Introduction and Remarks

Transcription

1 Gerd H. Wolf EESC Introduction and Remarks Joint conference of the EESC-CONSIDER Civil Society in Research and Innovation What's next? 28 January 2015

2 INTRODUCTION Scientists and researchers are also part of Civil Society. They have to undergo a difficult and demanding training period. Before and during their career, they are facing selection processes and social risks. Any participation of CSOs has to include and account for the voice of those scientists who are experienced in the specific fields of interest. The very 1 st EESC prize for Civil Society has been awarded to the European Physical Society (2006).

3 EESC - Research and Innovation Numerous OPINIONS on R&D and Innovation Policy 1. Lisbon Strategy: Invest 1% of GDP in R&D! (economic competitiveness and growth, social welfare) 1/3 public (taxpayers ) money/funding 2/3 private money/funding examples: industry, business (capital from selling Paypal to Ebay invested in TESLA and Space X), CSOs like Bill Gates Foundation or Rotary (Ebola, Poly-Myelitis) 2. Civil Society Organisations Defining Research Governance private money? No problem as long as see later. public money? Task of democratically elected governments. EESC as platform of CSOs gives recommendations or advice, but does not govern or define. The same should hold for individual CSOs.

4 EESC - Research and Innovation Learn from cooperation between universities, research Numerous performing OPINIONS organizations on R&D and and private Innovation enterprise Policy! 1. Lisbon Strategy: Invest 1% of GDP in R&D! (economic This issue has been addressed in the OPINION of the EESC: competitiveness and growth, social welfare) 1/3 public (taxpayers ) money/funding Cooperation and transfer of knowledge between research organisations, industry and SMEs an important prerequisite for innovation 2/3 private money/funding examples: industry, business, CSOs like Bill Gates Foundation or Rotary (Ebola, Polio-Myelitis) 2. Civil Society Organisations Defining Research Governance private money? No problem as long as see later. public money? Task of democratically elected governments. EESC as platform of CSOs gives recommendations or advice, but does not govern or define. The same should hold for individual CSOs.

5 EESC - Research and Innovation Principles of R&D and Innovation Policy (selection) Adequately fund fundamental research both to extend and deepen our knowledge of nature, and as a breeding ground for new ideas and groundbreaking innovations. Respect and protect scientific and research freedom; Apply excellence as the supreme criterion for awarding research contracts; Create an open and attractive European labour market for researchers tackle or offset the social disadvantages resulting from too many fixed-term contracts and cross-border mobility. Gear the framework and administrative rules towards the needs of a strong science sector; Ensure optimal circulation, access to, and transfer of scientific knowledge; Give the European Research Area a stronger international dimension.

6 In its communication on Research and innovation as sources of renewed growth by stating that the European Commission formulated the goal: STRENGTHENING THE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM Successful innovation depends not only on the quality of public policies but also on innovation-friendly framework conditions. Strengthening the broader innovation eco-system and putting in place the right framework conditions to stimulate Europe's companies to innovate is crucial. This was supported by the EESC s recommendation: foster a social climate that promotes, welcomes and rewards innovation, and identify, evaluate, and, where appropriate, mitigate or entirely remove administrative, economic and social obstacles that stand in its way.

7 STRENGTHENING THE INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM from Point 4.8 of the recent EESC OPINION The new is often at first perceived as a threat by business, commerce, society and policy-makers. The resulting concern of individual social groups has prompted the Commission to introduce the concept of "responsible research and innovation. The Committee considers this concept to be misleading and one-sided. It recommends reflecting on its impact on the value placed by society on research and innovation. Research and innovation must conform to ethical principles and the prevailing laws. This requirement applies equally to all other social activities, whether in medicine, business, journalism, law-making, politics or the courts. The Committee does not think it is appropriate to establish the concept of responsible conduct exclusively and explicitly in relation to R&I. Question Wolf: Were Galileo, Vesalius or Jenner irresponsible scientists?

8 Why are Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Monsanto not European companies? has Europe not produced a "better" Google or Monsanto one that better reflects the public's concerns and has emerged in the sphere of influence of European policy?

9 What are CSOs? Der Wissenschaftsladen Bonn e.v. (WILA Bonn) will Wissen vermitteln und Bürger handlungsfähig machen. Die Projekte des WILA Bonn werden v.a. durch Ministerien, die EU und Stiftungen gefördert. Die Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.v. ist eine unabhängige Forschungsorganisation in der Rechtsform eines gemeinnützigen eingetragenen Vereins mit dem juristischen Sitz in Berlin. Die Finanzierung der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft erfolgt überwiegend aus öffentlichen Mitteln von Bund und Ländern (Institutionelle Förderung). Hinzu kommen Drittmittel für Projekte von öffentlichen oder privaten Geldgebern sowie der Europäischen Union.

10 CONCLUSION What is needed is a fundamental change in social attitudes so that innovations are not seen primarily as a risk or a threat, but rather as an opportunity for further progress, more jobs and European economic strength and competitiveness, and for shaping the European social model.

11 Science and Civil Society The subject of the conference is at the heart of our Committee! Best wishes for an interesting conference!