Parallel Session Public Funded Research Futures of the Conference The Role of Foresight in Implement

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Parallel Session Public Funded Research
Futures of the Conference The Role of
Foresight in Implementing the EU WNP, and in the
Structuring of a E-MRIA Malta, 13-14 November
2003

• Chairman Dr. Paraskevas Caracostas (European
  Commission)
• Rapporteur Ms. Effie Amanatidou (ATLANTIS
  Research Org.)

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The Content

• Completing the Mediterranean Systems of
  Innovation
• New demands on Universities and new roles
• The role of RTD networks and their management
• Capacity for strategic planning at all levels in
  the science system
• Tapping into the ERA

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The aim

• Summarize main points of discussion
• Elaborate on most important ones (e.g. the role
  of networks and their value in the E-MRIA)
• Draw conclusions in terms of the role of
  foresight in e.g. boosting networking and
  increasing their value
• Suggestions as to how this role could be
  concretized in the WNP (e.g. how existing policy
  implementation tools can be adjusted, or new ones
  can be designed) and recommendations about
  concrete future actions

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Major changes noted

• Specialization / diversification of public
  institutions
• Privatization vs. refocusing on public research
  tasks - new role of universities (knowledge
  producing, commercialization of research results,
  IPR)
• Competences at local vs. global level
• Core competences of researchers at universities
  (specialize early or more core competences?)
• What is the balance between top-down steering and
  bottom-up mobilization of actors

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Conditions agreed

• If we are willing to try for a E-MRIA and despite
  the differences in systems, approaches or even
  interests we need to apply a more longer-term
  perspective to bring these countries together and
  identify areas of common interest that may not be
  visible today
• A strong public research base is necessary in all
  countries if we are talking about creating
  knowledge-based economies / societies and even if
  private research centres / universities become
  more important
• Flexibility is needed taking into account the
  different approaches, traditions, cultures
• The already existing strong linkages (e.g.
  through bilateral agreements or among actors at
  local level) should be the base where to focus
  our building on first

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What needs to be considered first 1/2

• We need to know where we stand indicators are
  important but need to know limitations in their
  interpretation generalisations should be
  avoided tailor-made indicators should be found
  indicators measuring outputs as well as
  dynamics and knowledge exchangesoutside the
  research systems
• We need to know what is going on about foresight
  exercises in these countries
• Exchange experiences so as to learn from others
  and not make the same mistakes
• Sustainability of efforts should be ensured (the
  notion of project is not appropriate)
• Additionally to the prerequisite of areas of
  mutual interest, enabling structures should be in
  place as well as cooperation spirit and abilities

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What needs to be considered first 2/2

• Before finding an area of common interest for
  foresight cooperation, an arena for policy
  cooperation should be ensured (foresight
  exercises are not carried out per se)
• The wide-ranging levels regarding research
  competences (HR, infrastructure) have first to be
  brought closer through e.g. mobility of
  researchers
• Assess human resources and training (incl.
  life-long and vocational training activities) in
  the Mediterranean area as well as the role of
  women
• Assess why MC fellowships are not utilized by Med
  countries and develop tailor-made initiatives
• Although there are signs of common areas of
  interest we should clear up what the demand is
  for foresight cooperation

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Steps forward

• Valorisation / exploitation of the results and
  intelligence from the INCO programme so far
• Impact assessment and benchmarking for the non-EU
  countries based on experience so far (from FP as
  well as bilateral collaboration programmes)
• Foresight for the future of bilateral
  collaboration or the future multilateral linkages
  in the Euro Mediterranean area
• Foresight for identifying common priorities for
  certain countries
• Strengthen the role of NGOs and civil society
  through networking / lobbying under foresight or
  for bridging the gap between academia - industry
• Joint initiatives to share experiences and
  increase awareness of the importance of foresight
  exercises

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An issue for the E-MRIA
A national research and innovation system needs
actors for knowledge creation, utilisation and
diffusion. When the components are not harmonised
then the system is unbalanced. But can the E-MRIA
allow for only some of these components to be
present in a country provided that the rest are
strong in a collaborating country / region? To
what extent can there be Euro-Med division of
labour?
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• In simple words
• Positive thinking (creating visions based on
  learning to co-exist and co-develop)
• Team thinking (creating visions based on
  learning to depend and be dependable)
• Forward thinking (creating visions not only
  taking into account your future needs but also
  putting your current and future friends and
  neighbours into the picture)

But, then again, isnt the simpler things that
are found more difficult to do?