Commissioner Cresson outlines ideas for Fifth Framework Programme
In a speech given at the University of Bonn, Germany, on 16 October 1996, Commissioner Edith Cresson, responsible for research, education, training and youth, presented the main points of the Commission's thinking for the development of the Fifth RTD Framework Programme. Speaking of the context in which the Fifth Framework Programme would operate, at the beginning of the 21st century, Mrs. Cresson suggested that society was increasingly based on knowledge and information, rather than on manufactured goods. With ever-increasing competition for Europe, from the USA and Japan, from the Pacific rim countries, and, in the future, countries with strong technological potential such as India, China or Brazil, research has to be focused on improving European competitiveness. Above all, however, she emphasized that research has to respond to the needs of society. Mrs. Cresson recalled the successes of the previous four Framework Programmes, and noted that during the Fourth Framework Programme, a major development had been the introduction of the task forces, with the aim of concentrating European research efforts in specific areas. These, she felt, had been very successful and should be a feature of the Fifth Framework Programme. However, she recognized that many people preferred research programmes to be spread more widely. The Commissioner outlined for her audience the priority themes contained in the Commission's discussion document "Inventing tomorrow": - Unlocking the resources of the living world and the ecosystem; - Creating a user-friendly Information Society; - Promoting competitive and sustainable growth. Underpinning these three themes would be three horizontal actions: - Improving human potential; - Innovation and participation of SMEs; - Confirming the international role of European research. The Fifth Framework Programme would have a number of improvements, over the previous Programmes, according to Mrs. Cresson. The programmes would be more flexible, and be better managed. A greater variety of methods of Community support would be introduced, while the possibility of decision-making procedures involving Member States' representatives holding up the implementation of the Programme would be reduced. A number of questions had already been raised in response to "Inventing tomorrow", Mrs. Cresson said. Firstly, concentrating research efforts on the needs of citizens is not detrimental to scientific excellence. Secondly, she said, the task forces should be continued as they were a valuable tool in increasing contacts between the Commission's services, the scientific community and industry. Research policy should be linked more strongly with regional and cohesion policies, although this should not be achieved by sacrificing scientific excellence. Another question concerned the value of socio-economic research as part of the Fifth Framework Programme. The value is twofold, according to Commissioner Cresson: research in this area may either stand-alone, or may contribute to understanding work and needs in other areas of the Framework Programme. As an example, she suggested work done in examining the conditions of SMEs participating in the Framework Programme, pointing out that this was vital in ensuring increased participation of SMEs. The Commissioner finished by giving an outline of the timetable for the development of the Fifth Framework Programme. A more detailed discussion document would be published by the Commission during the next couple of months. Although of greater depth than "Inventing tomorrow", this would still be open enough to stimulate debate. The formal proposal would be presented by the Commission at the beginning of 1997, with its adoption hoped to be early in 1998.