European Programme on the Isle of Knowledge
Island of Koločep, Dubrovnik, 7th October 2008
WORKSHOP #3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Advised (via video interview with Chief Negotiator Mr Vladimir Drobnjak) on the negotiation process, the work carried out thus far, the challenges and obstacles that stand ahead of us as a country and a society, on our road to successful completion of negotiations by the end of 2009;
Discussing the readiness and challenges, new possibilities and risks that Croatian science, research and development, and its stakeholders face through inclusion into educational, research and development system of the EU;
Convinced that the Croatian Knowledge Society cannot be built upon occasionalpolitical slogans, but upon consistent creation of basic preconditions for long-term development of such society: quality education on all levels, encouragement and adequate rewarding system (financial and symbolic) of research excellence, industriousness and responsibility; creation of positive political, social and cultural climate for scientific research and competitions; adoption of international standards and benchmarks for scientific achievements valuation, etc.;
Trusting that the impending accession of our country to the EU can bring only benefits tosuccessful Croatian scientists: European mobility, transparency, more success in dealing with the problems of red-tapism, nepotism and corruption, easier access to the EU funds; more objective science valuation system, etc.
Fully aware that accession to the EU will bring serious professional and existential problems to many scientists that were used to Croatian research isolationism;
WE, the participants in the «EU4U – European Union for You»Workshop covering the theme «Science and Technology», gathered on Koločep, the Isle of Knowledge, October 5-7, 2008, after a two-day exchange of ideas and personal business and/or professional experiences, we have reached the following:
IDEAS, PROPOSALS AND CONCLUSIONS
First: A large majority of us holds either a completely, or at least somewhat positive attitude towards, and supports the policies of our country directed towards the European Union accession (98%). Whilst supporting the EU accession, we are fully aware of all the benefits, new opportunities, but also the risks that this new economic, scientific, development and cultural space will bring to the Croatian scientific (research and development) community
Second: Our personal knowledge, as well as general public knowledge of the Republic of Croatia's population about the European Union, its institutions, policies, and especially, the benefits and risks that European accession may bring to our education and society, are insufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to use all public media, and particularly HRT (Croatian Radio Television), for better and more complete introduction of the EU to our citizens.
Third:The Croatian Government, Parliament, negotiation team and diplomacy have to invest additional efforts in order to close our country's negotiations with the EU by the end of 2009, which will create conditions needed for our science to become an integral part of the EU science by 2011.
Fourth: Within the negotiation process and throughout preparation of the Croatian society and science for the opportunities, challenges and risks of the EU membership, it is necessary to use all educational, intellectual, expert and other potentials available toCroatian society, but also the great potential of the Croatian scientists already being part ofthe European and global science systems.
Fifth: The results of the anonymous survey in which we took part show that the large majority of us supports the policies for improvement of our science and higher education: systematic fight against plagiarism amongst scientists and teachers is supported by96% of us; the fight against nepotism 92%; free employment of foreign teachers on Croatian faculties 83%; increase in the share of e-learning in classes 86%; teachers' assessments by students 81%; international knowledge evaluationof current teachers' and scientists' 75%; opening of foreign universities in Croatia 77%; singling out of talented students into separate study groups 70%, etc. This leads to the conclusion that the scientific community does not oppose implementation of the European and global excellence benchmarks and standards in our country.
Sixth: On the other hand, participants in our workshop expressed very critical and negative views about some of the key elements of the current scientific and research policies: the current system of financing is supported by only 9% of us, and the way that the anti-corruption action Index was carried our is supported by only 20%. A prevalent general opinion is that Croatian science on the national and county level still stands under a heavy political and financial influence of politics. Therefore, the way to a more productive and more creative science has to be based upon realizingthe requests for depolitization and debureaucratization of research projects management and financing processes and scientific institutions management.
Seventh: Development strategy for Croatian research and development has to be based upon long-term vision and projections for gradual catching up with the best by implementing the benchmarking methodology,for whichthe orientation point has been set in 2025 or even 2030. Quantitative projections presented to workshop participants by Prof. Pero Lučin, Director of the National Foundation for Science show two irrefutable facts: (a) Scientific deficit can be re-compensated only through long-term projections, and (b) Funds invested into recovery from this deficit are far smaller and way more cost effective than investments into, for example, handball arenas or Pelješac bridge.
Eighth: Selection and scientific „initiation“ of young scientists elaborated by Prof. Ivan Đikić shows how important it is for PhD candidates(young researchers) to receive quality mentorship support, guidance and financial support at the beginning of their career in order to successfully develop their scientific careers in Croatia or abroad. It is very important to delegate decision-making on financing and selection of PhD candidatesto advisors (project managers), instead of keeping it within purview of the Ministry or some other government authority.
Ninth: Even though natural resources of our country are very important for its future, the same and even greater importance have and will continue to have the knowledge and skills of its people. Therefore, it is of outmost importance to develop an educational system that will enable Croatian citizens from early youth to retirement to successfully cope with the challenges of the European labourmarket, business dealings in the EU and life within such complex community. Due to crucial importance of knowledge and education of pupils and students for the quality of life of each individual, and for the future of the entire Croatian society, it is necessaryto ensure that all changes, modifications, reforms and innovations in the educational system and educational process, at all levels, are based on systematic, scientific research, as well as on wide and democratic; professional and public discussions between key stakeholders ofthe educational process: parents, pupils, students, teachers, head-masters, professors and all others.
Tenth: We believe that the discussion on the negotiation process, negotiation positions of the RoC and EU, as well as on terms and conditions that our country needs to meet before the EU accession should be transferred from closed cabinet meetings and exclusive professional groupings to thepublic sphere. In this view, we are grateful and appreciate the symbolic support that the President of the Republic of Croatia and the European Commission have given to our workshop, and we also appreciate the efforts and contributions of our lecturers Prof. Ivan Đikić and Prof. Pero Lučin, as well as of the organizers – non-government association European Movement Croatia and non-profit organization the Isle of Knowledge.
Copy to:
- Mr. Stjepan Mesić, President of the Republic of Croatia
- Mr. Luka Bebić, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Croatia
- Mr. Ivo Sanader, PhD, Prime Minister, Government of the Republic of Croatia
- H.E. Vincent Degert, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Croatia
- Prof. Dragan Primorac, PhD, Minister of Science, Education and Sports
- Mr. Vladimir Drobnjak, Chief Negotiator of Republic of Croatia for the EU
- Prof. Pero Lučin, PhD, President of the National Foundation for Science
- Prof. Ivan Đikić„, Team leader, Institute for Biochemistry of the Goethe Institute
- Institutes, universities, media, public.