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SOCIAL POLIS Final conference

Vienna, 12 May 2009

Pierre Valette, Commission européenne, DG RTD

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Social Sciences and Humanities

• European Research Programme 2007-2013, a “Cooperation” Theme, addressing major EU challenges, of which “Sustainable development and cohesion”, with emphasis on urban issues;

• “Social platform” in SSH: NEW instrument, decided by European Council and Parliament, aiming at the involvement of the stakeholders in the definition of the research agenda; SSH as a pilot domain; SOCIAL POLIS is the first experience;

• “Technology platforms” is a successful previous initiative; other “social platforms” are launched.

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OBJECTIVES

• “problem oriented and “policy relevance” are key objectives of SSH research; “participative approach” is a strong concept and method to reflect the needs of both the “users” of research results and the scientific community; it is the heart of SPs and TPs.

• A wide consultation of different views is essential: pluralism, multidisciplinary, openness, transparency, and public access are conditions of success: “cities and social cohesion” is a well appropriated subject;

• The contribution of stakeholders are easily accessible in synthesised way (and place => website).

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EXPECTATIONS (1)

• Research agenda is the key expected outcome of the social platforms; not only useful for the next SSH work programmes of the EU activity; also a reference for “Joint Programming” linked to regional and national research;

• SSH will be based (from 2010) on two types of projects: “societal challenges” and “specific topics”; size of SCs will be larger and will include stocktaking, foresight/forward looking, building of tools, involvement of civil society, communication.

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EXPECTATIONS (2)

• “Social Polis” will deliver a good understanding of the issues and existing knowledge related to cities and social cohesion; a shared vision of the future issues would be also welcomed;

• It will provide a research agenda for the coming years, taking into account last social developments like impact of globalisation or economic and social crisis;

• It has created a platform of discussion with the main stakeholders which should be maintained in the future;

• New initiative like « Round World Café » could serve as model for the other platforms.

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THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

THE SSH PROGRAMME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IS YOUR PROGRAMME!