Brussels, 02 Feb 2004

Organised by the European Commission, DG Research

Full website available 7 February 2004!

Increasing Human Resources for Science and Technology

A major objective for Europe

No Europe of knowledge¡­

In March 2000, the Lisbon declaration was approved: Europe should become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.

¡­ without adequate Human Resources

Scientific and technological development was since then at the core of EU objectives.

In 2002, the EU Barcelona Summit called for an increase in the proportion of European GDP invested in research from 1.9 % to 3 %. In terms of human resources, an extra 0.5 million researchers (or 1.2 million research related personnel) are needed to meet that goal between now and 2010.

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A working group appointed by Philippe Busquin

As part of the European Commission's broad strategy to address the Lisbon and Barcelona goals, an independent High Level Group on Human Resources for Science and Technology in Europe, chaired by Prof. Jos¨¦ Mariano Gago, was appointed by the European Commissioner for Research.

This High Level Group (J.M.Gago, J.Ziman, P. Caro, S. Sj?berg, G. Davies, C. Constantinou, I. Parchmann, M. Rannikm?e) analysed the current European situation and undertook an extensive consultation process with many relevant stakeholders in Europe as well as with the EC and with national governments.

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The findings of the HLG show that the Lisbon and Barcelona targets will not be attainable without deliberate and sustained positive action.

The purpose of the conference

The provisional findings and recommendations of the High Level Group will be presented and discussed at this International Conference to be held in Brussels on April 2, 2004.

The European Commissioner for Research Phillippe Busquin will be delivering a conference address

The Conference will address the following topics:

• The need for increasing human resources for the scientific and technological development of the European Union
• Demand and Supply in the Science, Engineering and Technology Labour Market
• Career Perspectives in S&T
• Higher Education and Research Training
• Schooling in Science, Engineering and Technology
• The Social and Cultural Context of Recruitment to S&T Careers

Who should attend the Conference?

• Science and Technology policy makers
• Research leaders in the public and the private sector
• Universities leaders
• Researchers in the economy of innovation and in science and technology policy
• Science education experts
• Science teachers organisations
• Representatives from industry
• Representatives from employers organisations and the trade-unions
• Science centres and science museums
• Other key actors in the science and technology field

This conference offers an exceptional opportunity to the above audience to influence the conditions for science and technology development in Europe.

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For further information please contact:

Laura Lauritsalo
E-mail: laura.lauritsalo@cec.eu.int
European Commission
Directorate-General Research
Directorate Science and Society
Sector Young People and Science
ce-society/

DG Research
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