Strategic Forum for International S&T Cooperation (SFIC)
From INCO-Wiki
The Strategic Forum for International Scientific and Technological Cooperation (SFIC) is a dedicated configuration of CREST. Its objective is to facilitate the further development, implementation and monitoring of the international dimension of ERA. In practice, this means sharing information and consultation between the partners (Member States and the Commission) with a view to identifying common priorities which could lead to coordinated or joint initiatives. The group also aims at coordinating activities and positions vis-à-vis third countries and within international fora.
SFIC is composed of high-level represetatives of the Member States and the European Commission. The chair of SFIC is designated from among the representatives of the Member States for a period of two years. Currently Mr. Volker RIEKE, acting director of the Directorate General for European and International Cooperation in Education and Research in the BMBF (Germany) is holding this position.
The SFIC Work Programme for 2009/2010 is based on three pillars
Establish effective and efficient working structures for SFIC: tools for information sharing; pooling of knowledge; develop contacts with stakeholders worldwide; exchange with other policy fields (development, trade…); measures allowing an assessment of international S&T cooperation policies; networking between science counsellors; marketing measures for SFIC;
Generate an impact on the international S&T cooperation activities of SFIC members: identify a limited number of S&T areas (mainly global challenges) and strategic partner countries; joint cooperation objectives and instruments should be identified; strategic policy measures should be proposed in variable geometries; contribution to bi-regional dialogue structures; interaction with international research policy fora;
Fostering the international dimension of the European Research Area: exchange with other ERA-Initiatives to ensure coherence; review instruments of the Framework Programme and of national research funding programmes according to their potential to foster international cooperation; compile results from international cooperation projects into strategic poliy formulation;
The Strategic Forum for International S&T Cooperation (SFIC) has adopted its first annual report on 28 April 2010. The report describes the progress made towards realising the objectives of the European Partnership between the Commission and the Member States. The Competitiveness Council of 26 May 2010 acknowledged SFIC's work and invited Member States and the Commission to build upon initiatives proposed by SFIC when developing a European strategy for international S&T cooperation.
