8th Berlin Process Joint Science Conference

The eighth Joint Science Conference of the Berlin Process took place in Berlin on 30 September and 1 October 2024 under the motto ‘Courage for Future’. 60 heads of scientific institutions and experts from 16 countries discussed topics of current relevance. Firstly, a joint science policy position was developed for the greater integration of the Western Balkans into EU structures and programmes for education, research and innovation. This sector is one of the ‘champions’ of EU integration in the Western Balkans; accordingly, the association status of the Western Balkan countries should be utilised in the best possible way. Another key topic was the so-called ‘third mission’ of education, science and culture – in addition to the traditional tasks of teaching and research. The need for new discourses and safe spaces for dialogue was discussed in order to promote the socio-political responsibility of science and culture in strengthening democracy and the European ideal in South Eastern Europe. The event was opened by the Federal Minister of Education and Research, Bettina Stark-Watzinger. The event concluded with an exchange with the Chairman of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment of the German Bundestag, Kai Gehring. The German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina coordinates the ‘Education, Science and Innovation’ pillar of the Berlin Process on behalf of the German government. Source: https://www.berlinprocess.de/#events, https://www.berlinprocess.de/uploads/documents/statement-joint-science-conference-2024_1729070442.pdf

The recommendations developed focus on the following 13 points:

1. Update EU policies for the Western Balkans
2. Unite the principles of excellence and solidarity in EU funding for the Western Balkans
3. Introduce a Western Balkans component in all EU funding programmes and policy frameworks
4. Deepen and accelerate EU integration of Western Balkans’ education, research, and innovation preceding full membership
5. Address structural gaps in Western Balkans’ education, research and innovation with realism
6. Align national and European priorities in education, research and innovation
7. Support strategic capacity building for fertilising excellence in the Western Balkans
8. Implement European standards in Western Balkan education, research and innovation systems
9. Help universities update curricula
10. Establish the Western Balkans Research Fund
11. Promote intellectual discourse to protect democracy and strengthen the European idea
12. Protect public safe spaces for free and open intellectual discourse and evidence-based decisions
13. Reset EU-Western Balkans intellectual exchange

For more details on these recommendations please see the full document: Joint Statement of the 8th Science Conference