Strasbourg, 24 October 2024
MEP Christian Ehler (EPP, CDU) was reelected as Chair of Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA), on Thursday. The chair and two vice-chairs of STOA are elected for a two and a half year mandate. Together with the EP Vice-President responsible for STOA, they form the STOA Bureau. The Panel is composed of 27 MEPs nominated by 11 EP Committees, and forms an integral part of the structure of the EP.
“Foresight and science advice for policy is more important than ever because we are regulating several transitions at the same time, remaking our markets and societies” said Christian Ehler, reelected by acclamation.
“Having a think tank like the STOA Panel, where we can take a forward-looking approach and learn together based on scientific advice, is crucial in such a time. Furthermore, as we have shown in the last term, STOA is the best place for a depoliticised debate on the state of Academic Freedom in Europe. The STOA Panel assists the Parliament in safeguarding this fundamental value of the Union”, he added.
The panel also elected Lina Gálvez Muñoz (S&D, ES) and Ivars Ijabs (Renew, LV), 1st and 2nd Vice-Chairs, by acclamation.
“The Panel for the Future of Science and Technology is a key instrument for the European Parliament to analyse, predict, anticipate and plan issues related to the future of science and technology. We have together a lot of work in front of us in trying to highlight the key role that this structure has for policy-making but also for enabling us to better understand the changes that are currently happening in the world and, in the same time, be able to adapt and regulate accordingly. Europe has been and can continue to be a leader in science and technology and I believe this panel will allow us to highlight this aspect” said EP Vice-President responsible for STOA Victor Negrescu (S&D, RO).
Next steps
As members of the STOA Bureau, the four MEPs will collaborate with 23 STOA Panel members to provide independent expert assessments of scientific and technological developments. They will evaluate the impact of these developments and identify the best policy options. Their efforts will focus on issues with significant implications for individual and societal progress, ensuring that science and technology contribute to the wellbeing and benefit of society.The STOA panel will hold its next meeting on the 28th of November.
Background
STOA conducts interdisciplinary research and provides science advice on technology assessment and scientific foresight. It performs studies, organizes workshops, and hosts the European Science-Media Hub (ESMH) for networking between the EP, the scientific community, and media. In 2022, STOA launched the European Parliament Forum for Academic Freedom to support academic rights across the EU, fostering discussions through studies and conferences.