Independent expert group chaired by Sitra’s President Esko Aho urges Europe’s leaders to take radical action on research and innovation “before it is too late”

In November 2005, European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potočnik invited Sitra’s President Esko Aho to lead a group of experts on reinforcing EU research and innovation performance in the face of globalisation. The purpose of the expert group was to provide the European Commission with advice and views on a number of issues relating to the reinforcement of EU research and innovation performance.

In a final report submitted to the European Commission on Friday, the independent Expert Group has called for a Pact for Research and Innovation to be signed by political, business and social leaders to show their commitment to creating an Innovative Europe. The experts state that current trends are unsustainable in the face of global competition. Therefore a new vision is needed to address a series of productivity and social challenges faced by Europe.

The report (pdf) »
The report is also available at http://europa.eu.int/invest-in-research »
Summary (slides) of the report (pdf) »
European Comission’s media release (pdf) »