21.10.2010

PRESIDENT & CEO OF TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY FINLAND COMMENTS ON EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA BOARD REPORT

On 20 October, the European Research Area Board (ERAB) published a report with ten concrete recommendations for optimising Europe's research, innovation and science base with the aim of addressing society's grand challenges.

At the event, there was a panel debate where experts evaluated the report from the perspective of their particular areas of expertise. ERAB had invited Ainomaija Haarla, D.Sc. (Tech.), President and CEO of Technology Academy Finland to represent the perspective of industry in the panel debate in Brussels.

"My background is in international industry, which certainly influenced their choice. In my current role as the President and CEO of Technology Academy Finland, I am also perceived as a neutral voice," Haarla says.

The report, Realising the New Renaissance, is ERAB's response to the challenge set for the Board by Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science. The foundation is the EU Commission's Europe 2020 Strategy where establishing the Innovation Union has been highlighted as a Flagship Initiative.

"Boosting Europe's competitive edge by means of research, development and innovation is really positive. Establishing the Innovation Union is a commendable initiative, but it mustn't lead to more bureaucracy. It also has to be integrated globally. I'm particularly pleased that the report calls for concentrating and streamlining research funding as well as more risk taking," Haarla says.

Making the European Research Area (ERA) a reality is a political priority for the European Union (EU). The European Commission established the European Research Area Board (ERAB) as a consultative body responsible for advising the EU on the realisation of the ERA. The aim of ERA is to create a European science and technology forum for scientists, research institutes and businesses, thereby enabling optimal use of transnational synergies and complementary competencies.

Ainomaija Haarla's response (PDF)

For further information, please contact:

Ainomaija Haarla, President and CEO, Technology Academy Finland
Tel. +358 40 716 0703, ainomaija.haarla (at) technologyacademy.fi

For further information on the European Research Area Board - ERAB: http://ec.europa.eu/research/erab/index_en.html