Science and Society in FP6
Why Science and Society in FP6 ?
80 % of Europeans believe that science will one day overcome diseases such
as AIDS or cancer, but also that almost half of Europeans are both uninformed
and uninterested in science. Citizens do not always trust science and scientists.
On top, it was found out in a survey that young people do not find scientific
studies and careers very attractive.
Therefore, a Science and Society Action Plan
was adopted by Commission on 4 December 2001. It covers 38 actions, dealing
around three goals:
- to promote scientific education and culture;
- to bring science policy closer to the citizens;
- to put responsible science at the heart of policy making.
In a nutshell, one can say that the Science and Society Action
Plan is a strategy towards enhancing synergy between scientists,
citizens and politicians. For details on the Science and Society
Action Plan and for general information on Science and Society in
Europe, you might visit the Science and Society in Europe website
Science and Society in FP6: the legacy
"Science and society" is defined as a new general
domain in FP6. However, science and society activities are not new. In former
Framework programmes (within the programme "improving human potential"), we
already dealt with activities such as gender issues and raising public awareness,
including prizes and science week networking. Furthermore, about 100 projects
across the Fifth Framework Programme were dealt with for an ethical review.
As such, within FP6 we can build on several elements which existed already
in the past.
Science and Society in FP6: 2 pillars
Pillar 1. Science and society
as component of FP6 within the Programme "Structuring ERA"
This "pillar" covers
direct actions, for which a budget of 80 million euro is foreseen within FP6.
This pillar is concentrated around 3 main axes and a certain number of particular
targets.
- Bringing research closer to society.
Scientific advice, governance & reference systems.
This is about creating a more dynamic interface between science
and policy making. Such as strengthening synergies between national
strategies and approaches; and about the development and implementation
of appropriate means for channelling scientific advice to policy-makers.
Further, this axis also aims encouraging the active participation
of society at large in policy development.
- Responsible research & application of S&T.
Ethics in science.
This area covers:
- dialogue and information exchange between groups concerned
with ethical issues (networking and dialogue between ethics
bodies in and beyond Europe; the creation of a systematic information
tool on ethical issues in science).
- Raising the awareness of researchers on ethical issues
- Deepening the understanding of ethical issues.
Uncertainty, risk, and the precautionary principle
This is about strengthening synergies between national approaches
through promoting methodologies for addressing scientific uncertainty,
risk governance and the precautionary principle in policy-making.
- Stepping up the science/society dialogue and women in science.
S&T culture, young people, science education and careers.
This area is concentrated on promoting science and scientific culture,
particularly among young people; awards for scientific achievements,
collaboration and communication; and on the promotion of young people's
interest in science, enhancing science education and monitoring
scientific careers. Science Awards.
Women & science.
This area is focused on stimulating the policy debate at national
and regional level and mobilisation of women scientists. Also on
the development of a better understanding of the gender issue in
scientific research.
Pillar 2.
Embedding of "Science and Society" across FP6 Every FP6 project
will be appraised on aspects lined to:
- gender
-
ethics
(one might recommend an ethical review).
-
communication
(public awareness, debate and education).
|
 |
