Structures providing policy-relevant advice on infrastructures

Public competences in the field of R&D lie with the Federal authority and the "federated entities": the Communities and the Regions. The Communities provide the general support for basic and university research, and the Regions the general support for industrial and technological research and innovation. The Federal authority is competent, among others, for the data exchange networks operating among scientific institutions at national and international level, the research and public service activities of the federal scientific institutions, space research and - according to the rules laid down by cooperation agreements with the federated entities - Belgium's participation in the activities of international research infrastructures.

In each Community and Region and at federal level, an advisory body, the Science Policy Council gives the corresponding Government advice and formulates recommendations (at request or on own initiative). The Science Policy Councils consist of prominent personalities from scientific, university, economic and social circles. New initiatives regarding RI's which have nurtured within the scientific community may find their way towards the policy makers through this channel. The Flemish science and innovation policy letter for 2003 announces the establishment of a permanent concertation forum for large-scale infrastructures in Flanders. The work of several international discussion fora, such as ESFRI, the OECD GSF and the ESF, will be taken in due account.

The national authority driving the ESFRI decision process is the International Cooperation Commission/ Infrastructure" (ICC/INFRA). In its October 2007 meeting the CIS/INFRA  recognized the need for a better coordinated and volontaristic approach between the Federal and Federated authorities in support of Belgium to the EU large infrastructures. So far, a mix of approaches has been envisaged for the development  of a national roadmap.

Policy development with respect to Life Watch

The national position with respect Life Watch has not been made public yet.

National Life Watch network

The Belgian Biodiversity Platform, an initiative of Belspo has been given the responsibility of the Life Watch networking. The platform is envisaged as the communication and information hub on Biodiversity science in Belgium. It advances interdisciplinary research and offers a stage for cooperation and communication between scientists and stakeholders in biodiversity research. The platform together with Belspo will prepare a workplan to be achieved within the timeframe of the Life Watch preparatory project.

Contacts

• BELSPO: Belgian Science policy Office, Dr. J. Moulin;
• The "International Cooperation Commission/ Infrastructure" (ICC/INFRA)
• For Life Watch:   Belspo, Mrs. A. van der Werf