EDITO
Monday, 09 March 2020
This briefing outlines the key findings of the recent study on Enhancing the EU Response to Women and Armed Conflict commissioned by the Slovenian Presidency of the EU, and discusses the recommendations in relation to the European Commission. Although the EU has repeatedly committed itself to the need for the full implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, current EU interventions in conflict-affected contexts lack a clear gender and conflict analysis and women continue to be marginalised in peace-building initiatives. Five complementary areas for action are identified in this briefing for the European Commission in its work toward a more effective, coherent and coordinated EU response to gender and peace-building: (1) Enabling strategic prioritisation; (2) Developing thematic and context-specific expertise; (3) Consulting with partners; (4) Providing adequate resources; and (5) Integrating monitoring and accountability measures.
Source: Initiative For Peacebuilding
Source: Initiative For Peacebuilding
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Wednesday, 03 September 2008
According to Decisions of the European Parliament and Council, the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) should strive to promote gender equality in scientific research. This concerns the promotion of women scientists and, where it is relevant, the integration of the gender dimension in the research agenda. To monitor progress on gender equality and gender mainstreaming in specific FP6 programmes and measures, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research commissioned five studies covering specific FP6 programmes and measures. These were carried out between 2005 and 2007.
Source: European Commission
Source: European Commission
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Thursday, 26 June 2008
Europe is in the vanguard of the emerging field of nanosciences and nanotechnologies (N&N), a developing field of science with the potential for major positive impact economically, socially and environmentally. Nevertheless, knowledge gaps remain about the impact of these technologies on human health and the environment, as well as issues relating to ethics and the respect of fundamental rights. This is why the Commission is today recommending to the Member States to adopt a Code of Conduct to govern research in this field. Based around 7 general principles covering issues such as sustainability, precaution, inclusiveness and accountability, the Code of Conduct invites Member States to take concrete action, involving universities, research institutes and companies, for the safe development and use of nanotechnologies.
Source: European Commission
Source: European Commission
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Monday, 11 February 2008
The Commission is launching a public consultation on risk assessment methods for nanotechnologies. Nanotechnology involves the controlled production of new materials which have one or more dimensions thousands of times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Industry is increasingly using nanotechnology for a wide variety of sectors, including healthcare, consumer products, information technology and the environment. The online consultation, which will run until 16th December 2005, aims to gather feedback on the appropriateness of current risk assessment methods for nanotechnology products and how they can be improved.
Through the online consultation, stakeholders are invited to comment on the opinion recently adopted by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR). This opinion looks at the limitations of current risk assessment methods in addressing the specific characteristics of the products on nanotechnologies and where improvements could be made. Although the focus is very much on the methods of risk assessment, rather than the actual risks of nanotechnologies, SCENIHR also carefully considered health and environmental factors that would need to be taken into account.
Nanotechnologies are considered to offer benefits which could improve the quality of life of European citizens, and the Commission aims to prevent shortcomings in risk assessment methods which would hamper new developments and innovation in this field. However, the priority for the Commission is to ensure a high level of consumer safety in relation to nanotechnologies, and the opinion therefore underlines the need to have sound and reliable risk assessment methods, suitable for routine use. This in turn would foster greater consumer confidence in the new technologies.
The Commission gave high priority to research and development on nanotechnology in its Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, in recognition of the huge potential of nanotechnology and its contribution to European competitiveness. An even higher profile has been proposed for this technology under the Seventh Framework Programme. On 7th June 2005, the Commission adopted an Action Plan for nanosciences and nanotechnology for Europe 2005-2009. The Action Plan recognises the need for a safe, integrated and responsible approach to the development of nanotechnologies, for which appropriate risk assessment methods are key.
Through the online consultation, stakeholders are invited to comment on the opinion recently adopted by the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR). This opinion looks at the limitations of current risk assessment methods in addressing the specific characteristics of the products on nanotechnologies and where improvements could be made. Although the focus is very much on the methods of risk assessment, rather than the actual risks of nanotechnologies, SCENIHR also carefully considered health and environmental factors that would need to be taken into account.
Nanotechnologies are considered to offer benefits which could improve the quality of life of European citizens, and the Commission aims to prevent shortcomings in risk assessment methods which would hamper new developments and innovation in this field. However, the priority for the Commission is to ensure a high level of consumer safety in relation to nanotechnologies, and the opinion therefore underlines the need to have sound and reliable risk assessment methods, suitable for routine use. This in turn would foster greater consumer confidence in the new technologies.
The Commission gave high priority to research and development on nanotechnology in its Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, in recognition of the huge potential of nanotechnology and its contribution to European competitiveness. An even higher profile has been proposed for this technology under the Seventh Framework Programme. On 7th June 2005, the Commission adopted an Action Plan for nanosciences and nanotechnology for Europe 2005-2009. The Action Plan recognises the need for a safe, integrated and responsible approach to the development of nanotechnologies, for which appropriate risk assessment methods are key.
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