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The Belgian Science Policy and the Belgian Presidency

The Belgian Science Policy Office will play an important role during the Belgian EU Presidency, in which special attention will be given to Research, Development and Innovation. The events to be organised will cover a variety of themes such as:

  • biodiversity
  • space technology as a development instrument for Africa,
  • the importance of e-infrastructures in the development of new services in sectors including the cultural sector,
  • the role of philanthropy in scientific research,
  • the mobility of researchers,
  • safety investigation, technological development and innovation
  • energy research infrastructures,
  • (socio-) economic effects of public financing (politics and resources) on RTDI;
  • future marine and maritime research in Europe.

The Belgian Science Policy is a coherent whole, with more than 2 800 people spread over 12 directorates-general –10 of which are scientific establishments – working towards it every day. By setting up major research programmes, it offers the government reliable, validated data, allowing it to take decisions with full knowledge of the facts in domains such as sustainable development, the fight against climate change, biodiversity, social security, health, mobility and the information society.
The Belgian Science Policy is responsible for managing Belgium’s space effort on a daily basis, on a European (European Space Agency) and bilateral level (France, Russia, Argentina). Since Belgium is the fifth net contributor to the ESA, this participation is strategic for our country and crucial for our companies. At the same time, companies with the desire to participate in different AIRBUS programmes are given R&D aid, which is essential to their positioning in the ruthless battle raging in this sector on a global level.
The 10 federal science establishments offer scientists an exceptional framework and research materials. They also house artistic and historical collections, which are visited by more than 1.2 million people every year.
BELNET, the Belgian national research network, provides fast, high-quality internet access to Belgian universities, colleges, research centres and public services. SIST completes the system by offering an information brokerage service to the scientific community, the economic and social world and public services.
The Belgian Science Policy is also a network of prestigious institutions such as the Academia Belgica in Rome, the Biermans-Lapôtre Foundation in Paris, the Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences, the Cinematek, the Institut Von Karman, etc. Through these infrastructures, it offers our researchers an international reputation. The Belgian Science Policy also co-ordinates the research effort lead by the country’s authorities and is responsible for introducing our researchers into international research networks. In this sense, it is at the heart of the Belgian research area and is a major hub in terms of the European Research Area. It therefore makes a important contribution to the progress being made towards the Barcelona objective: devoting 3 % of the GDP to research and development, participating in job creation and well-being through innovation, optimising the running of the Belgian research area, fighting against climate change, etc...

© 2010 Science Policy PPS