Meeting of Committees and Offices for scientific and technological assessment within the Parliaments of the European Union and the European Parliament

Science, Society and Parliaments
Paris, September 22, 2008

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At their meeting on September 22, 2008, the Presidents of the European Parliamentary Committees and Offices for Scientific and Technological Assessment agreed to:

1 - Express their confidence in science and technology to contribute to progress in European societies. Under appropriate governmental direction and assessment, science and technology guarantee the sustainable development of economic, social, cultural and environmental programs in Europe and throughout the world.

2. Confirm the major role of Parliaments in directing and assessing public policies in the fields of science and technology. As expressions of political sovereignty and places of expertise and debate, parliamentary institutions are naturally qualified to play an eminent role in these matters.

3. Underline the need for Parliaments to actively reinforce scientific and technical education as well as lead civic debates on the place of science and technology in society. These discussions should take the form deemed most appropriate within each country, but should foster an enlightened and harmonious debate between experts, citizens and elected representatives.

4. Encourage National Parliaments and the European Parliament to compare assessment practices regularly, work as a network to exchange expertise more efficiently, support initiatives to strengthen technological assessment in national Parliaments and consolidate the parliamentary dimension of the EPTA network (European Parliamentary Technology Assessment).

5. Call upon the European Union, European Research Ministers and Parliaments within the framework of the European Research Area to strengthen European dynamism in science and innovation by reinforcing synergies, reducing procedural complexity, and creating financial contexts to support new, innovative companies and technology transfer. Science, Society and Parliaments Paris, September 22, 2008