - assess possibilities and evaluate projects for the Promote sustainable development at national and building of new medium size infrastructures, with regional levels, placing an emphasis on renewable en- an intra-regional dimension in SEE, ergy sources, water and ecosystem management, and - explore the possible funding mechanisms for the taking into account socio-economic and environmen- implementation of the whole programme. tal interactions. Harnessing the power of Information Technology for sustainability. 4. Collaborative projects in the priority scientific do- mains Meaningful and ambitious collaborative projects in life sciences, environment, computer science and information technologies, materials science and sus-
85 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
SOUTH EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES Mr Slobodan Soja Ambassador of B&H in France Albania Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Embassy of B&H Prof Gramoz Pashko 174, rue de Courcelles Vice-Minister of Education and Science Paris, France Rruga et Durresit, No 23 Tel: +331 45 68 26 20/ 42 67 34 22 Tirana Fax: +331 40 53 85 22 Tel: +355 4 22 87 57 [email protected] Fax: +355 4 23 20 02 [email protected] [email protected] Dr Emir Turkusic Prof Ylli Popa Assistant of the Minister President Federal Ministry of Education, Science, Culture Albanian Academy of Sciences and Sport Fan S. Noli Square Obala Maka Dizdara 2, Tirana Tel: +387 33 66 36 93 ; Sarajevo Tel: +355 4 22 60 49 Fax: +387 33 66 43 81 Fax: +355 4 22 74 76 [email protected] Dr Sonja Siljak-Yakovlev Prof Perparim Fuga Senior Research Fellow Scientific Secretary Laboratoire d’écologie, systématique et évolution Department for Natural and Technical Sciences (UPRESA-CNRS) Albanian Academy of Sciences Universite Paris XI, Orsay, France Tirana Tel: +33 1 69 15 46 98 Tel: +355 4 22 60 49 Fax: +33 1 69 15 46 97 Fax: +355 4 22 74 76 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Bulgaria
Bosnia & Herzegovina Prof Igor Damyanov Vice-Minister for Research Prof Mitar Novacovic Ministry of Education and Science Minister of Culture and Science 2A, Dondukov bld Srpska Republic Sofia 1000 Banja Luka Tel: + 3592 988 15 85 Tel: +387 51 331 542/ 51 331 548 Fax: + 35 92 981 21 82 [email protected] [email protected]
86 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Prof Naum Yakimoff Greece Scientific Secretary, General Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Chair of the Scientific Committee Dr Nikos Katsaros National Commission for UNESCO Secretary General of the Union of the Chemical 1, 15 November Str. Societies of the Southeast European Countries, 1040 Sofia National Research Center “Demokritos” Tel: +359 2 987 7087 Aghia Paraskevi, Attikis 153-10 Fax: +359 2 981 66 29 Athens [email protected] Tel: +30 1 650 36 45 Fax: +30 1 651 17 66 Ms Albena Vutsova [email protected] Secretary, National Science Fund Ministry of Education and Science 2A Dondukov bld. Romania Sofia 1000 Tel: +359 2 980 89 88/ 2 981 14 04 Mr Adrian Mihai Campurean [email protected] State Secretary for Scientific Research and Relations with the Parliament Ministry of Education and Research Croatia Mendellev Street 21-25 701681 Bucharest, sect. 1 Prof Davor Butkovic Tel: +40 1 6502935 Vice-Minister Fax: +40 1 211 42 75 Ministry of Science and Technologies Tel: +385 1 459 44 51 Mr Ion Macovei Fax: +385 1 481 9331 Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO [email protected] UNESCO House 75732 Paris cedex 15, France Mrs Neda Ritz Tel: +33 1 45 68 26 72 Ambassador, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Fax: +33 1 47 34 91 38 5, av. Bosquet, Paris, France dl.roumanie@unesco.org Tel: +01 47 05 04 42 Fax: +01 45 56 10 74 Prof Andrei Tugulea Secretary-General Prof Biserka BELICZA Academia Romana Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts 125, Calea Victoriei, sector 1 Vlaska 70c 711021 Bucharest 10000 Zagreb Tel/Fax: +40 1 312 27 59 Tel: +385 01 46 13 842 [email protected] [email protected] Mrs Iulia Mihail Director Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Department of European Integration and International Relation Prof Georgi Efremov Ministry of Education and Research Former Minister of Science Mendellev Street 21-25 Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts 701681 Bucharest, sect. 1 Bul Krste Misirkov 2 Tel: +40 1 650 29 35 91000 Skopje Fax: +40 1 211 42 75 Tel: +389 2 239 061/ 2 114 200 [email protected] Fax: +389 2 115 434 [email protected]
87 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
Prof Doina Banciu Mr Turhan Firat Director, National Institute of Research and Ambassador Development in Informatics, Ministry Permanent Delegate to UNESCO of Technologies of Communication and Information UNESCO House Bd Maresal Averescu 8-10 1 rue Miollis Sector 1 Bucharest 71316 75732 Paris, France Tel: +40 1 224 52 62 Fax: +33 1 40 56 04 13 Fax: +40 1 224 1030 [email protected] Prof Tugrul Tankut Vice-President of TUBITAK Prof Alexandru Mironov Ataturk Bulvari 221 Secretary General Kavakudere National Commission for UNESCO 06100 Ankara 8, Anton Cehov, Sector 1 Tel: +90 312 467 8280/7649 71291 Bucharest Fax: +90 312 427 2672 [email protected] Slovenia
Mr Stane Pejovnik Yugoslavia State Secretary Ministry of Education, Science and Sport Prof Vuko Domazetovic TR 6 of 13 Federal Secretary for Science and Development 1000 Ljubljana Bul. M. Pupina 2 Tel: +386 1 478 46 21 11070 N. Belgrade Fax: +386 1 478 47 19 [email protected] Prof Dragan Domazet Minister of Science, Technologies and Development Dr Darko Strajn of Serbia Chairperson, National Commission for UNESCO Nemanjina 24 Ministry of Education, Science and Sport 11000 Belgrade Tivolska 50 Tel: +38 11 3616 516 1000 Ljubljana Fax: +38 11 3616 584 Tel: +386 1 475 70 52 [email protected] Fax.: +386 1 231 50 50 Mr Dragoljub Najman Mrs Darja Goles Ambassador Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Embassy of Slovenia UNESCO House 21, rue du Bouquet de Longchamp 1 rue Miollis 75016 Paris, France 75732 Paris France Tel: +33 1 47 55 65 90 Fax: +33 1 40 56 30 59 Fax: +33 1 47 55 60 05 Mrs Divna Trajkovic Senior Research Fellow Turkey “Sinisa Stankovic” Institute for Biological Research 29. novembra 142 Prof Namik Kemal Pak 11000 Belgrade President, The Scientific&Technical Research Tel: +381 11 764-422/105 Council of Turkey ( TUBITAK) Fax: +381 11 761 433 Ataturk Bulvari 221 [email protected] 06100 Ankara Tel: +90 312 467 8280/7649 Fax: +90 312 427 2672 [email protected]
88 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Mr Miroslav Spasojevic Czech Republic Senior Adviser Federal Secretariat for Science Dr Frantisek Dusbabek Bul. M. Pupina 2 Foreign Relations Council 11070 N. Belgrade Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Tel: +381 11 311 16 38 National Commission for UNESCO Fax: +381 11 311 20 09 Hradcanské nam.5 [email protected] 118 00 Prague
Mr Karel Komarek Permanent Delegate to UNESCO COUNTRIES INVITED OUT OF THE REGION UNESCO House 1 rue Miollis Austria 75732 Paris France Fax: +33 1 42 73 21 80 Dr Raoul Kneucker Director General for Research Federal Ministry for Education, Science and Culture Estonia Rosengasse 4-6 A-1014 Vienna Mr Jüri Engelbrecht Tel: +43 1 531 20 6700 President Fax: +43 1 531 120 6702 Estonian Academy of Sciences [email protected] 6 Kohtu 10130 Tallinn Mr Tassilo F. Ogrinz Tel: +372 644 2129 Ambassador Fax: +372 645 1805 Permanent Delegate to UNESCO [email protected] UNESCO House Office M7.13 1 rue Miollis Finland 75732 Paris France Fax: +33 1 47 83 26 25 Dr Tapio Markkanen Secretary Prof Manfred Horvat Finnish Council of University Rectors Director University of Helsinki Bureau for International Research PO Box 3 and Technology Cooperation FIN – 00014 Wiedener Hauptstrasse 76 Tel: +358 9 191 22 335 A-1040 Vienna Fax: +191 22 194 Tel: +43 1 581 16 16 114/109 [email protected] Fax: +43 1 581 16 16 16 [email protected] France Ms Gabriele Eschig Secretary General Mr Gilles Le Chevalier National Commission for UNESCO Director Mentergasse 11 Cabinet of the Minister of Research 1070 Vienna Ministry of Research Tel: +43 1 523 64 21 1, rue Descartes Fax: +43 1 526 13 01 20/ 531 20 99 47 13/ 523 64 21 20 75005 Paris [email protected]
89 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
Mr Alexandre Defay Germany Diplomatic Adviser of the Minister Ministry of Research Mr Norbert Klingler 1, rue Descartes Ambassador 75005 Paris Permanent Delegate to UNESCO UNESCO House Mr Jean Musitelli 1 rue Miollis Ambassador 75732 Paris France Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Tel: +33 1 53 83 46 63 UNESCO House Fax: +33 1 53 83 46 67 1 rue Miollis 75732 Paris France Fax: +33 1 53 69 99 49 Hungary
Prof Pierre Papon Mr Arpad Fasang Ecole Supérieure de Physique et Chimie Ambassador Industrielles de Paris Permanent Delegate to UNESCO 10, rue Vauquelin House UNESCO 75005 Paris 1 rue Miollis Tel: +33 1 40 79 45 07 75732 Paris, France Fax: +33 1 40 79 47 95 Fax: +33 1 44 49 05 15 [email protected] Prof Norbert Kroo Mrs Genevieve Pouquet El Chami Secretary General 2nd Secretary Hungarian Academy of Sciences Permanent Delegation to UINESCO 9, Roosevelt squ. 1, rue Miollis 1051 Budapest 75732 Paris France Tel: +36 1 311 9812 or 269 0114 Tel: +33 01 53 69 99 39 Fax: +36 1 312 8483 [email protected] Prof Martine Boiteux Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales Prof Pal Tamas Ministry of Research Director 1, rue Descartes Institute of Sociology 75005 Paris Hungarian Academy of Sciences Tel: +33 1 55 55 85 42 Uri utca 49 Fax: +33 1 55 55 84 39 1041 Budapest [email protected] Tel: +36 1 224 6740 Fax: +36 1 224 67 41 Dr Gérard Toulouse [email protected] President of the Committee for Natural Sciences National Commission for UNESCO Prof István Láng Senior Research Fellow, Adviser to the President Ecole Nationale Supérieure Hungarian Academy of Sciences 24 rue Lhomond 9, Roosevelt squ. 75231 Paris 1051 Budapest Tel: +33 1 44 32 34 87 Fax: +33 1 43 36 76 66 [email protected]
90 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Mr Peter Gresiczki Lithuania Secretary General Hungarian National Commission for UNESCO Mr Rimantas Vaitkus Bathori utca 10 Vice-Minister - Ministry of Education and Science H-1054 Budqpest Volano str.2/7, LT-2691 Tel: +36 1 269 17 23 Vilnius Fax: +36 1 331.35.26 Tel: +370 2 74 31 26 or +370 1 45 52 80 [email protected] Fax: +370 2 61 20 77 [email protected]
Italy Mr Darius Kazimieras Mereckis First Secretary Dr Guido Possa Permanent Delegation to UNESCO State Secretary for Research UNESCO House Ministry of Education, University and Research 1 rue Miollis Piazza Kennedy 20 75732 Paris Cedex 15 00153 Rome Tel: +01 45 68 33 20 Fax: +01 47 83 71 12 Dr Gabriele Sardo Ambassador Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Norway UNESCO House 1 rue Miollis Mr Jon Naustdalslid 75732 Paris France Director Tel: +33 1 45 68 31 43 Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research Fax: +33 1 45 66 41 78 (NIBR) PO Box 44 Blinden Dr Gioacchino Fonti N-O 313 Oslo Ministry of Education, University and Research Tel: +47 22 95 88 00 Piazza Kennedy 20 Fax: +47 22 60 77 74 00153 Rome [email protected] Tel: +39 06 5991 26 39 Fax: +39 06 59 91 23 68 [email protected] Poland
Prof Angelo Marzollo Dr Jan-Krzystof Frackowiak Department of Mathematics and Informatics Vice-Minister for Science University of Udine Ministry for Science and Technology Via delle Scienze Wspalna 1/3 33100 Udine Warsaw 00529 Tel: +39 0432 248 526 Tel: +48 22 621 75 57 Fax: +39 0432 248 550 Fax: +48 22 628 09 22 [email protected] [email protected]
Dr David Morante Mrs Malgorzata Dzieduszycka-Ziemilska Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Plenipotentiary Minister UNESCO House Permanent Delegate to UNESCO 1 rue Miollis UNESCO House 75732 Paris France 1 rue Miollis Tel: +33 1 45 68 31 43 75732 Paris France Fax: +33 1 45 66 41 78 Fax: +33 1 45 66 59 56
91 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
Prof Wlodymierz Zagorski- Ostoja Mr Mihai Popov Director - Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Polish Academy of Sciences Embassy of the Republic of Moldova 5A Pawinskiego str. 1, rue de Sfax 02-106 Warsaw 75016 Paris Tel: +48 22 658 47 29 Tel: +33 1 40 67 11 20 Fax: +48 22 658 46 36 Fax: +33 1 40 67 11 23 [email protected]
Prof Jerzy M. Langer Russian Federation Institute of Physics - Polish Academy of Sciences Al. Lotnikow 32/46 Mr Evgeny Sidorov 02-668 Warsaw Ambassador - Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Tel: +48 22 843 70 01 ext. 3142 UNESCO House Fax: +48 22 843 09 26 75015 Paris [email protected] Tel. +33 1 42 13 84 30 Fax: +33 1 42 67 51 99 [email protected] [email protected] Portugal Mr Grigorii Ordzhonikidze Mr Marcello Mathias Senior Counsellor Ambassador Permanent Delegation to UNESCO Permanent Delegate to UNESCO 1 rue Miollis UNESCO House Tel: 01 45 68 26 81 1 rue Miollis Fax: 01 42 67 51 99 75732 Paris Cedex 15 [email protected]
Mrs Ana Paula Zacarias Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO Slovakia UNESCO House 1 rue Miollis Prof Ludovit Molnar 75732 Paris Cedex 15 Rector - Slovak University of Technology President Slovak National Commission for UNESCO Ms Maria Fernanda Souto-Sepulveda Vazovova 5 Institute for Scientific and Technological International SK- 81243 Bratislava Cooperation Slovakia R. Castilho n. 5-4 Tel: +421 7 524 97196 1250-066 Lisboa Fax: +421 7 572 94333 Tel: +351 21 358 53 45 [email protected] Fax: +351 21 315 40 65 [email protected] United Kingdom
Republic of Moldova Prof Aleksander Boksenberg Chair of the Scientific Committee Mr Ilie Vancea National Commission for UNESCO Minister of Education and Science Institute of Astronomy - Cambridge University 1, Piata Marii Adunari Nationale Madingley Road 2033 Chisinau CB3 OHA Cambridge Tel.: +373 2 233 348 Tel: +44 1223 339 909 Fax: +373 2 233 474 Fax: +44 1223 339910 [email protected]
92 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Prof Edward Derbyshire European Council for Nuclear Research Member of the UK Delegation (CERN) Representative International Geological Correlation Prof Herwig Schopper Programme (IGCP) Former Director General, 79 the Drive, Hove BN 33 PG Chairman Venice Conference of Experts Scientific Council of UNESCO-ROSTE CH-1211 Geneva 23 Ukraine Switzerland [email protected] Prof Anatoly Shpak Vice-President Dr Hans Hoffmann Ukraine Academy of Sciences Director for Technology Transfer and Scientific Com- 54, Vladimirskaya Str. puting 01601, Kiev-30 CH-1211 Geneva 23 Tel: +38-044-226-21-67, 221-65-76 Switzerland Fax: +38 044 224 3243 Tel: +41 22 76 75 458 [email protected] [email protected]
Mr Aleksandr Plevako Mr Nicolas Koulberg First Secretary Relations with Eastern European Countries and Russia Permanent Delegation to UNESCO CH-1211 Geneva 23 UNESCO House Switzerland 1 rue Miollis Tel: +41 22 767 7320 75732 Paris France Fax: +41 22 767 7120 Fax: +33 1 43 06 02 94 [email protected]
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND European Commission NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS Dr Louis Bellemin Academia Europaea Chief Policy Unit for International Scientific Cooperation Prof Ian Butterworth Directorate General Research Vice President 8, Square de Meeus Old Burlington Street, 31 B-1040 Brussels London WIX ILB Belgium United Kingdom Tel: +32 2 295 36 96 Tel: +44 207 734 5402 Fax: +32 2 296 98 24 Fax: +44 207 287 5115 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Mr Michel Bosco Responsible for International Cooperation Mr David Coates Information Society Technologies Programme Secretary General Directorate General “ Information Society ” Old Burlington Street, 31 Rue de La Loi 200 London W1S3AS B-1049 Brussels United Kingdom Belgium Tel: +44 207 734 5402 Tel: +32 2 296 80 68 Fax: +44 207 287 5115 Fax: +32 2 296 91 92 [email protected] [email protected]
93 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
European Cooperation in Research (COST) European Science Foundation (ESF)
Mr Göst Diehl Dr Tony Mayer Chairman, COST Head of the Secretary- General’s Office Director, National Technology Agency – TEKES 1, quai Lezay-Marnésia Kyllikinportti 2, P.O.Box 69 F-67080 Strasbourg Cedex 00101 Helsinki France Finland Tel: +33 3 88 76 71 00 Tel: +358 10 521 5740 Fax: +33 3 88 37 05 32 Fax: +358 10 521 5908 [email protected] [email protected] Dr Paul Egerton 1, quai Lezay-Marnésia Delivery of Advanced Network Technologies F-67080 Strasbourg Cedex to Europe (DANTE) France Tel: +33 3 88 76 71 59 Mr Dany Vandromme Fax: +33 3 88 76 71 80 Member of the Governing Council of DANTE [email protected] Director, RENATER ENSAME 151, Bld de l’Hôpital Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) 75013 Paris, France Tel: +01 53 94 20 30 Prof Vladimir Kadyshevsky Fax: +01 53 94 20 31 Director [email protected] 141980 Dubna Russian Federation Tel: +7 095 200 22 84 or +7 09621 62243 European Association of Research Managers Fax: +7 09621 65892 or +7 09621 65599 and Administrators (EARMA) or +7 09621 65891 [email protected] Mr Piero Messina European Space Agency 8-10 rue Mario Nikis Observatoire des Sciences et des Techniques 75015 Paris (OST) Tel: +01 53 69 74 10 Fax: +01 53 69 76 01 Dr Laurence Esterle [email protected] Director OST 93, rue de Vaugirard 75006 Paris EUROSCIENCE France Tel: +33 1 42 22 30 30 Prof Jean-Patrick Connerade Fax: +33 1 45 48 63 94 President, EUROSCIENCE [email protected] Imperial College University of London Dr Yann Cadiou Prince Consort Road Director OST London SW7 2BW 93, rue de Vaugirard United Kingdom 75006 Paris Tel: +44 (0) 207 594 7858 France Fax: +44 (0) 207 594 7714 Tel: +33 1 44 39 06 95 [email protected] Fax: +33 1 45 48 63 94 [email protected]; [email protected]
94 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mr Howard Moore Director of the Executive Office, Natural Sciences Prof Fernando Carvallho Rodrigues Sector Director Security-Related Civil Science and Tecnology Ms Mireille Jardin Programme Programme Specialist SC/ECO NATO Science Followships Programme Scientific Affairs Division Ms Mercedes Ruiz Molero B-1110 Brussels Chief a.i. Europe & North America Section, Belgium ERC/RMS/EUR Tel: +32 2 707 4233 Fax: +32 2 707 4232 Mr René Cluzel [email protected] Programme Specialist, Information Society Division [email protected] Sector of Communication and Information
Mr Thorkild Aarup UNESCO Programme Specialist, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Mr Koichiro Matsuura Natural Sciences Sector Director-General Mr Mario Bertero Mr Walter Erdelen Division Science Analysis & Policies SC/AP Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences Mr Genc Seiti Mr Patricio Bernal Executive Officer, Secretariat ODG Executive Secretary Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Mr Horst Godicke Natural Sciences Sector Former Director BRX/EUR
Mr Andras Szöllösi-Nagy Mr Saule Bakirova Deputy Assistant Director-General Science Officer, for Natural Sciences UNESCO Almaty Office
Mr Pierre Lasserre Mr Simeon Anguelov Director, UNESCO-ROSTE Former Ambassador, Senior Consultant, UNESCO-ROSTE Mr Peter Bridgewater Director, Division of Ecological Sciences Mr Silvio Dottorini Senior Consultant, UNESCO-ROSTE Mr Franz Eder Director, Division of Earth Sciences Ms Iulia Nechifor Consultant UNESCO-ROSTE Mr Macej Nalecz Director Ms. Madelaine Bonjour Basic and Engineers Sciences Division SC/UCE Natural Sciences Sector Mrs Tatiana Carpené-Damian Mr Philippe Quéau UNESCO-ROSTE Director Information Society Division Ms Cristina Faccia Sector of Communication and Information UNESCO-ROSTE
Mr Vladimir Kouzminov Deputy-Director, UNESCO-ROSTE
95 REBUILDING SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION IN SOUTH EAST EUROPE - ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE
UNITAR INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC PRESS
Ms Mary Sancy Science (USA) Projects Coordinator Environmental Programme Ms Charlene Crabb Palais des Nations 97, blvd Poniatowski CH-1211 Geneva 10 Paris Switzerland Tel: +33 1 43 40 96 03 Tel: +41 22 917 12 34 [email protected] Fax: +41 22 917 80 47 [email protected]
96 LIST OF SELECTED ACRONYMS AND ABREVIATIONS
CEEC Central and Eastern European Countries IGOs International Governmental Organiza- CERN European Organization for Nuclear Re- tions search IOC Intergovernmental Oceanographic COBISS Cooperative On Line Bibliography System Commission COST Cooperation for Science and Technology IT Information Technologies DANTE Delivery of Advanced Network HE Higher Education Technologies to Europe IHP International Hydrological Programme ESF European Science Foundation NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization EU European Union NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations EMBO European Molecular Biology Organiza- OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation tion and Development EMBS European Molecular Biology Conference RDI Research, Development and Innovation EPS European Physical Society R&D Research and Development ESA European Space Agency SINYu Scientific Information Network of Yu- FP Framework Programme goslavia GDP Gross Domestic Product SEEC South Eastern European Countries ICSU International Council for Science TUBITAK Scientific and Technical Research Coun- ICT Information, Communication, Technology cil of Turkey
97 Edited by: P. Lasserre, S. Anguelov, I. Nechifor and R. Santesso
UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) 1262/A Dorsoduro, Venice, Italy 30123 tel. +39 041 522 5535, fax +39 041 528 9995 Email: [email protected] http://www.unesco.org/venice
Cover picture: Mosaic of the Basilica di San Marco (Venice). Photo reprinted from “The Floors of Venice”, 1999, T. Sammartini and G. Crozzoli Edizioni Grafiche Vianello-Vianello Libri, Italy
Printed by Cierre Grafica, Verona, Italy