international research update -...

November 2012 1 Issue 29

INFORMATION FLASH ON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES

DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION DIRECTORATE

POLICY

Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn Meets with ITRE

Committee

Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn visited the ITRE Committee of the European Parliament on 9 October 2012 to present the Commission's new strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation. In her intervention, the Commissioner stressed the importance of strengthening the Union’s approach to international cooperation in a rapidly changing global context. She explained how Horizon 2020 would continue to be open to participations from countries across the world, with targeted international cooperation activities focused on the Union’s strategic priorities. In their interventions, ITRE Committee Members strongly supported the new international cooperation strategy. They drew attention on a number of key issues, such as: ensuring a sufficient budget to support international cooperation activities, cooperating with less developed countries on low tech projects; and safeguarding the European interest and IPRs in international cooperation.

For further information, please contact

Marnix Surgeon, DG RTD, Directorate D

5th EU-South Africa Summit

The 5th EU-South Africa Summit took place in Brussels on 18 September 2012. It was attended by Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, as well as by Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science and Naledi Pandor (then) Minister for Science and Technology of South-Africa. These Summits are organised in the context of the Strategic Partnership between the EU and South Africa established in 2007. EU and South African leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a strategic partnership based on shared values and interests and tackling together critical global issues.

The Summit acknowledged the successful cooperation between the EU and South Africa under the Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement, and welcomed the activities which will be co-organised to mark the 15th anniversary of its entering into force. A prime example of this successful EU-South Africa cooperation is the European Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP). Two side-events were organised highlighting the role of research and innovation in this Strategic Partnership, the first on innovation for poverty alleviation and another on harnessing research and innovation to meet societal challenges.


Fadila Boughanemi, DG RTD, Directorate D

Nienke Buisman, DG RTD, Directorate D

EU-India S&T Joint Committee Meeting, New Delhi

The 8th EU-India S&T Joint Committee meeting took place in New Delhi on 11 October 2012. It was co-chaired by Dr. Ramasami, Secretary of the Indian Department of Science and Technology, and by Wolfgang Burtscher, Deputy Director General of DG RTD. This joint meeting mobilised a large Indian delegation, including representatives from the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Biotechnology, the Council of Medical Research, the Council of Industrial Research, and the Global Innovation and Technology Alliance. The agenda covered a large range of issues including Horizon 2020 and its new funding rules, the governance structure for the EU/MS-India Partnership, and current and future cooperation activities in research and innovation. Both sides acknowledged the recent 32m€ water related coordinated call (environment and FAB themes) as well as the New INDIGO ERA-NET as a success and as models for the future.

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH UPDATE November 2012 Issue 29


The Committee agreed to set up a joint monitoring mechanism for the recently launched water projects, to launch a joint Innovation Prize with a view to recognise innovation activities involving both EU and Indian actors with co-funding from the two sides, and to study the possibility of a flagship initiative on Affordable Health.

In addition to the kick-off meeting of the EU-India water projects in Bangalore (see below), this mission provided an opportunity to participate in the launch event of the European Business Group Innovation Report, and to visit the R&D facilities of EU and Indian companies (Bayer, Danone, STMicroelectronics, Moser Baer).

For further information, please contact Diego Sammaritano, DG RTD, Directorate D

EU-Australia S&T Joint Committee Convenes in

Brussels

The 12th Australia-EU Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC) meeting was hosted by the European Commission in Brussels on 16 October 2012. It was preceded by four thematic EU-Australia dialogue sessions focused on health, biodiversity, clean energy and innovation policy. Patricia Kelly, Deputy Secretary, Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, led an Australian delegation of officials and innovation experts, which included the Chair of Innovation Australia, David Miles. The Chief Scientist for Australia, Professor Ian Chubb, led a substantial scientific delegation who contributed to comprehensive exploratory discussions on potential areas of strategic research cooperation to address selected societal challenges. Dr Isi Saragossi, Director of International Cooperation, DG RTD, led the EU delegation, which in addition to senior EC officials, included representatives from the European Technology Platforms. The joint conclusions will be published on Europa soon.


Armand Beuf, DG RTD, Directorate D

Meeting of the Strategic Forum for International

S&T Cooperation (SFIC)

The 15th Plenary meeting of the SFIC took place on 1 October in Brussels. The new Commission Communication "Enhancing and focusing EU

international cooperation in Research and Innovation: A

strategic approach" was presented, with special focus on the role which EU-Member States partnerships will play in its implementation. Participants discussed guidelines on how SFIC could contribute to the preparation of R&I Senior Official Meetings and R&I aspects of EU-Third country summits were agreed upon. The proposal for a SFIC initiative on Brazil was endorsed. The first steps in this initiative will be to establish an overview of EU/MS/AC initiatives with Brazil, and to organise a workshop on good practices for cooperation. The meeting also included discussions on the governance structure for the Indo-European partnership on R&I, and on the work currently ongoing on the strategic R&I agenda for the SFIC China initiative.


Sofie Norager, DG RTD, Directorate D

or visit the website

EVENTS

EU-US Summit on Sustainable Economic Growth,

Washington DC, 11 September 2012

Forty high-level policy-makers and academics took part in the concluding meeting of this 2010-2012 EU-US dialogue on Science, Technology, Innovation, and Sustainable Economic Growth. The meeting took place at the Wilson Centre in Washington DC on 11 September 2012. Participants included former US Congress Members Jane Harman, now Head of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and Bart Gordon, as well as representatives from the EU Delegation in Washington and the European Commission.

Addressing issues related to energy, water and environment in a forward-looking perspective, EU and US policy-makers and researchers exchanged information on recent discoveries and potential research topics for collaboration in these areas. The results of the


Summit will be published in a special issue of the journal Futures (Elsevier).


Domenico Rossetti di Valdalbero, DG RTD, Directorate B


EU-Korea Forum Convenes at the European

Parliament, Brussels

A year after the entry into force of the FTA with Korea, the first Asian country to sign an FTA with the EU, Korea is generating considerable political and economic attention as a key strategic partner. The EU-Korea Forum organised on 19 September at the European Parliament underlined the strengthening of this relationship, as well as the key role played by the European Parliament on such international treaties.

Ku-Hyun, College of Business, Kaist, Karel de Gucht, EU Commissioner for International Trade and Jean-Dominique Giuliani, Chairman of the Robert

Schuman Foundation, Cae One Kim, Professor Emeritus, University of Seoul, Jean-Paul Gauzes, MEP

At a time of economic slowdown in Europe and of Asia's growing role on the international scene, exchanging best practices and sharing views on long-term strategies is particularly relevant, notably in the area of Research and Innovation. To reach its full potential, cooperation needs to be reinforced, notably in the area of exchanges between EU and Korean scientists and with the launch of new joint initiatives using EU or Member States funding programmes. Summit participants stressed the need to strengthen research cooperation to tackle common societal challenges (ageing, green growth), to boost EU and Korean potential in key emerging technologies (nanotechnologies, ICT,…), and to promote a better understanding of each other’s Research and Innovation systems.


Pierrick Fillon-Ashida, DG RTD, Directorate D

EU-Japan Science Policy Forum Kyoto: Sharing

Experience on Natural Disasters Research, "New

Energy Mix", and Science-based Policy Making

This third high-level EU-Japan Policy Forum took place in Kyoto, Japan, on 6 October, in the margins of the Kyoto STS Forum". Focusing on the highly topical issue for both Japan and Europe of the "New Energy Mix: Creating

a Trusted and Viable Path", this EU-Japan forum was co-organised by the EU Delegation, EU Member States’ Embassies, and Japan's National Graduate Institute of Policy Studies, and attended by over 80 international participants. Top level speakers included, on the EU side, Geneviéve Fioraso, French Minister of Higher Education and Research, Mr Correia de Campos, President of STOA (Science, Technology Options Assessment of the European Parliament) and Matthias Keinert, President of the German Science Foundation; and on the Japanese side, Kiyoshi Kurokawa and Koichi Kitazawa, Chairs of the two Fukushima Investigation Panels, Kan Suzuki, former Vice Minister of Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Member of the Diet, and Masuo Aizawa, executive member of the Council of Science Technology Policy (CSTP), as well as other high level speakers from Europe and Japan.

Professor Ernest Rietschel; Suzuki Kan, former MEXT Vice Minister; Geneviéve Fioraso, French Minister of Higher Education & Research; Masuo

Aizawa Cabinet Office; Prof. Tateo Arimoto, DG of JST

DG RTD Deputy Director General Rudolf Strohmeier gave the opening presentation. He stressed the key role of EU research in developing this new "energy mix", the EU's commitment to build on the successful S&T cooperation with Japan, and the need to exchange experience on how best to ensure a solid scientific base to policy making, and secure citizens' trust in the process. Speakers' presentations provided challenging insights into key issues such as: the lessons of the two enquiries on the Fukushima disaster; the challenge of building/rebuilding public trust in science; the best mechanisms to ensure a proper role for science in policy making; the respective role of researchers, policy makers and the media; the need for dialogue, including among scientists from different fields, to provide


coherent advice on new, complex issues which transcend traditional disciplines.


Patrick Vittet-Philippe, DG RTD,

Barbara Rhode, EU Delegation in Tokyo

Lift-Off for EU-Japan Aeronautics Research at the

Japan Aeronautics and Space Exhibition

DG RTD Deputy Director General Rudolf Strohmeier intervened as a keynote speaker at the Japan Aeronautics and Space Exhibition 2012, one of the most important international events for the aeronautics and space industry. Compared with a large presence of the US industry at the expo, including a Boeing stand featuring the model of the Dreamliner ("Made with Japan"), the EU industry had a substantial representation, in particular with EADS, Airbus, Eurocopter and Rolls Royce and other European manufacturers and subcontractors. In his speech, DDG Strohmeier stressed the growing importance of EU-Japan cooperation in aeronautics research, and prospects for reinforced partnerships in FP7 and under the forthcoming Horizon 2020. In the margins of this event, complex, but ultimately fruitful technical discussions took place with the Japanese Industry Ministry and prospective Japanese participants in the on-going EU-Japan coordinated calls. These meetings paved the way for an agreement, now confirmed, by Japanese participants to formally take part in 3 projects of the call.

EU Officials and EADS and Airbus Representatives with the model of the future

"hypersonic" aircraft

Additional meetings were also held on the forthcoming multinational call (EU, Russia, Japan) on a high speed hypersonic/supersonic aircraft, a model of which was on show at the EADS booth in Nagoya (above).


Daniel Chiron, DG RTD, Directorate H

Patrick Vittet-Philippe, DG RTD, Directorate D

Barbara Rhodes, EU Delegation Tokyo

Active and Healthy Ageing: EU and Japan Confront

Experiences, Reinforce Cooperation

An important conference on Ageing Societies in Europe

and Japan: Policy Responses and Research & Innovation

Solutions for Active and Healthy Ageing, took place on 9-10 October at the EU Delegation in Tokyo. Jointly organised by the EC (DG RTD and DG CNECT) and the European Economic and Social Committee, and opened by DG RTD Deputy Director General Rudolf Strohmeier, this event featured 41 EU and Japanese speakers and attracted over 200 participants over two-days. Ageing populations are a joint concern both in Europe and in Japan. In this context, the objective of the event, foreseen in the EU-Japan S&T Roadmap 2011-2013, was to confront experiences in addressing the ageing challenge, both from the social policy and the research and innovation angles; to present success stories in key areas of health and ICT research; and to foster contacts among experts and scientists on both sides. Salient points of the event included: the presentation of projects at the cutting edge of research in cardiology, epigenetics, regenerative medicine, and robotics, showcasing, in particular, 6 EU-funded projects in health an ICT research; the assessment of the dramatic impact of age-related diseases on individuals and on societies; the presentation of novel concepts, innovative services, and technological breakthroughs.

Many speakers called for a cross-disciplinary "holistic" approach to complex issues, as well as for the setting of international standards, particularly in the field of robotics. Numerous examples of innovation opportunities in the "Silver Economy" were provided, with the


audience insisting for a need to balance these new market opportunities with the social imperative of equitable access. A common thread through the conference was the need for reinforced international cooperation in research and innovation to meet common challenges – a message reiterated by DG RTD Deputy Director General Strohmeier in the conference conclusions.


Patrick Vittet-Philippe, DG RTD, Diretorate D

Karim Berkouk, DG RTD, Directorate F

Alexandre Giraldez, European Economic and Social Committee

Barbara Rhode EU Delegation in Tokyo

Successful Start to the EU Research & Innovation

"Tour of China" The EU Member States and the EU Delegation in Beijing held the first events of the ‘Tour of China’ in September. These events aim to promote the EU as an attractive partner for research and innovation. The kick-off event took place in Kunming, Yunnan province, and was co-organised with the S&T Section of the French embassy in Beijing. The second event was organised a day later, in Chongqing, Sichuan province, under the auspices of the local S&T commission and the Hungarian consulate. Embassies of France, Hungary, The Netherlands, Sweden, and the EU Delegation all took part in presenting their respective priorities and programme opportunities. The next events are scheduled for the end of October in Changsha, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. These events have been particularly well-attended and have resulted in a closer engagement with local S&T organisations, with the aim of increasing cooperation in science, technology and innovation for the benefit of both Europe and China. A third and last cluster of cities (Wuhan, Hefei, Nanjing and Shanghai) will be visited at the beginning of December.

For further information, please contact Philippe Vialatte, EU Delegation in Beijing

Kick-off Meeting for EU-India Cooperation in

Water-Related Projects, Bangalore

This event, held in Bangalore on 10 October, was jointly organised by DG RTD and the Indian Department of Science and Technology (DST). The objectives were to celebrate the successful implementation of EU-Indian research cooperation in the fields of water and bio-resources initiated two years ago, and to launch new research activities under two EU-India coordinated calls. These calls were jointly launched by the Environment Theme of FP7 and by the Indian Department of Science and Technology; and, in parallel, by the Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology Theme of FP7 and the Indian Department of Bio-Technology.

The meeting brought together senior EU and Indian officials and representatives from the 6 EU and 5 Indian projects. The meeting was opened by Wolfgang Burtscher, Deputy Director General of DG RTD, and by Sadhana Relia, Head of the International Division of the Indian Department of Science and Technology, who called for reinforced cooperation in water-related projects between the EU and India. Speakers underlined how the projects in this coordinated call were successfully tackling key issues such as water pollution due to the discharge of untreated wastewater, water scarcity, groundwater depletion, unhygienic sludge handling practices, removal of arsenic pollution, nutrient and energy recovery, safe water reuse, etc. Directly addressing major societal challenges, these joint projects pave the way for large scale deployment of key environmental technologies.

For further information, please contact Panos Balabanis, DG RTD, Directorate I

EECA: Eastern European and Central Asian

Countries: "From Dialogue to Joint Programmes"

The German Federal Ministry for Research organised a conference reflecting on achievements and perspectives of cooperation, as well as of stakeholder coordination in Science, Technology and Innovation between the EU, associated countries, Russia and other Eastern European and Central Asian countries. The conference brought together high level officials from ministries and administrations responsible for international cooperation with experts from five INCO projects: ERA.NET RUS, Black-Sea ERANET, INCONET SA/SC, BILAT-RUS, and BILAT UKR. The White Paper on Opportunities and Challenges in View of Enhancing the EU Cooperation with Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and South Caucasus in Science, Research, and Innovation published by the INCONET EECA helped frame much of the discussion.


The conference led to an exchange of best practice experience from bi-lateral and multilateral coordination between countries and stakeholders. Discussion focussed on future scenarios of policy dialogue, framework conditions, and common initiatives and programmes. The recent Commission Communication on the new strategic approach to international cooperation was positively received and seen as a development towards cooperation between equal partners. The discussions and country presentations showed that Research and innovation cooperation with the EU and Member States/associated countries was a priority for all EECA countries. Another concept introduced by participants was that of a "variable geometry" approach to EECA regional partnerships in line with scientific needs, across different EU-EECA political frameworks. The conference took place in Bonn, 10 – 12 October 2012 and was attended by over 75 participants.


Jürgen Sanders, DG RDT, Directorate D

EU and Canada Hold Discussions on Future

Research Cooperation

A video conference was organised on 19 October, co-chaired by Anneli Pauli Deputy Director General, DG RTD, and Scott Frasier, Director General at the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. On this occasion, the European Commission presented the new EU international cooperation strategy, highlighting, in particular, the "dual approach" used (openness of the Framework Programme and targeted cooperation). Canada introduced its recent study "State of S&T in Canada 2012". It was agreed to organize a 'forward-looking' event in Canada early next year to set joint research priorities for R&I cooperation between Canada and the EU, focusing on implementation. Key issues for discussion will include support to SMEs; strengthening cooperation in Arctic research; new initiatives in Health, Knowledge-based bio-economy, ICT, and researcher mobility. A joint symposium on Research Infrastructures was also agreed for the autumn 2013, to be supported through the BILAT ERA-CAN project. The next Joint

Science & Technology Coordination Committee (JSTCC) meeting will take place in Brussels in early March 2013.

For further information, please contact Wolfgang Wittke, DG RTD, Directorate D

PROJECTS CONCERT-Japan Launches Pilot Joint Call on

Resilience against Disasters and Efficient Energy Storage and Distribution

The CONCERT-Japan ERA-Net project organised, jointly with the Japanese Education and Science Ministry (MEXT) and the Japanese Science and Technology Agency (JST), a Conference and Partnering Event in Tokyo on 10-11 September to mark the launch of its Pilot Joint Call on Research and Innovation. In total, 15 funding organizations from 12 countries and Japan have contributed 5.3 M EUR in funding for this Pilot Joint Call. These include participants from Japan (JST), Turkey (TUBITAK), Germany (BMBF and NRW Region), France (MAE, MESR), Spain (MINECO), Norway (RCN), Switzerland (ETH Zurich), Romania (ANCS), Slovakia (SAS), Hungary (OTKA), Italy (Lombardy and Trento), and Belgium (FWO). This Pilot Joint Call addresses two thematic areas of key importance for Japan and the EU: Resilience against

Disasters and Efficient Energy Storage and Distribution. It will fund multi-partner research projects with an innovative dimension in these fields. In addition to their core research component, selected projects will focus on networking and mobility between Japanese and EU researchers and research organizations.

CONCERT-Japan Conference and Partnering Event at the Miraikan

Science Museum in Tokyo Following on the Tokyo meeting, which focused on Resilience against Disasters, a second brokerage event on Efficient Energy Storage and Distribution took place in Milan on 27-28 September 2012. Both events were well attended (over 200 participants). They were also particularly well organised, creating ample networking opportunities for EU and Japanese researchers to present their research ideas and find potential partners for this Call.


This Joint Pilot Call will close on 15 of November 2012. For additional information on this Call and to identify potential partners, please visit the CONCERT-Japan website.


Patrick Vittet-Philippe, DG RDT, Directorate D

REPORTS

Report of the International STI Cooperation Expert

Group

The Expert Group has completed its report under the Chairmanship of Dr Sylvia Schwaag Serger (Vinnova, Sweden). The Group's remit was to provide advice and recommendations to facilitate the development and implementation of a more strategic approach to international STI cooperation, including on the international dimension of the European Research Area The report strongly supports a more strategic orientation for international STI cooperation, and offers policy recommendations on a broad range of issues including: prioritisation, supporting openness, strengthening framework conditions, encouraging industrial participation, exploiting "variable geometry", as well as on the importance of evidence based policy and greater integration of international cooperation in European activities. The Report of the Expert Group will be available on DG RTD International Cooperation website.

For further information, please contact Callum Searle, DG RTD, Directorate D

Global Europe 2050 Report

The Global Europe 2050 foresight report pictures Europe in a world with 2 billion more inhabitants than today, riven by increasing tensions over water, food, raw materials and energy. A society where only 3 out of 5 Europeans will work, immigrants will reach 12% of the population, and one European in five will be Muslim. A world where China may produce over 50% of world electronic products (against 10% in 2000). Global Europe 2050 presents and quantifies three scenarios identifying the main pathways Europe could follow in the coming decades:

• The "Nobody Cares" scenario where Europe "muddles through" with a low economic growth, and fails to strengthen its competitiveness in the new global environment.

• The "EU Under Threat" scenario, in which Europe

is struck by economic decline and protectionist reactions; its GDP decrease to 15% of the world's economy; food and oil price shocks become regular and governance of research and innovation is more constrained within national borders than in 2012.

• The "European Renaissance" scenario, where the

EU continues to enlarge and become stronger with more efficient innovation systems. In that scenario, Europe could be in 2050 a quasi-federation of over 30 Member States with the euro a global currency, backed by a performing economy. Thanks to technological and social innovations, to manufacturing and services innovations (cf. smart work, "innovative consumers") the EU may have a leading role in the world.

For further information, please contact Domenico Rossetti di Valdalbero, DG RTD, Directorate B


FORTHCOMING MEETINGS (NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2012)

Joint Committee Meetings

6 November South Africa South Africa 16 November China China 4 December USA Washington 17 December Israel Brussels

Mid-December(tbc) Tunisia Brussels

Regional Dialogues 6-8 November EU-AU JEG 8 Cape Town

19-20 November MOCO/UfM Malta 4 December Eastern Partnership Brussels 6 December Western Balkan Countries Belgrade


CONTACTS

For additional information on this Newsletter, to subscribe, and to submit contributions, please contact: Patrick Vittet-Philippe (Editor)

Policy Officer, Japan and Russia Desks International Cooperation Directorate Directorate General for Research and Innovation European Commission [email protected] Tel + 32 2 296 9056 Audrey Franco

International Cooperation Directorate Directorate General for Research and Innovation European Commission [email protected] Tel + 32 2 296 0394

international research update -...

Documents