PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 1 of 15
Topics proposed for the Work Programme 2009 "Socio-economic Sciences and
Humanities" _______________________________________________________________ 3
Activity 1: Growth, employment and competitiveness in a knowledge society ­ the European
case __________________________________________________________________________ 3
Area 1.1. ­ Changing role of knowledge throughout the economy________________________________ 3
Topic 1.1.1. ­ Internal market for research ________________________________________________ 3
Topic 1.1.2. ­ European education in a knowledge society ___________________________________ 3
Area 1.2. ­ Structural changes in the European knowledge economy and society (no topic)____________ 3
Area 1.3. ­ Strengthening policy coherence and coordination in Europe ___________________________ 4
Topic 1.3.1. ­ Public economic policy for growth __________________________________________ 4
Activity 2: Combining economic, social and environmental objectives in a European
perspective ­ Paths towards sustainable development_________________________________ 4
Area 2.1. ­ Socio-economic development trajectories _________________________________________ 4
Topic 2.1.1. ­ New socio-economic concepts, paradigm shift and territorial dynamics in a long term
perspective ________________________________________________________________________ 4
Topic: 2.1.2. ­ Cities and sustainable development _________________________________________ 4
Topic: 2.1.3. ­ Impacts of corporate social responsibility_____________________________________ 5
Area 2.2. ­ Regional, territorial and social cohesion __________________________________________ 5
Topic 2.2.1. ­ Social inequalities, their implications and policy options_________________________ 5
Activity 3: Major trends in society and their implications______________________________ 5
Area 3.1. ­ Demographic changes ________________________________________________________ 5
Topic 3.1.1. ­ The economic and social implications of large scale migration_____________________ 5
Area 3.2. ­ Societal trends and lifestyles ___________________________________________________ 6
Topic 3.2.1 ­ Changes in consumption and consumer markets ________________________________ 6
Topic 3.2.2. ­ Social platform on research for Families and Family Policies______________________ 6
Topic 3.2.3. ­ Quality of work and impact on quality of life and economy _______________________ 7
Area 3.3. ­ Cultural interactions in an international perspective _________________________________ 7
Topic 3.3.1. ­Tolerance and cultural diversity _____________________________________________ 7
Topic 3.3.2. ­ Religion and Secularism across Europe_______________________________________ 8
Activity 4: Europe in the world ___________________________________________________ 8
Area 4.1. ­ Interactions and interdependences between world regions and their implications ___________ 8
Topic 4.1.1. ­ Competition and collaboration in access to natural resources______________________ 8
Topic 4.1.2. ­ Geopolitics and the role of Europe in a changing world.__________________________ 8
Area 4.2. ­ Conflicts, peace and human rights _______________________________________________ 9
Topic 4.2.1. ­ Climate induced changes in water resources in Europe and neighbouring countries as a
security threat ______________________________________________________________________ 9
Topic 4.2.2. ­ Non-European perspectives on human rights, democracy and peace ________________ 9
Activity 5: The Citizen in the European Union______________________________________ 10
Area 5.1. ­ Participation and citizenship in Europe __________________________________________ 10
Topic 5.1.1 ­ Independent Media and Democracy in Europe_________________________________ 10
Area 5.2. ­ Diversities and commonalities in Europe_________________________________________ 10
Topic 5.2.1. ­ Language as a tool for communication in Europe in an era of globalisation: history, policy,
practice __________________________________________________________________________ 10
Topic 5.2.2. ­ National representations of history and cultural evolution in an enlarged Europe______ 11
Topic 5.2.3. ­ Culture in the creation of European space of communication _____________________ 11
Activity 6: "Socio-economic and scientific indicators"________________________________ 11
Area 6.1. ­ How indicators are used in policy (no topic) ______________________________________ 11
Area 6.2. ­ Developing better indicators for policy __________________________________________ 12
Topic 6.2.1 ­ Indicators for the European service sector ____________________________________ 12
Area 6.3. ­ Provision of underlying official statistics_________________________________________ 12
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 2 of 15
Topic 6.3.1. ­ Data management for statistics ____________________________________________ 12
Area 6.4. ­ Use of indicators and related approaches for the evaluation of research policies and programmes
(no topic)___________________________________________________________________________ 12
Activity 7: Foresight activities ___________________________________________________ 13
Area 7.1. ­ Wide socio-economic foresight on key challenges__________________________________ 13
Topic 7.1.1. ­ The World in 2025 and Europe's position____________________________________ 13
Topic 7.1.2. ­ Foresight on the long term challenges for the Mediterranean area. _________________ 13
Area 7.2. ­ Focused thematic foresight____________________________________________________ 14
Topic 7.2.1 ­ Forecasting key sciences and technologies ___________________________________ 14
Area 7.3. ­ Research systems and research policies in Europe (no topic) _________________________ 14
Area 7.4. ­ Mutual learning and co-operation_______________________________________________ 14
Topic 7.4.1. ­ Consolidating the information system necessary for foresight exercises. ____________ 14
Topic 8.1. ­ Measures to support dissemination of research results ____________________ 15
Topic 8.2. ­ Socio-Economic Sciences and Humanities Conference 2010 ________________ 15
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 3 of 15
Topics proposed for the Work Programme 2009 "Socio-economic
Sciences and Humanities"
Activity 1: Growth, employment and competitiveness in a knowledge
society ­ the European case
Area 1.1. ­ Changing role of knowledge throughout the economy
Topic 1.1.1. ­ Internal market for research
Free and adequate circulation of researchers, technology and knowledge in the EU is far from
being achieved. This has a negative effect on research development but also on growth and
employment. Research is therefore needed to identify:
- The obstacles, barriers and other mechanisms (including legal and administrative provisions)
which hinder the mobility of researchers, including the matching of demand for and supply of
research personnel across Europe, and the flow of technology and knowledge;
- Which kinds of incentives (such as the development of adapted social security schemes), are
important for mobility of those people already inside the EU research system.
It should finally suggest the most appropriate policy instruments that could radically improve
this situation, evaluate their feasibility and potential impacts.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Topic 1.1.2. ­ European education in a knowledge society
Europe has still unacceptable high rates of early-school leaving, non completion of uppersecondary
education and youth unemployment. Based on comparative empirical studies in
several Member States in the EU, research should address the question of the different skills,
technical and non-technical, (and of how the actors of the educational system influence the
debate on these skills) that are now necessary for young people to live in and shape the
knowledge society so that they can expect to live meaningful working and personal
experiences with reduced inequalities between them and address the current requirements and
opportunities of evolving labour markets. It should also analyze how all the actors in the
educational systems (pupils, teachers, parents, trade-unions, ministries, employers etc.) assess
the current inadequacies between education and the requisites of the knowledge society, and
succeed or fail to build up reforms that address these inadequacies. In this context, the
contribution of social and economic sciences and humanities to the development of modern
skills and values is important to assess.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Area 1.2. ­ Structural changes in the European knowledge economy and society (no topic)
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 4 of 15
Area 1.3. ­ Strengthening policy coherence and coordination in Europe
Topic 1.3.1. ­ Public economic policy for growth
Given Europe's growth problem, it is important to address the issue of the quality and
effectiveness of public intervention. Research should address taxation and government
expenditure as well as public institutions and regulations, including IPR regimes, which play a
crucial role in shaping economic dynamism, including the quality of institutions and
regulations that are a crucial factor in the location of firms in a globalized world. Research
seeking to propose new designs of economic institutions and regulations may benefit from
including legal scholars. It should finally identify potential policy options in order to better
achieve the Lisbon strategy's goals related for instance to the sustainability of public finances
and their contribution to growth in the medium to long term.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Activity 2: Combining economic, social and environmental objectives in a
European perspective ­ Paths towards sustainable development
Area 2.1. ­ Socio-economic development trajectories
Topic 2.1.1. ­ New socio-economic concepts, paradigm shift and territorial dynamics in
a long term perspective
The development of economic and social concepts is needed in order to address global
changes taking into account the paradigm shift (energy-transport-environment) especially
related with social and demographic changes and the land-use and territorial functions (cities
and rural areas, empowerment of local economies) in a long term time perspective (2030 ­
2050). The adaptation issues related to global changes (for example to environment/climate
and societal changes) including the trade-off between adaptation and mitigation policies and
measures will have to be addressed in terms of economic, social, cultural and technological
point of views, integrating the spatial and temporal dimensions. Relevant tools, in particular
new generation of models and indicators, structuring and representing these concepts and
dimensions, will have to be specified and developed. This topic should include life styles
changes and socio-economic learning, environmental, natural resources limitations and other
geopolitical issues (trade, new forms of public-private partnership).
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Topic: 2.1.2. ­ Cities and sustainable development
All the future population growth of the world is projected to take place in cities of the
developing/emerging countries, which are undergoing extremely rapid growth presenting
major issues for sustainable development and therefore for governance. Research should
develop an understanding of the agglomeration benefits and costs (socio-economic and
environmental) in cities of various sizes (from 1 million population upwards) with rapid
growth. The objective is to produce an enhanced understanding of key issues in the socioeconomic
and to some extent environmental functioning of these cities, how they are
changing and how they affect development. It should also develop a considerably improved
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 5 of 15
understanding of the economic functioning and social fabric of these cities, and of the
challenges they face. The implications of the analysis for the governance of these cities and
the role of various actors should be brought out.
Funding scheme: Collaborative research projects-SICA (China, India, Mexico, Brazil)
Topic: 2.1.3. ­ Impacts of corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an important new phenomenon that should give
enterprises an important role in helping to achieve the Lisbon and Gothenburg objectives.
However, there is still little empirical knowledge as to how CSR impacts on the EU
economies and societies. Research should empirically assess how CSR is, in practice,
beneficial to the Lisbon and Gothenburg objectives and favour the development of better
methodologies and tools to measure the impact of CSR activities at different levels:
- At company level, addressing motivations to take up CSR activities by companies and
reasons for differences in CSR performance across companies, also in the SME sector,
including the link between CSR and innovation;
- At European, regional or sectoral levels, through comparisons of regions or business sectors
where CSR strategies are deployed and have different impacts on growth, competitiveness,
quality of jobs and sustainable development.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Area 2.2. ­ Regional, territorial and social cohesion
Topic 2.2.1. ­ Social inequalities, their implications and policy options
Social inequalities have increased in many developed countries in the last decade or more,
following a lengthy period of decline since the early 20th
century or before. The objective of
this topic is to understand the complexity of this phenomenon and its implications for society
and to identify policy options for various actors. Inequalities of income and wealth are of
primary interest in this topic as well as other new forms of inequalities. Research should
address the social, cultural and political impact of this increase in inequalities, . The
implications for the longer-term should be an important part of the work. Research can
consider the issues at one or more spatial levels if this is preferred, but the overall impact on
society should be included. The lessons for policy that can be learned from these various
societies, both for public policy and for other societal actors, should be drawn.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects, SICA (USA, Australia, Japan,
Canada)
Activity 3: Major trends in society and their implications
Area 3.1. ­ Demographic changes
Topic 3.1.1. ­ The economic and social implications of large scale migration
Under specific conditions, large scale migration might become an opportunity to ensure
further development of the European economy including the sustainability of the welfare
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 6 of 15
system. The objective of this topic is to improve the understanding of economic, as well as
social implications of different alternative scenarios of future migration at regional, national,
and European level. Research should address primarily the economic, but also social,
consequences of different scenarios of large scale migration (including circular), their impact
on macroeconomic balance, the labour markets and sustainability of the different components
of the welfare system, both in the recipient and donor regions.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Area 3.2. ­ Societal trends and lifestyles
Topic 3.2.1 ­ Changes in consumption and consumer markets
Changes in consumption behaviour and consumer culture have significant economic, social
and environmental impacts. Consumers, at all ages, are no longer passive agents of
consumption but are increasingly involved, especially through internet, into the development
of new products and services adapted to individuals, which in turn lead to market
specialisation and innovation. At the same time, the limits between consumption and other
professional or social practices become more and more blurred. Research is needed in order to
characterise such interdependencies by looking at:
- The new trends in consumers' behaviour in Europe and their social, cultural and economic
underpinnings.
- Their social, cultural and societal implications, including the mutual impacts of consumers'
behaviour on other collective issues in the short, medium and long terms.
Research should finally assess possible policy instruments and market incentives that can
contribute to reconcile individual aspirations, consumer markets and societal objectives such
as sustainable development.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Topic 3.2.2. ­ Social platform on research for Families and Family Policies
The word "family" has very much evolved for the last few decades to cover realities that were
unconceivable 30 years ago. While for long, at least in the sociological sense, the "family"
was a fairly stable reality where processes of tradition and reproduction of dominating forms
of social life took place, it has become nowadays a true laboratory of social and individual
change which spearheads the evolution of our modern societies. The objective of the social
platform is to elaborate a focused research agenda that will address fundamental research
issues and key policy questions in this context. In the context of a growing variety of living
arrangements and of new types of families, these relate for example to the reconciliation of
work and family life, gender equality, parenthood and filiation, intergenerational
collaboration, health and education. Based on a focussed, critical review of existing research,
the social platform will bring together the research community with stakeholder
representatives, such as for example family associations, policy-makers or social partners. A
wide range of views and of stakeholders will be encouraged.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 7 of 15
Topic 3.2.3. ­ Quality of work and impact on quality of life and economy
Beyond the current fight against unemployment in the EU, there have also been worries about
the quality of jobs offered to active people at all ages. There is indeed a concern that a number
of new jobs do not involve professional nor social integration, are being taken up by
overqualified people or/and may not bring enough revenues to the jobholders, thus creating
frustration, anxiety or disinterest at work and even poverty among the employed. On the other
hand, new forms of work may also lead to improved motivation and productivity and higher
satisfaction in life. Empirical research should:
- First, analyse how particular types of contractual arrangements, patterns of time-use, types
of working cultures, work organisation and working hours flexibility contribute, in practice,
influence the quality of work. Attention should in particular be devoted to the impact of these
changes on the most vulnerable groups (such as those with low educational qualifications,
young people or women);
- Second, assess experiences where positive synergies between quality of work, productivity
and quality of life are actually observed, in particular in relation to work organisation,
working conditions and other kinds of investments in human capital, and draw lessons for
policy.
A comparison between the private and the public sector is particularly welcome.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Area 3.3. ­ Cultural interactions in an international perspective
Topic 3.3.1. ­Tolerance and cultural diversity
The fact of cultural diversity is sometimes seen as a feature of modern European society.
However, closer examination shows that European societies have always been ­ to a greater
or lesser degree ­ diverse societies. In investigating whether European societies are becoming
more or less tolerant, researchers can help to clarify the concepts involved and determine
those factors which have contributed, or can contribute to, the maintenance of tolerant,
culturally diverse societies with a view to better formulation of policies.
Research should address the notion of tolerance: the different perspectives on the concept,
both historical and cultural; its relationship to other concepts and values such as respect,
understanding, multiculturalism, liberalism, pluralism and the preservation of cultural heritage
and tradition; the embodiment of the notion of tolerance in different historical, social,
religious, cultural, linguistic and political contexts. Research could also examine how
educational systems in culturally diverse societies can promote or undermine tolerance
through the shaping of perceptions, attitudes and values. The role of civic and scientific
literacy in creating tolerant communities could also be addressed in this context.
Comparison with concepts and practices of non-European countries, and how they have
influenced or are influencing European ones, are welcomed.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 8 of 15
Topic 3.3.2. ­ Religion and Secularism across Europe
Research projects are invited to examine and test to which extent secular values coexist and
interact with religious ones in contemporary Europe. Research will address how different
configurations of religious and/or secular rules or values influence the way public policies are
designed and implemented. Furthermore, research will examine the relevant impact of these
sets of values on behaviour of social groups in different aspects of everyday life, such as
health, leisure, culture and approach to science.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Activity 4: Europe in the world
Area 4.1. ­ Interactions and interdependences between world regions and their implications
Topic 4.1.1. ­ Competition and collaboration in access to natural resources
With increasing demand facing very limited, and in some cases dwindling, natural resources,
the world faces major conflicts unless it finds solutions to accessing the resources in an
efficient, fair and as non-conflictual a way as possible, with appropriate places for
competition and collaboration. The topic would address this major global challenge and
propose solutions for various policy actors including the EU.
The objective is to understand the roles of competition and cooperation in access to key
natural resources and identify solutions that are efficient, fair and as non-conflictual as
possible. Starting with a critical assessment of supply and demand scenarios for these
resources and possible substitutes, the research would assess the practices and strategies of
key actors (public and private) for their use of, demand for, access to, supply and husbanding
of these resources. The role of markets, competition, technology international regulation,
governance, military and other approaches in how these actors have addressed these
developments and might do so in the future, including geopolitics should be assessed. The
work should focus on key resources such oil and gas, water and minerals, addressing at least a
few of these. Existing and past approaches to sharing the use of limited natural resources,
such as the sea, fish, and inland water, could be drawn upon. Principles for solutions should
be identified and how they could be applied in these cases, including efficiency, justice,
fairness, and across generations. The timescale should be the most relevant historical periods
and the next 20-30 years.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Topic 4.1.2. ­ Geopolitics and the role of Europe in a changing world.
Changes in geopolitics (with regard to political power, distribution of wealth and economic
resources, access to natural resources, border conflicts, civil and interstate wars) need to be
addressed with due attention to the specific features of different countries and regions, and
relations between them. "Area studies" teams and institutions specialized in Asian, African,
Latin American, Middle East, Mediterranean and/or Russian/CIS studies are insufficiently
connected at European level. In addition cooperation between European and non-European
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 9 of 15
scholars need to be reinforced to allow for cross-cultural communication and avoidance of
stereotyping. Networks of "area studies" teams, either specialized in the same world region or
wishing to analyse an issue across different world regions will be supported. The objective of
"cross regional" perspectives is to support the networking of these teams in order that they
confront and share their approaches to international developments that may influence
Europe's future (for example, the role of China in Africa and its implications for Europe) and
to the prospects and limits of Europe's contribution to international peace and stability (e.g.
EU role in promoting poverty eradication and democratisation).
Funding scheme: Network of Excellence, or Collaborative Research Projects (SICA) ­
under discussion
Area 4.2. ­ Conflicts, peace and human rights
Topic 4.2.1. ­ Climate induced changes in water resources in Europe and neighbouring
countries as a security threat
Climate change and its impacts on societies, economies and ecosystems is increasingly
perceived as a threat to national security and to human security more broadly. Research
should provide an interdisciplinary analysis ­across the usually separated areas of climate
change research and conflicts and peace research- on the contribution of climate change in the
escalation or exacerbation of border and other conflicts or the impacts of extreme weather
events (including displacement of people due to floods, droughts and other events). Mitigation
and adaptation strategies at various levels (local, regional, European and global) should be
examined in a comparative manner to allow the identification of factors that can enhance
social, institutional and economic resilience, the prevention of violent conflicts, and peacebuilding
through cooperation over access to natural resources. Water resources need to be
focused on given their specific vulnerability to climate and their key importance in the
escalation or prevention of conflicts. The research should make use of the latest hydrological
and climatic models and have a regional focus on South Europe, North Africa, and/or Sahel
zone, and/or Middle East ­leading to genuine interdisciplinarity and comparison between
these distinct but related regions.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects (large-scale integrating projects) or
SICA ­under discussion
(Coordinated Call with the Environment programme).
Topic 4.2.2. ­ Non-European perspectives on human rights, democracy and peace
While human rights protection is provided for by international treaties, peace is at the
foundation of global institutions such as the United Nations, and democracy is present in all
Continents, different perspectives and practices exist. Far from being globally shared, human
rights, peace and democracy are values that require an in-depth comparative analysis on what
they actually mean and how they are practiced in different contexts. Research on nonEuropean
perspectives may address the following issues: the perceptions and legal status of
human rights in different social, cultural and legal contexts ­namely, rights of specific groups
(e.g. children, women, minorities) or rights related to matters of integrity (e. g. in relation to
torture or death penalty); different interactions between democracy and rule of law in different
contexts ­e.g. concerning the role of Parliaments and of Constitutional Courts; different views
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 10 of 15
of conflict, peace and justice ­e.g. concerning their relations with socio-economic
development and the diverse impacts of globalisation.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects and BSG-CSO (Research for the
Benefit of Specific Groups / Research in support of CSOs), or SICA ­under discussion
Activity 5: The Citizen in the European Union
Area 5.1. ­ Participation and citizenship in Europe
Topic 5.1.1 ­ Independent Media and Democracy in Europe
Independent media are essential for sound democracies ­and transition to democracy- as they
provide information that help citizens judge the actions of their political representatives and
foster a plurality of views. Concentration of media ownership ­a phenomenon of increasing
importance in Europe and beyond- can undermine plurality, integrity, editorial freedom. At
the same time, the rise of blogs, open access and on-line publishing point towards new venues
for pluralism. Research should explore and explain the role of mass media in the formation,
consolidation and working of democracies in Europe ­also in comparison with experiences
outside Europe- and in shaping citizen's views on European integration. Governance of the
media sector, processes of media convergence and concentration, perspectives for media
pluralism and independence should be examined, as well as the relations between different
considerations (e.g. freedom of expression and information and/vs commercial interests,
respect for different cultures, provisions for state security) in selecting and framing news.
Mass media's role in shaping citizen's rights and behavior (e.g. right to information, privacy,
access to justice) and in the prevention or escalation of conflicts and anti-democratic trends
(e.g. hate crime or diffusion of xenophobic messages through media) in the enlarged Europe
could also be addressed.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects and BSG-CSO (Research for the
Benefit of Specific Groups - Research in support of CSOs)
Area 5.2. ­ Diversities and commonalities in Europe
Topic 5.2.1. ­ Language as a tool for communication in Europe in an era of
globalisation: history, policy, practice
In the past, several languages have fulfilled the function of vehicles for communication
between members of different language communities in Europe. The aim of the research topic
is to determine the effects the use of a vehicular language has had on social, economic, and
cultural life, and to examine the potential and limitations as well as the advantages and
disadvantages of the use of a lingua franca for communication in Europe in an era of
globalisation.
Research should address the implications of the use at present, of a given language as a tool
for communication in multilingual societies, and could investigate such phenomena as power
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 11 of 15
and identity. It should look at the effects of the use of a common language on different fields
of life (politics, economics, culture, society, education, and science), and examine to what
extent processes such as advances in communication technology, and globalisation favour the
use of a lingua franca. It should consider the desirability or otherwise of the introduction of
new language policies, and their compatibility with existing ones. Comparative research
examining linguistically diverse communities outside Europe where monolingual
communication practices are common would be welcomed.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Topic 5.2.2. ­ National representations of history and cultural evolution in an enlarged
Europe
Research should address how the national representations of history in Europe shaped and
shape the image of Europe for the citizens. Themes to be addressed include the role of
different collective memories as they have been shaped by the past and its interpretation, for
example by historians, writers and artists, in the perception of Europe by its citizens. Research
must develop ideas on how the dialogue between European citizens can be strengthened in the
light of the different memories and how a shared view on the past, present and future of
Europe can emerge.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Topic 5.2.3. ­ Culture in the creation of European space of communication
Cultural phenomena permeate national borders and transcend ethnic, class and linguistic
divisions. The circulation of culture in all its forms may have consequences for the European
integration process. The spread of high-speed broadband and other digital networks raises the
possibility of the creation of new communities which are not primarily acting through text and
language, but through performance, sound and music, images and visual culture.
Research would investigate the role these wider cultural phenomena play in creating new
networks and communities across national and linguistic borders. It would look at the social,
cultural and sub-cultural forms that stimulate or prevent the transmission and circulation of
shared identities and experiences. It would investigate the new challenges and opportunities
presented by an increasingly globalised digital culture and the possible responses at policy
level. Finally, it would examine how society can exploit advances in interactivity,
visualisation, simulation and new forms of participatory media in the interests of creating a
European space of communication.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Activity 6: "Socio-economic and scientific indicators"
Area 6.1. ­ How indicators are used in policy (no topic)
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 12 of 15
Area 6.2. ­ Developing better indicators for policy
Topic 6.2.1 ­ Indicators for the European service sector
Indicators and data on both the market and non-market services sectors tend to be scarce and
are often of poor quality relative to those available on manufacturing. This makes the proper
measurement of productivity and growth in the services very difficult. Research is needed into
different areas within the service sectors with the aim of developing generic recommendations
rather than area-specific ones and elucidating the underlying mechanisms that are at work.
Indicators need to be designed that are not only be able to disaggregate the different R&D and
knowledge intensive types and levels found in services, but also to identify the degree of
innovation, creativity, types of human capital involved, etc. Indicators need to be developed
that both appropriately and accurately measure the output of services and thereby allow inputoutput
and producer-user relationships to be analysed specifically with the object of
understanding the production processes and the characteristics of the outputs in individual
service industries. Areas of particular interest are ICT services, ICT intensive services,
financial services, the wholesale and retail trades and the ways they changed over time
particularly with respect to the internationalisation of the service provision and markets
should be investigated. The non-market services sector suffers from a lack of appropriate data
and indicators. In particular, input and output indicators are needed for the public service
sector and that are able to assess quantitative, qualitative and productivity developments and
the degree of innovation in the public sector.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Area 6.3. ­ Provision of underlying official statistics
Topic 6.3.1. ­ Data management for statistics
ICT-based surveys together as well as new sampling techniques and/or algorithms for
exploiting data at different levels of generalisation are needed in order to be able to provide
information which is representative at the EU level. The cross-linking of statistical data and
its combination with text and image based information available from different sources, whilst
at the same time preserving quality, is necessary if response burden is to be reduced and
survey costs kept down. Statistical and machine learning algorithms must be developed for
this purpose that are able to cope with massive amounts of data. Ontologies and semantics for
statistics, integrated with metadata construction and retrieval could also improve access to
relevant data when dealing with statistical requests. Other research axes are also crucial to
reducing response burden and improving response rates such as questionnaire design,
interviewing techniques, usability and equilibrate sampling.
Funding schemes: Collaborative research projects
Area 6.4. ­ Use of indicators and related approaches for the evaluation of research policies
and programmes (no topic)
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 13 of 15
Activity 7: Foresight activities
Area 7.1. ­ Wide socio-economic foresight on key challenges
Topic 7.1.1. ­ The World in 2025 and Europe's position
The aim of the topic is to evaluate and measure the changes in the world economy during the
recent years/decades, by distinguishing the principal economic regions, including the
European Union, on the one hand and the principal relations and economic interconnections
between these regions, on the other hand. Identify the underlying trends, which can be used as
a basis for the establishment of possible, probable or desirable scenarios. Establish and
develop "alternative breakdown scenarios" of the world by 2025 on the basis of a set of
specific hypothesis covering political, economic, social, environmental and technological
developments. Evaluate their consequences for the EU, both in qualitative and quantitative
terms with the most advanced adequate tools, and examine possible policy strategies and their
effectiveness according the different world scenarios. Support the Commission in the
preparation, coordination and monitoring of a series of seminars with the relevant institutes
and experts of the regions of Europe and of other worlďs regions on prospective
developments of the overall situation by 2025 and their implications for Europe. Put into
perspective the policies which are necessary in response to these developments and specify
the international role of the EU in economic policies.
Funding scheme: Coordination and support action aiming at supporting research activities;
Collaborative projects; expert groups;
Topic 7.1.2. ­ Foresight on the long term challenges for the Mediterranean area.
The Mediterranean area is of strategic importance to the EU, in both economic (trade, energy,
migration) and political (security, stability) terms. The political situation in the region is
characterised by persistent tensions due to the Middle East conflict, the war in Iraq and its
spill-over to other countries, regular upsurges of terrorist activity, and in some countries
domestic political tensions, lack of political openness and increasing popularity of political
Islam movements. In the economic domain, a combination of fast demographic and labour
force expansion and slow economic growth is resulting in high unemployment and stagnant
incomes. The economic situation is aggravated by various socio-political "deficits". The
prospects for long-term economic growth are further threatened by the non-sustainable
management of the environment and natural resources. The foresight exercise will aim at
analysing trends and drivers for the Mediterranean region, setting up a number of background
scenarios of its evolution towards 2025, and exploring scenarios for a closer cooperation
between Europe and the Mediterranean region. Impacts of the scenarios on the economy and
the society will have to be characterized. This activity will be implemented through an expert
group and organisation of dissemination activities (seminars conferences) in the countries
concerned.
Funding scheme: coordination and support action aiming at supporting research
activities;
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 14 of 15
Additional implementation means: expert groups
Area 7.2. ­ Focused thematic foresight
Topic 7.2.1 ­ Forecasting key sciences and technologies
There is a need to identify key emerging scientific, technological and socio-economic issues
in the different sectors or policies that may have an important impact for European research
development and dynamism. The objective would be to establish an early identification
process of weak signals on such emerging issues and topics and, accordingly, a list of
potential new research areas in the different research domains to be covered by future
research. The activity would build on the former foresight exercises on "Key technologies"
and "Converging technologies" and on the important material existing from the research
projects integrating foresight approaches in sectors such as agriculture, production and
consumption technologies, biotechnologies, health, transport, energy, and environment. The
methodology of work would be based on groups of expert discussions and synthesis.
Implementation means: expert group
Area 7.3. ­ Research systems and research policies in Europe (no topic)
Area 7.4. ­ Mutual learning and co-operation
Topic 7.4.1. ­ Consolidating the information system necessary for foresight exercises.
The aim of this activity is to consolidate and reinforce the network of foresight practitioners,
users and policy makers. The systematic review of existing or ongoing relevant foresight
exercises in Europe and around the world on priority subjects for EU policies will have to be
undertaken. It will disseminate knowledge generated by Foresight exercises in Europe and
elsewhere to policy-makers and Foresight practitioners.
In particular, it will: scan and review the Foresight exercises, analyse and record their
components, such as, objectives, promoters, costs, geographical coverage, methods, duration,
etc. (in relation with the METRIS initiative); map and cross-reference those components in
order to produce an annual mapping report; produce regular briefs on selected Foresight
exercises in Europe and around the world that may be relevant for information and
dissemination; produce a specific number of policy briefs on topics or studies with high
policy relevance selected by the EC services; organise mutual learning and methodological
focussed workshops; contribute to the maintenance of a foresight website and update it;
ensure the link between foresight exercises and policy-makers, focusing on the most relevant
foresight exercises launched in a European context.
Funding scheme: coordination and support action aiming at supporting research
activities
PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS TOWARDS THE SSH 2009 WORK PROGRAMME
T:\HoU\SSH_WP_2009_Drafts\finalsRR_SSH_NP_09_270208\SSH NonPaper2009_draft final 27 02 08 version
15.00_cleanDC1.doc ;
last saved on 27/02/2008 17:38 page 15 of 15
Topic 8.1. ­ Measures to support dissemination of research results
The aim is to maximise and to make as wide and broad as possible the dissemination, and
where appropriate the uptake, of the results from the socio economic sciences and the
humanities (SSH) and related research projects for scientific support to policy which were
financed from FPs 5, 6 and 7.
Proposals should aim to make the link between research results coming from these projects
and the agenda of the policymakers at various levels. Dissemination actions should address
two main target groups: (i) Policy makers at local, regional, national and European level,
depending on the objective and nature of the projects and whether the actions target the
establishment of a relationship between European projects and existing national policies,
together with researchers and others working in support and the evaluation of policy. (ii) Civil
society organisations and economic actors at national and European level. All the
dissemination activities proposed should, as much as is possible and appropriate, take into
account Europe's linguistic diversity and make use of the latest available audio visual
technologies together with other innovative tools.
Funding scheme: coordination and support action aiming at supporting research
activities
Topic 8.2. ­ Socio-Economic Sciences and Humanities Conference 2010
The organisation of a large conference for policymakers and other stakeholders is foreseen in
2010 in order to draw the attention to the contribution of Socio-economic Sciences and
Humanities to a better understanding of the changes that shape European societies in the last
decades.
Implementation means: public procurement; expert groups