In Sociology, senior researcher at the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany. Linda Nierling, PhD in Sociology, researcher at the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany.
Introduction: On the
Concept of Cross-European Technology Assessment
Therefore, efforts to address the great social challenges of our time must first face the necessity of building capacities for effective democratic governance. The core message of this book is that technology assessment contains at least some of the necessary answers to how we can build such decentralized capacities for knowledge-based democratic decision-making.
The emergence of a diverse policy support function
An Office for Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA) was established in connection with the European Parliament in 1987. The European Parliamentary Technology Assessment (EPTA) network was established in 1990 for cooperation between dedicated parliamentary TA units and units with similar objectives.
Mobilizing TA for grand challenges – the PACITA Project
Main findings of the project
This experiment provided strong evidence that, when applied at the European level, a considered view of public involvement appears to be a viable strategy to square the circle of democratic involvement in centralized European policy-making. Looking at method dimensions, the PACITA model of bottom-up development of trans-European TA, organized and operationalized by existing and emerging TA institutions and supported by the European Commission, appears to be a viable path for seeding of the seeds of cross-European TA.
Why cross-European TA?
By the same principle, when the process of European integration stopped somewhere between intergovernmentalism and the federal state, European institutions remain systematically under-democratized. At the national level, the ability of parliaments to act as a counterweight to national executive powers has been systematically weakened by European integration.
The role of cross-European TA in European governance
With the pooling of innovative resources and the merging of markets, much of the regulatory capacity of the member states has also moved to the European level. We see this in the Commission's response to the Lund declaration in the Europe 2020 strategy.
Note
With national technical assistance institutions in place, a platform emerges with legitimacy to engage and consult citizens at national level and to link results at EU level – making technical assistance a potentially perfect partner for governance at both national and EU level. The PACITA consortium prepared the TA Manifesto, which was supported by more than 300 signatories, based on these considerations and the findings of the PACITA project. 1.
The TA Manifesto
Expanding knowledge-based policy making on science, technology and innovation
TA – a multi-level and cross-border European capacity for the future
As evidenced by two parliamentary meetings of PACITA, TA has an important role to play in establishing parliamentary dialogue across Europe. TA has a crucial role to play in the European effort to ensure socially responsible research and innovation.
Expanding Technology Assessment
Assessment with New Eyes
In examining these pathways, previous thinking on the institutionalization of technical assistance has focused on the relationship between technical assistance institutions and national parliaments. There are currently five different organizational variants of the TA, where each of these social spheres is given a different weight.
Background
ARC-FUND's institutional strategy is to act as a network secretariat ('staff' in our model) for TA-like activities in Bulgaria. But several actors have raised the need for a pilot project to “prove” the relevance of technical assistance for Bulgaria – preferably within the relevant organizational and institutional structures.
Institutional re-adjustment in Austria
This one-year study will yield concrete proposals for the future relationship between the Nationalrat and in particular the ITA. Second, the ITA became a member of the European TA Group (ETAG), which carried out projects for the Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA) panel of the European Parliament.
Placing a TA project in a cross-national context
At the institutional level, the institutional conditions for effectively linking project results to policy-making were not in place. As a result, the link between project outputs and the respective parliaments was not very strong.
Lessons learned: Implications for the democratic governance of S&T
This section examines the implications of our new approach for the future of TA and, more generally, for the democratic governance of S&T. Lesson : Improve organizational and institutional conditions for the success of TA-like activities Understand interaction.
Connecting to four spheres
To understand the complexity of S&T governance, we must reflect on the interaction between different research processes and engagement in different social spheres and reflect on the organizational and institutional constraints that these processes encounter. Relations between TA organizations and different social spheres are developed and maintained at the institutional, organizational and project level.
Landscape – Lessons from Seven European Countries
In the planned economy system, the ruling socialist (communist) parties had by far the most important influence on policy making and in the research and development sector. At best, the academies of science were only modestly involved in the decision-making process.
Societal premises for the setup of TA institutions
On the one hand, the economic situation in most of the countries concerned is difficult. The fact that public interest in S&T issues is reportedly low in most countries contributes to the lack of public debate.
Ways forward: Possibility structures for TA
In both countries there was very little previous experience with TA or TA-like activities. Both countries consider it useful to start with a pilot project (similar to the start-up phase of some established TA institutions in the 1980s and 1990s; cf. Ganzevles and van Est, 2012) to 'prove' the national relevance and increase understanding of the TA concept and its 'products'.
Future perspectives for national TA capacities across Europe
In all the studies of our country, the lack of democratic structures in S&T policies is often perceived, as well as the lack of communication and cooperation between relevant actors (academia, government, parliament and civil society organizations (CSOs)). In all the countries we researched, there is, to varying degrees, a lack of tradition in public debates on S&T, as well as a relative lack of structured channels or platforms for public debate (including media and CSOs).
Notes
But an equally universal prerequisite for the adoption of such new forms is the successful adaptation of these forms to the national context. In this chapter we zoom in on the process of adapting TA to the institutional realities of the Central and Eastern European partner countries.
The inside scoop: taking TA on board in existing organizations
The culture of the Academy is one of strong traditions and a high respect for the role of the scientific expert. It was partly due to the engagement of potential partners in the parliamentary period.
Possible new approaches to the adoption of TA
The growing role of science and technology in policy-making challenges the role of parliaments in democracy. In this chapter we discuss how technology assessment (TA) and closely related ('TA-like') approaches can support parliaments in science and technology governance.
Parliaments and policy advice
However, this rationalistic model of policy advice runs up against the realities of contemporary policy making. The rationalistic approach to policy advice – in which scientists provide facts, politicians add values and bureaucrats implement policy – no longer fits current policy.
Technology assessment for innovation governance
In such projects, TA promotes a sustainable dialogue between research, industry, stakeholders, society and parliaments on innovations and related societal challenges.
Technology assessment in a globalized world
The European Parliamentary Technology Assessment Network (EPTA) was founded in 1990 by TA institutes willing to share their practices and bridge the global dimension of science and technology and the specific context of national policy making. Findings within the PACITA project also suggest that trans-European projects provide an opportunity for institutions that are not strictly speaking TA institutions to join the TA community and develop new skills and new advisory services that are currently not available in their country. be considered.
Putting TA to the political reality test
Science in general (especially technical assistance) is quite well equipped to provide policy advice to decision makers on long-term issues such as innovation strategies or regulation. However, participants in the parliamentary debates on TA were convinced that the long-term perspective of TA is an essential and unique feature that should be preserved.
Reinforcing communication between parliaments and TA
In countries where TA is less developed, the growth of TA practices is often slow, not because policy makers do not want them, but because TA is not formally part of the decision-making process and can be seen as an unnecessary barrier to policy-making fast. But building a shared understanding of TA's role and value to policymaking requires more than explaining to parliamentarians what it is and what it can offer them.
Parliamentary TA in a context of limited resources
For example, MPs can participate in setting the agenda for technical assistance activities, consult with them during the course of a project or pilot technical assistance activities. This is, for example, the case of the French OPECST, where the MPs themselves carry out the TA, and their staff members have an auxiliary function;.
Final remarks: TA bridging national and European debates
The PACITA project therefore aims to encourage practices of cross-European TA to strengthen the knowledge base for policy making in Europe. In the introduction to this book, we saw how inter-European TA can fit within existing frameworks for European cooperation.
Cross-European technology assessment: current situation
These projects have special budgets that make it easier to use more demanding methods than the EPTA projects. A consortium in these projects often involves several types of partner institutions (universities, NGOs, research institutes, TA institutions, etc.).
The PACITA experience
One of the challenges in connection with the Future Panel method was the need for long-term commitment on the part of parliamentarians. The activity required some preparation of the participants (reading information material or scenarios), but it did not require long-term commitment to the project.
Barriers to cross-European TA
Therefore, all those organizations and institutions can be potential target groups for trans-European TA, both at European and national level. Results of successful trans-European projects can be used at national level by institutions not involved in the specific project, and also as an encouragement for participation in future trans-European work.
Benefits of cross-European TA
PACITA is in itself a good example of how TA institutions benefit from the implementation of pan-European projects. The implementation of three examples of PACITA projects has proven that cooperation in pan-European projects is very productive from the point of view of experts.
Requirements for realizing cross-European TA
In the 1970s, when TA began to become institutionalized in Europe, the influence of the American TA tradition was evident. A more permanent and stable technical assistance presence at the European level will also be an important support for technical assistance initiatives in the future.
Final words: making an impact
Due to the changing landscapes in Europe, it makes sense to expand the addressees to a wider group of policy makers. Cross-border exchange and learning of knowledge is very important to policy makers in our societies today, and trans-European TA represents a way to make this happen.
Exemplifying Cross-European Technology Assessment
Public Health Genomics – Lessons Learned and
Future Perspectives
The central idea behind the Future Panel method is to connect the scientific and the political discourse in a new and constructive way. Like the Danish Future Panel method, the PACITA Future Panel involved a temporary panel of parliamentarians and the collaboration of the Future Panel and invited experts.
The Future Panel project: process, participants and outcomes
The Future Committee played a central role at the start of the project in identifying issues that would require further research, debate and political action: to ensure the political relevance of expert-based analysis and policy options to be discussed at the final policy hearing. At the opening meeting of the project, these questions were defined in a discussion with the steering and working group, and the result was a survey.
Exploring the field
The Future Panel as a TA demonstration project – main achievements and implications
The project also provided relevant input for policies on public health genomics in terms of an overview of the state of affairs and policy options. Also, a more in-depth analysis of the state of practice in the various countries involved was not possible.
The Future Panel on PHG as a methodological experiment
Individual MPs were invited to the PFP by the PACITA consortium. In other words, there was no institutional link in the OFP between the respective parliaments of the Future Panel members and the project.
Lessons learned and future perspectives
- Establish a connection with parliaments and/or ministries, in addition to their respective individual members
- Establishing a solid evidence base for policy making requires an iterative process that involves direct contact
- Different experience of EU countries with evidence-based policy making are a challenge
- Concerning the role of TA experts, maintain a constructive balance between the role as secretariat and the
We therefore strongly recommend including an iterative process in the project design of the Future Panel method, involving direct contact between all involved in the project: (1) between the Future Panel and the experts involved; (2) between the Future panel and the steering gear. An important aspect of the 'Future Panel on Public Health Genomics' project was collaboration between PTA and non-PTA countries.
Framing the issue of technology and policy in Europe
The technology review showed that different devices and technologies are used in European health services today. Technological developments are always difficult to predict, but the Technology Review highlights some trends that are likely to influence the distribution and implementation of technology in the healthcare sector.
Engaging stakeholders in policy discussions
One of the general conclusions reached in this planning is therefore that long-term policies and strategies will be needed for the productive and responsible implementation of technology.
Creating scenarios for the future of ageing and new technology
Voluntary society describes futures where healthcare services are organized and financed in different ways and where healthcare service can be influenced by increased government control, a stronger private sector or a better organized voluntary community.
Designing national scenario workshops
While all countries agreed that there is potential in the use of technology in the health care sector, several differences became apparent when it came to describing the potential barriers and challenges associated with implementation and use. In this way, differences between countries reflected different values and worldviews regarding the use of technology in healthcare and social innovation.
Recommendations for future sustainable health-care services
These national specificities reflected cultural and social aspects in the respective countries and regions and also reflected the degree to which the technology and aging debate was or was not important. In this way, our experiment was very successful in terms of enabling dialogue and knowledge exchange between otherwise unrelated stakeholders.
Broadening the knowledge base for policy making
By involving relevant stakeholders in the process, they can give ownership of the process and increase the chances of both adjusted policy prescriptions and the development of relevant products that actually satisfy users.
Cross-European stakeholder involvement
The essential goal of the consultation was to bring the reflected views of citizens closer to policy makers and thus influence concrete policies in the coming years. Sustainable consumption is one of the great challenges facing European society, where the range of policy options is closely linked to public opinion.
Consultation results
The willingness of politicians and decision-makers to open many of the meetings showed the political interest this process created. In general, the results of the consultation show that the citizens of Europe Wide Views accept the possibility of political measures aimed at private consumption.
Consulting citizens across Europe
Unfortunately, this often translates into the feeling that citizens are being neglected by decision-makers and are generally not welcome in decision-making processes.5 This is where building trust in open discussion processes through concrete experiences and where practical training of practitioners can be most important. give the greatest value. For Europe in general, although traditions and situations differ between countries, seeking wider citizen involvement in issues that are highly controversial and often not fully understood by decision-makers can help reduce complexity and at least help process of policy options that can be pursued. with a realistic expectation of public acceptance.
Lessons learned from EWViews
All discussions were clearly based on dialogue and respect, which contributed to the sense of achievement at the end of the day. Over time, the best remedy for this reluctance is likely to be further experiments that expose increasing numbers of citizens to the experience of participation, which would help build capacity and create a virtuous circle of participation. growing trust among citizens in such processes.
Future perspectives and conclusions
During the preparation, the biggest challenge turned out to be the recruitment of participants. To reap these fruits, a more systematic use of similar participatory methods in the future could help build capacity and pave the way for both formal and informal acceptance of citizen engagement in the governance institutions of Europe and its Member States.
Building Capacities for Cross-European TA
The authors argue that as the 'responsible innovation' agenda gains traction among policy makers, social actors and academics, educational initiatives such as the TA summer school can play an important role in shaping the understandings of this new form of governance. We describe the rationale and format of the summer school in order to present a comprehensive account of how it introduced TA, both its rationales and methods, to a new audience.
Background and rationale
We argue that as the responsible innovation agenda continues to gain traction among policymakers, societal actors and academics, educational initiatives such as TA summer schools can have an important role to play in the future of science, technology and governance. innovation. In the following, we argue that the further development of training activities such as AT summer schools is an important means of doing this.
Overview of the two summer schools
Furthermore, the summer schools also involved participants from countries with established TA institutions that do not always recognize their TA activities because they believe that they do not appear as the main addressees of TA activities. Finally, the summer schools provided an opportunity to open up and sensitize TA and knowledge-based policy-making beyond the fifteen countries and regions represented in the PACITA consortium.
Summer school format
The chosen topic was 'the challenges and opportunities of the aging society: exploring the role of technology'. Figuring out how to deal with an aging society is one of the major challenges pointed out in the Lund Declaration, and health technologies may become increasingly important for society to offer health and care services in a quantity and quality, that reflect the expectations of the European population.
Main results
Future agenda for TA education in the context of
The authors convey lessons learned from four PACITA practitioner meetings about principles of knowledge sharing useful for future practitioner training. Achieving open, inclusive and transparent governance and evidence-based policy-making in Europe requires the further development and enhancement of capacities to provide insight into the opportunities and consequences associated with science and technology, facilitating processes democratic debate. and building awareness and formulating policy options in the field of science, technology and innovation (IST).
Shared knowledge for a strong and innovative TA community
The PACITA practitioners training seminars
When the participants were asked about the benefits of such trainings, two-thirds of them indicated that they had gained new knowledge about TA, and half of them indicated that they had learned new TA skills. Most of the participants said that they expanded their professional network and found inspiration and new ideas for their work.
Expanding the TA landscape through training
Communication strategies and tools for disseminating the results of a TA project were the central theme of the fourth practitioner meeting. Participants could also learn about when and how to involve stakeholders, civil society and policy makers in TA processes and how to communicate the results achieved.
Review and perspectives
The idea of covering the main steps of the technical assistance project in four PACITA training seminars was considered by the participants as a sensible approach. In these spaces for discourse, the conceptual basis of TA is reflected and further developed.
Making it work – the context of the two European TA conferences
TA conferences within the community to ensure high quality conference input, integrative formats and inspiring topics.
No future without a past
Together with institutions from Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Sweden and the United Kingdom, they are organized in the European Parliamentarian Technology Assessment Network (EPTA), which was founded in 1990 by the President of the European Parliament. 2. Conferences in the 1980s and 1990s provided the first insight into what topics matter for research and policy advice.
Overcoming challenges – making cross-European TA conferences
The two conferences, namely in Prague (2013) and Berlin (2015), clearly showed that there is a strong European TA community interested in joint work and scientific exchange – despite sometimes significant differences in the TA approaches, which they respectively . A good antidote to such tendencies is for TA practitioners to ask among contacts in the world outside of TA what these contacts understand to mean by "technology assessment."
Fact sheet
Nentwich
The author argues that although technology development is truly international, there are too few efforts to address technology assessment (TA) issues internationally; Likewise, there are still no sustainable online platforms for knowledge sharing, dissemination and public debate. While technology development is truly international, there are few efforts to address technology assessment (TA) issues internationally; Likewise, there are still no sustainable online platforms for knowledge sharing, dissemination and public debate.
Introduction
In the meantime, especially within the framework of the PACITA project and the NTA network, new developments are underway. We argue that an increased online presence of the pan-European TA community would benefit European policy-making.
The main elements of the current TA e-infrastructure
Furthermore, from 2006 to 2012, the German TA network experimented on its former website with a meta-search engine (based on Google Custom Search) covering the content of the NTA member organizations' websites. TA-related tools: A few EU-funded projects resulted in databases of platforms serving specific purposes for the TA community.
The PACITA TA Portal
The portal team is currently negotiating with both the openTA team and other EPTA members to offer their news as an English source contributing to the openTA news aggregator and thus a wider coverage of the TA news source in TA portal. Finally, there is a plan to set up (and search) an open access TA repository for TA-related publications that are not included on the websites of one of the member organizations.
The way ahead
This will allow researchers who are affiliated with non-TA organizations but publish relevant articles to be included in the TA portal. The latter will have come to an end with the completion of the PACITA project in spring 2015, so the future of the TA portal and therefore the backbone of the current international e-infrastructure for TA is in limbo.
Bibliography
The Development of Technology Assessment in Europe (New York: State University of New York Press). The Development of Technology Assessment in Europe (New York: State University of New York Press).
Index
