International Observers Workshop

on november 24th, 2003

 

 

 

 

There were more than 20 attendees at the workshop, including J.Lesourne, P. Fillet (Euro-Case), P.Caracostas (Head of S&T Foresight, EU), and international representatives from the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy and also some members of the FutuRIS team. Two major topics for presentation and discussions: the European Innovation Scoreboard and FutuRIS initial results

 

 

                   

       

The two important items discussed during the meeting held in Paris on November 24 were centred on :

 

1-   The European Innovation Scoreboard and to what extent a common vision may be shared in Europe regarding innovation.

2-   The status of FutuRIS, a short presentation of current developments including the scenarios and a focus on two important topics: research and employment, and specialisations, infrastructures and critical sizes. 

                  

 

 
  The European Innovation Scoreboard session                                   

Presentation was made of the consultation organized amongst the international observers and key results were presented to the group for discussion.

Interesting work particularly on Scoreboard indicators judged the most useful but also missing ones :distinction was particularly made in between those expressing input (human resources, knowledge creation) versus output (transmission and application of knowledge, innovation finance, products and markets) . 

With respect to France through the EIS, responses indicated that the general perception was that this country is more or less in line with European norms, even if there are a number of hidden strengths and weaknesses. There is clearly a widely held perception that France is losing ground. There are structural issues and concerns, particularly concerning lack of dynamism and focus, and of “attractiveness”. Nevertheless, there are also positive indicators like strong co-operation between industry, government, and research institutes. Also, there was an expressed view of there being strong respect and appreciation for science at a broader cultural level in France . Conversely, there are three question marks : lifelong learning, research programm monitoring, innovative SME development.  

To summarise, the message conveyed regarding impressions of France was one of “good people, mixed structures, poor execution”.

  

   The FutuRIS session                        

In the afternoon the discussion went on FutuRIS itself following a presentation made by Remi Barre and introductory comments of J. Lesourne around the French Research and Innovation system history and its current challenges.

The two essential themes that were debated (research and growth, and specialisations, infrastructures and critical sizes) allow the group to establish clear links in between the FutuRIS current production work and practical economical and political choices.

Concerning research and growth, emphasis was placed on innovation and services.

As to specialisation and critical sizes, discussion adressed several aspects and particularly the role of the EU level and the choice of certain fields within individual Member States. P. Caracostas developed the following point of view : diversity has provided great strength for European R and I. What is lacking is any clear strategy of how to capitalise on this: combining the nurturing of diversity on one hand with the necessity of bringing the best people together as FP6 is aiming at on the other hand.

 

                                                                                                

 

There will be an Act II in the following weeks and the work will be therefore enriched by both new contributions of the European Observers but also additional thinking and views from China , USA , Russia , Canada , Japan , India .