The declaration lays down the comprehensive and permanent freedom of scientific research and is intended to defend and protect this freedom, in order to lay the foundations for Europe’s future progress and wellbeing. The document also condemns all attempts to limit this freedom.

The conference also focused on the future of the European Research Area (ERA). On 30 September 2020, the European Commission had presented its Communication "A new ERA for Research and Innovation". Ministers discussed both the Commission Communication and their own views on the reorientation of the new ERA, mainly concerning quicker translation of innovations and research results into commercial products, as well as communication between science and society. Following discussions with the Member States, the Council Conclusions on the new ERA are due to be adopted at the next Council Competitiveness on 27 November 2020.

At the conference, the German EU Council Presidency also launched a national campaign to raise awareness for the ERA: “The European Research Area: Together towards greater knowledge”. The European Commission presented the priorities of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and called on Member States to submit their respective plans to the European Commission between January and April 2021.

For more information:

German Council Presidency – press release

German Ministry of Education and Research – press release

Bonn Declaration on Freedom of Scientific Research

German national ERA campaign www.forschungsraum.eu

Original news: https://era.gv.at/object/news/5589