The world of science is changing fast as geopolitical tensions between east and west intensify. Science and technology organisations are less open to the world since Russia started the war in Ukraine, and China and the US engaged in a technology standoff.
This conference aims to provide insightful discussions on how security and defence developments profoundly impact research and development in the EU’s so-called Widening countries, and what policy responses are needed in order to safeguard the future of R&D in this region and beyond.
- Evolving Needs: The Widening countries, located primarily in central and eastern Europe, face significant threats to their research and development sectors. Not only could we see a diversion of resources towards defence spending in general, but the R&D investments could also be routed in that direction. There’s also the pressing concern that the costs of research will increase, as cybersecurity breaches and other security challenges could require investments to fortify research infrastructures. This happens across the EU, but the impact is asymmetric in countries with below 70% of the EU GDP.
- Historical and Geographic Insights: The history and geographic position of the Widening countries play a pivotal role in addressing these new challenges. The region, with its rich historical context, has often been at the crossroads of major global events. It has unique insights to offer, borne out of its past experiences in dealing with both security threats and opportunities. Furthermore, given the region’s proximity to these new areas of conflict, it now finds itself on the frontline of emerging security challenges. This places the region in a prime position to gain first-hand experiences and a more acute understanding of these new threats. By leveraging its historical insights and frontline perspective, the region can contribute valuable knowledge to addressing security challenges across the EU.
Our conference seeks to bring together experts and stakeholders from both within and outside the region to explore this dynamic landscape. Together, we aim to debate policies and strategies for adapting to the new geopolitical circumstances and shape the future of R&D in the face of growing security and defence threats across the EU.
