Doc. 8912
19 December 2000

Science and technology, a priority for economic development

Written Declaration No. 311

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

      The undersigned, members of the Assembly, took part in or took note of the results of the “Conference on Science and Technology in Europe – Prospects for the 21^st Century”, which was held in Gdansk from 9 to 12 October 2000 by the Committee on Science and Technology of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in collaboration with the European Science Foundation and UNESCO, at the invitation of the Polish Parliament, and attended by over a hundred parliamentarians, government representatives, scientists from the academic world and industry, and representatives of international and European organisations and of non-governmental and press organisations.

      The undersigned also took note of the outcome of the debates held at the European Forum of Young Scientists organised by UNESCO and the Marie Curie Fellowship Association, in association with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Gdansk Technical University and the International Association of Students in Economics and Management. The Forum, which coincided with the Conference, was attended by over fifty young scientists under 35 years of age from 22 European countries.

      After discussing the current state of science and technology in Europe and prospects in this case, in particular young scientists’ situation and role in the light of the far-reaching changes that took place in the nineteen nineties, the participants in the Forum concluded that in many European countries (especially but not only those whose economies are in a period of transition) the funding of scientific research has decreased. They expressed great concern about the future of scientific and technological potential in these countries.

      History has shown that, in countries which neglect scientific development, economic growth suffers, social problems emerge and the independence of some countries is jeopardised. The undersigned therefore agree with the young scientists that science – in particular pure research – should be one of the priorities of national policies in all European countries and that political decision-makers should ensure that national budgets reflect the important role that science and technology plays in the economic development of European countries.

Signed : ¹

Rakhansky, Ukraine, UEL

About, France, LDR

Asciak, Malta, EPP/CD

Brunhart, Liechtenstein, EPP/CD

Daly, Ireland, LDR

Dees, Ireland, LDR

Dolazza, Italy, LDR

Etherington, United Kingdom, SOC

Fernandez Aguilar, Spain, EPP/CD

Fernandez-Capel, Spain, EPP/CD

Ivanov, Bulgaria, EPP/CD

Luczak, Poland, EPP/CD

Martelli, Italy, EPP/CD

Monteiro, Portugal, SOC

Nabholz-Haidegger, Switzerland, LDR

Rapson, United Kingdom, SOC

Roseta, Portugal, EPP/CD

Steolea, Romania, EDG

Tanik, Turkey, EDG

Tiuri, Finland, GDE

Torrado, Spain, SOC

Turini, Italy, EDG

Wittbrodt, Poland, EPP/CD

____________________

Total = 23

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG:European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left

      NR : Not registered in a group