BNU April 2018

1 European Highlights, BNU April 2018, Brussels News Updates

EuCheMS issues statement condemning the use of any and all chemical weapons in Syria

Following recent developments in the Syrian conflict, EuCheMS has issued a statement deploring the use of any and all chemical weapons in Syria. We reinforce our commitment to the declaration we issued in Seville in 2016, since unfortunately our statements then are even more urgent today. The EuCheMS Seville declaration states: “We, the Member Societies of the European Association for Chemical and Molecular Sciences (EuCheMS), deplore the use of chlorine in the Syrian conflict or any other and call upon the international community to bring to justice those responsible for the misuse of chlorine.” The declaration was signed by 36 Presidents of Chemical Societies or their representatives from all over Europe. The Press Release is available here and the Seville declaration is available here.

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1 European Highlights, BNU April 2018, Brussels News Updates

ERC Advanced grants announced

The European Research Council has announced a total of €653 million worth of funding, that will benefit 269 senior researchers and their teams across Europe as well as creating an estimated 2,000 postdocs, PhD students and other staff positions. The research projects are vastly diverse, and in the words of Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, ‘’ground-breaking’’ and ‘’high-risk’’. You can browse some examples of planned research projects here.

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1 European Highlights, BNU April 2018, Brussels News Updates

Worry over drop in vaccination rates

14,451. This was the total number of measles cases across Europe in 2017, triple the figure of 2016. In addition to this worrying number, there has been a steady drop in vaccination rates across the continent. The European Parliament’s environment committee expressed concern over the falling rates and highlighted the risk this could have on public health. A draft resolution published in March lays out a series of aims, including the need to restore confidence in vaccinations through greater transparency and to support joint procurement of vaccines (the cost of a full vaccines package for a child was 68 times more expensive in 2014 compared to 2001).

The World Health Organisation states that vaccinations save two to three million people every year – and if usage was increased, could save another 1.5 million. The measles outbreak in Europe last year hit Romania and Italy hardest, the latter counting some 5000 cases, including four deaths. The numbers are a cause for concern and invite a reflection on the growing scepticism – and blatant distrust, of scientific advice. The focus on rolling back compulsory vaccinations in the Italian election campaign exemplifies the brushing aside of scientific knowledge and advice to suit political motives. This has also given rise to a growing number of conspiracies or bogus research, often claiming that vaccines are the cause of severe and irreversible side effects or other health issues.

As the voice of Chemistry in Europe, EuCheMS, its Members, and the scientific community represented, has a special responsibility in this respect. Inaccuracies, fabrications and falsehoods that are circulated for political or other reasons, have to be constantly repudiated and corrected. Scientists have a duty to share their knowledge, and as such, allow citizens and policy makers to make informed decisions on such topics. But the responsibility works both ways: policy-makers in turn have, as part of their professional responsibility, a duty to seek scientific knowledge and advice in order to make informed decisions.

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1 European Highlights, BNU April 2018, Brussels News Updates

Implementation Roadmap for the European Open Science Cloud

The European Commission adopted on 14 March 2018 the Implementation Roadmap for the European Science Cloud. The background: the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) projected to be implemented by 2020, will create a virtual space for all researchers to share and store data for research and innovation, helping to encourage open science in Europe. The latest document presents ‘the outcome of the exploration of appropriate governance and financing mechanisms for the European Open Science Cloud’ as well as describing ‘the measures taken under Horizon 2020 Work Programmes to start implementing the EOSC’. The document’s purpose is moreover to act as a further stepping stone for consultations with EU Member States, the European Parliament and relevant stakeholders.

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 1 European Highlights, BNU April 2018, Brussels News Updates

#WorldWaterDay

On 22 March, World Water Day was observed worldwide to highlight the importance of freshwater in our lives. Clean, accessible drinking water for all is a basic human right, while maintaining an adequate water supply is essential for agricultural productivity. Yet with humanity’s growing needs, the strain on available water is going to continue to grow to crisis levels. To put this into perspective: while 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water, 97% of it is saline. The 3% remaining freshwater is 90% locked in glaciers, leaving just 0.3% of the Earth’s total water to meet these growing needs.

Chemistry has a vital role to play, both in developing processes to treat water and making it potable as well as by removing contaminants from wastewater and industrial waste streams. Water treatment being highly energy intensive in turn means that solutions need to be found to make such processes more efficient, environmentally-friendly and economically accessible. The chemical sciences therefore have a manifold role to play in providing solutions to these challenges which will continue to grow over the coming years. EuCheMS has placed water as one of its core aims in its Roadmap, available here.

On 1 February 2018, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a revised drinking water directive which aims to improve the quality of drinking water and provide greater access and information to citizens. EuCheMS had responded to the preceding consultation which can be accessed here.

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1 European Highlights, BNU April 2018, Brussels News Updates

EuCheMS responds to public consultation on ‘Missions’ in FP9

EuCheMS has responded to the European Commission’s public call for feedback on the implementation of Missions within the future research Framework Programme (FP9). EuCheMS highlighted a number of issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible, including, finding solutions on ‘Sustainable Low Carbon Energy for All’, ‘Forming a fit-for purpose Food Landscape’, ‘Enabling our Ageing Population’, and ‘Averting an Antimicrobial Resistance Apocalypse’. A funding instrument that recognises these priorities, and that recognises the role science can play in providing solutions is crucial. Read our feedback here.

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