International Conference of the Academies of Eastern and South-Eastern Europe

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on GLOBAL SCIENCE AND NATIONAL POLICIES: THE ROLE OF ACADEMIES, health
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, 4-5 May 2007,
organized by UNESCO (Venice and Moscow Offices),
ICSU (International Council for Science)
and Academy of Sciences of Moldova.

Purpose

As a follow-up to the World Conference on Science (Budapest, 1999), UNESCO and ICSU decided in 2005 to take action to strengthen the interactions between the Academies of ESEE countries and their involvement in international science cooperation. As a first step, a questionnaire was sent out in early 2006 to the SCEE Academies to collect information not only on their activities and organizations, but also on their aspirations and needs. As a second step, UNESCO and ICSU are now in the process of organizing a Conference designed to bring all SCEE academies together to:

• review a set of strategic science issues relevant to regional and international cooperation, and the role that the Academies can play thereon;
• explore ways of strengthening the role of the Academies in the national and regional contexts;
• enhance the role of science in society and the building of knowledge societies in ESEE countries.

Participation

The Conference is open to the Academies of the following countries or territories: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine

Background paper

A background paper will be prepared by UNESCO and ICSU on the basis of the replies to the questionnaires sent out earlier. This paper will outline the activities carried out by ESEE Academies, their organizational structures, the significant challenges they face, and their plans for the future. Insofar as Academies have expressed views on the matter, the background paper will also propose actions that Academies could take forward in order to enhance their effectiveness.

Format sessions

The Conference sessions will have a common format. Each will consist of two presentations of 15 to 20 minutes each: one by a specialist from outside the region discussing the international aspects, the other by an expert from the region focusing on the national/regional dimensions. These two presentations will be followed by comments from named panel members as a trigger for discussion from the floor. On the second day each Academy has an opportunity to submit a brief statement on any issue, either in writing or orally. A Rapporteur for each Session will provide a summary record of the discussions and any recommendations.

Programme

The programme is proposed, with the first day devoted to a set of major issues requiring international science cooperation and the second day to the role – actual or potential – of ESEE Academies in relation to national policymaking and development.