SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STATEMENT TABLED IN PARLIAMENT

Private industry was called on today to more than double its  spending on research and development in this decade.

The Minister for Science and Technology, Mr. David Thomson,  made the call in Federal Parliament today tabling the Science  and Technology Statement for 1980-81.

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The Statement is a post-Budget analysis of Commonwealth  expenditure listed by agency, ministry and socio-economic  objectives.

It has been expanded to cover not just research and development but a range of scientific and technological activities

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Mr. Thomson said it provided a factual basis for analysis, Â£ observing changes and providing data. _ .

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He said the Australian Government made an unequal contribution < Ã¢ÂÂ  -  r  to research and development spending, currently accounting [  -for about seventy percent of the estimated total of $1200 ( - Ã¢ÂÂ  ' million. < v:

It is for industry to correct this imbalance. '

Research and development was essential if Australian industry  was to compete internationally.

Yet OECD figures indicate that spending by Australian industry  was very low compared to other western countries.

The Government should not be expected to further upgrade its  spending unless industry also greatly increased its research  and development funding.

Industries not willing to do this run the risk of being left  behind, and should not expect Government protection.

Mr. Thomson said Australian science and technology policy must  be integrated with economic and social goals.

If not the nations' scientific and technological resources  would be wasted.

,  12 May 1981

'4 iS Â® r SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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A  SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1980-81

TABLING STATEMENT

BY THE

MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE HONOURABLE DAVID THOMSON M.C., M.P.

TUESDAY, 12 MAY 1981

I HAVE PLEASURE IN TABLING THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STATEMENT 1980-SI,

Th e Go v e r n m e n t 's a i m is to a d v a n c e  t h e w e l f a r e  of the  Au s t r a l i a n  p e o p l e ,

Th e g r e a t  s o c i a l  a n d h u m a n i t a r i a n  r e f o r m s  of t h e l a s t  c e n t u r y WERE LARGELY POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF INCREASED.INDUSTRIAL   PRODUCTIVITY, BETTER HEALTH SERVICES AND IMPROVED   COMMUNICATIONS,

Sc i e n c e  a n d t e c h n o l o g y  p l a y e d  a m a j o r  r o l e ,  .

It IS EQUALLY TRUE THAT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WILL UNDERWRITE Au s t r a l i a 's e c o n o m i c  a n d s o c i a l  d e v e l o p m e n t  in t h e f u t u r e .

Qu e s t i o n s  of t h e Go v e r n m e n t 's r o l e , t h e w a y s  of c o-o r d i n a t i n g SCIENCE POLICY AND ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES MUST FALL WITHIN   THIS AIM.

Th e f i r s t  Sc i e n c e  St a t e m e n t  vjas  t a b l e d  l a s t  y e a r  a n d I b e l i e v e THE DOCUMENT WAS A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN HELPING TO ANSWER   SCIENCE POLICY QUESTIONS. .

It.  PROVIDED A NEW BASIS FOR ANALYSIS, OBSERVING CHANGES AND   PROVIDING DATA,.

Th e r e s p o n s e  to t h e S c i e n c e  St a t e m e n t  h a s b e e n  p o s i t i v e  a n d THIS YEAR IT HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO COVER NOT ONLY RESEARCH AND   DEVELOPMENT BUT A RANGE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL   ACTIVITIES. .

It is n o w t h e S c i e n c e  an d Te c h n o l o g y  St a t e m e n t  n o t j u s t  the  Sc i e n c e  St a t e m e n t  a n d s o m e  n e w f i g u r e s  h a v e  to be t r e a t e d CAUTIOUSLY, ;

It is a p o s t -Bu d g e t  a n a l y s i s  of C o m m o n w e a l t h  e x p e n d i t u r e  l i s t e d BY AGENCY, MINISTRY "AND BY SOCIO-ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES,.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK FELLOW MINISTERS, THEIR OFFICERS AND THE Au s t r a l i a n  Sc i e n c e  a n d Te c h n o l o g y  Co u n c i l  f o r t h e i r  h e l p  in COMPILING THE STATEMENT, ’

DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY

In f o r m u l a t i n g  Go v e r n m e n t  p o l i c i e s  t o w a r d s  s c i e n c e  a n d . TECHNOLOGY, BOTH LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM FACTORS HAVE TO BE   EXAMINED AND TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT'.

Ov e r t h e p a s t  d e c a d e  t h e r e  h a v e  b e e n  s i g n i f i c a n t  c h a n g e s  in COMMUNITY ATTITUDES TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WHICH CANNOT BE   IGNORED.

Pr e s e n t l y  t h e r e  is c o n c e r n  a b o u t  j o b-r e p l a c i n g  t e c h n o l o g y , t h e ENVIRONMENT, THE AVAILABILITY OF A HIGHLY SKILLED WORKFORCE AND   A CONTINUING SUPPLY OF ENERGY,

IN ADDITION I SENSE A GROWING. FEAR OF THE IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND   TECHNOLOGY AMONG THE LESS WELL INFORMED, .

Lo o k i n g  t o w a r d s  t h e y e a r  t w o t h o u s a n d , t h e r e  a r e s e v e r a l FACTORS WHICH WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT IMPACT ON SCIENCE AND   TECHNOLOGY POLICY,

So m e e x a m p l e s  a r e th e e m e r g e n c e  of ne w t e c h n o l o g i e s , s u c h  as  b i o t e c h n o l o g i e s  a n d m i c r o -e l e c t r o n i c s ,  c h a n g e s  in t h e p a t t e r n s   OF ENERGY s u p p l y , a n d d e m o g r a p h i c  c h a n g e s ,

Co h e r e n t  a n d f a r s i g h t e d  p o l i c i e s  are n e e d e d  to m e e t  t h e s e   c h a l l e n g e s ,  '

Th e Or g a n i s a t i o n  f o r Ec o n o m i c  Co-o p e r a t i o n  a n d.De v e l o p m e n t  has POINTED OUT THAT THESE CHALLENGES AND CHANGES WILL REQUIRE A   DIFFERENT SORT OF POLICY RESPONSE - ONE IN WHICH SCIENCE AND   TECHNOLOGY POLICY IS TAKEN TOGETHER WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL

POLICY, ’

Au s t r a l i a n  s c i e n c e  i t s e l f  m u s t  a l s o  r e c o g n i s e  t h e s e  c h a n g e s  a n d RESPOND TO THEM.

Th i s is a s m u c h  t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y  of i n d i v i d u a l  s c i e n t i s t s  as IT IS OF GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER BODIES RESPONSIBLE FOR   FORMULATING SCIENCE POLICY.

GOVERNMENT ROLE '  "

The Go v e r n m e n t  is d e t e r m i n e d  t h a t  t h e s c i e n c e  a n d t e c h n o l o g y SECTOR SHOULD -NOT BE CONSIDERED IN ISOLATION.

It m u s t  be l i n k e d  a n d c o-o r d i n a t e d  w i t h  o t h e r  s e c t o r s  s u c h  as MANUFACTURING, TERTIARY AND PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND ENERGY TO   FORM A COHERENT RESEARCH POLICY TO MEET NATIONAL GOALS.

Sc i e n t i f i c , e c o n o m i c  a n d s o c i a l  p o l i c i e s  m u s t  be i n t e g r a t e d .

At t h e s a m e  t i m e  t h e p u b l i c  m u s t  be k e p t  c o n t i n u a l l y  i n f o r m e d .

So c i e t y  s h o u l d  n o t be p u t in a p o s i t i o n  of b e i n g  s w e p t  a l o n g  b y NEW DEVELOPMENTS WITHOUT INFLUENCING THEIR DIRECTION.

Th i s is t h e b a s i c  r e a s o n  w h y I h a v e  p r o d u c e d  t h e S c i e n c e  a n d  Te c h n o l o g y  St a t e m e n t .

To HELP MEET THESE OBJECTIVES A FOUR POINT PLAN WAS OUTLINED   LAST YEAR IN THE SCIENCE STATEMENT.

The p l a n  b a l a n c e s  t h e d e m a n d s  f o r s c i e n c e  a n d t e c h n o l o g y  to MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS AND PROBLEMS WITH PUBLIC CONCERN OVER   POSSIBLE SIDE-EFFECTS.FROM NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

The PLAN IS TO s t i m u l a t e  a n d s u p p o r t  b a s i c  r e s e a r c h ,  a p p l i e d RESEARCH, TO TRANSFER RESEARCH RESULTS INTO THE MARKET PLACE,   AND TO MINIMISE ANY UNDESIRABLE IMPACTS OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

Ap a r t  f r o m  e s t a b l i s h i n g  p o l i c y  a n d p r i o r i t i e s , G o v e r n m e n t s  a r e EXAMINING THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY SHOULD PROMOTE INNOVATION   THROUGH FUNDING OF BASIC RESEARCH AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND   DEVELOPMENT.

Th i s q u e s t i o n  w a s d i s c u s s e d  at an OECD Co n f e r e n c e  of S c i e n c e   a n d Te c h n o l o g y  w h i c h  I a t t e n d e d  e a r l i e r  t h i s  y e a r .

OECD REPORTS ARE CHALLENGING THE PREVAILING ECONOMIC WISDOM   THAT THE SOLUTION. TO CURRENT ECONOMIC PROBLEMS LIES SOLELY WITH   CONVENTIONAL DEMAND MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS.

Ma j o r  r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s  f o c u s  on t h e c r i t i c a l  i m p o r t a n c e  of RESTORING DECLINING INNOVATION,

Co-o r d i n a t e d  t e c h n o l o g i c a l  a n d e c o n o m i c  p o l i c i e s  m u s t  be u s e d TO CREATE A GROWING ECONOMY.

Go v e r n m e n t s  t h r o u g h o u t  t h e w o r l d  h a v e  a c c e p t e d  t h i s  p r e m i s e .

Fo r THE INFORMATION OF HONOURABLE MEMBERS I SEEK LEAVE TO i n c o r p o r a t e  in Ha n s a r d  t h e De c l a r a t i o n  a d o p t e d  by Mi n i s t e r s  at  t h e OECD Me e t i n g .

The Au s t r a l i a n  Go v e r n m e n t  h a s b e e n  i n v o l v e d  in "p u m p  p r i m i n g " INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE INDUSTRIAL Re s e a r c h  a n d De v e l o p m e n t  I n c e n t i v e s  Sc h e m e .

It is t h e Go v e r n m e n t 's p l a n  to u s e t h e s c h e m e  to i n c r e a s e EMPLOYMENT, RAISE PRODUCTIVITY AND MAINTAIN THE COMPETITIVENESS of Au s t r a l i a n  i n d u s t r y .  .  Ã¢ÂÂ   Â·  ,  .  -

Th i s y e a r  f i f t y -t h r e e  m i l l i o n  d o l l a r s  a r e b e i n g  s p e n t .

We b e l i e v e  t h i s  i n v e s t m e n t  w i l l  r e p a y  i t s e l f  m a n y  t i m e s  o v e r  in THE FUTURE.

My De p a r t m e n t  h a s c o n d u c t e d  a s u r v e y  of e s t i m a t e d  b e n e f i t s WHICH COMPANIES EXPECT TO RECEIVE THIS DECADE FROM PROJECT   GRANTS UNDER THE SCHEME.

The c o m p a n i e s  e s t i m a t e  t h a t  n e w s a l e s  g e n e r a t e d  in t h i s  p e r i o d WILL TOTAL EIGHT THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN   DOMESTIC SALES AND A SIMILAR AMOUNT IN EXPORTS.

Jo b s c r e a t e d  w i l l  be an e s t i m a t e d  t w e n t y -n i n e  t h o u s a n d .

APPLIED SCIENCE

The Go v e r n m e n t  is c o n t i n u i n g  to s u p p o r t  CSIRO' s r e s e a r c h  a i m e d   a t a s s i s t i n g 'Au s t r a l i a n  i n d u s t r y .  I

ill PARTICULAR, CSIRO IS STEPPING UP ITS WORK IN THE   MANUFACTURING AND ENERGY SECTORS.

A n e w Di v i s i o n  of Ma n u f a c t u r i n g  Te c h n o l o g y  h a s b e e n  c r e a t e d .

In i t i a l l y  it w i l l  f o c u s  on t h e p r o c e s s i n g  of m e t a l s  a n d  c o m p u t e r -a i d e d -m a n u f a c t u r i n g .

Al s o CSIRO is e s t a b l i s h i n g  a n e w I n s t i t u t e  of En e r g y  a n d Ea r t h   Re s o u r c e s  f o r m e d  f r o m  e x i s t i n g  CSIRO e n e r g y  r e s e a r c h  a c t i v i t i e s AND THE NON-NUCLEAR RESEARCH SECTIONS OF THE AUSTRALIAN ATOMIC En e r g y  Co m m i s s i o n .  .

Re s e a r c h  w i l l  be e x p a n d e d  in s u c h  a r e a s  as f o s s i l  f u e l s , m i n i n g   of e n e r g y  r e s o u r c e s , e n e r g y  c o n s e r v a t i o n , a l t e r n a t i v e  f u e l s  a n d RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Po l i c y  w i l l  be f o r m u l a t e d  in c o-o p e r a t i o n  w i t h  m y c o l l e a g u e ,  t h e Mi n i s t e r  f o r Na t i o n a l  De v e l o p m e n t  a n d En e r g y .

In m a r i n e  s c i e n c e s ,  CSIRO w i l l  a l s o  be e x p a n d i n g  a c t i v i t i e s  to ASSIST THE FISHING INDUSTRY AND THE EXPLOITATION OF OFF-SHORE   RESOURCES.

BASIC RESEARCH

I HAVE CONCENTRATED MAINLY ON POLICY CONSIDERATIONS,   PARTICULARLY IN MEETING PRACTICAL PROBLEMS,

Ba s i c  r e s e a r c h  m u s t  n o t be i g n o r e d .

It is a p a r a d o x  t h a t , in o r d e r  to a p p l y  s c i e n c e  m o r e  d i r e c t l y AND EFFECTIVELY TO PROBLEMS, WE MUST EXTEND OUR KNOWLEDGE OF   BASIC SCIENCE.

Wi t h o u t  t h i s  f o u n d a t i o n  s u c c e s s f u l  t e c h n o l o g y  t r a n s f e r  w i l l  n o t BE POSSIBLE.

Ba s i c  r e s e a r c h  m u s t  be f u n d e d  at a r e a l i s t i c  l e v e l  w i t h o u t NjECESSARILY BEING MEASURED AGAINST SHORT TERM APPLICATION.  I .  .  .  '

The n e e d  of m a n to c o n s t a n t l y  e x t e n d  h i s k n o w l e d g e  of h i m s e l f AND THE UNIVERSE IS AN UNDENIABLE ARGUMENT FOR THE FUNDING OF   BASIC RESEARCH.

The Go v e r n m e n t  m a i n l y  f u n d s  b a s i c  r e s e a r c h  t h r o u g h  t h e  Au s t r a l i a n  Re s e a r c h  Gr a n t s  Sc h e m e ,  t h e Au s t r a l i a n  Ma r i n e   Sc i e n c e s  a n d Te c h n o l o g i e s  Ad v i s o r y  Co m m i t t e e  a n d t h e Na t i o n a l   En e r g y  Re s e a r c h  De v e l o p m e n t  a n d De m o n s t r a t i o n  Co u n c i l .

Ov e r t h e p a s t  f e w y e a r s  t h e Au s t r a l i a n  Sc i e n c e  a n d Te c h n o l o g y   Co u n c i l  ha s e x a m i n e d .t h e r o l e  of t h e Au s t r a l i a n  Re s e a r c h  Gr a n t s   Sc h e m e , t h e r o l e  of U n i v e r s i t y  r e s e a r c h , t h e o b j e c t i v e s  of FUNDING BASIC RESEARCH AND THE APPROPRIATE LEVELS OF FUNDING.

The Go v e r n m e n t  h a s a g r e e d  to a r e c o m m e n d a t i o n  f r o m  t h e  Au s t r a l i a n  Sc i e n c e  a n d Te c h n o l o g y  Co u n c i l  t h a t  t h e r o l e  of t h e  Au s t r a l i a n  Re s e a r c h  Gr a n t s  Sc h e m e  m u s t  b e u s e d  t o s u p p o r t  t h e MOST OUTSTANDING RESEARCH PROJECTS.

We h a v e  a l s o  a g r e e d  to an Au s t r a l i a n  Sc i e n c e  a n d Te c h n o l o g y   Co u n c i l  r e c o m m e n d a t i o n  t h a t  t h e u n i v e r s i t i e s  t h e m s e l v e s  s h o u l d ALLOCATE THEIR INTERNAL RESEARCH FUNDS TO GIVE GREATER SUPPORT   FOR GOOD QUALITY RESEARCH.

Ev e n GREATER EMPHASIS w i l l  be p l a c e d  on e x c e l l e n c e  as t h e b a s i s   o f t h e Au s t r a l i a n  Re s e a r c h  Gr a n t s  Sc h e m e  s u p p o r t  f o r r e s e a r c h .

ROLE OF PRIVATE SECTOR

I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS STILL NOT INVESTING   ENOUGH IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

The I n d u s t r i a l  Re s e a r c h  a n d De v e l o p m e n t  I n c e n t i v e s  Sc h e m e  h a s ARRESTED AN ALARMING SLUMP IN INDUSTRY SPENDING IN THIS AREA   DURING THE MID-SEVENTIES.

Th e r e  h a s b e e n  a s l o w  u p t u r n  a n d I a m c h a l l e n g i n g  p r i v a t e ENTERPRISE TO INCREASE ITS SPENDING IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA.

Re s e a r c h  a n d d e v e l o p m e n t  is e s s e n t i a l  if we a r e to c o m p e t e  ' INTERNATIONALLY.

Yet OECD f i g u r e s  i n d i c a t e  t h a t  s p e n d i n g  by Au s t r a l i a n  i n d u s t r y IS VERY LOW COMPARED TO OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SPENDING BY   INDUSTRY MORE THAN DOUBLED IN THIS DECADE.

Al s o t h e w h o l e  i n n o v a t i v e  p r o c e s s  f r o m  i n v e n t i o n  to c o m m e r c i a l MARKETING WILL HAVE TO BE STRENGTHENED IN LINE WITH THIS AIM.

The Au s t r a l i a n  Go v e r n m e n t  m a k e s  an u n e q u a l  c o n t r i b u t i o n  to RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SPENDING IN AUSTRALIA, CURRENTLY   ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT SEVENTY PERCENT OF THE ESTIMATED TOTAL OF :   TWELVE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS. . .  ,

The Go v e r n m e n t  s h o u l d  n o t b e e x p e c t e d  t o f u r t h e r  u p g r a d e  t h a t FIGURE UNLESS INDUSTRY ALSO GREATLY INCREASES ITS RESEARCH AND   DEVELOPMENT FUNDING.

It is in t h e i n t e r e s t  of t h e p r i v a t e  s e c t o r  to i n c r e a s e  .its o w n EFFORT, AND IN SO DOING CREATE NEW JOBS. V  ,

In d u s t r i e s  n o t w i l l i n g  to do t h i s  r u n t h e r i s k  of b e i n g  l e f t BEHIND, AND AS SUCH SHOULD NOT EXPECT GOVERNMENT PROTECTION,

Au s t r a l i a 's f i n a n c i a l  i n s t i t u t i o n s  h a v e  a l s o  b e e n  t a r d y  in PROVIDING RISK CAPITAL TO DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALISE NEW   PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES.

Al o n g  w i t h  r e s o u r c e s  d e v e l o p m e n t , t h e c r e a t i o n  of s p e c i a l i s e d HIGH TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES IS NECESSARY FOR AUSTRAL IA'S LONG   TERM ECONOMIC WELL BEING.

My De p a r t m e n t  h a s c o n d u c t e d  f o r u m s  b r i n g i n g  t o g e t h e r  f i n a n c i e r s AND THE HIGH TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURS.

Ma t t e r s  d i s c u s s e d  i n c l u d e d  c h a n g e s  to t h e c a p i t a l  m a r k e t , ESTABLISHING A SPECIALIST VENTURE CAPITAL FINANCING BODY AND   TAXATION INCENTIVES.

As WELL WE ARE ALSO PLANNING A HIGH LEVEL SYMPOSIUM BRINGING   .TOGETHER THE ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES, FINANCIERS AND t h e Go v e r n m e n t  to l o o k  at t h e s e  p o i n t s .

The Ca m p b e l l  I n q u i r y  is e x a m i n i n g  t h e s e  a n d o t h e r  r e l a t e d   p o i n t s .

CONCLUSION

Au s t r a l i a n  s c i e n c e  a n d t e c h n o l o g y  p o l i c y  m u s t  be i n t e g r a t e d WITH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL GOALS.

If n o t, t h e n a t i o n 's s c i e n t i f i c  a n d t e c h n o l o g i c a l  r e s o u r c e s WILL BE WASTED,

Al l s e c t i o n s  of t h e e c o n o m y  m u s t  p l a y  t h e i r  p a r t  in s u p p o r t i n g SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IF AUSTRALIA IS TO BE COUNTED AMONG THE   TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD.

Hi g h t e c h n o l o g y  i n d u s t r i e s  m u s t  b e c r e a t e d .

Pr e s e n t  i n d u s t r i a l  p r o c e s s e s  a n d p r o d u c t s  m u s t  i n c o r p o r a t e  t h e LATEST TECHNOLOGY, AND MUST BE BASIC RESEARCH PROMOTED.

Au s t r a l i a  m u s t  m a i n t a i n  a n d i m p r o v e  its d a t a  b a s e  of TECHNOLOGICAL AND SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE.

Ot h e r w i s e  we w i l l  l o s e  j o b s  an d b u s i n e s s  o p p o r t u n i t i e s  to o t h e r COUNTRIES. Ã¢ÂÂ

Al s o we m u s t  n o t f o r g e t  t h a t  s c i e n c e  is a c u l t u r a l  a c t i v i t y ESSENTIAL TO THE SPIRIT OF MANKIND.

Th i s Go v e r n m e n t  h a s a d o p t e d  p o l i c i e s  a i m e d  at m a k i n g  t h e b e s t USE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL   ADVANCEMENT OF ALL AUSTRALIANS.

An d in t h e p u r s u i t  of t h e s e  g o a l s , t h e Go v e r n m e n t  is a c t i n g  to MINIMISE THE UNDESIRABLE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF NEW   TECHNOLOGIES.

A SPECIAL SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE AND Te c h n o l o g y  Co u n c i l  has b e e n  e s t a b l i s h e d  to a d v i s e  t h e  Go v e r n m e n t  on t h i s  m a t t e r .

The Sc i e n c e  a n d Te c h n o l o g y  St a t e m e n t  w i l l  b e t h e f a c t u a l  b a s i s ON WHICH SCIENTISTS, POLICY MAKERS AND THE PUBLIC CAN WORK.

AEira:

DECIAMT10N ON

FUTURE POLICIES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Ministers responsible for policies concerning science_   and technology in the OECD Member countries* and in Yugoslavia,  meeting in the framework of the Committee for Scientific and  Technological Policy of the Organisation; Ã¢ÂÂ

Recognising the essential contribution of science and  technology to the economic and social development of both  industrialised and developing countries;

.  Recognising that common challenges now face Member counÂ­ tries, such as the slow-down in economic growth, high levels of  unemployment, low rates of productivity increase, persistent  inflation, structural imbalances in their economies, increased

energy prices and environmental problems;

Recognising that science, technology and innovation have  a vital role to play in the resolution,of these difficulties and  in responding to the needs and aspirations of society;

Recognising that fundamental research plays an indispen-  sible role in the generation of ideas and new knowledge,   including those needed for future technological innovation;

Recognising that national policies have an important . influence on the vigour of the scientific enterprise and .. innovation;

Recognising that progress in science and technology  depends upon many forms of international co-operation and on  the wTidest possible circulation of ideas and new knowledge  between scientists, between institutions and between countries;

Recognising the value of continuing international consulÂ­ tation on the formulation, implementation and assessment of  policies concerning science and technology; .

* The mention of Member countries j.s deemed to apply also to  the European Communities.

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DECLARE

That it is necessary to integrate policies  for science .and technology with other aspects of government  policy, particularly economic, social, industrial, including  energy, education and manpower policies;

That the following require attention in the formulation  and implementation of policies for science and technology in .   Member countries and in Yugoslavia:

A. With regard to technological innovation, steps to:

(i) promote innovation as an objective within  the framework of economic, social and  regulatory policies; .  .

.  (ii) assign priority to investment in research,  development and innovation so as to ensure  .  that short-term pressures,do not jeopardise the sources of future economic growth; higher

levels of employment and structural adjustment.

(iii) develop favourable conditions for innovation, including the openness -of markets, and encourage  risk-taking in innovation in the public and  private sectors;

(iv) give particular attention to the innovative  potential of small and medium-sized firms;

(v) stimulate research, development and Innovation  to increase the effectiveness and quality of  output in the public and social services sectors;

-" (vi) stimulate research, development and innovation '  related to worldwide""problems in such areas as  ‘  energy, raw materials, environment, food, urban

conditions, health and the work environment;

(vii) promote the diffusion of technological information;

B. With regard to long-term research, steps to:

(i) maintain the strength and continuity of  fundamental and long-term research to  .  increase the stock of basic scientific  and technological knowledge throughout .

the range of disciplines^

(ii) reinforce the research capacity of the univerÂ­ sities and other relevant institutions,  having  appropriate regard to problems of their funding,  administration, research facilities,  staffing,  and their links with industry and the public  sector, and with other sectors of society;

c. With regard to the social, economic, cultural and politiÂ­ cal effects of technological change, steps to:

(i) take due account of the social and cultural  implications of new technologies,  in respect  of the employment, mobility and training of  the labouriforce;

(ii) monitor the introduction and spread of new  technologies ’ while attempting to assess their  possible future implications for the economy,  the environment and society;

(iii) facilitate public participation in the definiÂ­ tion of major technological orientations,   particularly through public access to informaÂ­ tion concerning their foreseable long-term  .*Ã¢ÂÂ   impacts, and through fostering public under-

Ã¢ÂÂ   standing of science and technology;

D. v/ith regard to international co-operation in science and  technology steps to: '

(i) stimulate the exchange of scientists, engineers and. students between Member countries, facilitate  the exchange of scientific and technical informaÂ­ tion, and encourage the flow of technologies;

(ii) explore new opportunities for co-operation in areas of common interest, with a view to making  more effective use of human resources and major  research facilities, to sharing of costs, to

obtaining more rapid results,  and to mounting  ,  large-scale efforts where these are necessary for an effective attack on problems;

Ã¢ÂÂ¢  (iii) encourage at the international level measures  conducive to an improved scientific basis for  regulations in areas such as health, safety  and the environment;

(iv) pursue a broad range of activities in coÂ­  operation with developing countries to  strengthen their scientific and technological  capabilities, and contribute to the impleÂ­  mentation and assessment of these efforts;

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Ministers further DECLARE that OECD should:

(i) give increased emphasis to the integration  of scientific and technological factors  within the activities of the Organisation  and, in particular, within its work on the

various aspects of economic policy;

(ii) improve the understanding of factors under—  lying the innovative performance of Member  countries, and of the effects of interÂ­ national transfers of technology;

(iii) assist the less-industrialised Member counÂ­ tries as they tackle the problems of increasing  "  the contribution of science and technology to their economic and social development;

(iv) continue the exchange of experiences and . information among Member countries concerning  policies for science and technology, and  facilitate the definition of such policies;

(v) facilitate the assessment by Member countries  Ã¢ÂÂ   of the consequences of technological change

upon economic growth, rates of employment,  productivity increase, structural changes in  the economy, upon the environment and upon  society at large;

(vi) facilitate the identification by Member counÂ­ tries of both research areas in which they  would wish to co-operate and arrangements  conducive to such co-operation; .

(vii) facilitate the efforts of Member countries . to strengthen the scientific and technological  potential and capabilities of developing  countries. .

