Janez Potočnik, Mojca Kucler Dolinar at the JRC Information Day in Ljubljana, 26-05-2008
Ljubljana (SL) - 26/05/08
JRC Information Day in Ljubljana, Slovenia
A high-level conference on the role of research in support of other policies has taken place today in Ljubljana. The event, organised jointly by the JRC and the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, underlined the role of research in support of the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of policies at EU, national and regional levels in areas such as environment, energy, food, agriculture and health. Ongoing research activities in these areas – of vital importance for the quality of life and safety of citizens – were presented.
In the presence of Janez Potočnik, European Research Commissioner and Mojca Kucler Dolinar, Slovenian Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology, participants debated the role of science in serving the decision-making process, as well as how to develop research that effectively transmits scientific results to policy makers. They agreed that better communication and understanding between scientists and policy makers as well as other relevant stakeholders should be stimulated. The conference enhanced ongoing dialogue, identified potential further partnerships and paved the way for further scientific and technical collaboration between the JRC and Slovenia.
The JRC and its Slovenian partners have a strong track record of collaboration activities in the past few years. In the period from 2002 to 2006, Slovenia, along with the other new Member States, benefited from a targeted JRC programme: the JRC Enlargement and Integration Action . During this period a strategic effort was made to integrate experts and research organisations from targeted countries like Slovenia in the activities, networks and project collaborations of the JRC.