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The primary aims of the meeting were to finalize work undertaken during 2007-08, while agreeing on the work programme for 2009-2010. Key deliverables at the meeting were:
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The second draft of the “Framework for Nanotechnology Statistics”
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Final draft version of the report “Nanotechnology: An Overview Based on Indicators and Statistics”
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A draft version of the report “Nanotechnology: Impacts on Companies, Business Environments and Policy”
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Presentation of survey results, workshop and conference findings on Outreach and Public Engagement practices in countries
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A draft report “Policy Dialogue – Progress Report and Questionnaire Findings”
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A draft report ”Global Challenges: Water”
The work programme for 2009-2010 will cover the following projects:
Work on a statistical framework will continue as planned with the development of nanotechnology definitions, methodological considerations, proposals for model questions and the launching of a pilot company survey if resources become available. The monitoring and benchmarking of nanotechnology developments will draw on both indicators and statistics, and reviews of policy developments. Dedicated policy case studies are also foreseen. The company case studies, undertaken in 2008, will be deepened in selected nanotechnology sub-areas and in order to address key challenges in the business environment as identified. The WPN also agreed to deepen the work on clean water as a global challenge, and subsequently focusing on a second global challenge. Public engagement case study work will begin in 2009 using the methodology proposed in the work on outreach and public engagement.
In addition, three themes for policy roundtables in 2009 were suggested and agreed upon. The first theme concerns the fostering of international scientific co-operation in nanotechnology, while the second will relate to risk governance issues. The third theme is ‘the economics of nanotechnology’.
Click here for slides that highlight the main decisions and next steps for all projects.
The fifth meeting of the WPN will be held 10-12 June 2009 in Paris.
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