JRC continues successful performance during 1997
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre has recently published its annual report for 1997, providing a general overview of activities in each of the seven JRC Institutes during the year and highlighting their significant achievements. Separate reports from each of the Institutes of the JRC are issued separately which provide more detail on the work carried out. Of particular importance this year was the technology transfer initiative approved by the Commission which will enable more access to the Centre's installations, provide a technology transfer capital fund, a virtual technology park, and support training and education initiatives. In addition, a new communications policy highlighted the relevance of the JRC's work to the European citizen, with initiatives such as a visit by Members of the European Parliament and efforts to open the Centre to the scientific press. The year in review also saw various changes in the overall approach to the services provided by the JRC and in particular the move towards a more customer driven approach in JRC institutional activities. The Centre also collaborated in various networks to undertake R&D initiatives and continued to participate in competitive activities such as shared cost actions and work for external clients. An overview of institutional research activities and institutional scientific and technical support for Community policies is provided in the first half of the report. A section on the highlights of the JRC's scientific work illustrates the diversity of the research activities carried out. Examples include: - The Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BCNT): exploration of an innovative treatment for malignant brain tumours; - Anti-personnel mine detection systems and strategies; - The establishment and operation of the European Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Bureau (EIPPC). Another important activity on the 1997 agenda was the Centre's contribution to the preparation of the upcoming Fifth RTD Framework Programme. An analysis of the demand for scientific and technological assistance from the various Directorates-General of the Commission was undertaken, and, as a result of this, greater emphasis will now be given to socio-economic activities such as consumer protection, prospective technological studies, sustainable growth and the environment. The report also breaks down the activities of each of the JRC Institutes and provides a brief introduction to each of them as well as an overview of the institutional and competitive activities carried out. Details of JRC information days, publications and conferences in 1997, as well as information on human resources and financing are also provided in the report.