
Magazin* uropean research Mav 2000 i i e a f] The ozone shield under close surveillance -ι n s t r u c t i Q ι Impetus for innovation RTD info 26 TD info is a magazine on research and technological developmei supported by the European Union. It covers general aspects of Con Dassier ­ Research policy munity research such as project results and research policy, as well ; practical information including dates of calls for proposals, event Towards a European research area R conferences, publications, and soon. RTD info is aimed not only at current ar Interview with Philippe Busquin, potential participants in Community research programmes, but also at European Commissioner responsible for research. *&$■ wider public of industrialists, decision­makers, students, and others who a interested in developments in European research. Published quarterly, Rl Scientists give their verdict info is available in English, French and German. Subscription is free. To sut scribe, fill in the form below. European Nobel prize­winners on research policy. RTD info is also available on­line on the European Commission's EUROF server at: europa.eu.int/comm/research/rtdinfo.html The European scientific landscape A field survey analyses public research . structures in a dozen countries. Editorial Information Accelerating into the future RTD info is published by the Communication Unit of the Research DG. Head of Unit: Jürgen Rosenbaum The technological and social challenges Europe is set to experience by 2010, identified by the Institute for RTD info is produced by Michel Claessens (coordination), Prospective Technological Studies in Seville (JRC). Stephen Gosden, Piia Huusela and Jutta Kastner. For any questions concernin RTD info, please contact the team at: Biomedicine Tel.: +32­2­295.99.71 Diabetes reveals its secrets Fax: +32­2­295.82.20 A wide­ranging genetic study is seeking to under­ E­mail: [email protected] stand the role of genetic determinism in diabetes. For general questions about the Research DG's activities and the Europea Biomaterials Union's research programmes, please contact the Communication Unit: Fax: + 32­2­295.82.20 Building the new man E­mail: [email protected] New biomaterials are opening up innovative ways in surgery to repair human tissues and organs. Information on research and technological development programmes is als available on­line at the Commission's Europa server: Open forum europa.eu.int/comm/research An informal platform for ideas and debate 1 6 74,000 copies of this issue have been printed European RTD digest 18 Ι­ News in brief. Diary, Publications, Notice α: Calls for proposals Neither the European Commission, nor any person acting on its behalf, may be hel Construction industry responsible for the use to which information contained in this publication may be pu or for any errors which, despite careful preparation and checking, may appear. Impetus for innovation ç European Communities, 2000 When the earth moves Non­commercial reproduction authorised, subject to acknowledgement of source. Recycled buildings Subscriptions Information society In the lead in the wireless world 28 I wish to receive a free quarterly copy of RTD Info Innovative developments combining the use of J In English □ In French □ In German mobile phones and the Internet will allow Europe HF to gain a foothold in the 'new economy'. Environment Name: The ozone shield under close surveillance Organisation: European and US experts in atmospheric physics and chemistry gathered in Kiruna (S) for the latest Street: N°: PO Box: winter campaign of measurements on the state of the ozone layer in the northern hemisphere. Report. Post Code : Town: Europe's fragile forests Country: New tools for assessing the risks posed by storms and fires are at the disposal of forestry experts. Tel.: Fax: Communicating uncertainty E­mail: How, on an issue as complex as climatic change, Mail or fax this form to Research DG ­ Communication Unit can scientists help the public to form an opinion? ruede la Loi 200/ Wetstraat 200 ­ 1049 Bruxelles/Brussels ­ Belgique/België Fax: +32­2­295.82.20 ­ E­mail: rtd­[email protected] Ι π t e r v i e LU Towards a European Research Area % An urgent 'Research activities at national and Union level must be better integrated and coordinated to make them as efficient and innovative as possible, European research has some obvious and and to ensure that Europe offers attractive prospects to its best brains. ' well­publicised weaknesses. But it also has With these words, the Lisbon European Council of March 2000 gave the its strengths, and it needs to do more to green light to the new approach to the European Research Area. make the most of them. This is why, in Jan­ uary, European Commissioner Philippe Commissioner Philippe Busquin explains the meaning of this new Busquin launched the idea of creating a political direction. genuine European Research Area which would amount to much more than simply allowing national and Community policies to run in parallel. The initiative triggered a ou took over the European based on common approaches and objec­ wide­ranging debate, in the member states research portfolio in September tives, on drawing more benefit from the and beyond. α 1999. In January, at your initia­ diversity of its potential. There is a need to In this issue Philippe Busquin takes stock tive the Commission launched a wide­ go beyond the present static structure of of the current state of this debate and looks ranging European debate on this new '15 + 1' elements and develop a more ahead to the next stages in implementing strategic dynamic to create a genuine dynamic configuration which is based on a this new facet of the Community's research European Research Area. What was the more coherent implementation of the policy. reason for this initiative? actions of Member States at the national As luck would have it, two recently com­ level, of the Union within the Framework pleted European projects have produced Philippe Busquin: It is a response to a Programme and other policy instruments, very significant and relevant results. situation which I believe should be cause and of inter­governmental research organ­ The first (see p. 7) compares the national for concern. Scientific and technological isations. research support policies of 12 European development is clearly the engine for eco­ countries. The differences ­ and the similar­ nomic and social growth, and in particular Does this mean you want research poli­ ities ­ among them highlight both the ben­ for creating new jobs. Europe has one of the cies to be more coordinated? efits and the deficiencies of the current best research capacities in the world. But a I know this word frightens some people. European research system. lot of indicators show that we fall a long Coordinate does not mean 'impose' or The second (see p. 10) allowed around way short of our major competitors in the 'replace'. The idea is not for some kind of 200 experts to analyse the technological dynamism stakes. I will cite just one: our central control dictating what research must and social challenges Europe is going to be research expenditure has fallen to 1.8% of be undertaken, in Sweden or Portugal for facing by 2010. In addition to mapping the GDP compared to 3% in the United States example. I would prefer to speak of consul­ Union's strengths and weaknesses, the pro­ and Japan. tation with the aim of highlighting a shared ject's conclusions stress the handicap There is one circumstance which both desire to achieve major objectives, but with­ caused by the pointless fragmentation of aggravates this weakness and in part out wanting to paper over the diversity of Europe's research efforts. explains it. European research is frag­ approaches. The diversity of European In a context where the engine of growth mented. It is a jig­saw of 15 national scien­ research is an asset, but if it means every­ and progress is technological dynamism, tific and technological policies, plus the body working away on their own in their cor­ the creation of a European research area is European Union's RTD Framework Pro­ ner, then it becomes a liability. becoming more than an accepted priority. It gramme. The latter certainly encourages I believe we must return to the principle is an urgent need. ■ cross­border cooperation, but it operates of subsidiarity as laid down in the Treaties ­ too much as a 16th element simply tacked that is, for Europe to do what the individual onto the other 15. member states are unable to do at the In the United States and Japan, scientific national level. Organising coordination is and technological policy is rooted in a much one of the European Commission's funda­ more interdependent research fabric and mental missions and one that has long been exerts more effective leverage. The Euro­ accepted in the field of the economics and pean research area must be more firmly competitiveness. Intervie! Philippe Busquin, Member of the European Commission responsible for research, and Michel Claessens, coordinator of RTD Info in the Communication Unit, during this interview: 'The European research area must be more firmly based on common approaches and objectives, on drawing more benefit from the diversity of its potential. ' A policy to strengthen the European those involved in scientific and technologi• where without anyone being aware of how reasearch area is therefore perfectly in line cal policy on the need to strengthen the significant they could ultimately be. with the spirit and thinking behind the European dimension of research policy. Treaties. I also think that the Union's re• Of course agreement must still be reached Do you mean by this that we are seeing search programmes have become rather on what directions to take to give substance European policy adopt a new approach in the victims of their own success, and of to the concept.
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