TSF@NYU Meeting: science and innovation key in addressing global challenges
The TSF, co-chaired by Mr. Sean Kelly, MEP and Mr. Declan Kirrane of ISC Intelligence in Science in Brussels, is an outcome of the EU Science: Global Challenges, Global Collaboration (ES:GC2) conference held at the European Parliament in March, 2013. The TSF is dedicated to exploring the implications of science in the TTIP. It will present a series of recommendations to improve the enabling policy and regulatory framework for public and private investment in collaborative science in an eventual free trade zone between the EU and the US. The meeting concluded with recommendations to improve regulatory and policy framework for public and private investment in US/EU collaborative “science of cities” to be included in the final report that will be submitted to the formal negotiation process. This is the goal of the TSF. With lower technical barriers to trade and open and compatible standards, this would remove unnecessary impediments to transatlantic research. Sean Kelly, MEP, opened the meeting with a video welcome. His message was that one outcome of the TTIP could be enhanced science cooperation and the TSF is an opportunity to provide expert input into the process. “It is impossible to promote transatlantic trade without recognising the key role of science and innovation in addressing global challenges. It will focus on setting mutually acceptable standards to broaden and deepen the transatlantic market. Key examples include in the areas of health and ICT, and I hope that today’s meeting in New York will further explore transatlantic collaboration within these themes and will make recommendations for research and innovation in the T-TIP” said Kelly. Carlton Vann from the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs gave a welcome discussing New York City’s technology industry and increased international trade. He spoke of the idea that the Mayor’s Office encourages more trade and investment between the US and Europe. Vann said, “New York City tops the list with the most foreign companies with over 1,800 foreign companies with a presence in New York which is thanks to NYC’s advanced infrastructure, access to expansive markets, a diverse and talented workforce, business partners, support services, and professional associations.” Declan Kirrane, ISC Intelligence in Science, went over the TTIP timeline which is expected to be completed between January and June 2015, before the US presidential race heats up. He then went over some of the “sticking points” and controversies of the TTIP that would need to be solved before its conclusion, including the audiovisual sector, food standards, public procurement, intellectual property, and maritime transport markets. The meeting included two panels of specialists in urban science and subnational research initiatives. Urban Science is a relatively new field, one which seeks to apply informatics and sensor technologies in ways that improve our understanding of the urban environment, the operation of cities, and their development. The focus of using large-scale data sets to understand how a city functions is at the heart of this field and the can only be enhanced by greater cooperation. One way in particular it can be enhanced, which was highlighted at the meeting, is through TTIP. The TTIP would create a free trade zone between the US and EU making the largest free trade zone in the world. The second panel focused on how “Subnational Research Initiatives” play a key role in incorporating local considerations and day-to-day business to the local public. The meeting showed that the Applied Sciences NYC is one example. By working to build or expand world-class applied sciences and engineering campuses in New York City since December 2010, the Applied Sciences NYC Initiative’s goal is to enrich the existing research capabilities and lead to innovative ideas which could be commercialized. The meeting proposed recommendations to improve regulatory and policy framework for public and private investment in US/EU collaborative ‘science of cities’ to be included in a final report that the TSF will submit to the TTIP negotiators on March 31, 2014. There will be a report writing meeting on March 12 in Brussels to agree on the text of the TSF chapter. Also, there will be an on-going input process which can be submitted via the website through the contact portal or by emailing info@tsciencef.org. Additional TSF dates will be listed on the TSF website at www.tsciencef.org/ Media Enquiries Declan Kirrane ISC Intelligence in Science Email: declan.kirrane@iscintelligence.com Tel: +32 2 8888 100 www.iscintelligence.com Or Jessica Hadjis ISC Intelligence in Science Email: jessica.hadjis@iscintelligence.com Phone: +32 2 8888 100 Mob: +32 487 163 107 Editor’s Note Transatlantic Science Forum The Transatlantic Science Forum (TSF) is a group dedicated to discussing how the Final Report of the United States-European Union High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth, commonly known as the proposed US-EU Free Trade agreement can lead to further transatlantic science collaboration between: • Scientists and Representatives of Research & Academia • Members of the European Parliament • Parliamentarians of national Parliaments of EU Member States • Members of Congress • Representatives of Industry • Representatives of Stakeholder Organisations This holistic approach is intended to build on the participation between research and science programs and to enhance the transatlantic collaboration in science, technology, research and innovation. The forum will produce a report enumerating the TSF’s recommendations which will feed into the formal negotiation process. Additional meetings will be held in San Francisco, London, Dublin, Washington, D.C. and Brussels. For further information on future meetings: http://www.tsciencef.org/
Countries
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, United Kingdom