CEI National Focal Points for Science and Technology meet in Trieste



Family photo after the visit at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste

A meeting of the National Focal Points for Science and Technology of the Central European Initiative (CEI) took place on 8-10 July 2013 in Trieste. The objective was to provide an in-depth analysis of the CEI pilot projects to promote research and innovation through centers and groups of scientific excellence in the West Balkans, the Danube Region and other CEI countries.

These pilot projects, which will involve the 18 CEI member countries, envisage 10 advanced research programmes, interdisciplinary by nature, based on the world recognized strengths of the institutions belonging to the CEI Science and Technology Network  based in Trieste. Some of the institutions making up the Network  are international by statute: International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, a branch of UNESCO and IAEA) and the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB, an intergovernmental organization of its own, related to the UN family).

Others are international by vocation: the Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste (Elettra and FERMI facilities); the International School for Advanced Scientific Studies (SISSA); the Institute for Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS) and Area Science Park.

The CEI pilot projects will provide direct support to the scientific communities of the CEI member countries through several actions meant to stimulate regional cooperation; with the objective of a wider participation of the CEI Member Countries in the activities of Horizon 2020. 

The participants to the Meeting were welcomed by an address by the Assistant National Coordinator for Hungary, on behalf of the CEI Presidency, Mr. Erik Csernovitz, by the President of the European Research Council, Prof. Helga Nowotny, by the Spokesman of the EC – DG Regio, Mr. Wolfgang Streitenberger, on behalf of EU Commissioner Hahn, and by Prof. Carlo Rizzuto, the Italian Focal Point also in the capacity of representative of the Italian Government and President of Elettra. The keynote presentation was made by Mr. Giorgio Rosso Cicogna, Special Advisor to CEI Secretary General.

After the session at the CEI Headquarters the participants made visits to the institutions belonging to the CEI S&T Network, welcomed by the respective directors and by the coordinators for the programmes which will be the responsibility of each institution. 

Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 August 2013 11:17