RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

European industry must overcome many challenges today if it is to remain competitive in an increasingly complex environment. The speed of innovation, driven by the consolidation of the Information and Communication Society, and the rapid uptake of new technologies, such as nanotechnology, are counterbalanced by the growing cost of high-level research. There is recognition, too, of the impact of manufacturing industry on society, as shown by a concern for sustainable development and for the social consequences of economic and technological development, notably employment prospects. These challenges are forcing European industry to evolve by modernising its manufacturing strategies and adapting its structure, by strengthening links between research and innovation, and by increasing added value in its products, production and services. This may be viewed as a transition from resource-based to knowledge-based organisations.

Starting out from:

† the political goals set in Lisbon and Barcelona,

† global market evolution and the role of industrialised and emerging countries,

† new human and social requirements,

† new industrial European assets,

the conference sets itself 4 objectives:

• Policy: to identify the pattern of change in industrial structures/sectors and related industrial strategies on which European integrated action might/should concentrate in order to secure, by 2010-2015, the competitiveness and sustainability of European industry;
• RTD: to identify the priority domains and actions for research and innovation that promote the development of active knowledge production systems thus fostering Regional, National and European competitiveness and prosperity;
• Education: with a view to future competitive knowledge-based industrial systems, to identify the most appropriate skills for industry (workers, technicians, managers), consumers, and citizens, as well as the requisite changes to existing educational systems;
• Action plan: to define a common vision leading to possible action plans for manufacturing technologies - including identification of technology platform(s) - to ensure European leadership by 2010-2015.

Last updated November 5, 2003 webmanager@manufuture.org