A Technology Foresight Programme with relevance for Europe

June 22, 2004 at 14.30. Seminar starts at 15.00. Palais des Beaux Arts, (Centre for Fine Arts), Rue Ravenstein 23, Brussels

There is a complex relationship between the long-term development of societies and the opportunities provided by scientific and technical progress. Public and private sector decision-makers need guidance in particular to allow them to identify critical issues and R&D priorities. Governments in the EU are increasingly using foresight to provide the necessary forum for stakeholders in society to engage in open, transparent discussions to this end. Foresigh is a process that fosters mutual learning amongst participants and thus has a value far beyond its more obvious results.

The latest results from the recently completed Swedish Technology Foresight Programme will be presented at this seminar. The new format of this second Swedish Technology Foresight Programme will also be discussed. The increasing importance of foresight for setting R&D priorities within the EU will be the topic of a panel discussion.

Programme

Welcome

Karin Markides, Deputy General Director of VINNOVA, Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems

Brief introduction

Kerstin Eliasson, State Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sweden

Towards the 7th Framework Programme

Dr Richard Escritt, Director, Directorate A, Coordination of Community activities, DG Research, European Commission

The Swedish Technology Foresight Programme and its Synthesis

“The Swedish Foresight landscape”

Göran Pagels-Fick, Chairman of the Foresight Methodology Group of the Swedish Technology Foresight Programme and manager of Technology Foresight at VINNOVA, Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems

“Sweden at the crossroads”

Synthesis and conclusions from the foresight studies: Sweden is facing many new opportunities but also a number of complicated and dif. cult choices. The future growth and prosperity will depend on the ability to take decisions and implement measures relating to issues that are crucial for the long-term development of society. These issues have been identi. ed by the Foresight programme, and the way in which they are resolved will determine how society will manage scientific and technological progress.

Lennart Lübeck, Chairman of the Swedish Technology Foresight Programme

Short coffee break

“Inspiration for Innovation”

Greater focus and specialisation is necessary in order to be competitive and develop a strong position on the global market. A process has been designed to identify areas of potential growth. One hundred technologies in eleven knowledge-based clusters have been identi. ed in which Sweden has competitive advantages and good prospects for development. Sweden’s traditional industries, including new technologies such as the biotech and IT sectors, are key growth generators.

Thomas Malmer, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, Project Manager of the study “Shifting Paradigm through Innovations” of the Swedish Technology Foresight Programme

The role of Foresight in European Research Management

Panel discussion

Kerstin Eliasson, Lennart Lübeck, Karin Markides and Paraskevas Caracostas, Head of Unit K2, Science and Technology Foresight, DG Research, European Commission

Lessons Learned and the European Dimension

Karin Markides, Deputy General Director of VINNOVA, Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems

Introduction to the concert and show

Johnny Wingstedt, Researcher, Senior Lecturer in Music and Media Technology, Royal College of Music, Stockholm

After the seminar refreshments and a light meal will be served

19.00 Popular Music Show – “Swedish Hits”

Royal College of Music in Stockholm

Introduction by Johnny Wingstedt: “Technology applied to music production”

Music you didn’t think was Swedish! Many songs performed by Celine Dione, Britney Spears and other popular artists have Swedish producers. Now you will hear these songs LIVE presented with a light show designed by the technicians in the Studio, Bozar. You are welcome to bring the younger members of your family. They will be sure to enjoy hearing some of their favourite songs – and we’re sure that you will too!

Practical information

Time and place: June 22, 2004 at Palais des Beaux-Arts, Rue Ravenstein 23, Brussels. Registration from 14.30, seminar between 15.00-18.00, concert and show starts at 19.00

How to register: Registration-form is found at www.views.se

Cost: The seminar is free of charge, but pre-registration is necessary at www.views.se

Documentation: Available approximately one week after the seminar at www.views.se

Organiser: VINNOVA, Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems, in cooperation with the Swedish Technology Foresight Programme. Contact: info@views.se