New worlds – new solutions: research and innovation as a basis for developing Europe in a global context
Tuesday, 30 June 2009- The countries and people of Europe today face global changes that pose major challenges to their economies and societies, as well as to the environment. The need for research-based knowledge has never been greater.
The Swedish Government, as part of its Presidency of the EU, has therefore invited prominent researchers, politicians and officials to discuss the future role of research and innovation in Europe. The conference, entitled New Worlds – New Solutions – Research and Innovation as a Basis for Developing Europe in a Global Context, will take place in Lund on 7–8 July 2009.
The purpose of the conference is to deliver a final declaration, as an input to the Swedish Presidency, on which to base the development of the European Research Area and the forthcoming Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The overall theme of the conference is the role of research and innovation systems in the development of Europe up to 2025. Around 400 participants are expected to join.
The EU Framework Programme for Research will continue to be the most important research cooperation programme at EU level and an important factor in the design of the European Research Area (ERA). But other joint endeavours will also evolve. The conference should provide an opportunity for Member States, the Commission and other stakeholders to have a discussion on a suitable design for the future of European research to meet the challenges facing Europe today.
Sweden’s aim is to conduct a discussion on how to tackle the major challenges facing Europe, such as climate change and an ageing population, but also on how to enhance the quality of research, how to increase the extent to which research results are put to practical use, how to increase participation by the new Member States, and the role of the Framework Programme in international research cooperation.
The aim is for the conference to produce a basis for taking the discussion forward, both ahead of the evaluation of the present Seventh Framework Programme in autumn 2010 and for the forthcoming follow-up discussion on how Europe can become the world’s most competitive region (the ‘post-Lisbon process’).
Source: http://www.se2009.eu
