In our first collaboration with the EU Commission and the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC), the Global Young Academy is organizing a brainstorming session to identify undetected challenges for research. This is a great chance for young scholars to pitch their ideas to policy makers on the EU-level.
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) are always looking for new ways on how scientific expertise and research could support policy-makers. Therefore the JRC supports evidence-based policy making and forward looking activities, using Horizon Scanning and foresight as key policy tools for a timely response of European decision makers.
A present initiative of the JRC wants to establish a standing consultation body with excellent young researchers, but also to explore the possibility of involving the GYA into the JRC’s dialogue with other academic stakeholders. Together with the JRC and European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC), the GYA organizes a first introductory meeting on 10-11 July 2014 in Brussels, where 20 GYA members from Europe and neighboring Mediterranean countries will participate – including the GYA Co-Chairs, a representative of the InterAcademy Partneship (IAP) as well as chairs or members of 5 National Young Academies. The aim is to facilitate an interactive debate on creative and innovative approaches to address complex societal challenges as described in the recommended topics for discussion, focusing on two key topics:
1. Thinking of the unthinkable: which are the new and emerging grand global challenges not yet identified?
2. Multidisciplinary science is core to policy support. How can we best integrate natural sciences, social sciences and behavioural sciences to improve preparedness for the future? The full program of the event can be found here.