The Assembly,
Having regard to the conclusions of the 2nd Parliamentary and Scientific Conference which was held in Vienna from 23rd to 27th May 1964 ;
Having regard to Order No. 233 on that Conference ;
Recalling in particular Point 5 (vi) to (viii) which runs as follows :
"The problems of formulation of science policy are as yet not fully explored and the Conference would support, at national or international level, studies in this field.
The development of science policy needs the support of an informed public opinion. The Conference expressed the desire for greater coverage in press and other media of mass communication ; this presents a challenge to journalists and to scientists alike.
There was a strong opinion that the report of this Conference should be further examined by smaller national and international groups of parliamentarians and scientists" ;
Having taken cognizance of the report of the Cultural and Scientific Committee on the role of the Consultative Assembly in the development of European co-operation in the scientific field ;
Noting with satisfaction that the Interim Committee of the Ministerial Meeting on Science of OECD has already commenced studies on problems relating to science policy by examining in particular :
the utilisation of the social sciences in the analysis of the effects of science and modern technology on the government of a democratic society ;
the methods which might make it possible to lay down priorities for the competing needs of the various sciences ;
Noting also that the Council for Cultural Co-operation is called upon, because of the orientation of its programme and within its scope, to make a valuable contribution to the clarification of problems such as the role of the social sciences and the needs in different disciplines ;
Noting finally with satisfaction that an international group of journalists, specialists in scientific subjects, has taken the initiative of organising a meeting to consider problems of informing public opinion on this question ;
Believing that studies of this kind undertaken by working parties are suitable for extending knowledge of the application and the utilisation of science by those responsible for science policy and hence for improving administrative and governmental practice ;
Considering, in particular, that Members of Parliament will be able to benefit thereby in order the better to discharge their duties arising from the increasing role of science in the life of modern societies,
Decides :
To confer its patronage upon a study programme designed to examine in greater detail problems of policy raised at the 2nd Parliamentary and Scientific Conference ; this study programme would deal in particular with :
To instruct its Cultural and Scientific Committee :
to stimulate and co-ordinate the implementation of such a programme in close co-operation with CCC and OECD ;
to ensure more especially that Members of Parliament be associated with this work which should be so designed as to be of interest from the parliamentary point of view, both at the national and the international level ;
to report to it on the results of those studies.