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Social Platform on Reflective Societies

 

Specific challenge: Europe has a very rich intellectual, historical and cultural basis with many European and non-European influences that have shaped it over the centuries and continue to do so today. The societal challenge 'Europe in a changing world – inclusive, innovative and reflective societies' gives a prominent position to the European cultural heritage and creative expression as well as the diversity of its society which creates a potentially very vast research agenda.

Research on the European history, culture, its peoples and their identities, performative practices and lifestyles is crucial particularly in the light of European integration, as well as of growing diversity within European societies.

Since this is a broad and complex domain with a long research tradition, it appears appropriate to establish a social platform of researchers, stakeholders and policy-makers to address these issues in a comprehensive way.

Scope: The social platform will bring together the relevant research communities with stakeholder representatives, such as for example practitioners from the socio-cultural and artistic sectors (galleries, libraries, archives, museums, and other public institutions), as well as policy stakeholders (at European, national and/or local levels). A wide range of views and of stakeholder participation will be encouraged.

Based on a focussed, critical mapping of existing research, the objective of the social platform is to develop an understanding of the challenges and opportunities for research in the context of reflective societies. The future European research agenda in the field should pay particular attention to the policy dimension and its European relevance, taking also into account the issues of data collection and measurement.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the orderof EUR 1 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact: This social platform will support the European Commission in the definition of an innovative and focused research agenda on the reflective societies in Europe, highlighting fundamental research issues and key policy questions in this context. Through research and networking among researchers, stakeholders and policy-makers, this it will advance the knowledge base that underpins the formulation and implementation of relevant policies and practices in Europe. It will thus also contribute to the development of the European Research Area in this domain.

Type of action: Coordination and support actions