PAS concerned about the diminishing value of science among the priorities of the European Commission
Below, we present the position of the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences adopted on September 17, 2019 during the meeting in Białowieża. We encourage you to make yourself acquainted with the full content of the document.
Position Statement of the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences dated 17 September 2019 on the importance of science being downgraded among the priorities of the European Commission
The Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences expresses its concern at the disappearance of the words "research" and "science" from the name for the field of responsibility of the new EU Commissioner in charge of such affairs.
The new name, "Innovation and Youth", could indicate a shift in the priorities of the Commission, entailing the downgrading of the importance of science, which – if true – would have to have catastrophic consequences for Europe in these times of global scientific revolution.
The anticipated broad scope of the new Commissioner's responsibilities – encompassing education, scientific research, innovation, culture, youth and sport – could entail a reduction in the time devoted to issues related to scientific research, which would have to have a very negative impact on the EU's competitiveness in the longer-term future.
Statement of the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences 
Source: The Polish Academy of Sciences
