In the framework of the French Presidency of the European Union, the OPECST has been entrusted with the organization of the meeting of the chairpersons of committees and bodies specialized in scientific and technological assessment within each national Parliament and within the European Parliament.

We, thus, have the pleasure of inviting you to attend this meeting which will take place on Monday September 22, 2008, at the French National Assembly on the topic « Science, Society and Parliaments ».

This broad subject will allow us to debate two important issues: How do Parliaments take account of the scientific and technological aspects of public policies? How do Parliaments answer the questions asked by Society concerning the use of new technologies?

We would like this meeting to be a chance for us to exchange our opinions and our experiences on the legitimacy of Parliaments and the means they have in the drawing-up of public policies and the monitoring of the bodies in charge of their implementation. It will in addition be an opportunity to share views on the benefits and the risks linked to the use of new technologies as well as the guarantees provided to citizens for clear and open information. We also wish this meeting to contribute to the underlining of the essential role played by Parliaments as privileged intermediaries between the scientific community and citizens.

We do sincerely hope that either you, or one of your colleagues, will be able to attend this meeting and look forward to seeing you.

Yours faithfully,