Event in Brussels will focus on the way forward towards Framework Program 8 / Keynote Speech by Commissioner Neelie Kroes “The way forward - towards Framework Program 8” is the focus theme of the 5. Annual Meeting of the European Technology Platform Photonics21, which will take place on February 23 & 24, 2011 in the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Brussels, Belgium. The agenda will put special emphasis on future research and innovation funding concepts and the European photonics strategy as a key enabling technology to meet the societal challenges in Europe such as aging society, sustainability and energy efficiency or security.
Representing more than 1,600 members from industry, research and politics, the Photonics21 Annual Meeting has become the major event for the European photonics community, thus providing a unique forum for discussing and networking.
The General Assembly on the February 24, 2011 will be opened by a keynote speech of Neelie Kroes, Vice-President European Commission, who will set the stage on expectations for the upcoming “European Framework Program 8” and the main objectives of European Research and Innovation programs.
At the General Assembly attendees will be further informed about the platform’s activities in 2010, the “Key Enabling Technologies Initiative” as well as the activities of the Photonics21 political Mirror Group. More in-depth information on current and upcoming programs and funding schemes are subject of the speech from Thierry van der Pyl, Director European Commission.
In the afternoon, all attendees are invited to participate in one of the seven work groups around Information & Communication; Industrial Production & Quality; Life Science and Health; Lighting, Displays and Large Area Electronics; Security, Metrology and Sensors; Design and Manufacturing of Components and Systems as well as Photonics Education & Training and Research Infrastructure.
To start the meeting in a relaxing atmosphere and give participants time for networking, sharing information, discussing strategies or even setting the starting point for future cooperation projects, a get-together will be organised for the evening of 23 February from 19:00 to 22:30.
The registration fee for the 5th Photonics 21 Annual Meeting of Euro 130 is covering entrance to all sessions, lunch, coffee breaks and the evening reception. Interested participants can register online here.
For Media the registration to the Photonics21 Annual Meeting is free of charge.
About Photonics21
The European Technology Platform “Photonics21” was set up in December 2005 as an industry driven platform to push Europe-wide collaboration between industry, science and politics and align their efforts in all areas of photonics.
Today, more than 1,600 representatives of industry and science from 49 European countries are involved in Photonics21. Leading companies and research units have joined together to further advance Europe’s position in optical technologies. In seven work group teams’ experts are working to develop research and innovation priorities and recommendations for the European Commission as well as strategies and processes to promote European cooperation.
In September 2009, the European Commission defined photonics as a key enabling technology. In January 2010 the second Photonics21 Strategic Research Agenda “Lighting the way ahead” was published defining European research priorities and the photonics strategy forward.
Overall, Europe accounts for about 20 % of the global photonic turnover which currently amounts € 300 billion. Furthermore, there are nearly 300,000 jobs involved in Europe and about 5,000 SMEs
The event is sponsored by ADVA-Optical Networks AG, BASF SE, Carl Zeiss AG, Dow Corning Europe SA, EOS - European Optical Society, Jenoptic AG, Merck KGaA, Novaled AG, Osram GmbH, Philips Electronics N.V., Safran Sagem DS, SPIE-Europe, Trumpf GmbH & Co. KG.
