11/04/2007

EU. The European Commission presents its vision for the future of the European Research Area

The European Research Area (ERA) was created at Lisbon in 2000. Among other things, it aims to enable researchers to move around Europe and work in the best research networks and to coordinate European, national and regional research programmes. Seven years later, ERA has become a central pillar of the so-called Lisbon Strategy. Many initiatives have been taken by the EU and Member States. However, a number of barriers remain.

In order to move forward, the Commission has published a Green Paper on ERA to review progress made, foresee future progress and raise questions for debate. An on-line public debate will be open from 1st May 2007 until August 2007.

The Green Paper underlines the challenges to European research in terms of investment and fragmentation. For the future of the knowledge society, six axes are set out: high mobility of researchers between institutions and countries; world class research infrastructures; effective public-private co-operation and partnerships; knowledge-sharing between public research and industry, as well as with the public at large; coordination of research programmes and definition of common priorities; and opening of ERA to the world to address global challenges.

Related Links:
Green Paper on the European Research Area (ERA)
Facts and figures of the European Research Area
EC Press Release on the Green paper on ERA

Related news items:
04/07/2003. EU. Report of the Greek Presidency on the European Research and Innovation Area