EPTA-CONFERENCE ON CONVERGING TECHNOLOGIES:

The Next Technology Wave

Can Policy Keep Pace with Progress? The Case of Converging Technologies

17 October 2005, Flemish Parliament, Brussels

After having developed almost separately for decades, a number of sciences and technologies are coming closer and closer to each other. Some experts even predict a far-reaching convergence of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information and communication technology, cognitive sciences and neurosciences. This new technological wave creates opportunities but poses challenges too. Will converging technologies improve the destiny of mankind? Will they drastically change the way we live (together)? What can the role of policy making be to guide those evolutions?

More than eighty Members of Parliament, scientific researchers, civil servants and policy makers from all over Europe attended the conference. It clarified the complex issue, and gave an overview of the challenges it represents for policy making.

The conference proceedings will be available shortly.