For the third time, Members of the European Parliament, policy-makers from EU institutions, Member States, national parliaments, regional authorities meet scientists and representatives from academies and universities at the annual "Science meets Parliaments" gathering. This year's edition focuses on the role of science in a post-fact society.
Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, responsible for the Joint Research Centre said: "Politicians and scientists need to maintain a close and regular exchange. This is vital to ensure that sound scientific advice can continue to underpin policy-making. At the same time, decision-making needs to become more open to civil society. That is why I am pleased that Science meets Parliaments brings all sides together".
The event, organised jointly by the JRC with the European Parliament's Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA) panel, promotes the culture of evidence-informed policy-making on the EU, national and regional level. The theme of this year's edition builds upon the discussions in September at the JRC annual conference named "EU4facts: evidence for policy in a post-fact world". The first panel, with Tomaz Boh, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport in Slovenia, Rolf-Dieter Heuer, Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Mechanism (SAM) and Paul Rübig – STOA Vice-Chair, moderated by the STOA Chair, Eva Kaili, discussed the role of science in a post-fact society,
The event continued with thematic discussions on the role of regions and cities in evidence-informed policy-making, young scientists' role and perspectives and the importance of art and science for innovation.
The sixth STOA MEP-Scientists Pairing Scheme was launched during the event. This year it consists of 17 bilateral meetings between MEPs and scientists, including two from the JRC, and participation of scientists in EP Committees. This project familiarises MEPs with the latest scientific developments in their field of interest, and allows scientists experience the complexity of political decision making.
Science meets Regions in Brussels
The second edition of the Science meets Regions event follows on 29 November, hosted by the Committee of the Regions. Under the title of "Maximising the Impact of Science for Regions and Cities in Current and Future EU Policies", this year's edition will focus on the role of science in the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework. It will give the opportunity to regions that already hosted local events within the "Science meets Regions" scheme to share their experiences and best practices, reflecting on the importance of regional partnerships and research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation at local level for public authorities, academia, businesses and citizens.
Science meets Regions and Science meets Parliaments at local level
Local "Science meets Regions" and "Science meets Parliaments" events took place throughout Europe in 2017, organised jointly by the JRC, the Committee of the Regions and regional authorities. Smart Specialisation was the focus of the events held on 4 May in San Sebastian (Spain) and on 16 November in Gabrovo (Bulgaria), while the event hosted in the Slovenian Parliament in Ljubljana on 11-12 October debated R&I challenges for the country. On 14 November in Murcia (Spain) scientists and local administration experts discussed water management and energy in the Mediterranean, and on 20 November relevant stakeholders met in Dresden (Germany) to exchange insights on energy and climate change issues. The last Science meets Parliaments of 2017 will take place on 6 December in Bratislava, in the Slovak Parliament.
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Science meets Parliaments 2017
Details
- Publication date
- 28 November 2017