Denmark endorses ERA and FP6 proposals - but wants more Riskier, bigger and better suited to the needs of business and a knowledge-based society form the main tenets of Denmark's response to the European Commission's proposals for a European research area (ERA) and the next Framework programme. While endorsing the overall goals o... Riskier, bigger and better suited to the needs of business and a knowledge-based society form the main tenets of Denmark's response to the European Commission's proposals for a European research area (ERA) and the next Framework programme. While endorsing the overall goals of the proposals, and in particular the increased mobility of researchers, greater cooperation within research, the establishment of networks of excellence and the aim of converting knowledge into improved welfare, Denmark makes a number of recommendations, including a list of 'priority areas' for research. Denmark is also interested in maintaining a focus on the use of the research, which, in its opinion, should both help strengthen the international competitiveness of European industry and also play a role in 'the determining, implementation and monitoring of community policies'. The creation of a knowledge based society depends on investment in knowledge, and European competitiveness depends on this new knowledge. 'We wish therefore [for] a Framework programme which focuses on large-scale European efforts concerning themes and problems central to the creation of a competitive and sustainable knowledge society while providing opportunities for involving many disciplines and subject areas in long term research, based in the whole of the great and broad European research potential,' says the Danish paper. This does not echo the concerns that have been expressed by smaller Member States (and associated countries) that a focus on larger projects and research areas could be detrimental to certain fields and countries. The paper goes further, urging a riskier approach to research. It prefaces its recommendation by recognising the good work done under key actions in the Fifth Framework programme, but highlights that they can be too limited. 'We wish to call attention to the risk that EU-supported projects [can] be too representative of short-sighted, traditional research at the expense of more untraditional and more risky activities. Key actions mainly supply results for the solution of existing problems. Herein lies their limitation.' As well as riskier, Denmark feels that long term research must not be neglected. It gives examples such as treatment of the most widespread diseases, development of alternative energy supplies or new principles of sustainable production methods. It also makes clear that the criteria for assessing these longer term subjects should be 'substantially different' from those used for short term projects. Innovation must play a key role in the proposed ERA and FP6. Denmark sees the process as relatively straightforward: the latest knowledge leads to new products and services and this is decisive in improving the competitiveness of European industry. It also sees the private sector as having a key role to play in this process, working together with public institutions. Companies need to be urged to cooperate on innovation, innovative knowledge needs to be turned into new companies and more attention needs to be paid to SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises). It also proposes names of institutions that should be more involved in the research and innovation process. 'It is stressed that EUREKA should accept greater responsibility for innovation in Europe as a supplement to Community activities.' The next Framework programme needs to deliver on many fronts. As well as providing the focus and cooperation on research in many fields, it also needs to provide the information on what is happening and why to the public. 'Public understanding of the rapid technological development will be influenced if those of us involved in European research cooperation are increasingly concerned with themes arising from ethical, cultural and attitudinal factors.' Denmark's position shows an overall healthy respect for the Fifth Framework programme. It advocates maintaining the existing infrastructures with additions rather than a wholesale change, highlighting the good work done under structures such as COST and recommend that these are considered when looking at increased cooperation. Neither does it discount the focus of the Fifth Framework programme, but rather claims that it 'includes research in quite central areas that, with an adjusted goal, should be part of the next Framework programme,' including examples such as climate, health and environmental research. But the Danish paper does go on to include its list of 'priority areas' which it feels should be the focus of the forthcoming initiatives. The priority areas, with a brief description, are the following: - new social challenges. This is designed to look at the new challenges posed by globalisation and the new economy and will focus on welfare models, labour markets, economic policies and increased migration. - new safe medicines faster. This will help to bring new medicines for market quicker and cheaper, due to more cooperation between industry, research and regulatory authorities. - wind energy. This will look at integrating wind energy used in an optimum way for both economical benefits and to help the European wind energy sector. - integrated industrial production. Its goal will be to promote competitive industry which emphasises sustainable European development. - nanotechnology in a European perspective. Described by the Danes as 'one of the key technologies of the future' this priority area focuses on 'intensive cooperation through European networks of excellence in strategically important areas.' - health, the environment and safe foodstuffs. Claiming that 'food safety must be improved through research in the development of new process technologies, this priority area will also look at developments in biotechnology. - IT and learning. Focusing largely on teaching and research, this priority area looks to integrate IT in teaching, helping to reach the goals of eEurope and the establishment of necessary networks for integrated IT solutions in education. Countries Denmark
