Introduction
The European Awareness Scenario Workshops Initiative
Francisco Luis Fernandez Fernandez
EC DG XIII D - Luxembourg
The European Awareness Scenario Workshop (EASW) Initiative was launched by the European Commission DG XIII D in 1994 as a pilot action to explore new possible actions and social experiments for the promotion of a social environment favoring innovation in Europe. The initiative focused on two particular fields of action which, in the opinion of experts, should benefit the most from the introduction of the European dimension:
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Assessing the transferability of best practices between different cultural and political contexts, including identification of conditions for success.
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Identification and further development of instruments and tools to support the know-how transfer processes.
The central theme of Urban Environment, together with the awareness workshops method were adopted for a test case. From one side, the local/regional context appeared as one of the most appropriate for raising public awareness and articulating demand around scientific and technological options, from the other, the method associates the main social actors in the city in view of the formulation of a common vision for sustainable development.
Through this initiative, the Commission intends to provide actors of innovation (cities in this particular case), with instruments and tools that they can use in a rather independent way. The adoption of common methodologies contributes to the establishment of a networking process changing the potential obstacles like linguistic and cultural diversity into opportunities.
Launched in 94, a diagnostic phase associated, under EC coordination, an international team of researchers and four European cities. The experts, authorities, technology, economic actors and residents from the cities were requested to assess the meaningfulness of the methodology for their own contexts as well as the necessary improvements to optimize its effectiveness and dissemination potential. More than 200 people were involved at that stage.
The dissemination strategy recommended is based on the use of a rigorous methodological tool-kit complemented by a network of almost 40 national monitors trained during two international seminars held mid 95.
Along 95 and 96 the original set of materials (the EASW package) has been tested and optimized with the contribution of DG XI D and its Sustainable Cities Campaign. A number of cities have made use of it for awareness campaigns and planning for sustainability. Furthermore, some successful initiatives have been launched by active groups in cities with independence from EC. The conclusions of this phase confirmed the flexibility of the methodological package.
The positive reaction to this initiative has led to the launching of a second generation of projects, now under way, enlarging the field of application of the EASW to other subjects relevant for sustainable development such as Health, Transport and Mobility and Information Technologies.
The experience gained in the establishment of adaptation and dissemination mechanisms will be also applied to other methodologies relevant for Local Authorities and cities, in particular strategic management and continuous improvement/learning techniques in SMEs and administration departments.
Credits
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