PLENARY SESSION:
The international dimension of Research Infrastructures: managing the emergence of new RIs.

Chair: Sir Keith O'Nions

Facilities for the Future of Science: A Twenty Year Outlook
Dr. Raymond L. Orbach
Director of the Office of Science, Department of Energy, USA

In November, 2003, the Department of Energy issued the document: "Facilities for the Future of Science: A Twenty Year Outlook" (copies of which will be distributed). It addressed the issue of the facilities needed for scientific discovery over the next two decades. A transparent and interdisciplinary process was followed, informed by the counsel of the Office of Science Advisory Committees. As stated by then Secretary Abraham: "These additional world-class Office of Science user facilities and upgrades to current facilities will lead to more world-class science, which will lead to further world-class R&D, which will lead to greater technological innovation, and many other advances....". The manner by which this prioritized list of 28 major facilities was developed, and how it has fared in the subsequent two years since its announcement, will be discussed.

Towards Optimal use of Research Infrastructures
Dr Mitsuhiro Nemoto
Director for Research, Environment&Industrial Cooperation, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Japan
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Infrastructures are playing an increasingly important role in all fields of science and technology. Japan has invested in research infrastructures ranging from satellite or ship for space, earth and environmental sciences to synchrotron facility for material and biological sciences. Recently, large research infrastructures are expected to be service facilities by a broad variety of scientific communities, due to the increase of construction and operation cost. Also, in parallel with the emergence of the next generation's large research facility projects, it is discussed that research infrastructures be exploited by broader communities, from academia to industry. The speaker introduces large research infrastructures which are being developed or in a pipeline and a test project aimed at industry exploitation of Japanese largest synchrotron radiation facility and highest performance supercomputer.

Strategic Roadmap for Australian National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy
Dr Carol Nicoll
Minister-Counsellor, Australian Embassy, Australian Mission to the EU:
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Geographic advantages and global research infrastructure partnerships.
Dr Robert Adam
Director-General, Department of Science and Technology, South Africa
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In order to optimally leverage the international scientific community's collective investments in global research infrastructure capacities, transnational partnerships in the funding, development and utilization of global facilities are essential. In developing these partnerships, it is essential to maximise the comparative advantages, both geographic and knowledge, enjoyed by partners in the relevant scientific areas. Within this context, developing countries can meaningfully contribute to global research infrastructure partnerships through for example the hosting of facilities. An obvious example in this regard is astronomy and the availing of access to the Southern skies. By facilitating partnerships of this nature, the Seventh Framework Programme will not only contribute to advancing global scientific progress and excellence, but will also meaningfully support the strengthening of developing countries' knowledge generation and innovation capacities, as well as consequently the harnessing of science and technology as an instrument for sustainable development.

Plenary session:
CAPACITY BUILDING IN EUROPE

Chair: Prof. N. Kroo,
Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

The ESFRI Roadmap for Research Infrastructures
Prof. J. Wood
Chief Executive, CCLRC, RAL, UK
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The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) is currently preparing the European Roadmap for Research Infrastructures. The European Roadmap will identify new pan-European Research Infrastructures or major up-grades to existing ones in correspondence to the needs of European research communities in the next 10 to 20 years covering all scientific areas, regardless of possible location. It will be a tool for decision makers, preventing over-provision of facilities in particular areas, and will provide a focus for long term budgetary planning by funding organisations, including the European Commission whenever relevant. The approach and working methods to arrive at the Roadmap will be presented, and the timetable for the first results will be outlined.

Specific actions in FP7 in support of research infrastructures on pan-European interest
Mr. R.-J. Smits
Director, DG RTD, European Commission
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The objective of the Research Infrastructures action in the "Capacities" Programme of FP7 is to optimise the use and development of the best research infrastructures existing in Europe, and to help creating in all fields of science and technology new RIs of pan-European interest needed by the European scientific community in order to remain at the forefront of the advancement of science, at the same time allowing industry to strengthen its knowledge base and its technology know-how. While Member States' role will remain central in the development and financing of infrastructures, the Community can play a catalysing and leveraging role by helping efficient access and use of existing infrastructures, by stimulating their development and their networking in a coordinated way, and by fostering the emergence of new RIs of pan-European interest in the medium to long term. This presentation will introduce the different ways in which the Community will support RIs in all fields of science and technology at European level.