Regional priorities in an international context: the European experience Howard Moore
Download ReportTranscript Regional priorities in an international context: the European experience Howard Moore
Regional priorities in an international context: the European experience Howard Moore Director UNESCO Office in Venice Regional Bureau for Science in Europe UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Europe: • Culturally and ethnically rich • Multi-layered, organizationally complex • Comparatively strong industrial sector • Diversity of scientific research and training systems, at national and regional levels • Wealth of centres of excellence UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Europe: • Expansion of European Union • Creation of European Research Area - 2010 R&D target: 3% of GDP - 66% to be private sector • Adherence to the Bologna Process UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006) 16.3 billion € • Focussing and integrating Community research 13.35 billion € • Structuring the ERA • Strengthening the foundations of the ERA 2.6 billion € 0.32 billion € UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006) Priority thematic areas • Life Sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health • Information society technologies • Nanotechnologies and nanosciences... • Aeronautics and space • Food quality and safety • Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems • Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006) • Opening of “Focusing and Integrating Community Research” to third country organizations (funding: 285 million Euro) • Specific measures in support of international cooperation (INCO) • Structuring the ERA • International mobility of researchers; Marie Curie action + ESF, COST... UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2011) • Doubling of budget? • Inclusion of European Research Council? UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) ROSTE’s main mission: • To foster cooperation, contribute to capacity building and provide specialized expertise in the natural sciences within the Central and Eastern European region… and especially in South East Europe UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) SE Europe: the context • Transition to market economy • Former centralized science governance • Low national investment UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Western Balkans: added problems • Military conflict • Ethnic cleansing and mass migrations • Destruction of facilities • Fragmentation of former national system • Political and economic sanctions/embargos UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Western Balkans: the economic situation • Fall in industrial production • De-industrialization • Economic structures evolving backwards • Low technological capacity of private sector • Chronic brain drain and brain waste • Low investment in R&D (e.g. O.3% of GDP for S&M) UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) UNESCO-ROSTE initiative: rebuilding scientific cooperation in South East Europe INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF EXPERTS Venice, March 2001 ROUND TABLE OF MINISTERS OF SCIENCE Paris, October 2001 UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Priority action identified as: • Increased connectivity of scientific institutions • Thematic regional networks of research centres and laboratories • Upgrading of medium/large facilities to serve region as a whole • Human capacity building UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Basic and engineering sciences: human capacity-building Mathematics Physics Chemistry Biology and biotechnology Engineering and energy Research training Regional Workshops and Conferences Summer Schools Short-term fellowships UNESCO Chairs UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) The Environment Basic premise: the management of natural (and cultural) resources is becoming more and more a geo-politically relevant stake in the dynamics of the South-East European countries and their mutual relationships. UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) The Environment Fresh water (International Hydrological Programme) •Ecohydrology •Conflicts and transboundary water resources People and nature (Man and the Biosphere Programme) •Use of (transboundary) biosphere reserves to promote sustainable development, esp. in biodiversity and ecotourism Coastal and small island management •Development of Master Plan tool based on GIS (Croatian module) UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) The Environment New • Natural and cultural assets for the development of sustainable tourism in SEE (using as demonstration sites Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage sites) • Environmental educational for sustainable development UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Science policy / Science and society • S & T policies • Mobility of young scientists • Statistics and indicators • Women in science • Access to scientific information UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Spreading the word on science • Establishment of Euroscience Open Forum • Stockholm 2004 • Munich 2006 UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Success stories: 1. Support to Astronomical Research in SE Europe and Ukraine • Networking of observatories • Upgrading of facilities and opening up as a regional resource • Preparation of joint research projects UNESCO OFFICE IN VENICE Regional Bureau for Science in Europe (ROSTE) Success stories: 2. UNESCO-Hewlett-Packard ‘Brain drain’ to ‘brain gain’ project • Provision of grid computing equipment to selected universities in SE Europe • Development of research groups and research projects with expatriates