EU commissioner calls for better understanding of R&D

EU commissioner Janez Potocnik says that the value of research in people's everyday lives needs to better "understood and appreciated."

Speaking at a conference in Brussels, he said the responsibility for achieving this was primarily for those involved in the industry.

However, scientists, NGOs and policymakers also have a role to play, he said.

The research commissioner said, "Putting European R&D at the service of sustainable development is not only essential to our future in general.

"It is also essential for the future of research itself. Indeed, it is only if the value of research is understood and appreciated by citizens that policymakers will find the support and legitimacy to raise the level of public research funding."

Potocnik was a keynote speaker at the three-day conference on sustainable development, organised by the commission.

His comments were echoed by another speaker, Professor Luke Georghiou, of the University of Manchester, who said a "major effort" is needed to ensure that Europe's research does more to advance the cause of sustainable development.

He said, "However, the challenge goes well beyond this. There is a pressing need to raise the profile of sustainability in research funding and research careers."

The conference, which concludes today, heard that in the first two years of the EU's 7th framework programme, 44 per cent of the budget for collaborative research has been allocated to research supporting the EU's renewed sustainable development strategy.

For instance, as part of the EU economic recovery plan, FP7 will support the 'greening' of the EU car, manufacturing and construction sectors through three public-private R&D partnerships.

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