BONUS Day activates science community and decision-makers in the Baltic Sea region
BONUS Day, organised jointly by the Academy of Finland and BONUS EEIG in Helsinki on 9 February 2010, gathers together researchers and end-users of research knowledge from throughout the Baltic Sea region. The main focus of the event is to determine ways in which research findings can be utilised to support political and economic decision-making in issues related to the protection of the Baltic Sea. The seminar will prepare statements to be presented to the Baltic Sea Action Summit on 10 February.
According to Dr Kaisa Kononen, the Executive Director of BONUS EEIG, the objective of BONUS Day is to encourage and inspire discourse between various relevant parties. “The research sector must be involved in the decision-making process, and personal interaction is the best means of developing cooperation between the end-users of research information and those that produce the information," explains Kononen.
This interaction is best achieved through the organisation of events, panels, workshops and working groups. Kononen says that Finland has been active in organising these types of activities. She also expresses the hope that BONUS Day will inspire the science community to become an active participant in Baltic Sea protection work, on both the national and international level.
“The countries surrounding the Baltic Sea have taken part in shared research undertakings for more than one hundred years. BONUS co-operation may facilitate the practical implementation of good and innovative ideas," says Kononen.
Researchers must recognise the need for information
Kaisa Kononen stresses the importance of researchers understanding the need for information on the policy level, and feels that BONUS Day offers an opportunity to discuss these needs.
Sakari Kuikka, Professor of Fisheries Science, also feels that scientific research will likely have more of an actual impact on policy decisions, if researchers are able to respond to the need for information. Kuikka contributes to the BONUS programme, funded jointly by the EU and Baltic Sea research funding agencies, by heading up the IBAM research project. He is also a member of the European Commission’s Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries.
Research information may help in the decision-making process. “Policy-makers should base their arguments on scientific research, thereby crystalising discussions and facilitating compromises. NGOs, at least, have already proven to be quite active in exploiting research data within their own statements and decisions," states Kuikka, who works at the University of Helsinki.
Fishing and policy decisions
Fisheries policy represents one of the themes for BONUS Day. According to Kuikka, fisheries are a topical issue within EU decision-making. In certain regions, fisheries is a vital industry, and the Member States have not been given as much independent authority in matters related to fisheries as they have in many other matters within the EU’s areas of operation.
The fisheries policy plays a key role in the protection of the Baltic Sea, because political decisions have an impact on e.g. the revival of the cod populations that are vital to the functional ecosystem and biodiversity of the Baltic Sea. “Research data can be utilised to establish a framework for policies. Fortunately, the EU has become aware of the vital role of science,” says Kuikka.
Original text: Tea Kalska