New approach needed to link science and society, says Busquin
Speaking at a conference on 'linking knowledge and society' organised by euro-CASE (European council of applied sciences and engineering), EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin emphasised the importance of bringing science and society closer together and using the European research programmes as a means to this end. The conference was a chance for euro-CASE member academies to reflect on the measures undertaken thus far to improve the links between knowledge and society. Vice president of euro-CASE and president of the Italian council for applied science and engineering, professor Sergio Barabaschi concluded the conference, saying that the three ways in which links between science and society can be strengthened are improving communication, problem solving and assisting the lawmaker. Mr Busquin stressed that linking science and society in the European research area (ERA) is a key element in the transition towards a knowledge-based society. He also told CORDIS News that there is a need for a change of approach in European research policy in order to effectively address the often visible lack of understanding between scientists and citizens. 'In the past the European programmes didn't see the necessity of having links between science and society. I think that in fact we must have more links and a new approach. In the past scientists considered that science is the truth and they didn't have to reply. Now citizens want to know scientific [...] and technological facts,' he told CORDIS News. Mr Busquin used the examples of BSE and GMOs (genetically modified organisms) to illustrate cases where scientific knowledge has led to citizens becoming more careful. 'It's important to be careful and also to explain that zero risk does not exist,' he said. 'We must have an open debate between the scientific community and the people, not in each European State, but at a European level,' he added. The Commissioner offered a diagnosis of the current situation: 'European society does not value science and technology as much as it should. Europeans doubt the power of science and technology to do good to our society. This is one of the reasons for European under-investment in research compared with the United States or Japan. Mr Busquin stated that 'high quality scientific journalism is of key importance. The role of the media is very, very important,' he said. 'It is very important to use the best way to develop in the population a threshold of knowledge to understand the world in which we live. Using television to improve links between science and society is particularly important, stressed Mr Busquin, saying that 'many people in Europe get information from the TV, they don't read enough.' Professor Barabaschi, who declared the role of the media 'fundamental', echoed these views on the importance of the media. 'We must help the media in explaining,' he told CORDIS News. 'But we must provide simple information, easily understandable, and try to get the cooperation of the media in order to amplify these simple messages to the European people and society,' he continued. He highlighted CORDIS as a reliable publication, which provides good quality information and said that CORDIS Focus should be more widely distributed