Introducing the Fifth RTD Framework Programme

The University of Barcelona will organise an information day on the upcoming Fifth RTD Framework Programme, to be held in Barcelona, Spain, on 8 and 9 October 1998. The event will feature presentations from a wide range of representatives of the European Commission and will be opened by the Rector of the University of Barcelona, the Director of the Spanish Government's Science and Technology Office and a representative from the Autonomous Government of Catalonia.

The first morning of the conference will be dedicated to a critical analysis of participation in the Fourth RTD Framework Programme examining in particular the participation of Spanish universities. A session will also consider ways of improving participation in future Framework Programmes, followed by a presentation on the Commission's view of the Fourth and Fifth RTD Framework Programmes. Introductory sessions on each of the thematic programmes of the Fifth RTD Framework Programmes will follow, covering:

- Quality of life and management of living resources;
- Creating a user-friendly Information Society;
- Competitive and sustainable growth;
- Preserving the ecosystem.

The second day of the conference will examine the horizontal programmes under their respective headings:

- Confirming the role of international research;
- Promotion of innovation and encouragement of participation of SMEs;
- Improving human research potential and socio-economic knowledge base.

The conference will also feature a presentation on the Community Research and Development Information Services (CORDIS), which will serve to introduce the project and the role it plays in enhancing participation in the Community's Framework Programmes.
For further information, please contact:

University of Barcelona
Department of International Research
Samir Hamrouni
Diagonal 684 E-08034 Barcelona
Tel. +34-93-4035562/4035380; Fax +34-93-4035387
E-mail: samir@pu.ges.ub.es