New Worlds – New Solutions

The practical planning is carried out by the Swedish Research Council in close collaboration with three other research councils/agencies FAS, Formas and VINNOVA.

Participants – close to 400, by invitation only. Target groups politicians, representatives from the EU Commission, researchers, industrialists, CSOs etc.

Rationale of the conference
The Conference will lay the ground for considerations about future directions for research, development and innovation in Europe as seen from a broad societal user perspective.

The current Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) ends in 2013. Now is the time to start a process on how to set priorities for future activities. This discussion takes place in a situation where Europe and the rest of the world are facing quickly arising global system changes. The question is how we should respond to and take control of environmental, economic, social and other challenges or shocks.

The purpose of the conference is to discuss these challenges and to initiate the formulation of policies intended to strengthen Europe´s position in the world. Emerging consequences of global transformation – often perceived as problems – ought to be turned into opportunities to increase quality of life. Here European research, development and innovation have a key role to play.

The conference is prepared by four work shops, each concentrating on one of the big challenges ahead (phrased as “shocks"): Nature challenges/shocks, Business shocks, Social and Cultural transition and Globalisation. Speakers from other parts of the world will also participate and share their views and expectations on the future of European research and innovation.