Euradwaste '08 - EU Bookshop - Europa

� What steps should be taken to maximise the associated benefits from coordinated RD&D such
as training or information exchange?
The view was expressed that the experience gained from recent EC Framework Programmes in the
field of radioactive waste management science and technology has been very beneficial to training
and information exchange in European programmes. Therefore there is a successful model already
in existence that should be built upon. The main development that was urged was the integration of
engineering into the strategic research agenda of a future technology platform. This resonated with
the discussion in response to the first question.
� How can the benefits of coordinated RD&D be maximised for national programmes with relatively
small scientific and technical resources?
There was a clear statement on behalf of such national programmes that coordinated RD&D, such
as would be conducted in the framework of a technology platform, is vital to their success. Effective
communication of the motivation of the RD&D programme and of its outputs, to make this information
accessible to a wide range of stakeholders, will help to maximise the benefits.
� Are there reservations or constraints to bear in mind when considering coordination of strategic
RD&D?
The main issue identified was the importance of an RD&D activity to a key decision point in a national
programme. Whereas an activity might be highly suitable for inclusion in a coordinated programme
in a technical sense, the implementing organisation might legitimately require managing
the risk to the national programme by retaining total control over the activity to ensure delivery of
the required information on the required timescale. However, successful operation of a technology
platform in its early years might well give confidence that such programme risks could be managed
equally effectively in the resulting coordinated international programme and that the foreseen benefits
of involvement in the coordinated programme would outweigh the negligible risk from relinquishing
individual control.
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