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Invitation & Final Programme Vision RD4SD THE SCIENCE WE WANT Harnessing R&D for Sustainable Development

Reykjavik 11-13 September 2013

Welcome to the final conference of VISION RD4SD!

Focus and Outcome
The conference presents and works with the many
concrete results of the EU project VISION RD4SD.
This includes the shared Vision as well as the Principles
for harnessing RD4SD.
A key further focus lies on the Resource Tool – a web
based instrument for science funders on how to design,
launch, manage, evaluate and document R&D for SD.
On this basis the conference will initiate a platform
for future cooperation and discuss concrete next steps
for harnessing RD4SD in the medium and long-term.

Practical information Vision RD4SD Final Conference Reykjavik 11-13 September 2013

Outside the terminal building you will find
connecting busses to Reykjavík central station.

The average temperature in Reykjavík for September
is around 7°C and rain can be expected.

The exchange rate for 1 Euro is currently around
160 Icelandic Krona.

Key results from the Roadmaps 2 Workshop in Athens

The central results from the VISION RD4SD Roadmaps 2 Workshop in Athens (11-13 May) are now available for download. This was the last in the series of dialogue workshops in the VISION RD4SD project. The participants finalized the ‘Vision and Principles for harnessing RD4SD’ and tested the first prototype of the web-based interactive ‘Resource Tool’ for RD4SD funding. We also continued to work on RD4SD strategies for different regional contexts in Europe. In preparation of the last phase of the project working groups have been established to continue on the Resource Tool as well as on the idea of an RD4SD platform.

Harnessing R&D for Sustainable Development Reykjavik 11 – 13 September 2013

Focus and Outcome
The conference will present and work with the many concrete results of the EU project VISION RD4SD. This includes the shared Vision itself as well as the Principles on RD4SD. A key further focus will be on the Resource Tool  – a web based instrument for science funders on how to design, launch, manage, evaluate and document R&D for SD.
On this basis the conference aims to initiate a platform for future cooperation and will discuss concrete next steps into this direction.  Thus we seek your participation to contribute to outcomes that will be valid for harnessing RD4SD in the medium and long-term.

Networking
The conference will largely be organized in open working groups to allow for direct exchange of experience among funding agents, science policy makers as well as scientists. We plan for a well-structured dialogue and hereby best use of our times.
The three days of final conference will be followed by hiking activities in the Skaftafell National Park area which you are also very welcome to join.

Read more in the conference announcement

NEWS FROM THE ATHEN MEETING

“Vision and Principles for harnessing RD4SD”

The participants of the VISION RD4SD Roadmaps workshop in Athens (11-13 May 2013) adopted the final version of the ‘Vision and principles for harnessing research and development for sustainable development (RD4SD)’. This document is a key result from the dialogue among 21 science policy makers and research funding agents from 18 European countries that was carried out during the last two and a half years in 7 workshops. It describes ‘the science we want’ for a more sustainable world envisioned in 2025. The eight related principles point out key aspects of how to implement this vision.

BRIEF REPORTING FROM THE MEETING IN ATHENS

The last in the series of workshops within the VISION RD4SD project.

The participants have agree on the final text of the ‘Vision and Principles for Harnessing RD4SD’.

The participants have also tested the first prototype of the ‘Resource Tool’ and given detailed feedback on the prototype for further development (content and functionalities). They had contributions for the content in terms of how to use and implement it.

The participants have also worked with the draft concept for a ‘European RD4SD Platform.

Next week the ‘Vision and Principles for harnessing RD4SD’ will be published at the website. We will also publish a report from  the VISION RD4SD  Roadmaps 2 in Athens.

At last for your information. The VISION RD4SD project will finalize our project’s results for public presentation at a conference in Reykjavik in 11-13 th of September. Look out for the invitation.

KEY MESSAGES FROM THE LUND MEETING

Making a vision for RD4SD operational in times of crises
Lund, Sweden, 9-11 January 2013

1 Keynote Lecture by Lennart Olsson, LUCSUS

In his evening lecture Lennart Olsson (Director of LUCSUS, Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies) addressed “The emerging field of Sustainability Science” and raised many points that came back in the discussions during the meeting. Lennart pointed out that sustainability science is an explicitly normative endeavor that is closer to the social sciences, in particular because considerations of justice and fairness are very important. It is a field rather than a discipline. Sustainability challenges are special: they are either experienced by citizens or have been identified by scientists and not yet been experienced by citizens. Approaches to deal with these challenges are both eclectic and participatory. Practicing sustainability science within a University also brings many challenges. While there are advantages in establishing this field outside of the faculty system, this also introduces vulnerabilities that have to be dealt with.

2 Panel Discussion – Making a vision for RD4SD operational in times of crisis

What are the implications of the on-going financial crises for the vision of “what kind of science for what kind of world” developed in the VISION RD4SD project?

Responses to financial crises are driven by the dominant political discourses – there are clear differences in the responses between different countries, with some countries cutting science budgets while others believe that investment in research, development and innovation will provide solutions to the crisis.

A combination of present budget cuts and long-established lack of R&D expertise leads to a downward spiral that is difficult to break. Is RD4SD an area of opportunity to break the downward trend in countries of Southern Europe? Would a top-down (i.e. from the EU level) approach to drive national strategies on RD4SD be a robust solution? Would an investment in SMEs break the downward spiral (as suggested, for example, for Portugal)?

There is a great opportunity, especially for countries in Southern Europe, to point to the value of RD4SD in addressing societal challenges such as climatic change and supporting transitions towards a sustainable energy system, a green/blue circular economy and EU 2020 targets. This is something that should be discussed further in the next VISION RD4SD workshop.
Further the panel discussion highlighted the very different models and styles in science governance in the Netherlands as compared to Germany and the possibilities of ‘governing’ major changes, such as the Energy Transition in Germany. Is that possible in a situation where business is strongly in the lead for governing science, as it is in the Netherlands? This discussion demonstrated interesting links to the possible roles and functions of a European Competence Centre and its work and something also to be looked at in parts of the Resource Book.

In summary, the present difficulties in science funding and governance in countries of Southern Europe also bears elements of opportunity for larger change. These opportunities could be explored further during the remaining months of the VISION RD4SD project.

3 The Vision

In an interactive session during the Lund Meeting a concise version of the Vision was produced:

The improvement of Quality of Life lies at the core of policies dealing with science and innovation. In the year 2025 Europe is a catalyst and a world frontrunner of global cooperation towards this aim. In an era of growing complexity, in which there is an increasing ambition to live in a more secure, democratised and open world, there is an urgent demand for transformative but informed practices supported by good governance. New forms of organizing and implementing science are based on novel ways of societal collaboration and transdisciplinary knowledge integration and understanding. Implementing this vision requires a systemic approach in science and policy, and especially, new criteria and procedures for assessing scientific excellence. At its best Research and Development for Sustainable Development (RD4SD) will support decisive changes in individual behaviours and collective values and policies to transform our economy towards a sustainable one focused on addressing today’s and future societal challenges and meeting responsibly the needs of all humankind.

4. Principles for Harnessing RD4SD

The VISION RD4SD dialogues have shown the need for a set of principles to guide decisions on what is needed to ensure that R&D contribute to sustainable development. These principles should complement the vision and give advice on how it can be implemented. A set of draft principles was discussed at the Lund Meeting. A revised list will be discussed further at the next meeting. As a result of the Lund discussions there are eight principles together with a preface. The eight principles cover:

  • Agenda Setting;
  • Co-design, co-production, co-delivery and co-interpretation;
  • Flexible and adaptive programme management;
  • Evaluation;
  • Systemic approaches;
  • Communication, empowerment and engagement;
  • Career opportunities and recognition;
  • Capacity building.

5 The European RD4SD Platform

To support RD4SD, the European RD4SD Platform consolidates and integrates existing experiences, frameworks and approaches of RD4SD. This consolidation/integration especially fulfils the need for a reliable framework and set of tested procedures of RD4SD that can be referred to during programme development, management and evaluation. It also strengthens the RD4SD community of practice in Europe and provides a platform for continued learning, improvement and capacity building of researchers, policy-makers and social agents at large. The platform provides and builds transformative competences (e.g., the systemic, leadership, ethical, problem/need-focused competences) for harnessing RD4SD. It acts as a repository for examples of good practice, evaluation procedures and criteria and as a “helpdesk” on how to do research that supports sustainable development. The European RD4SD Platform will become the main interfacing instrument to reframe the role of R&D towards sustainability (from burden for more conventional research approaches to a major source of investments and economic opportunities). This consolidation path would widen up the group of participants, including funding agencies interested in transformative change in the face of global challenges, and involve the science communities as well as actors from policy, business, and civil society.

The needed functions could be performed either via a dedicated new institution or through integration into existing organisations/networks. This will be a focus of discussion at the Athens Roadmap Workshop (May 2013), when the ad hoc study on a possible European Competence Centre (or RD4SD Platform) is available.

6 An interactive web-based ‘Resource Tool’ for funding of RD4SD

The interactive web-based ‘resource tool’ is a product of the VISIONS RD4SD project that will have a lifetime well beyond the length of the project, potentially within the context of the European RD4SD Platform. It is designed to be used primarily by research funders and programme managers. Designed as an interactive, “living” information system, it contains examples of and links to good practice in RD4SD programme development and funding procedures. The priority is to provide practical help for the further development of RD4SD funding. Various mechanisms for attracting people to use and contribute to the resource tool have been discussed. Important next steps include:

  • Raise interest of funders and involve them in the further development;
  • Identify a host for the longer term;
  • Finish and test the prototype and integrate feedback;
  • Develop a gripping name for the tool.

Testing and further discussions will be on the agenda of the Roadmap Workshop in Athens (May 2013).

7 Strategy for the European Level

After a presentation on recent developments at the EU level, the discussion focussed on concrete steps in the near future. The programming for Horizon 2020 is now being discussed between the European Parliament and European Council. Talking to persons in the European Parliament, and in particular to the ITRE Committee, could clarify what are the best opportunities to introduce RD4SD perspectives. Once Horizon 2020 starts, it will be important to spread the ideas generated in the VISION RD4SD project to the members of the new programme committees and relevant decision-makers in the Commission. For this it will be necessary to produce concrete outputs (Vision, Principles, examples, Guidelines on how to implement RD4SD) and present them in meetings with different target groups. A further step within Horizon 2020 would be to develop an ERA-Net to test the VISION RD4SD ideas in practice. At the same time, engagement in the JPIs, established by national science funding bodies, should be pursued. It would be useful to provide them, for example, with the Principles for RD4SD, the Vision and the Resource Tool.

The organizational model of Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) of the European Institute of Technology could be of interest for the development of a European Competence Centre for RD4SD. The chances of developing a “sustainability KIC” are low, but worth exploring. In any case many of the concrete outputs of the project (listed above) should be disseminated to existing KICs. Engagement in KICs would be an effective way to inject some of the VISION RD4SD ideas. A meeting with the EIT Director in order to exchange information would be a useful first step.

There could still be opportunities to inject VISION RD4SD ideas into the negotiations for the next phase of the Cohesion Funds. For this it is necessary to consult with the national-level negotiators. It would be useful to provide them, for example, with the Principles for RD4SD and the Vision. In the longer term, there could be a role for the proposed European Competence Centre/Platform for RD4SD in providing a sustainability orientation during the implementation of Cohesion Fund Policies.

Finally, for the strategy at the European level, it will be important to invite key persons (from EIT, KICs, ERA-NETs, etc) to the VISION RD4SD Final Conference (Iceland, September 2013).

THE SCIENCE WE WANT Harnessing R&D for Sustainable Development

The projects Final Conference that will take place in Reykjavik, Iceland the 11-13 of September 2013.

Save the dates!

More info and formal invitation will follow.

The next Vision worksshop will take place in Athens Greece 13-15th of May 2013

The project already has developed concrete ‚products’ such as Principles and the Vision for harnessing RD4SD, initial ideas for an interactive web tool for programme management, and the idea of a European Competence Centre for RD4SD.

During the workshop in Athens these products will be tested, further developed and/or finalized for presentation to potential users including the European Commission. The workshop offers a great chance to once again provide input and change the course of future funding policies in research and development for sustainable development. For this we need you all!

The workshop will begin with a keynote lecture and dinner on 13 May at 18.00 and end on 15 May with lunch.

The workshop is kindly supported by and organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, Culture and Sports, Secretariats of Research and Technology in Greece.

The Workshop will be at the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, the national laboratory of Greece on oceanography and marine research.

Address; Sounio ave. P.O. Box 712, P.C. 19013 Anavyssos Attiki Greece

Homepage http://www.hcmr.gr/en/index.php
More information and invitation will come later on!

Save the dates!

More info and formal invitation will follow.

Different routes instead of one roadmap

The diversity of approaches and perspectives cannot be condensed into one strategy or roadmap without losing its huge potential to support RD4SD. The different set-ups in each country and different contexts of implementing funding measures call for a variety of approaches.

As a consequence two new routes are suggested to make use of the VISION RD4SD results:

  • Developing a Resource Book for RD4SD programme management
    Making use of the wealth of examples and ideas that have been referred to during the workshops and the state of the art studies could be done in form of an internet-based ‘resource book’. This would be a tool that funding agencies and programme managers can use and feed their own experiences into. Structured along the cycle of programme management (like the workshop) it could give advice and ideas at any point in the programme as well as some fundamental considerations on RD4SD funding. This would be a way of documenting the existent diversity of approaches and instruments, making it available and adding on to it in the future. It offers a chance for continuation to the target group of the project partners and opens the development process up to other funding agents.
  • Developing a European Competence Centre for RD4SD
    In the sense of consolidating and integrating existent frameworks and approaches of RD4SD the idea of developing a European Competence Centre (a platform, an actual place, a network, …) was suggested and developed further during the workshop. This would especially fulfil the need for a reliable framework of RD4SD that can be referred to during programme development and management. It would also strengthen the RD4SD community in Europe and provide a platform for improvement and capacity building. This continuation path would widen up the group of participants (funding agencies) and involve the science communities as well as actors from policy, business, and civil society.

 

Read the whole syntheses report!

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