In order to promote a culture of evidence-informed policy making the JRC, together with the European Parliament’s Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) launched the 'Science meets Parliaments' initiative in 2015. The objective of the initiative is to bridge the gap between scientists and policy-makers at EU, national and regional levels by encouraging regular dialogue and promoting the benefits of scientific knowledge in policy-making.

This year, we'll discuss how science can be instrumental in 21^st century policy making. The event will explore how we engage with citizens, how artificial intelligence might impact our lives, and how to build resilient societies in a turbulent world.

An exhibition will show concrete examples of how policies - and our lives - can benefit from sound scientific knowledge.

The Brussels event marks the launch of 'Science meets Parliaments/Science meets Regions'. This expanded new initiative will bring together scientists, policymakers, stakeholders and citizens to address locally-relevant challenges with the help of scientific evidence.

Local authorities and academia will hold 23 events in 22 different European countries, with the common goal to demonstrate what science can do for national but also local/regional policy and how it can impact our everyday lives.