Regional actors could make the difference in forming ERA The role of regional actors such as those involved in the Foresight initiatives could be fundamental to making a success of the European research area (ERA), according to an article in a special issue of the IPTS on regional foresight. Compiled by Günter Clar of the European ... The role of regional actors such as those involved in the Foresight initiatives could be fundamental to making a success of the European research area (ERA), according to an article in a special issue of the IPTS on regional foresight. Compiled by Günter Clar of the European Commission's DG Research, the article claims that the role of regional actors in ensuring that knowledge filters from the regional arena into a wider context could secure both the goals set out at the Lisbon summit of March 2000 and the ERA. Lisbon's goal was to make the European Union the world's most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy by 2010, while the ERA plans to coordinate all research throughout Europe to ensure maximum synergies and minimum overlap and waste. The research and development (R&D) and science policies adopted will, according to Mr Clar, be key in fulfilling these goals. Policymakers need to use more reliable systems to identify the risks and rewards associated with new R&D developments. In practice, the measures which the regional actors can take include ensuring that sufficient coordination and networking takes place at a regional level. Here Mr Clar highlights that schemes such as the Foresight plans have not reached the level of integration required - that some Member States' foresight activities are almost non-existent and there is a lot of duplication of the efforts that do exist. 'In the medium to long term, this situation could impact negatively on the implementation of the Lisbon strategy,' says Mr Clar. As for the ERA, the regional dimension is key, as it is the first area where knowledge can be translated into economically relevant activities. But further tasks are required to make the process optimal, according to the report. These include developing the necessary structures for the innovative research, fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors, encouraging entrepreneurship and creativity, helping to create an environment that is conducive to research and innovation, and stimulating inter-regional exchange of ideas. It also highlights that there are a number of programmes, not least of which the EU's Framework programmes, as a vital context for these activities.
