The European Commission’s hosted its R&I Days (“Research and Innovation Days”) with a strong component on science diplomacy and international cooperation from 22-24 October.
More information about the event is available on the dedicated website.
The virtual event was structured in (1) a Policy Conference and (2) the Science is Wonderful! exhibition. In the Policy Conference, the EC organises plenaries (keynotes, Q&As, life polling etc.) and dedicated thematic hubs with sessions and workshops, some games and networking possibilities as well as co-design sessions on the Horizon Europe first strategic plan (2021-2024). The virtual Science is Wonderful! exhibition offers attendees direct access to some of the ground-breaking research being presented during the event (through researchers’ stands, where you can interact with their activities and ask questions about solutions being developed by EU-funded research initiatives and possibilities to meet institutions such as the Joint Research Centre and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
Please see below an overview of the interesting picks from “Hub 7, international cooperation” – the content has been summarised by colleagues from FFG here.
R&I GEOPOLITICAL OUTREACH through association
This session focused on the importance of association to H2020 across research communities and key stakeholders and forward-looking perspectives for the new association policy under Horizon Europe, while highlighting the importance of association in facing key global challenges (e.g. AI, green technologies, health, smart mobility).
SCIENCE AND CLIMATE DIPLOMACY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
Speakers : Hasan Mandal, Hagit Schwimmer, Zohra Lila Chabaane, Ruta Zarnauskaite
Time: 22 September 2020, 16:00-16:45 CET
As a part of the larger European R&I Days event, this session looked at Science and Climate Diplomacy from the geopolitical dimension of the European Green Deal in the Mediterranean in particular from the view point of speakers from Horizon 2020 Associated Countries in the Mediterranean: ?? Israel, ?? Turkey and ?? Tunisia.
Following this session (16:45-17:45 CET), there was a possibility to meet green startups and projects from the Mediterranean area in the STARTUP PAVILION to exchange about innovative environmental technologies; and learn about funding opportunities as part of the European Green Deal, Digital Europe and Invest EU.
How to shape the future of EU-CHINA RELATIONS in R&I cooperation?
Time: 23 September 2020, 09:00 – 09:45 CET
R&I are key to the socio-economic development, but have also effects on security, democratic values and ethics. To keep our globalised world in balance, science powers such as China and the EU need to agree on a level playing field to conduct research, foster innovation and use the new technologies, joining forces to solve global challenges.
GLOBAL CHALLENGES NEED GLOBAL RESPONSES: Covid-19 (Washington)
Time: 23 September 2020, 14:00 – 14:45 CET
Starting with the global response to Covid-19, this panel analysed how cooperation with partner countries through multilateral platforms and international organisations will be key in facing global challenges such as resilience to health threats, climate change, and the digital transition.
HORIZON & MOONSHOT around the same orbit (Tokyo)
Time: 24 September 2020, 09:45 – 10:30 CET
This session explored how Horizon Europe and Moonshot will offer new opportunities to strengthen synergies and enhance cooperation between the EU and Japanese R&I ecosystems, in order to face common challenges such as pandemics, climate change, soils, digital transition and ageing societies.
Towards an innovation agenda for the WESTERN BALKANS
Speakers : Atanas Kochov, Martin Kern, Jovan Despotovski, Damjanovic Sanja
The Western Balkans are a strategic priority for the EU. In preparation towards EU membership, R&I and Horizon Europe Association trigger changes contributing to wider reforms. The Western Balkans Agenda and its actions aim to set out a new positive and forward-looking vision for the region.
The 10 hubs organised include Hub 7 on international cooperation whose activities are outlined above, but of course, many topics discussed during the three days are addressing broader societal challenges where researchers globally need to come together. The hubs deal with (1) Policy, (2) Green Deal, (3) Digital, (4) Horizon Europe, (5) Missions, (6) Smart implementation, (7) International Cooperation, (8) European Innovation Council, (9) European Institute of Innovation and Technology, (10) European Research Council.
