News from the ESF Assembly 1998

A stronger role in the provision of scientific advice and in science policy issues at the European level could be entrusted to the European Science Foundation, according to Dr Caspar Einem, Austrian Minister of Science and Transport and current President of the European Union Council of Research Ministers.

In a key-note address on the Fifth Framework Programme delivered on his behalf to delegates at the ESF Assembly in Strasbourg on Thursday 26th November, Dr Einem argued that the ESF’s membership of national Academies and Research Councils made it well suited to carry out such tasks. During comments on French Minister Claude Allegre’s call for the setting up of a European Academy of Sciences, along the lines of the US one, Dr Einem said that he saw there a future role for ESF. He also stressed the need for a greater European science awareness. He said: "I hope we will be successful in creating a European science awareness, similar to a European awareness of competitiveness in a global market. ESF is challenged to continue to contribute to such awareness."

The Assembly also heard ESF President, Sir Dai Rees, explain how a recent ESF initiative in the field of environment and health might provide a model for strengthening the links between science and governments in the future. He explained how the ESF had responded to a request from Europe’s environment and health ministers for advice on the most pressing scientific priorities in combating the impact of environmental degradation on health. Working in close liaison with the European Commission and the World Health Organisation, the ESF set up a multidisciplinary task force to draw up a priority research agenda based on both scientific and policy criteria. Their recommendations will now be presented for endorsement at the next environment and health Intergovernmental Conference to be held in London in July 1999. Sir Dai commented: "All this has been a rewarding experience because the providers and users of science got together to build a common front….The environment and health model was very effective because here was a bundle of issues with tough policy problems at the centre." However, he pointed out that other topics might require a different emphasis, for example on stronger coordination of national research teams around specific scientific problems.

Elsewhere in the agenda of the two-day meeting, the Assembly approved the membership applications of the Academy of Sciences and of the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, and of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, bringing the ESF membership to 65 member organisations spanning 22 countries. It also approved the appointment of new chairmen to four ESF Standing Committees. Professor William Shea of the Université Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg, France, will take over as chair of the Standing Committee for the Humanities. Professor Juan Rojo, Universidad Complutense, Spain, will become chairman of the Physical and Engineering Sciences Standing Committee. Professor Lars Walløe, University of Oslo, Norway, will chair the Life and Environmental Sciences Standing Committee, and Professor Albert Hofman was confirmed as chair of the European Medical Research Councils.

In addition, a panel of leading scientists and administrators led a wide-ranging discussion on Europe’s vision for large research facilities. Delegates also held initial discussions on possible changes to the Foundation’s structure of governance needed to cope with the ESF’s expanding membership base and heard presentations from Standing Committee Chairmen on some of the year’s scientific highlights.

Ends

Press contacts:

Andrew Smith
Head of Communication and Information, ESF
+33 (0)3 88 76 71 32
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Notes for editors:

1. The European Science Foundation is an association of 65 major national funding agencies devoted to scientific research in 22 countries. The ESF assists its member organisations in two main ways: by bringing scientists together in its scientific programmes, networks and European research conferences, to work on topics of common concern, and through the joint study of issues of strategic importance in European science policy

2. The texts of Dr Einem’s and Sir Dai Rees’ addresses are available on the ESF web site at www3.esf.org/news

For further information contact: Andrew Smith

Category: Media Centre, Press Releases 1998