International cooperation was one of the aspects discussed.

- 80% of respondents said closer cooperation between the EU and member states was needed in order to enhance coordination at international level;
- Europe should 'speak with one voice' on global science issues;
- more proactive approach to global science and technology agenda;
- focus on a small number of high profile global issues to lead international research.

86% show support for the EC and Member States to work together to define common European priorities for international S&T cooperation. 89% see a need for the EC and Member States to ensure a coordinated and efficient use of tools and resources and 84% agree that the communication and coherence between national and EC programmes and policies for international S&T cooperation need to be enhanced. 69% agree that making S&T cooperation more central to other areas of international relations is essential.

On the other aspects raised, informants highlighted the following points:

knowledge sharing:
- 80% of stakeholders suggested that raw data resulting from publicly funded research and scientific publication should be made more readily accessible free of charge;
- clear rules should be set up to promote knowledge transfer between research institutions and the industry;

researchers:
- facilitating mobility;
- better implementation of European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for their recruitment;
- transferability of pension rights, insurance and benefits;

research infrastructures:
- development of pan-European infrastructures;
- leadership to be taken at EU level;

research institutions:
- improvement of excellence and competitiveness through rewarding funding on a competitive basis;
- establishing stronger links with businesses;

research programmes:
- simplification of funding rules and procedures;
- closer collaboration in identifying future research challenges at EU level;
- closer cooperation between public national research programmes in order to address resource-intensive and complex scientific challenges (77%);

Further information:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/progress-on-debate/stakeholder-consultation_en.html

Source:
http://cordis.europa.eu/search/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.simpledocument&N_RCN=28482