Chemistry took centre stage at the European Parliament in Brussels today where the European Parliament's Science and Technology Options Assessment Panel (STOA) held a workshop on 'Chemistry for a Better Life'.
The workshop was chaired by Teresa Riera Madurell, MEP. The event was organised by STOA, in cooperation with the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences (EuCheMS) and the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) and aimed to highlight the crucial contribution of chemistry to achieving a better quality of life and welfare for humanity. The event took place within the framework of the IUPAC/ UNESCO International Year of Chemistry 2011.
During her intervention, Maria da Graça Carvalho spoke about the future of the different EU research and innovation programmes, gave the major guidelines for Horizon 2020. Ms Carvalho also emphasised the need for increased funding in the future budgets for EU research and innovation programmes and outlined the simplification process in broad terms.
Speakers at the workshop also included:
Chemistry for solutions
Chemistry is fully committed to developing sustainable solutions to Europe's pressing problems, including fostering resource efficiency, developing alternative energy portfolios, redressing the consequences of climate change, improving our health conditions and assuring an adequate food supply for a growing population.
Chemistry is central to progress in many scientific and technological fields. Working with a wide range of experts EuCheMS has published a Roadmap where a number of key areas have been identified in which advances in chemistry can tackle some of the 'Grand Challenges' underlined by the Lund Declaration of 2009.
Chemistry, both as an industry and a science, will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the European Union is able to realise its vision of an 'Innovation Union'. A strong partnership between academic, research and industry will ensure that research is transferred to sustainable economic solutions that contribute to the improved welfare of our society.
The workshop was opened by a key note speech from Prof. Avelino Corma, Instituto de Technología Química, Valencia, followed by three Panel Sessions. Discussions between the panel members, MEPs and participants provided an open discussion on the role of and expectations for chemistry in the forthcoming European Commission Common Strategic Framework for Research & Innovation - aka Horizon 2020.
The main workshop session was preceeded by a poster exhibition.