European life sciences group sets agenda for year to come

Brussels, 10 May 2002

The European Group on Life Sciences (EGLS) has set its agenda for the year ahead at a meeting in Granada, Spain, on 7 May.

At the meeting, hosted by the Spanish Presidency of the EU, the group of eminent life scientists examined the role of the life sciences in sustainable agriculture and their presentation in the media.

It set a number of priorities for action, including the need to encourage young people to take up scientific careers and to boost their role in achieving the March 2000 Lisbon European Council objective of turning the EU into the world's most competitive knowledge-based economy.

The EGLS, appointed by Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin in April 2000, aims to foster dialogue between researchers, policy makers and the wider public on the subject of life sciences. It also encourages the provision of better scientific information to European citizens.

Mr Busquin welcomed the group's advice, saying it 'is in a good position to participate in the scientific debate across Europe.'

The EGLS work programme for the year ahead includes three events in Brussels:

- A stakeholder discussion forum on 'Sustainable agriculture: the value of life sciences for development' from 30 to 31 January 2003. The event will address the potential, benefits and risks of advancing knowledge in the life sciences and biotechnology for sustainable agriculture.

- A workshop on 'Life sciences communication in the media' on July 9 2002. Bringing together scientists and journalists from across Europe, the meeting will identify barriers to the flow of information from science to the public. It will focus on the point of view of the press and underline the constraints of science journalists working in different European countries.

- A meeting on 'The new biology and cultures of the modern time: challenges and perspectives' from November 18 to 19 2002. The event will gather scientists and intellectuals from different regions of Europe to exchange views on human values and society, the progress of knowledge, and relations linking biosciences and society.

For further information on the EGLS, please consult the following web address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/life -sciences/egls/index_en.html

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001