European Union

In its newly published index for 2018 NGO Transparency International reports a global increase in corruption in the economy, politics and administration. A number of European countries including Hungary and Turkey also slipped down in the rankings. But there are also positive examples, commentators point out.

The withdrawal by the US and Russia from the INF Treaty banning the use of land-based mid-range nuclear missiles has stoked fears of a new arms race. Both sides accuse each other of violating the terms of the treaty. Commentators examine who will be hardest hit by the move.

The Finn Matti Nykänen, one of the most successful ski jumpers of all times, has died aged 55. The list of his successes in the 1980s is long: Olympic gold, World Championship titles, World Cup overall titles and Four Hills Tournament victories. But after the end of his sports career the athlete's life was overshadowed by alcoholism, violence and spells in jail. The obituaries reflect the varying emotions Nykänen provoked.

Francis has become the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula. On Monday in Abu Dhabi he and the grand imam of al-Azhar university, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, signed a declaration against war and terror. Observers explain the historic significance of the visit and the document.

Written by Zsolt G. Pataki with Riccardo Molinari,

©Photo Landa 2010

A packed Science Week at the European Parliament from 5 to 7 February 2019, organised by the European Parliament’s 2019 Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA), includes:

• the STOA MEP-Scientist Pairing Scheme ‘Brussels Week’;
• the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre ‘Science meets Parliaments’ event, (JRC; 6-7 February, in cooperation with STOA);
• a European Science-Media Hub (ESMH) workshopon ‘Tackling misinformation and disinformation in science’ (6 February); and
• a STOA/ESMH and European Research Council (ERC) Conference entitled ‘Investing in researchers – Shaping Europe’s future’ (7 February).

These events aim to support a structured dialogue between scientists and policy-makers, to raise awareness about politically relevant, cutting-edge scientific issues (such as artificial intelligence, gene technology, or autonomous cars), and the importance of science for evidence-informed policy-making. Here is what will happen at each of the events:

MEP-Scientists Pairing Scheme

During the ‘Brussels Week’ of the seventh edition of the scheme (organised for the first time in 2007 and annually since 2015), paired scientists will have an opportunity to follow their MEP counterparts in their daily political activities, and gain an understanding of the EU science, technology and research policy framework, particularly European Parliament work in this area. In addition, they will attend various meetings with MEPs, Parliament staff and science journalists, presenting their research work and outcomes, and participating in ‘pitching sessions’ between science journalists and scientists, organised by the ESMH.

Science meets Parliaments, 6-7 February 2019

This initiative seeks to build closer links between scientists and policy-makers at EU, national and regional levels and enhance the role of science in policy through regular dialogue. During this year’s edition of the event (held for the first time in 2015), scientists will gain a greater understanding of how the European Parliament works, and the role and working methods of Members and their needs in terms of scientific advice.

ESMH workshop ‘Tackling misinformation and disinformation in science’, 6 February 2019

This workshop aims to exchange good practices in tackling misinformation and disinformation in science, via the presentation of ‘case studies’, illustrating relevant initiatives touching upon different science disciplines. The workshop is participatory, as the audience will be actively involved in debate on the case studies.

STOA/ESMH-ERC conference, Thursday 7 February 2019

The STOA/ESMH-ERC conference ‘Investing in researchers, shaping Europe’s future’ will bring policy-makers and ERC-funded grantees together with the aim of supporting evidence-informed policy-making and underlining how Europe’s future can be shaped by fundamental research on topics ranging from smart agriculture and food, via CRISPR, to migration and demography.

Interested? To keep up to date with the activities of STOA, follow our website, the EPRS blog, Twitter and Think Tank pages.