European Science and Technology Forum

As a complement to the implementation of European Union RTD programmes, the European Commission, DG XII, is devoting itself to the promotion of reflection and debate on the historical, social, ethical and cultural aspects of science and technology. With this aim in mind, a formal framework for action has been created: the European Science and Technology Forum.

Set up in 1993, the Forum provides a framework for a set of projects all with the same form and each covering a specific subject. In order to promote a wide-ranging discussion on the questions concerned, the main body of each project is a large public conference. The participants in the conference are representatives of the disciplines most concerned, those in charge of research at national or European level, political decision-makers, representatives of industry and associations, etc.

In this framework, a conference on "Scientific expertise in public debate in Europe" took place on 14-15 October 1994 in London. It discussed the specific European dimension of the growing influence of scientific experts in public debate and the consequences for science of the development of expert opinion.

Four more conferences will be held this year on the following subjects:

- "Science and languages in Europe" on 14-16 November 1994 in Paris
Contact:
Mr. P. Charlier
Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales
Tel. +33-1-49542525; Fax +33-1-45449311

- "The historical foundations of research policies in Europe" on 8-10 December 1994 in Florence
Contact:
Mr. P. Galluzzi
Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza
Tel. +39-55-293493; Fax +39-55-288257

- "Science, philosophy, history of sciences in Europe" on 9-10 December 1994 in Paris
Contact:
Association Diderot
Mr. D. Lecourt
Tel. +33-1-43419365; Fax +33-1-43433243

- "Problems and outlook for science education in Europe" on 14-15 December 1994 in Lisbon
Contact:
Instituto de Prospectiva
Mr. J.-M. Gago
Tel. +351-1-7973880; Fax +351-1-7934631