Brussels, 08/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - The idea of a European Research Area (ERA) and its priorities, as described by the European Commission in its Green Paper unveiled in April 2007 (see EUROPE 9401) is broadly supported throughout the EU. In total, more than 800 contributions to a public consultation on the ERA were sent in, from the EU and elsewhere, by universities, research institutes, companies, non-governmental organisations and individuals, explained the European Commission in a press release on Monday 8 October.
While in-depth analysis of the responses is on-going, the consultation will continue at a high-level conference in Lisbon on 8-10 October. The Commission aims to come forward with proposals in specific areas in 2008. EU Research Commissioner Janez Potoènik explained: "It's about working together to create an environment that supports and rewards scientific excellence, so that our economies can develop and the quality of life of our people can improve. That is the aim of the European Research Area. I am encouraged by the impressive feedback and I look forward to discussing the many responses at the Lisbon conference." Among the six priority areas suggested by the Commission, the contributions suggested that knowledge-sharing was the most urgent. Most replies called for raw data resulting from publicly-funded research to be made more readily accessible, and argued that peer-reviewed scientific publications should be accessible free of charge. Clear rules to promote knowledge transfer between research institutions and industry were called for, with a requirement that research institutions implement efficient systems to manage intellectual property rights. Television and the internet were confirmed as the main tools for sharing scientific knowledge with the broader public. The contributions argued that researchers should be a priority EU action area, with the breaking down of obstacles to mobility seen as crucial. 62% of those that replied wanted better implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their recruitment, with 75% supporting a "label" for those that implement it. Most contributions backed the common strategy set out by the European Strategic Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) for the development of pan-European research infrastructure. Research institutions: a majority agreed that excellence and competitiveness of EU research institutions would be reinforced if more funding were allocated on a competitive basis, and if more resources were available. Research programmes: respondents stressed the need for further simplification in FP7, with 62% of responses indicating that funding rules and procedures have been too complex. International cooperation was deemed essential with 75% of replies agreeing that Europe should "speak with one voice" on global science issues. The EU should take a more proactive approach in defining the global S&T agenda, and focus on a small number of high profile global issues to lead international research. (bc)