Positioning Europe in global science: Priorities for research to achieve sustainable solutions

Objectives of the meeting: 

- Gain insights from MEPs and EU policy makers on strategic priorities for European research leading to sustainable solutions, building on a global agenda recently published by Future Earth

- Discuss challenges for sustainable development requiring science-based approaches

- Foster a dialogue between policy-makers and researchers about how to sustain European competitiveness and position European research in providing solutions to support transitions to sustainable development

11:45-12:00 – Registration, Altiero Spinelli building, Place du Luxembourg

12:00-12:30 – Walking lunch

12:30-12:35 Welcome address by MEP Paul Rübig, Chair of the European Parliament Scientific and Technology Option Assessment (STOA), and Chair of the ‘Research & Innovation’ Working Group of the EP Intergroup Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development

12:35-12:45 Introduction to Future Earth: Kurt Vandenberghe, Director, European Commission, Research and Innovation, and co-Chair, the Belmont Forum

12:45-12:55 Professor Frans Berkhout, interim Director, Future Earth The Strategic Research Agenda 2014 - Towards priorities for a global sustainability research strategy

12:55-13:55 Dialogue session on solutions-led science in Europe and the world: - What are the key sustainability challenges that are relevant for Europe to be addressed by Future Earth research? - Where and how could Europe make a difference for the global sustainable development agenda? - How do we mobilise researchers across Europe to engage with solutionoriented research? - What do politicians and policy-makers expect from a global initiative like Future Earth? with interventions by: Members of the European Parliament Ulf Björnholm Ottosson, Head of Office, Brussels Liaison Office to the EU Institutions, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Professor Corinne Le Queré, Global Carbon Project and Director of Tyndall Centre, East Anglia University Professor Frank Biermann, Earth Systems Governance Project and Institute of Environmental Studies, VU University Amsterdam Farooq Ullah, Executive Director of the Stakeholders Forum for a Sustainable Future

13:55-14:00 Conclusions by MEP Paul Rübig

For further information contact: Paolo Mattana, Secretariat of the Intergroup, paolo.mattana@ebcd.org, + 32 2 230 30 70