Nikolaos Katsaros – författare

The important geopolitical changes since the mid-1980s in the broad area of Eastern Europe have led to changes in the policy and strategy in many fields; social, economic, commercial and scientific among them. This text draws together scientists from the area in a discussion centred on the exchange of information, broadening co-operation, and the possible development of common policy in areas of mutual interest. Important differences between the participants' countries emerged: differences in the development of general research activities as between free market and centrally planned systems. The situation at the moment is transitional and is evolving rapidly. The reader should thus obtain a snapshot of the various ways of confronting research activities, the ranking of research priorities, and the dissemination and evaluation of results throughout the Balkan region.

The recent changes in the former socialist lands have found their reflection in the workings of the national Academies of Sciences. These changes are presented and discussed in this text by international scientists, most of whom bear the heavy responsibility of administering science in their countries, within a changing social, political and economic environment - the leaders of the scientific activities in their respective countries. The views expressed are those of senior academics from the Balkan countries, as well as those of similar status from other European countries.

It is well known that the Academies of Sciences in Western Europe have different goals than those of Eastern Europe mainly due to their independent status. Although some of the Academies in the West supervise research activities or some institutes, their main mission is to stimulate and access scientific developments in their own countries. In particular, they have a mission to advise their governments and other central bodies on science policy and organization of research. The Academies of Central and Eastern Europe supervise numerous research institutes with a relatively large number of research scientists. Also, many of these institutes carry out basic and applied research isolated from that of universities and industry. Industry on a few occasions in the past sought solutions to its problems or the development of new products from the Institutes of the Academies of Sciences. The challenges now facing the Academies of Central and Eastern Europe include the lack of adequate financing, the loss of status of scientific work, the defection of young researchers and the difficulties of recruiting new high level research staff. A major problem is the emerging lack of candidates for doctorate studies. The organization and financing of research in institutes, universities and industries and the role that the Academies of Sciences can play is also one of the subjects to be addressed. Public funding is limited and most of the funds available are directed towards applied research.

During the last years, important geopolitical changes took place in the broader area of Eastern Europe, having as a consequence, among others, the change of policy and strategy in many fields such as social, economical, commercial, scientific e.t.c. It was a contemporary demand to have a meeting of scientists from various countries and especially from countries of the Eastern Europe and the Balkan area, where the various problems concerning the scientific, technological and research fields could be studied and discussed. The goals of this meeting would be: mutual information, broadening of cooperation possibilities through common research programs, as well as possible development of a common policy in certain sections of science and technology of mutual interest. The realization of this meeting, which came true with the initiative, the moral of the NATO Scientific Affairs Division gave the and full economical support pursued results included in the present volume. It was my pleasure to act as the Director of the NATO ARW and I am most grateful to the NATO Scientific Affairs Division for the financial support and especially to its Programme Director, Dr. Alain Jubier, whose contribution to every step of the workshop was essential so that this meeting would be effective.

It is well known that the Academies of Sciences in Western Europe have different goals than those of Eastern Europe mainly due to their independent status. Although some of the Academies in the West supervise research activities or some institutes, their main mission is to stimulate and access scientific developments in their own countries. In particular, they have a mission to advise their governments and other central bodies on science policy and organization of research. The Academies of Central and Eastern Europe supervise numerous research institutes with a relatively large number of research scientists. Also, many of these institutes carry out basic and applied research isolated from that of universities and industry. Industry on a few occasions in the past sought solutions to its problems or the development of new products from the Institutes of the Academies of Sciences. The challenges now facing the Academies of Central and Eastern Europe include the lack of adequate financing, the loss of status of scientific work, the defection of young researchers and the difficulties of recruiting new high level research staff. A major problem is the emerging lack of candidates for doctorate studies. The organization and financing of research in institutes, universities and industries and the role that the Academies of Sciences can play is also one of the subjects to be addressed. Public funding is limited and most of the funds available are directed towards applied research.