One of the most important objectives of the reputable inter-academic cooperation is to have the outcome of independent scientific analyses integrated into the mindset of European policymakers. Analyses conducted by the organization have contributed and contribute to the prearrangements of several political decisions in such significant fields like environment, energy and biosciences. However, on the occasion of a previous assembly, József Pálinkás also emphasised: it is at least as important that such scientific contributions become a solid ground to decision-making on national level too, though politicians’ reliance on the scientists is much varied in the Member States.

Participants of the Strasbourg meeting reviewed the past 5 years of activity, as well as the forthcoming tasks and future challenges. The possibility of cooperating with other academic networks was looked into with particular focus, since the European Commission’s proposal on a structured scientific advisory mechanism (SAM) brought a new priority to the issue. Naturally, EASAC aspires to play an effective role also in this new system, which is strenghtened by the fact that the organisation acts as independent advisory board to the Chief Scientific Advisor to the President of the European Commission, and maintains also a close cooperation with the European Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Scientific and Technological Options Assessment panel (STOA) within the European Parliament.