Many experts think that the technological convergence of previously separated sciences like nanotechnology, biotechnology, information and communication technologies and cognitive sciences will have a deep, long-term impact on society and economy. Key actors in society need to become aware of the challenges linked to converging applications (CA) and take decisions in support of developing them. By analysing CA-related opportunities and risks at a very early stage, we hope to contribute to reducing possible adverse effects in the future.
Posts Tagged ‘housing’
EFP Brief No. 152: Combining ICT and Cognitive Science: Opportunities and Risks
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011EFP Brief No. 151: Furniture Foresight Centre – CEFFOR®
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011CEFFOR was created to promote the sustainable development (in terms of all three pillars: economic, social and environmental) of the
furniture industry in countries with high costs of production. CEFFOR is to accomplish this task by means of contributing strategic
information to the social agents and companies who participate in determining enterprise strategies and industry policies.
EFP Brief No. 139: Future Prospects of Care Facilities and Services for the Dependent Elderly in France
Saturday, May 21st, 2011Following the submission of an initial report in July 2005 on the evolution of illness related to old age and estimations of the number of accommodations available for the dependent elderly, the French minister in charge of elderly affairs asked the Strategic Analysis Centre to further consider how to provide and finance the care of dependent persons until 2025. Relying on a single quantitative scenario, the report proposes a global strategy turning on several key principles: a preference for in-home care and supplying treatment in a welcoming environment, reliance on technological and social innovation, the qualitative improvement of establishments housing the most dependent persons and the use of new regulatory tools in order to promote performance and a better territorial distribution.
EFP Brief No. 138: Results of Lab on ‘Old and New Energy’
Saturday, May 21st, 2011The Club of Amsterdam set up an ‘Old and New Energy Lab’ designed to generate novel and potentially viable plans of action for dealing with energy issues by leveraging brainstorming methods to produce innovative thinking and bypass preconceived ideas and assumptions. The process tapped into the expertise of ‘thought leaders’ chosen for their diversity so as to maximise the fertility of discussions.
EFP Brief No. 132: Target 2020: a Quantitative Scenario on Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions for the EU 25
Saturday, May 21st, 2011An integrated quantitative scenario analysis was conducted to elaborate, describe and evaluate strategies and paths for the European Union to achieve significant reductions in domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The objective of the foresight exercise was to support EU wide consensus formation, to assist in priority-setting, and to help raise awareness with regard to policy, industry or society as a whole.
EFP Brief No. 129: Rural Areas: One of the Most Important Challenges for Europe
Saturday, May 21st, 2011This brief presents an overview of major trends and policy options for rural areas. A number of social, technological, economic, environmental and political trends as well as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats will be highlighted, followed by ten major policy options in view of two traditional and conflicting objectives: rural socio-economic development and countryside protection.
EFP Brief No. 123: Scenarios 2026 for the South West of England
Saturday, May 21st, 2011This study (which took place in 2004) presents four ‘socio-economic-political scenarios’ designed to stimulate, guide and inform strategic thinking about the future of one of nine English regions, namely the South West. The scenarios portray distinct pictures of the social, political and economic background against which the strategies for the South West can be reviewed and developed. They provide a consistent approach and serve as practical thinking tools. The scenarios are also intended to help organisations in the South West to assess their vulnerability to forces of change and to plan appropriate adaptation strategies.
EFP Brief No. 115: SMART Perspectives of European Materials Research
Friday, May 20th, 2011Modern materials sciences take as their objective to develop and tailor materials with a desired set of properties suitable for a given application. Next to conventional approaches, predictive modelling and simulation is more and more used. This results into a rapidly increasing knowledge base, allowing for more precise experimental set-ups, more precise simulations and tailoring of goal-oriented materials. They play a key role in the value chain and in product innovation. Although limited profits are made from materials, materials are technology enablers for new high added value products and therefore a key in innovation acceleration. More success and increased opportunities for applications is the outcome. The SMART project aimed at providing support for future strategic decisions in this sector to foster the strengthening of the European Research Area.
EFP Brief No. 108: The Future of the Dutch Natural and Built Environment
Friday, May 20th, 2011The purpose of this scenario exercise is to support the Dutch national government in the development of policies on spatial planning, natural resources, and quality of the physical environment. By exploring how various aspects of the living environment and land use in the Netherlands may develop in the long run (2040), the study aims to show when and where current policy objectives may come under pressure and which new issues may emerge.
EFP Brief No. 95: ICT and Robotics in Agriculture and the Related Industries – a European Approach
Friday, May 20th, 2011A Collaborative Working Group (CWG) under the Standing Committee for Agricultural Research (SCAR) has been formed to raise awareness on the research and development within the area of ICT and Robotics and to advise the European Commission. The CWG will assist in putting this field of research on the agenda in a European context as well as creating consensus among the most important stakeholders. This is done through dialogue and increased member state collaboration achieving synergy and creating optimal conditions for further development.
