Science and governance on a knowledge society

The increasing importance of science and technology in policy making is the central theme of a forthcoming conference organised by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre on 16 and 17 October. The international event, dubbed 'Science and governance in a knowledge society: the challenge for Europe' will be held in Brussels.

Its concept draws on observations in the Commission's recent communication on a European Research Area (ERA). This 'underlines the need for the European research system to be organised so as to anticipate better and take into account the various needs of policy making elaboration, decision making, execution [and] control,' says the JRC.

The conference's opening session will sketch the questions raised by these issues from an international perspective. Subsequent sessions will cover:

- science, citizens and decision making processes;
- risk control and precautionary research;
- towards a scientific and technical European reference system.

Philippe Busquin, the European Commissioner for Research will contribute to the closing session, which will look at the role of the European research area in the development of a 'new European citizenship'.
For further information, please contact:

Science and Governance
IPTS, JRC Sevilla European Commission
Edif. World Trade Centre
Isla de la Cartuja
Sevilla, 41092
Spain
Tel. +34-954488293; Fax +34-954488293
E-mail: Science-Governance@jrc.es
URL: http://www.jrc.es/sci-gov/(opens in new window)