Science is a key factor for achieving economic prosperity and solutions for global challenges. However, to flourish and deliver through advancement of knowledge, science needs effective instruments and framework conditions.

The Initiative for Science in Europe invites stakeholders from the European Parliament, the European Commission and member states to review and discuss with representatives from science and learned societies about the most pressing issues for science.

Scientific activity has always been international, thus, to have impact, science policy needs to follow and go beyond national borders as well. The European Research Area (ERA) has been introduced as a political concept to improve cohesion of research efforts and instruments and to provide effective framework conditions for scientists in Europe. Recently, the heads of the EU member states have committed themselves to complete the European Research Area by 2014. A proposal of the European Commission on a set of measures, the so-called ERA Framework, will be presented as a draft in mid 2012.

The Initiative for Science in Europe advocates the involvement of scientists in the political process. Experience shows that the latter can be best achieved through organizing public events. The ISE workshop is intended to be the start of a long-term campaign on the European Research Area – it is within ISE’s mission is to look beyond of what is currently the mainstream in the debate to put real needs of science in the spotlight.