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Presidents of EU science academies call for parliamentary candidates to maintain international collaboration and investment
The importance of science and innovation to the EU “should not be taken for granted”, politicians have been warned.
R&D is essential for the EU’s freedom and resilience, global competitiveness and wellbeing, the presidents of science academies from the bloc’s member states have said in a joint statement published on 6 May.
The statement, directed at candidates for the June election for the European Parliament, says it is “essential to safeguard the open and international collaborative character of the scientific endeavour”.
Incoming MEPs should “protect the principles of academic freedom” and ensure “safe and sustainable working conditions for scientists and students at all times”, it urges.
The next Parliament should also ensure that the EU hits its long-missed target to spend 3 per cent of its GDP on R&D, it says.
Continued investment “in the full breadth of science and scholarship” is necessary, it says, to ensure the EU can “keep pace with other parts of the world”.
It also calls on the Parliament to guarantee “uptake of scientific insights into policies that address the major challenges of our democratic societies”, adding: “We urge member states and the EU institutions to use scientific evidence continuously and wisely in their policymaking.”
Challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss, international migration, food security and the energy transition are “so complex and urgent that they cannot be addressed effectively without science and without a trustful dialogue between science, politics, civil society and economic actors”, according to the statement.
Political survey
The statement came as groups of science representatives collaborated to launch a survey on European Parliament candidates’ views on research and innovation ahead of the elections on 6-9 June.
The Initiative for Science in Europe, the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers, the International Consortium of Research Staff Organisations, the Marie Curie Alumni Association and Young Academy Europe launched the 10-question survey on 3 May.
It is available in all European languages and the responses will be posted on a dedicated page on the Initiative for Science in Europe’s website. Responses must be submitted by 10 May.