Dalian: “natural platform for the ERC”
The president of the European Research Council, Professor Helga Nowotny, has described the ‘Summer Davos’ in China as a “golden opportunity” for the European research funding body to increase co-operation with other international partners and raise its profile.
Commenting on the second day of the conference in Dalian, Nowotny said: “It is very fruitful for the ERC to meet and debate with leaders from around the world who the World Economic Forum so uniquely gathers. With its special focus on science, innovation and young talent, the ‘Annual Meeting of the New Champions’ is a natural platform for the ERC. We fund both top emerging and established research leaders. Some of them are in Dalian today to share their latest scientific insights.
“For the ERC it is a golden opportunity to interact with global partners and to raise its visibility beyond a more scientific audience. Our message is clear – excellent curiosity-driven frontier research is an imperative, not an option to spur innovation. Science, technology and innovation is a common theme in a rapidly globalising world. It is up to all of us to utilise this enormous potential,” added Nowotny.
This annual three-day meeting is described as the foremost global gathering in Asia and brings together over 1,500 participants from 90 countries to share strategies and solutions and discuss global issues and risks. This seventh annual meeting includes involvement from younger scientists, technology pioneers, global growth companies, young global leaders, social and entrepreneurs. The event also engages with World Economic Forum members and partners.
