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NATIONAL COORDINATORS

Team Leader

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Team Members

PROGRESS REPORTS

Progress Report 1 (*)

[Comments of Principal Coordinator in blue]

	Offers practical suggestions for funding through EU 6FP Proposals. NEST? [As I have said before, I applaud the basic concept behind NEST but it seems that the actual team of Commission employees that are in charge of applying these novel ideas are not quite suitable for the task. This means that you may indeed have some novel approaches to submit to NEST but disappointment is likely.]
	The German Ministry BMBF for Education and Research has launched an activity, named Futur: A dialog on visions on the research activities for the future. This dialog is oriented on your named topics in our society as 'biotechnology, education, medicine and the major fields of fundamental research in science, not to mention space medicine/technology, environmental geology and the social/political sciences' and other topics. You can find more on Futur on the web: http://www.futur.de
	This Futur is integrated in the European activity: Foresight in the Enlarged European Research and Innovation Area. The topics of the Futur/ Foresight-activities are dynamic and discussed between the integrated partners.

[I checked out http://www.futur.de The site is indeed quite comprehensive: their approach and objectives are similar to ours. This could be a good example of how the NewPOL Consortium Network's philosophy could be understood and made accessible to the German people with their own culture and mentality. This goes for all the countries. Now, what are the "right" questions and just what are the "correct" answers are different propositions altogether. I personally do not know. Perhaps the integrated interdisciplinary workshops and discussions during the Congress shall help us to find out.]

	I'm integrated in the special action line: Das Denken verstehen. Here I've launched in January a proposal for Computer Aided Understanding of the Thinking. [This could also be considered for a Workshop Theme under Programme 3: The Mind.] You can find the basic idea in our publication on our web on www.ICSRoscher.de => Publications or direct on www.ICSRoscher.de/Parco.htm in combination to our EoI IP: RecoPhone - Recognition of Phonemes http://eoi.cordis.lu/dsp_details.cfm?ID=37070 http://eoi.cordis.lu/docs/int_37070.pdf
	The high performance of the human recognition process will be recognized and simulated by high performance computer technology. [A beautiful example of the use of the Human/Computer Interface...!]
	If we want to have success, we must have money for the organisation of such cooperation, as the BMBF support the Futur-activity and especially the leading organisation as the IFOK, organise conferences, workshops and discussion forums for future scientific work. [The EU shall apparently support the Organising Committee meeting in Tervuren/Brussels. During this OC Meeting, we can examine all - and not just - the financial issues: budget, support possibilities for the Congress (best way to apply for EU funds through the EU 6FP SSAs & CAs proposals, best strategy to seek out other sponsors, what sponsors we have found already, what organisations shall be supporting us, etc...) and so forth.]
	- For the moment I see the following ways for further active work together: 1. the proposal for a relevant project (EC or national funding). [Yes. But don't rely too much on the EC. Other National Funding sources is also a possibility, obviously. What would be ideal is to create our own "enterprise" so as to secure financial (and intellectual) independence as soon as possible. I suggested as much (in French!) to our French colleagues. French researchers are having a hell of a time in France it seems.] 2. integration in a present organisation as Futur or Foresight. [It depends on what you mean by "integration". Futur/Foresight would definitely benefit from the NewPOL Consortium Network and vice-versa. Mutual collaboration and facilities is a definite yes. These organisations express the German vision of the NewPOL Consortium Network concept. There are also other visions for other countries/cultures. A meeting between Futur/Foresight and the OC would be a very good idea. Their Founder (or Governing Body?) could come over to Tervuren for an informal meeting. Now if by "integration" you mean becoming a satellite initiative to the Futur/Foresight organisation, this is a definite no. Indeed, this would mean losing the NewPOL Consortium Network's identity and possibly dissolving the International Multidisciplinary Neuroscience Research Congress. I have a responsibility as Principal Coordinator of our Network and founding director of the IMNRC: colleagues have accepted to take up the challenge with us but through NewPOL. Please also understand that I have been working on this initiative since 1984 trying to find support wherever possible outside Belgium and it was pretty tough going, I can assure you. I am not prepared to hand in more than 20 years of effort on a golden plate to any organisation. I am all for interactive collaboration at all levels but not "through" another entity. The NewPOL Consortium Network is apolitical even though the roads that lead to apolitics may be very political. Once there, politics - in the noble sense of the word - may be borne again. Actually, I went through this with Habeeb, the Israeli NC... :-)]
	I want to support such activities. I hope, you remember on one of my first proposal, to organise the conference as virtual conference. Only by such organisation, we have the chance to realise such expensive work together around the world in an effective manner. [Yes, I do remember. And I still agree... but I do always feel that both are needed: a virtual AND a "real" conference for reasons already exposed. A concrete physical entity is necessary to give virtual initiatives more credibility and substance: both must work in phase. Organising such a complex structure as the NewPOL Consortium Network and making it work means getting together and rigorous planning.]
	- I see now the first steps by the design of national web pages and the proposal for the integration. As I can see on your address, your web-page www.imnrc.org is marked as 'under construction' from the beginning. What is the reason? Do you want to have support for the design of the web page? [Thank you for your offer. There are no particular reasons: just a question of professional and personal priorities and also...time. I would however like to add that I would be more motivated if we had not been spending months just trying to set up the OC! I am also very hard to satisfy: I am seeking something different. Please also remember that I am basically doing everything by myself: unfortunately for me, I live in a small country (Belgium) where innovative ideas and challenging concepts have been (and still are) considered more as a Casus Belli than anything else. And when you think that the EC is located in Brussels, well...]
	Can I help you for further activities, aided by ICS - Innovative Computer Systems? [Thank you for your offer. The best kind of help needed is as described in the file describing the post of NC. All efforts must presently be directed at setting up this confounded Organising Committee... :-( Believe me, you shall have ample possibilities to develop your ideas and potential during the Congress (and perhaps already during the OC Meeting, but for administrative purposes)]
	Here are many innovative ways to: - Offer the chance for publications of high ranked and/or young scientists... [Please do not forget older scientists. And not only scientists. As once explained (cf. general introduction and file describing the post of PC), anyone who has an interesting idea - and can defend it! - that can be integrated within the overall framework programme of the Congress is encouraged to participate. Finally, I am allergic to "ranking".] - Open a Scientific discussion platform... [Certainly. This is what the Congress is for. The difference being that we are giving the word 'science' a different flavour. Online discussion forums are also a must through the respective web sites.] - ………….
	However, for the organisation of such work we need money….

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Progress Report 2 (*)

I've attached an interesting information (bioit-1.pdf - bioit.pdf) from the EC in relation to our own work and interest. I propose an open discussion on ideas and activities for the design of a proposal. I want to moderate this discussion and try to gather the information and interest of the partners.

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Progress Report 3 (*)

I've attached interesting information (NTU-SGHBio20041.pdf) on the

1st international Bioengineering conference
8-10 September 2004
in Singapore

and I invite all partners for participation on behalf of

Ms Gao Yan
Project Officer
BioMedical Engineering Research Center
Nanyang Technological University
50 Nanyang Drive
Research Techno Plaza
6 th Storey
Xfrontier Block
Singapore 637533
T.: 65 67906421
Fax: 65 67912274
http://www.ntu.edu.sg/bmerc/home.htm
EGaoYan@ntu.edu.sg

We are under discussion, to design a special workshop for Asia – Europe cooperation. That will be interesting for many of our partners in NewPOL.

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Progress Report 4 (*)

I propose the following orientations:

1. CA - Coordination actions, supported by the EC

Coordination actions are intended to promote and support the coordinated initiatives of a range of research and innovation operators aiming at improved integration. They will cover activities such as the organisation of conferences, meetings, the performance of studies, exchanges of personnel, the exchange and dissemination of good practices, setting up information systems and expert groups, and may, if necessary, include support for the definition, organisation and management of joint or common initiatives.

Proposers should particularly note that the purpose of Co-ordination actions is to co-ordinate other projects. The Co-ordination action itself does not include any research, demonstration or training element.

Information which fully details what a Co-ordination action comprises and how such a project should be implemented can be found at http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/instrument-ca/

[SAs and CAs shall be discussed during the Organising Committee Meeting (please refer to http://www.imnrc.org/NCN/Activities/IMIRC/OC/organisation_committee.htm & http://www.imnrc.org/NCN/Activities/IMIRC/OC/ocm.htm)

As you know, I agreed with Andras that since finding a full set of NCs is such a slow and laborious process, we could indeed begin a kind of round-the-table discussion (or virtual platform if the feedback is important) to prepare the OCM. Each time there is a new NC, the latter shall have to be briefed on developments.

A virtual OCM can certainly be organised before the real OCM takes place in Belgium. Virtual participation through video-conference could be organised for the latter if the NC or NPC cannot come over, but a direct face to face meeting for the OCM is essential.]

2. Only for the field of Information and Communication Technology – IST:

IST 2004 Event – Participate in your future

15-17 November 2004, " Netherlands Congress Centre ", The Hague

This year's edition of the most important European Information Society Technologies (IST) event is organised under the EU's Dutch Presidency by the European Commission in partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. The event will include a conference, an exhibition of research results and networking facilities for the about 4000 participants. The overall themes are "People" and "Economy". This IST Event should appeal to:

• Industry, SMI and SME

• Businesses

• Public sector decision-makers

• The research community and academics

• Interested citizens, including young people and students

The Conference - with 30 sessions- will look at ways to harness information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance the prosperity, security and quality of life for all Europeans.

The Exhibition - with around 130 stands on an area of 8500 sq. m- will show how ICT enables new ways of living, working together, communicating, entertaining, and ensuring that every citizen benefits from the knowledge-based economy.

The European IST Prize will showcase a selection of 20 innovative information technology driven products.

The Networking Sessions - about 50 sessions- will bring participants together to discuss project ideas, research activities and business partnership.

IST Work Programme 2005-06 and Proposal Submission: This session will present the IST Work Programme for 2005-06: the Strategic Objectives, the priorities, the instruments and the details of how to make a proposal.

This event is “a must” for any researcher, industrialist or citizen interested in EU funding for information society technology research, development and applications.

For further information see IST 2004 at a Glance.

Call for Ideas for Networking Sessions is open now !

Networking Sessions complement the conference and exhibition and contribute to one of the prime objectives of the European Commission in the area of Research and Development - to encourage forward-thinking collaborative initiatives that support the development of the European Research Area.

http://europa.eu.int/information_society/istevent/2004/cf/viewevent.cfm?eventType=networking

Here you have many offers for Networking, as you have in mind for our nice conference.

[I shall contact the IST 2004 Event Team. There are many interesting ideas regarding the organisation of this Meeting in Holland (a combination of real and virtual presence, both passive or active): it is now necessary to see how we can integrate IST with all the other thematic themes (= interfaces) so as to create a global highly interactive network with PUBLIC participation from all over the world ---> the Human World Grid. This means simplifying complexities, the nodes and interfaces, making information and technology accessible to ALL and enabling ALL to express themselves: the IST 2004 Event is far too elitist for my liking.

Remember what I said some time ago: we are the world, and the world is us.

This IST Event is a most commendable effort toward an integrated holistic approach (whilst still remaining in IST however), but apart from consolidating people in an "IST" frame of mind, the very event structure is still far too fragmented: it is possible to deal with the exposed issues much more simply and effectively. And you can only do this by cross-cutting networking from a different perspective.

The NewPOL Network seems ideal for understanding interface issues.

It is now also essential to enable people to meet directly: Internet certainly facilitates contacts and is a useful tool to prepare meetings and conferences, but it must not replace the actual regular meeting of human beings. And in order to enable human beings to meet regularly, you also need funds...]

I know Michael Huch from Germany, who is responsible for 392 Ambient Assisted Living - preparation of an §169-initiative. Michael Huch is profession technology supporter from the VDI/VDE-IT, a German organisation, organised events and support for innovative technologies. This organisation is funded by the German Ministry for Education and Research – BMBF.

I know some further experts for such network activities, professionals like Michael Huch.

[Great! They could possibly join your NC Team for Germany!]

You can also find the activity: 383 EU-China Cooperation on Digital Olympics in line with your activities, however this activity is coordinated and organised by the EC.

[Thank you. I shall explore this with EC contacts together with other areas.]

It is my feeling, that you want to organise such management, in the same way as the EC and each national responsible build up such management (with high costs, sponsored by all member of the EC or the country).

I propose the integration of our activities in such a support maybe as CA. That will be the orgnisational and financial basic for further activities.

[Thank you very much for all your efforts. I hope you shall fix your German NC Satellite web link soon.]

(*) The four Progress Reports were presented by Dr Günther Roscher. The NewPOL Network wishes to thank Dr Günther Roscher for his initial contribution.

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