Joan J. Guinovart

Guinovart, Joan J.

Hemeroteca Cientifica Catalana

PERSPECTIVESAction CRECE: an initiativeof the Federation of SpanishScientific Societies (COSCE)Spain at a crossroads: Europe is theobjectiveSpain is at a crossroads. It must decide whether its future willbe built on a knowledge-based economy, in line with theagreements made by the European Council at Lisbon, in2000, or whether it willrenounce this path and, with it,the opportunity to play a lead-ing role in Europe and in theworld in the next few decades.The Spanish scientific commu-nity has long been aware of theneed to improve its commit-ment to science and technology.Therefore, in 2004, it decided tobring its most representative sci-entific societies together into ahigher body: The Federation ofSpanish Scientific Societies (Confederación de SociedadesCientíficas de España, COSCE) [www.cosce.org]. The objec-tives of the COSCE are: to contribute to scientific and tech-nological developments in Spain; to act as a qualified andunified interlocutor for scientists, communicating with civilsociety and representative authorities; to promote the role ofscience and contribute to its recognition as an essential cul-tural ingredient. COSCE currently has 54 member scientific societies,which represent more than 30,000 Spanish scientists (Table 1).The federation fully represents the Spanish scientific com-munity and can therefore act as its interlocutor. It also aimsto provide knowledge that may be of use to different econom-ic, social, and political agents. COSCE approaches sciencefrom a global, practice-oriented perspective, rather than onethat is merely academic or the-oretical. It is capable of gener-ating expert information thatcan be applied to actively pro-mote, support, and contributeto developing initiatives—inboth the public and private sec-tors—aimed at strengtheningthe role of science as a compo-nent of Spanish economic andsocial progress. In view of this,COSCE has become a corpo-rate instrument capable of:encouraging research; improving science education; disseminat-ing the scientific spirit; and promoting social appreciation forscientific values. COSCE’s members strongly and activelysupport the declarations made by European leaders at theLisbon 2000 summit: if Europe is to retain its position ofprivilege, the economies of its member countries must bebased on the highly competitive acquisition and applicationof knowledge. For this to happen, European society as aJoan J. GuinovartPresident of the SpanishFederation of ScientificSocieties (COSCE) and Directorof the Institute for Research inBiomedicine (IRB) at theScientific Park of Barcelona INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY (2005) 8:291-294www.im.microbios.orgE-mail: guinovart@pcb.ub.es292 INT. MICROBIOL. Vol. 8, 2005whole must be aware of the value of education and science asdriving forces behind economic growth. Science in Spain has made significant progress over thelast 20 years. Nonetheless, a superficial analysis of the cur-rent situation suggests that this extremely positive growth hasreached its limit, as confirmed by data obtained from severalministries and from different bodies devoted to assessing andmonitoring progress in Spanish research. Analysis of thesedata leads to the conclusion that the system itself should bethoroughly reconsidered, taking into account the new cir-cumstances in which reforms will be made. In response tothese conclusions, the COSCE initiated the first of severalmajor lines of action, i.e. establishing five large committees(Structures and instruments of science policy; Humanresources in research; Science and the private sector; Spain inEurope; and Science and society) of experts to carry out ActionCRECE (“it grows”, in English; from Comisiones de Reflexióny Estudio de la Ciencia en España, i.e., Commissions for theReflection and Study of Science in Spain).The five committees have issued a joint report containingtheir main conclusions, which are summarized below (thefull text version of the reports is available at the COSCEwebsite [http://www.cosce.org/crece.htm#ponencias]):The structures and instruments of sciencepolicy. Universities and research centers are the two greatpillars of research in Spain. Between them, there is consider-able overlap, which will probably increase in the future, aswell as many connections and interactions. It is therefore ofgreat relevance that the basic principles of science policy bethe same for both sets of institutions. The contrapositionbetween universities and research centers should therefore beabolished. The joint report highlighted the need to increasethe R+D budget, through the moderate use of loans; toachieve a stable framework for science policy; to introducecompetitive awards in order to promote groups and centers ofexcellence; to provide public research centers with greaterpresence and independence for self management; and, final-ly, to update the research infrastructure (a “Renewal Plan “).It emphasized the urgent need to set up a Research Fundingand Evaluation Agency, an independent body comprisingoffices of the Ministry of Education and Science that areGUINOVARTTable 1. Scientific societies that are members of the Federation of Spanish Scientific Societies (Confederación de Sociedades Científicas deEspaña,  COSCE)Asociación Española de AndrologíaAsociación Española de Ciencia Política y de la AdministraciónAsociación Española de CientíficosAsociación Española de EconomíaAsociación Española de Genética HumanaAsociación Española de Historia EconómicaAsociación Española de Investigación sobre el CáncerAsociación Española de LeguminosasAsociación Española para el Estudio del CuaternarioFederación Española de SociologíaReal Sociedad Española de FísicaReal Sociedad Española de Historia NaturalReal Sociedad Española de QuímicaReal Sociedad GeográficaReal Sociedad Matemática EspañolaSociedad de Biofísica de EspañaSociedad de Espectroscopia AplicadaSociedad de Estadística e Investigación OperativaSociedad Española de AgroingenieríaSociedad Española de AstronomíaSociedad Española de Biología CelularSociedad Española de BiometríaSociedad Española de Bioquímica y Biología MolecularSociedad Española de Cerámica y VidrioSociedad Española de Ciencias FisiológicasSociedad Española de Ciencias HortícolasSociedad Española de Cultivo In Vitro de Tejidos VegetalesSociedad Española de DiabetesSociedad Española de EpidemiologíaSociedad Española de FertilidadSociedad Española de Fijación de NitrógenoSociedad Española de Física MédicaSociedad Española de Fisiología VegetalSociedad Española de FitopatologíaSociedad Española de GenéticaSociedad Española de GeomorfologíaSociedad Española de InmunologíaSociedad Española de Inteligencia ArtificialSociedad Española de MalherbologíaSociedad Española de Matemática AplicadaSociedad Española de MaterialesSociedad Española de MicrobiologíaSociedad Española de MineralogíaSociedad Española de NeurocienciaSociedad Española de ÓpticaSociedad Española de PaleontologíaSociedad Española de Protección RadiológicaSociedad Española de ProteómicaSociedad Española de PsicofisiologíaSociedad Española de Psicología ExperimentalSociedad Española de VirologíaSociedad Española para el Fomento de la Investigación en Materialese Ingenería  de la FabricaciónSociedad Española para el Procesamiento del Lenguaje NaturalSociedad Geológica de España 293INT. MICROBIOL. Vol. 8, 2005related to research, and to ensure its management capacity.The Committee also suggested setting up, in the SpanishParliament, a permanent consulting committee to advise onissues related to science and technology.Human resources in research. The European Union(EU) aims to become the region with the most competitiveand dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world.Recent EU policy indicates that the number of researchersshould be increased by 700,000. This measure should accom-pany an increase in research investment of up to 3% of GDP.In Spain, several factors hinder the goal of qualitatively andquantitatively increasing human resources devoted toresearch. These include: low motivation among professionalresearchers; the low level of research and innovation inSpanish companies, and the poor quality of scientific trainingavailable to Spanish students.The report pointed out not only the deficits but also theincreasing age of the research workforce in Spain. The deficitwas attributed both to the lack of orientation of the Spanishprimary and secondary education system towards science andto professional uncertainties for would-be researchers. TheCommittee proposed the development of a career in R+Dbased on a tenure model, and the establishment of new salaryschemes. In addition, it emphasized the need to attractyounger generations into the professional research systemthrough implementing measures in the educational systemthat encourage interest in science. The promotion of geo-graphic mobility and the exchange of personnel between thepublic and private sectors were also recommended.Science and the private sector.An awareness of inno-vation’s strategic value, and of the connection between scienceresearch and business interests, gave rise to this committee’sobjective: to formulate a proposal that will contribute to boost-ing Spanish innovation. The following factors were taken asstarting points: the conditions that define an effective ecosystemfor innovation; the current condition of Spanish innovation, andthe lessons learned from a series of practical cases involvingattempts at innovation by Spanish companies and institutions. The key factor for innovation is the connection betweenthe two sectors, understood as the application of knowledgeand technological developments generated by scientists toaddressing the specific problems of business and the generalneeds of society. This is the link that allows technology andscientific knowledge to be converted into successful, produc-tive achievements.The Committee proposed creating a Meeting Forum(Foro de Encuentro), which would involve all components ofthe Spanish innovation system. In this forum, mechanismsand plans for collaboration and action would be drawn upthat would enable Spanish innovation to take a qualitativeand crucial step forward. Spain in Europe. Since 1986, when Spain joined theEU, a system of collective institutions and mechanisms ofaction has developed that makes it impossible to considerSpanish reality outside of a European context. One of theareas in which the dynamics of European integration is obvi-ous is that affecting research policy, technological develop-ment, and innovation.In the European context, Spain is expected to become akey player in R+D aspects of the integration process. Spanishdomestic R+D policies must therefore be considered withinthe European framework so that they become integrated intoand take advantage of EU policies and actions. For example,implementation of the so-called Bologna reforms (from thejoint declaration of the European Ministers of Education,which convened in Bologna on June 19, 1999) in Spanishuniversities will be crucial for European integration of youngSpanish researchers.ACTION CRECE294 INT. MICROBIOL. Vol. 8, 2005Science and society. Action CRECE analyzed some ofthe controversial issues affecting the interaction between sci-entific advancements and social structures, especially howindividuals and social groups (the “public”) in Spain react toscientific advancements. In addition, the report included astudy of the influence that society’s appreciation of scienceexerts on science itself.The Committee found that Spanish society at large is oneof the most optimistic and least reserved regarding scienceand technology in Europe. At the same time, however, itshows low appreciation and knowledge of scientific facts andachievements. The report proposed increasing the public’sinterest in science and stimulating the choice by young peopleof a scientific vocation. It also emphasized that the scientificcommunity should commit itself to disseminating knowledgeof science and to establishing channels of communicationwith the general public. The report called for a greater pres-ence of science in the media. It also set forth a series of rec-ommendations aimed at increasing the presence of women inhigh-level positions of responsibility in the Spanish educationand research system. Scientific research, technological devel-opment, industrial innovation, academic education, and pro-fessional training will lead to the development of new ways ofthinking, working, and living. These factors will, in turn,determine the citizen’s capacity for social participation.The role of the CRECE committeesThe committees were charged with evaluating science inSpain from a totally independent position. Based on thisevaluation, they proposed actions that should contribute tostrengthening the science–technology system in Spain and itslinks to all social agents. Action CRECE generated a series ofconclusions that were made concrete in the form of clear andworkable proposals for revitalizing, reforming and, if foundnecessary, introducing structural changes to the Spanish sci-entific system. These proposals affect both fundamentalaspects of the system and aspects related to its economic andsocial impact. Clearly, CRECE’s conclusions and proposalsare aimed at ministries in the government that are involved inthe Spanish R+D system; as they are responsible for settingpriorities, creating funding instruments, and developingassessment methods to ensure that resources are allocatedappropriately. The conclusions and proposals of the commit-tees are also directed at scientists themselves; as they proposeand carry out scientific research and directly manage theallotted finances. In addition, Action CRECE’s proposals areaddressed to other participants in the system, especially busi-ness people and educators, and to society in general. Thisbroadly directed approach is intended to ensure that scientif-ic progress and technological innovation will have a greaterpresence in Spain. Scientists, professionals, and experts in a wide range ofscientific fields have participated in the CRECE project.Their knowledge, experience, and prestige have enriched theproject’s findings, and provided the soundness and depth thatCRECE’s objectives need to guarantee the support and col-laboration of Spain’s public and private sectors. The leader-ship skills of the committee members and their ability to acthave made Action CRECE one of the strongest initiativesever undertaken by the scientific community. This venture’sfirst success was that a group of scientists was able to offerpractical solutions to the current problem of updating theSpanish science and technology system. However, ActionCRECE goes beyond this: it tackles the ambitious and strate-gically important task of strengthening and sustainingSpanish science as a cultural factor and an economic drivingforce during a time of great international competition.Concluding remarksSuccessful efforts by the COSCE has enabled scientists, withbroad public support, to offer practical recommendations toupdating the role and the abilities of science and technologyin Spain. Nevertheless, the aims of Action CRECE extendeven further: by recognizing the great strategic significanceof a knowledge-based economy, Action CRECE effectivelyseeks approaches to the sustainable development of Spanishscience—approaches that will succeed within an environ-ment of strong worldwide competition.GUINOVARTAbout the author: Joan Guinovart is Full Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the University ofBarcelona (UB). Director of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) at the Scientific Park of Barcelona (PCB). He graduated from the UB inChemistry (1969) and Pharmacy (1970). PhD in Biochemistry (1973) at the Faculty of Pharmacy at the same university. Postdoctoral research at theUniversity of Virginia-Charlottesville, VA, USA (1974–1975). His research activity has focused on glycogen metabolism, with special attention to the studyof hepatic carbohydrate metabolism and its alterations in diabetes.

Action CRECE: an initiative of the Federation of Spanish Scientific Societies (COSCE)

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Action CRECE: an initiative of the Federation of Spanish Scientific Societies (COSCE)

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