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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 
"INVENTING TOMORROW" 
Europe's research at the service of its people 

"INVENTING TOMORROW" 
Europe's research at the service of its people 
"... apart from generating new knowledge, we would like science to contribute 
to general well-being and social balance. We want to see scientific progress and 
innovation making a major contribution to Europe's future ..." 
European Research Ministers, 1996 
The purpose of this document is to open a debate with the participation of Parliament, Council and all those concerned by 
or interested in European research. The aim is to decide together the guidelines which will serve as the basis for a detailed 
proposal for the Fifth Framework Programme of research and technological development, which will determine Union action 
in this area as we move into the next millennium. 
SUMMARY 
INTRODUCTION 
I. WHAT DO WE NEED FROM EUROPEAN RESEARCH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 21st CENTURY? 
1.1 General parameters 
1.2 Challenges and opportunities 
1.3 Main objectives 
II. MOVING FROM THE FOURTH TO THE FIFTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 
11.1 Progress with the fourth framework programme 
11.2 Shifting the balance to improve the impact on society and the economy 
Supporting basic research 
Bringing research more into line with the real market 
Doing more to exploit results 
III. PREUMINARY PROPOSAL FOR THE STRUCTURE OF THE FIFTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 
111.1 Content 
111.1.1 Priority topics (research at the service of the people) 
Unlocking the resources of the living world and the ecosystem 
Creating a user-friendly information society 
Promoting competitive and sustainable growth 
111.1.2 Horizontal activities 
Improving human potential 
Innovation and participation of SMEs 
Confirming the international role of European research 
111.2 Implementation 
Increasing flexibility in research work and the decision-making process 
Ensuring more efficient management 
Extending the range of instruments and means of coordination 
CONCLUSIONS 
Annex: facts, figures, trends 
lA, 
INTRODUCTION 
The world is changing ever more rapidly. Never before has there been such a 
mix of trends, ideas and aspirations, feeding on each other and contradicting 
each other at the same time. This is borne out by three statistics, all of which 
were difficult to imagine even a few years ago. In 1996 there are now 18 million 
unemployed in Europe, 1.3 million declared cases of AIDS throughout the world 
and 50 million Internet users. 
Everything seems possible. We now have a global economy. Ideas, like capital, 
travel around the earth as fast as fibre optics and satellites permit. Every day, 
shares for an equivalent of US$2 000 billion are traded throughout the world. 
Increasingly, the value of products lies in their intangible characteristics. 
Unemployment on the other hand is a very tangible problem. 
Meanwhile, work continues on the institutional framework for Europe with the 
opening of the Intergovernmental Conference which will determine the future of 
the continent for many years to come. Research policy will have to play its part 
as a force for integration and for shaping the future. 
On a day-to-day basis, in a European society which is torn between moving 
ahead and marking time, each individual is at the same time a citizen, a 
consumer of products and services and a source of ideas and patterns of 
behaviour. Locked into a society which depends ever more directly on the 
acquisition of knowledge, individuals sometimes wonder about the impact of 
scientific progress on their lifestyle and values. 
There is no denying that the world has become increasingly complex. In order to 
understand it better and to feel more at home in it, individuals require more 
knowledge. However, the answers to many of the major problems now facing 
society - growth and unemployment, and also health, the environment and 
mobility - have to be sought in science and technology. 
This is the purpose behind European research. It is not an end in itself but a 
means of meeting common objectives. It is now time to change direction slightly 
in order to put it in its new context. Hitherto research has been based largely on 
technical achievement. The aim now is to make research more efficient and 
increasingly directed towards meeting basic social and economic needs by 
bringing about the changes which each individual citizen desires. 
/. WHAT DO WE NEED FROM EUROPEAN RESEARCH AT THE 
BEGINNING OF THE 21ST CENTURY? 
Europe needs research and research needs Europe. 
With the globalization of economies and trade, the only way to solve many of our 
problems will be by bringing to bear the critical mass of Europe's own resources 
and knowhow. Europe provides the framework for national and local research 
activities and Europe is the level at which meetings of minds and 
cross-fertilization of ideas takes place. 
Article 130f of the Union Treaty establishes an original instrument, the framework 
programme and sets out some general objectives for research in Europe: 
(i) to strengthen the scientific and technological bases of Community 
industry; 
(ii) to encourage it to become more internationally competitive; 
(iii) to support other Community policies. 
Four types of activity are envisaged: 
(i) research, technological development and demonstration programmes; 
(ii) international scientific cooperation; 
(iii) dissemination and optimization of results; 
(iv) training and mobility of researchers. 
These four activities are the basis around which the fourth framework programme 
is organized. They correspond to areas where action at European level has 
proved fully justified. 
Now that it has established its identity, European research has a value of its own. 
The sum is greater than the parts: joint projects, which are the principal way in 
which it operates, are an investment with a strong multiplying effect in both 
economic and social terms. 
It is worth noting that in a recent opinion poll on "Europeans, science and 
technology", the citizens of the Member States supported research at European 
level "... for reasons of efficiency ..." (64% of those polled thought that "... it is as 
efficient as or more efficient than national research ..."), and considered that "... 
it will increase in importance ..." (79% "... to the same extent or greater than at 
present...") and that "... it corresponds with national interests ..." (69%). 
/. 1 General parameters 
Before defining the objectives of the new framework programmes, it is essential 
to consider three parameters which are all connected in different ways with 
added value, which is the guiding principle of Community action: 
first of all, the time-scale set for achievement of results makes it 
necessary to re-consider the time it takes for research to find its way onto 
the market and into daily life. For example, 78% of the revenue of the 
computer industry comes from products which have been on the market 
for two years or less. The research activities undertaken by companies in 
the year 2000 will be aimed at the markets in the years 2003 to 2007 or 
thereabouts. Community research must at the same time prepare for the 
distant future and take account of shorter marketing lead times. 
Second, research should be undertaken at European level only if it is 
better done at that level than in the Member States or their regions. The 
framework programme accounts for only a fraction of the research carried 
out in Europe and is not designed to replace national research 
programmes. On the contrary, research at European level has to rely on 
sound national and regional structures, which make it easier for effective 
cooperation to take place. 
The idea is to coordinate research in Europe more effectively by 
ensuring the compatibility, complementarity and general coherence of the 
activities undertaken by the Union, the Member States and in other 
European or international cooperation frameworks. 
Finally, as with all public policies, the Union's research must comply with 
the principle of budgetary efficiency, since this will be a permanent 
feature of the planned move towards economic and monetary union. 
There will therefore have to be a precise estimate of the critical masses of 
resources which will have to be deployed and the results expected in each 
area of activity, where as a logical consequence topics will have to be 
chosen more selectively. More than ever before, European research will 
have to make a point of being as cost-effective as possible. 
The total budgetary allocation will have to be decided by negotiation 
between government ministers and members of Parliament. To recall, 
European research investment in 1995 amounted to 1.9% of GDP, 
compared with 2.45% in the USA and 2.95% in Japan, where research 
spending has been increasing by 3% a year over the last seven years. 
Comparison with the major competitors of the Union indicates that private 
investment in research in Europe needs to rise. 
The level of research is a sure guide to the confidence of a country or 
region in its own future. Europe must "invent tomorrow". 
1.2 Challenges and opportunities (cf. annex) 
Various studies and forecasts have been prepared (the Commission's "Scientific 
Indicators", the UK's "Technology Foresight', France's "Key Technologies", 
OECD studies, etc.) which identify the challenges and opportunities which Europe 
will encounter as we move into the next millennium, and also the key scientific 
and technical areas. As examples can be cited: 
The problems facing society in the Union and the challenge of sustainable 
development, e.g. the problems connected with the need for mobility (the 
negative costs of traffic jams, accidents, environmental damage and human 
health are estimated at ECU 250 billion a year), the ageing population and the 
increasing cost of health care (the percentage of the population over 75 is 
expected to increase by about 40% between now and the year 2010). 
The concept of "eco-efficiency" - producing more and better with less, whilst 
respecting the environment - points the way towards reducing the burdens of 
waste and pollution, while at the same time providing the opportunity for 
businesses to make considerable savings. 
Market opportunities and job creation in Europe. Many areas of technology 
are expected to show rapid growth: examples are the goods and services 
connected with environmental protection technologies, an area where certain 
European countries are a long way ahead (the European water market will grow 
to ECU 30 billion in the year 2000); the biotechnologies market, which in 1996 
is estimated to be worth less than ECU 10 billion but is expected to grow to 
between ECU 40 billion and ECU 80 billion by the year 2000. At world level, 
there is a disturbing correlation between the loss of market shares in advanced 
technology areas by European industry, the rise in unemployment and the 
declining competitiveness of European countries. 
These trends are not irreversible. Various studies show that, for example, the 
rapid and widespread introduction of advanced communications throughout the 
Union will add 3.5% to GDP growth between now and 2010, leading directly and 
indirectly to the creation of six million new jobs. More generally, conditions need 
to be created which at the same time encourage the development of high value-
added activities, and support employment-intensive growth. 
The challenge of the globalization of knowledge and Europe's place in the 
world. Two thirds of world advances in science and technology take place 
outside the Union. Europe currently has 4.7 scientists and engineers per 
1000 inhabitants compared with 7.4 in the USA and 8 in Japan. A new 
development is that together the total number of scientists and researchers in 
China, India and Indonesia is now the same as in the Union. 
Three needs arise from these considerations: 
(i) on issues of global importance (like climatic change and the emergence 
of new infectious diseases), knowledge, investment costs and risk should 
be shared; 
(ii) in areas where Europe does not have expertise, it should be able to draw 
on skills available elsewhere or have access to different environments; 
(iii) Europe should bring its influence to bear as widely as possible (e.g. by 
defining world standards) in order ultimately to capture markets. 
77?e European innovation "paradox". The Green Paper on innovation 
highlights a mismatch between Europe's scientific and technological potential and 
its record on innovation. For example, the total number of patents registered by 
Japan under the European patents system is higher than the number applied for 
by any single European country. In addition, it costs US$ 120 000 to file and 
maintain a patent in 8 Member States compared with US$ 13 000 in the USA. 
SMEs are a very important source of innovation. In addition to a small number 
of high-tech SMEs (e.g. in the areas of software and biotechnology) there is a 
much larger number of conventional SMEs which should be allowed access to 
research work and results. 
1.3 Main objectives 
Scientific and technical progress should pave the way for the opening up of new 
areas, whether they relate to knowledge, ideas, products, processes or services, 
in order to improve the quality of life for individuals and to help bring about the 
harmonious development of employment, the economy and social cohesion in 
Europe. It should also contribute to sustainable development and growth. 
If this new political will is to be incorporated into the framework programmes of 
the future, within the guidelines laid down by the Treaty, while supporting the 
aims of Community policies, various requirements will have to be met. 
It is essential to satisfy the expectations of our citizens for improved 
quality of life, work and environment, by making systems, products and 
services easy and safe to use within a perspective of sustainable growth. 
If science and technology are to be accepted and adopted by our citizens, 
research must be more comprehensible, more visible, and more accessible 
even though modern science is becoming increasingly complex. 
Research must have a positive impact on employment and 
competitiveness, by being based on "... non-material investment in 
human capital and R&D, innovation ...", as was emphasized at the 
Florence European Summit in June 1996. 
Some economists consider that technological change and the level of 
educational attainment account for 80% of growth. The generation of new 
ideas, which is a virtually unlimited resource, is an increasingly important 
factor here and makes it possible to transcend physical limitations. Recent 
studies1 have shown that in the G7 countries an increase in research 
spending of US $100 will increase GDP by an average of US $123. The 
way to encourage the emergence of an innovatory tertiary sector, which 
will create jobs, is to have high performance industries and services based 
on high research intensity. 
The frontiers of knowledge must be pushed back in a number of key 
areas. This will require more than ever respecting the principle of 
excellence. Working together the best research teams in Europe have 
recently succeeded, by networking and by pooling their equipment, in 
sequencing the yeast genome, which is a world first and prepares the way 
for many medical and industrial applications. Europe must be a reference 
and focal point for world science. 
1 International R&D spillovers. European Economic Review, vol. 39, No 5, May 1995. 
7 
A more determined effort must be made to create a favourable climate 
for research and innovation in Europe. The framework programme 
must help the Member States to adapt their research and innovation 
systems and make them more coherent. 
Efforts must continue at strengthening partnership links throughout 
Europe between scientists, industry, universities and consumers so as to 
share out the risks, investment costs and benefits of research and to help 
create a real European scientific area and single market. In this respect 
it is encouraging to note that in some industrial programmes two thirds of 
the partnerships established for a given project carry on after it has been 
completed. 
List of criteria 
On the basis of these objectives it is possible to draw up a list of criteria. Now 
that a measure of maturity has been achieved, the fifth framework programme 
should provide the opportunity for choosing topics more selectively, by 
concentrating on those areas where Community research can play a decisive role. 
Each topic should be selected according to an optimal combination of criteria 
under the following three headings. 
(i) "Basic principles", in particular: 
the value added at European level, with reference to the principle of 
subsidiarity and the resources available; 
the concepts of public and social acceptability, which ensure that 
research is meaningful to European citizens. 
(ii) "Major concerns", like those repeatedly proposed at European summit meetings, 
in particular: 
tackling unemployment, through the possibilities of creating new jobs, or 
through a high level of employment in the areas selected for research; 
competitiveness, by concentrating on Europe's real assets (for example 
its knowhow, and its production and exploitation capacity), on the basis of 
the priorities identified by industry and market development prospects; 
helping to establish the information society; 
promoting a model for sustainable development by improving living 
conditions and reducing environmental damage; 
preparing for the accession of new Member States from Central and 
Eastern Europe and the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. 
(iii) Support for Community policies, in particular through: 
helping to develop policies for agriculture and fisheries; 
defining the tools and systems needed for transport; 
knock-on effects on the European regions (cohesion policy); 
expanding knowledge and developing new techniques for health 
protection; 
developing and refining new energy technologies; 
involving SMEs more in research and innovation. 
//. MOVING FROM THE FOURTH TO THE FIFTH FRAMEWORK 
PROGRAMME 
The vast input already received for the next framework programme makes it clear 
that merely continuing the fourth framework programme would not be appropriate. 
The priority would seem to be to consolidate our research efforts. Secondly, 
although it is worth persevering with certain projects and tried and tested 
principles and procedures,2 it is essential to incorporate new topics and new 
ways of organising research. Attempts to shift the balance must be viewed in the 
light of the initial findings arising from analysis of the fourth framework 
programme. 
11.1 Progress with the fourth framework programme 
The fourth framework programme has been running for 18 months and is proving 
extremely attractive. In 1995 more than 20 000 proposals were received, 
resulting in 3 000 projects involving more than 10 000 participants. 
It can be observed that the size of projects is tending to increase, including on 
average more participants from a larger number of Member States, the rate of 
renewal of participants is increasing (37% on average of which 40% are SMEs). 
One area of concern is the continual increase in the number of proposals not 
accepted: on average only 1 in 6 has received funding. 
These preliminary figures clearly indicate a need for better targeting of calls for 
proposals and for more concentrated efforts as a way of reducing the dispersal 
of resources and the administrative burden. A detailed evaluation of projects will 
accompany the formal proposal for a fifth framework programme. 
Most contributions received from Member States and other bodies with an interest in the future 
of Community research emphasize the positive aspects of the framework programmes, particularly 
in the fields of industrial research, establishing networks of researchers and encouraging researcher 
mobility. 
Over time, apart from various "success stories" (eg sequencing of the yeast genome, parallel 
computers, télécoms standards, first demonstrations of nuclear fusion) it can be said that 100 000 
partnership links have been established across Europe, which often lead to commercial 
relationships. 
10 
11.2 Shifting the balance to improve the impact on society and the 
economy 
The new general policy guidelines to put research at the service of the people 
can best be achieved by improving the bases of European competitiveness within 
a perspective of sustainable development. This can be done by, at the same time, 
providing better support for the production of new ideas, taking more account of 
the realities of demand and reinforcing links with organizations which can help to 
exploit the results. 
Supporting basic research 
Reduction in the period of time which elapses between "discovery" in the 
laboratory and putting products "on the market", as well as the wider range of 
inputs required for the development of complex systems, tends to eliminate the 
old distinction between basic research and industrial and applied research. It is 
now difficult to catalogue the discovery of a new computer algorithm or a 
breakthrough in the sequencing of genomes, since the time between the 
discovery of new knowledge and its application may be extremely short. 
Consequently it is essential to maintain a research context which is open to new 
ideas, for work on basic questions which may possibly generate new fields of 
activity. 
Bringing research more into line with the real market 
Discussions of the framework programme have always touched on the distance 
between research and the market and the difference between "academic" and 
"industrial" research. This is how the idea of "precompetitive" research came 
about, although its boundaries have become rather vague and in practice it is 
largely ignored by the major competitors in Europe. 
Competition, whether intellectual, industrial or economic, is one of the basic 
driving forces behind research. However, three observations should be taken into 
account when preparing the framework programme. First, research should now 
be viewed within its world context; second, the spiralling costs of research and 
development are now beyond the means of individual operators or even individual 
states, which means that risks and investment costs have to be systematically 
shared out; third, it is important to consider how results can be exploited. 
11 
Experience shows that we should be moving from research aimed purely at 
technological achievement to research aimed at satisfying consumers by 
providing high quality goods and services which are produced in an acceptable 
manner at low cost and which are at the same time highly diversified and 
personalized and rapidly available. 
The need to involve users much more in project design, which is beneficial in 
terms of meeting real needs, presupposes that much greater attention should be 
given to demonstration and prestandardization activities. This will require varying 
the level of support given, with appropriate transparency, whilst complying with 
international rules on research aid and the Community framework for state aid for 
research. 
Doing more to exploit results 
In previous framework programmes, not enough has always been done to exploit 
results. Additional efforts are required in order to extend the relationships 
between partners and networks so that results are better exploited and to ensure 
that risks are funded by calling on a wider range of sources of finance, including 
financial institutions and risk capital organizations. 
The rules on intellectual property are closely linked with the question of 
partnership and exploitation. They will have to be changed to take account of 
technological progress, to provide more incentive for the exploitation of results 
and to ensure that European interests are pursued at world level. 
12 
///. PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL FOR THE STRUCTURE OF THE FIFTH 
FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME3 
Given the framework and list of criteria set out above, an initial outline can be 
drawn of the structure and content of the future framework programme and of 
ways of implementing it. 
111.1 Content 
Without prejudice to the final structure, the number of subjects has been 
deliberately limited and the following three priorities can be identified along with 
three horizontal activities. 
///. 1.1 Priority topics (research at the service of the people) 
The focus is on the targeting of activities and the impact the research will have 
on people's lives. 
• Unlocking the resources of the living world and the ecosystem: The life 
sciences and the environment are literally vital to people's lives and have an 
especially critical impact on health. Europe must realize the full potential of its 
scientific and technical assets in these areas, which are also promising in terms 
of the growth of markets and the creation of jobs. 
This topic will in particular cover the acquisition and utilization of knowledge about 
fundamental mechanisms affecting human life, especially in the fields of health 
and food. Emphasis will be placed in particular on the acquisition of fundamental 
knowledge, the prevention of disease, (research on the brain and newly 
developing infectious diseases) and the quality, safety and renewable nature of 
bioproduction, while complying with ethical rules. 
For the environment, the development of environmental regulations, tax incentives 
and wider adherence to the principle of responsible behaviour call for a greater 
understanding of the interplay between environmental factors and the introduction 
of advanced forms of technology in order to safeguard natural resources, reduce 
the use made of them and tackle the problems of pollution and waste. 
By extension, this discussion also covers the EURATOM framework programme. 
13 
This highly interdisciplinary research could in particular include in-depth study of 
matters relating to global environmental change, the basic cycles, natural hazards 
and European ecosystems. 
Creating a user-friendly information society: Europe has made a name for 
itself by developing the concept of an "information society", linking together 
technical, economic and industrial considerations and the social dimension. The 
very numerous applications to which it lends itself in virtually all areas of activity 
underline its enormous potential for increasing the competitiveness of industry 
and satisfying the demands of the individual. 
The anticipated technological and industrial convergence between computers, 
telecommunications and the media is now rapidly coming about through the use 
of digital systems and multimedia. The non-material aspects of this development, 
in particular the "content" of software, are especially important. The aim now is 
to identify the research needed for an information society. 
This research could aim at the development of technology, infrastructure, services 
and applications that are interoperable at world level. It will provide the 
foundations for very many jobs in tomorrow's world and will contribute toward the 
decentralization and personalization of activities in a more competitive and 
innovative framework. 
The identification of and experimentation with these new concepts and tools will 
give people easier access to information and education throughout their lives, 
help people to share the cultural heritage and preserve linguistic diversity. 
Promoting competitive and sustainable growth: This topic covers a range of 
priorities which are the result in particular of various Community policies. They 
have a major impact on the competitiveness of the Union in view of the 
considerable number of jobs involved and their common feature is that they lead 
to a reorganization of production systems in the interests of sustainable growth. 
Conventional forms of industrial manufacturing as well as the design and 
production of new products and materials will, for example, have to integrate the 
notions of product "life cycle", lower costs, the development of standards, and, 
more generally, "externalities", all of which have too often been disregarded in the 
past. Services and intangible activities, techniques for the design, production and 
management of complex systems and ergonomie considerations, all of which are 
becoming increasingly important in the economy, could also be developed. 
14 
In the energy domain, priority could be given to the development and 
demonstration of safe, acceptable energy systems which comply with standards 
and environmental constraints and are competitive in terms of production costs 
and the global economy. Research might also cover the rational management 
of energy in everyday life ( e.g. the "town and home of the future"), as well as the 
various options as regards the production and storage of energy with a view to 
the medium-term and long-term. 
As regards the mobility of passengers and freight, research could be directed in 
particular at optimizing efficiency, safety, environmental impact and 
competitiveness as these are all necessary to promote the quality of products and 
services, to ensure their integration at the European level and to capture world 
markets. Particular attention could be paid to the question of intermodality, 
combining different transport modes. 
In the agricultural sector, it is necessary to flesh out the concept of an "integrated 
rural development policy". All activities in rural areas, including forests, could be 
linked within an integrated approach, based on the need for competitiveness and 
sustainability and ensuring optimum land use in these areas. New instruments 
and systems to optimize and diversify production need to be developed, focusing 
on complete cycles and sequences, multifunctional management (production and 
ecological and social aspects) and links between activities, incorporating quality, 
health, environmental and socio-economic considerations at all levels. 
Lastly, in the fisheries sector, a multidisclipinary approach could be adopted to 
shape the future of this industry and help to restore fish stocks to their normal 
levels. 
III. 1.2 Horizontal activities 
These activities will include two components: one general component designed 
to meet common needs and provide general coordination, and the other 
component related to the list of priority topics above. 
Improving human potential: Greater effort is needed to improve the training and 
mobility of scientists, including those in industry, and to encourage them to seek 
scientific research posts in Europe. This would require the provision of 
compatible training courses and equitable treatment of visiting scientists 
throughout Europe, extending the communication and exchange networks 
between laboratories and companies and granting access to major facilities, the 
duplication of which should be avoided, while ensuring that new projects are 
better coordinated. 
15 
The promotion of a European identity by introducing a European science prize (as 
recently suggested by the European Parliament) and the qualification of 
"European scientist" could be pursued. Better links could also be sought with 
education and training policy mechanisms. 
In a socio-economic context, action will be needed to identify social needs more 
clearly and to improve understanding of the social impact of research work, the 
changes taking place in European society and the diverse nature' of its 
component parts and foundations, eg by increasing capacity for foresight and the 
study of various scenarios resulting from the introduction of technology at work 
and in the economy, education and culture. New organisational and 
developmental models which may help to reduce problems of exclusion and to 
achieve a breakthrough in the creation of new jobs might be analyzed together 
with the most promising experiments carried out in this area. 
Innovation and participation of SMEs: Access to all research and research 
results by a larger number of "conventional" SMEs and mid-sized firms could be 
facilitated through the introduction of a single, simplified framework and the 
development of technology transfer mechanisms. 
In parallel, following the guidelines laid down in the innovation action plan, more 
attention could also be given to the ways in which results are analyzed and used 
to the best possible effect and to the establishment of links with risk capital and 
financial engineering mechanisms, as seen in the success of the NASDAQ. An 
analysis could also be made of different ways of encouraging research. 
Confirming the international role of European research: The following 
guidelines could be implemented in line with the Union's political objectives 
(particularly its foreign policy objectives) and the principle of mutual interest and 
on the basis of bilateral or regional agreements, and decisions to start 
programmes and specific projects: 
the direct, improved involvement of certain outside participants in 
research programme projects. Particular attention could be given to the 
Central and East European countries in order to help with their rapid 
accession to the Union, and to encourage them to become fully involved 
in research. At the same time, for mutual benefit, greater participation of 
the industrialized countries, the emerging economies and possibly the 
countries of the Mediterranean could be envisaged. 
16 
the introduction of schemes to improve cooperation at European level 
and to make the European research area more attractive to scientists 
from countries with which the Union has beneficial links; 
the definition of specific international scientific cooperation projects, along 
with the appropriate resources, either on specific topics or relating to 
specific countries or regions such as the Mediterranean, the CIS and the 
developing countries, to support external policy objectives, involving 
industry and European centres of excellence. 
III.2 Implementation 
With each framework programme, the question arises of the "dispersion" of 
projects and resources. There is also the problem of incorporating novel ideas 
that arise during the course of the programme and the difficulty of winding up 
activities, each of which is of interest, de facto, to a particular group of people. 
The time has come to be more selective about topics and to ensure a greater 
concentration of resources. For it to succeed, this approach must be 
accompanied by greater effectiveness in implementation while complying strictly 
with the principle of transparency, especially in the project selection process. 
The Commission will also work to ensure the avoidance of fragmentation in 
Community research. 
Increasing flexibility in research work and the decision-making process 
The procedures set up over the years for the framework programme need 
to be slimmed down, while retaining the defining principles of equality of 
treatment and access and of transparency. 
There is much room for improvement in the institutional support 
arrangements. At the Intergovernmental Conference, the Commission will, 
for example, advocate a simplified decision-making procedure for 
implementation of research policy and specific programmes and for their 
adoption by a qualified majority. Matters could also be simplified by 
reducing considerably the number of programmes and the number of 
committees. 
It needs to be possible to supplement and adjust work programmes at 
regular intervals in line with scientific and technical changes and policy 
17 
developments. In the event of an emergency, as recently with the problem 
of "mad cow disease", there needs to be an arrangement for the rapid 
regrouping of several areas of action around a single target, for bringing 
together the resources needed and, where appropriate, for redirecting 
effort. 
Ensuring more efficient management 
A slight improvement would seem to be possible where management 
techniques are concerned. The Commission has called for ideas about 
possible ways of simplifying internal management procedures and the 
procedures governing external contractual relations. 
A stated aim is to shorten the deadlines and reduce administrative costs, 
e.g. when selecting proposals and concluding contracts, and when making 
payments, a matter of particular importance for small firms and 
researchers in receipt of grants. 
The calls for proposals must be published on a regular basis, be 
compatible with the working patterns of industry, research centres and 
universities, and meet the requirements of sound management. Where the 
procedures governing the selection of proposals are concerned, it would 
seem to be necessary to explain the selection criteria more clearly. 
Lastly, the need is being felt for some kind of monitoring tool with which 
to measure, in real time and on the basis of objectives, indicators and high 
quality statistics, the state of progress and performance of the framework 
programme, and a forum (e.g. on the Internet) for ongoing dialogue with 
participants in the Fifth Framework Programme and other interested 
parties. 
Extending the range of instruments and means of coordination 
The approach so far, which has very largely consisted of juxtaposing a 
large number of projects (50/50 partnership for a project generally of a 
modest size), should be replaced by a wider range of modalities and 
financial instruments more appropriate to the various objectives, whereby 
it is possible to establish closer links between Community activities and 
national activities or between national activities on certain topics. 
In order to be able to respond rapidly to the considerable pressure to allow 
spontaneous proposals, to include emerging interdisciplinary research 
topics (e.g. neurosciences) and to allow for the unexpected, there needs 
to be some leeway, albeit strictly controlled in terms of decision-making; 
The following instruments in particular are envisaged: 
a small number of horizontal programmes with a strong focus on generic 
technologies applicable to many areas, capable of giving rise to and sustaining 
more targeted research topics not necessarily always specified initially; 
"task forces". This approach is that of targeted research, open to all comers, 
on unifying topics. Task force activities are a new concept introduced by the 
Commission on an experimental basis with the fourth framework programme; 
This type of research is based on the idea of placing advances in knowledge and 
technologies at the service of central societal and industrial objectives, thus 
meeting the three objectives of transparency, selectiveness and concentration. 
In practice, the task forces are primarily coordination instruments for formulating 
and monitoring the implementation of a limited number of new short-term 
activities, for which priorities must be identified in close consultation with industry, 
consumers and governments. 
instruments for encouraging cooperation between Member States. To be 
truly significant, European research must not confine itself to work carried out 
together solely within the specific programmes. Depending on the genuine 
desires of the Member States, the Commission is willing to promote this approach 
on specific topics, making use of the possibilities afforded by Articles 130k 
(supplementary programmes), 130I (participation in projects undertaken by certain 
Member States) or 130n (participation in joint undertakings) of the Treaty. 
Where thèse first three instruments are concerned, COST could be used, as it 
was to begin with, as a breeding ground for ideas, while links with EUREKA could 
be improved in order to direct the results of Community research towards the 
market. This would necessitate closer interaction between the framework 
programme and these two forums for cooperation whose strategy is currently 
under review. 
19 
In addition, there is a need for more exchange of information and better 
coordination between Community and national research policies and 
investments.4 Greater consistency would entail a competitive advantage and a 
financial saving, enabling the Union and the Member States to focus more 
effectively on their respective objectives. 
to ensure that the framework programme is better equipped to provide effective 
support for other Community policies, there is a need for a significant 
improvement in the mechanisms for liaising and interfacing with the 
instruments of the other policies so as to make these instruments 
"interoperable"5 with research and to make the Community activities more 
effective. 
International cooperation6 and the Structural Funds are chiefly concerned. In the 
latter -case, the aim is to encourage the Member States to devote a larger 
proportion of structural resources to research in order to foster the rapid 
development of their potential for scientific excellence and confirm the catching-up 
process that has begun7. 
the Joint Research Centre: the role and tasks of public laboratories are being 
carefully examined in all the major industrialized countries. The laboratories that 
go to make up the JRC should, similarly, be used for clear and ambitious tasks, 
striving for excellence and focusing on a few aspects in line with new needs 
emanating from industry and the market. It is necessary in particular: 
to make available independent and impartial expertise to meet the needs 
of Community policies and contribute towards the scientific basis for Union 
policy decisions; 
to ensure closer links between the institutes and the national and 
international laboratories. 
See Article 130h of the Union Treaty: "The Community and the Member States shall coordinate 
their research and technological development activities so as to ensure that national policies and 
Community policy are mutually consistent." 
Experience with the task force approach has shown how difficult it is to involve different 
programmes (e.g. research and education programmes) in a joint call for proposals exercise. 
Where international scientific cooperation is concerned, improvements are already in sight with 
programmes such as TAC1S, PHARE and MEDA being opened up more widely in order to allow 
the participation in Community research projects of entities from the countries concerned. 
A communication on the relationships between research and the structural funds is currently being 
prepared by the Commission. 
20 
The JRC needs to be given the organizational flexibility it requires to be in a 
better position to cooperate with industry and users within a properly adapted 
legal framework. The emphasis will be on utilizing the know-how and expertise 
of the institutes' researchers and facilities, which in many areas are unique in 
Europe, transfers of technologies, and industrial joint ventures. 
21 
CONCLUSIONS 
The preparations for the fifth framework programme are taking place in a period 
of rapid and far-reaching change. The critical problem of employment, the 
increasing globalization of the economy, and the movements in progress in the 
building of Europe (Intergovernmental Conference, economic and monetary union, 
enlargement) introduce many additional factors in this exercise. 
We therefore need to examine under a new light the rationale for European 
research. If it is to continue to exist, its tasks must be more transparent and 
visible, it must be carried out more simply, and its results must be more effective. 
A first set of guidelines can be drawn. While maintaining the continuity of certain 
recognized achievements, new balances must be established and the content of 
research topics renewed in the light of the challenges and opportunities of the 
horizon 2000+. 
Basically, it is a question of moving on from research focusing solely on 
technological performance towards research focusing on the citizen and the 
response to economic and social needs. 
In order to succeed, a strong political will based on consensus is needed. The 
Commission invites discussions and reactions to these first guidelines. 
Subsequently, it will be submitting detailed proposals to the Parliament and 
Council. 
22 
Fact, figures and trends 
1. Europe's position in world research 
2. The European paradox 
3. European research within the international technological scene 
4. American and Japanese research efforts 
5. SMEs, research and employment 
6. Visions of the future and priorities 
7. Society's needs and market prospects: some examples 
Sustainable development and the environment 
Biotechnologies 
Health 
The information society 
ii 
1. Europe's position in world research 
The share of GDP devoted to research, expenditure by industry on research, expenditure on research per inhabitant, the 
total number of researchers and of researchers in companies in proportion to the active population as a whole are all 
lower in the European Union than their equivalents in the United States of America and Japan. 
Total R&D expenditure (million ecu) 1994 
Total R&D expenditure as a % of GDP 1995 
Total R&D expenditure per inhabitant (ecu) 1994 
% of total R&D expenditure financed by the State 
1893 
% of total R&D expenditure financed by industry 
1993 
Number of researchers 1993 
Number of researchers per thousand active persons 
1993 
Number of researchers in companies 1993 
Number of researchers in companies per thousand 
active persons 1993 EU 15 
121,882 
1.91 
329 
39.6 
53.5 
774,071 
4.7 
376,000 
2 USA 
142,047 
2.45 
545 
39.2 
58.7 
962,700 
7.4 
765,000 
6 JAPAN 
104,069 
2.95 
833 
19.7 
73.4 
526,501 
8.0 
367,000 
6 
Source: European Commission DG XII, from data supplied by OECD 
Observing the major indicators (expenditure on research, the number of researchers) for other regions of the world reveals 
that the nations of the Triad are no longer the only players on the international scientific and technological stage. New 
powers are emerging and progressively hoisting themselves up to the level of the most advanced countries. 
Main indicators for some areas of the world 
Gross Domestic 
Expenditure on R&D 
( $ billions) GERD/Gross 
Domestic Product 
% R&D scientists & 
engineers (000s) R&D scientists per 
thousand population 
Central & Eastern European 
Countries 
Israël 
Latin America 
NICs 
China 
India 2.89 
1.24 
3.93 
10.73 
22.24 
7.1 1.5 
1.9 
0.4 
1.3 
0.7 
0.8 285.5 
20.1 
158.5 
136.7 
391.1 
106.0 2.2 
3.8 
0.3 
1.5 
0.3 
0.1 
Source: European Commission DG XII (1994) European Report on S&T 
Indicators; UNESCO; OST estimates and treatment, 1995 UNESCO, World Science Report 
lit 
2. The European paradox 
World share of publications in % 
1981 1993 
EU 15 29 32 
USA 37 36 
JAPAN 7 8 
OTHERCOUNTRIES 27 24 
WORLD - Total | 100 | 100 Europe remains a major scientific power: about one-
third of the world's scientific publications originate 
in the European Union and Europe's share of this 
total has even increased in the last few years. An 
analysis of the patents registered in the United States 
and in Europe reveals, however, that European tech­
nological performance is, overall, weaker than that of 
its competitors: this is the "European paradox". 
World share in % terms of registered patents 
EU 15 
USA 
JAPAN 
OTHERCOUNTRIES 
WORLD - Total In the USA 
1990 
23 
45 
25 
7 
100 1993 
18 
50 
24 
8 
100 In Europe 
1990 
46 
26 
21 
7 
100 1993 
46 
29 
18 
7 
100 
Source: European Commission DG XII, OECD, EUROSTAT 
If we break down the shares of European and American patents worldwide by field, what clearly emerges is the pre­
dominance of Japan in advanced technologies, the importance of traditional sectors in Europe and the substantial pres­
ence of American industry in all sectors. 
The positions of the Triad by technological area, measured in patents, 1993 
EUROPE European patents world share (%) 
European Union USA Japon US patents world share (%) 
European Union USA Japon 
Electroncis/ electricity 
Instruments/optics 
Chemistry/pharmaceuticals 
Industrial processes 
Mechanical 
engineering/transport 
Consumer goods 34.2 
37.8 
40.3 
50.1 
58.5 
64.0 
WE 30.0 
32.4 
33.7 
25.6 
19.2 
16.9 
jijl&ffilj 31.8 
23.4 
20.0 
16.6 
15.5 
8.0 
m $ 11.5 
14.9 
28.2 
22.3 
23.6 
19.1 
•iaiiiitii&iii* 46.7 
50.8 
51.0 
50.5 
45.4 
50.1 
WÊM 
iiiiiiiiiiiiiil* 35.4 
28.0 
19.7 
19.3 
22.5 
12.5 
BMI8 
ïiiiliiiiiitiiéiiiêi* 
Source: USPTO data; OST and CHI-Reasearch treatments, 1995. UNESCO World Science Report 
c^ ,;T 
3. European research within the international technological scene 
A decline in the balance of trade between the Union and the rest of the world for high-level R&D goods indicates 
that European technological competitiveness is being eroded: in the last ten years, the deficit has increased ten­
fold. 
Trade balance in thousand million dollars 
Industrial 
sectors, of 
which: 
High-level R&D 
Mediunrvlevel 
R&D 
Low-level R&D 1982 
European 
Union 
-2.21 
69.93 
35.75 USA 
13.48 
6.23 
-18.01 Japan 
15.98 
54.92 
24.07 1991 
European 
Union 
-23.64 
87.79 
5.54 USA 
12.48 
-23.44 
-43.05 Japan 
52.36 
133.34 
-9.21 
Source: Chelem CEPII; OSTtraitement OST, S&TIndicators 1996 
US Technology Position Relative to Japan & Europe 
Energy 
Energy efficiency 
Storage,conditioning, distribution & 
transmission 
Improved generation 
Environmental quality 
Monitoring & assessment 
Pollution control 
Remediation & restoration 
Information & communication 
Components 
Communications 
Compouting systems 
Information management 
Intelligent complex adaptive systems 
Sensors 
Sottware and toolkits 
Living systems 
Biotechnology 
Medical technologies 
Agricultural and food technologies 
Human systems 
Manufacturing 
Disciete product manufacturing 
Continuous materials processing 
Micro/nanofabrication and machining 
Materials 
Materials 
Structures 
Transportation 
Aerodynamics 
Avionics & controls 
Propulsion & power 
Systems integration 
Human interface Lag 
Substantial Slight Parity 
o 
E> 
o 
• > 
o 
CO -• 
• 
• 
«• 
— 
• Lead 
Slight 
o 
o 
o 
*. 
«a 
o 
y 
<p 
O 
«= 
o «• 
• • • 
«• 
• 
— • -» — 
• 
• 
• • 
• 
«• 
• • Substantial 
o 
<^ 
O 
> 
> 
o 
<s 
C= 
O 
> -» A comparison of the American, 
European and Japanese positions in a 
series of "critical technologies" shows 
that, despite the erosion of its position 
in some sectors, the USA continues to 
dominate the international technologi­
cal scene. 
US Technology Position 
Relative to: 
Japan 
Europe 
1990-94 Trend Improved 
^> 
-» Declined 
*a 
«• Maintained 
O 
• 
Source: National Critical 
Technologies Review Groups Science Engineering Indicators 1996 
4. American and Japanese research efforts 
United States of America 
Although there was a nominal increase between 1990 and 1996 in the American federal budget for research, in fact it 
declined slightly in real terms. The origin of this fall was a reduction in military R&D funding. 
On the other hand, civilian research expenditure has increased in real terms by $3.4 billion in the last five years. The 
relative shares of the health, space, energy and basic research sectors in the federal budget increased. For 1997, despite 
budgetary restrictions, the Clinton/Gore Government proposed a budget increase of 1.6%. 
Evaluation of priorities of American federal R&D funding 
(R&D budget appropriations by socio-economic objective) 
-
Total value (in $ million) 
Defence 
Health 
Space research and technology 
Science 
Energy 
Natural resources and environment 
Transport 
Agriculture 
Other 
Percentage total 7990 
63 781 
62.6 
13.0 
9.0 
3.8 
4.3 
2.2 
1.6 
1.5 
2.0 
100.0 1995 
70 309 
54.8 
16.2 
11.2 
4.0 
4.1 
2.9 
2.7 
1.7 
2.4 
100.0 1996 
70 503 
53.3 
16.7 
11.2 
4.3 
4.4 
3.1 
2.8 
1.7 
2.5 
100.0 
Source: National Science Foundation 
Between 1991 and 1995, funding for American research programmes based on partnerships with the private sector grew 
considerably in number. 
Selected Federal Partnership with Industry 
S « ' 
1000 SEMATECH - Consortium on semiconductor tecrnxriogy 
TRP - Technology Reinvestman} Project 
CRADAs - Cooperâtsvè Research mû Development Agreements 
M€P - IvUmutacturtng Extension Program 
ATP ~ Advanced TechooJotiy Project 
S8IR ~ Small Business Invôstmont m Research 
1388 1989 1990 1991 1902 
Ysarr, show" zm fecal wm, K-.-j. FY'1^5 , 1 Octets '**« i;; 30 S~ptac>bor KKK; 
Source: Department of Commerce data, 1995 1993 1995 
UNESCO, World Science Report 
: f" 
Japan 
While occupying a leading position in the application of technology, but behind the United States and Europe in basic 
research Japan has begun to make massive investments in science and human resources for research purposes At the 
same time, its level of industrial research remains high. purposes. At tne 
Increases in the Japanese public research budget in 1996: 
Total public research budget- + 6.9% 
Bodies: 
Ministry of Science (MONBUSHO): + 7 2% 
Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI); + 53% 
Science and Technology Agency (STA): +7,2% 
Industrial Research and Technology Agency: +7,4% 
Programmes 
Post-doctoral fellowships: + 33»5% 
Programme for centres of excellence; + 23,8% 
Research aid grants; + 10.2% 
'industrial Science and Technology'* programme; + 6.3% 
Areas (examples') 
Strategic basic research; 4. |£Q% 
Space; + 5.2% 
Nuclear energy; + ^2% 
rr 
5. SMEs, research and employment 
SMEs are the largest source of employment in the European Union. In addition, small and very small undertakings pro­
duce the most innovations. Analysis reveals that the sectors with the greatest growth in research investment are also 
those where most jobs are being created. 
Share of SMEs in the total employment of the 
EU ISME (<250 employees 
• Large undertakings (>250 
employees 
Source: European Commission Eurostat, SME Project database, 1995. 
Percentage breakdown of innovations according to categories 
of salaried employees (Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, 
United Kingdom) 
Size category Ireland mL Netherlands UK 
1-19 
20-49 
50-99 
100-499 
500-999 
1000 and over 61.0 
21.0 
9.0 
8.0 
1.0 14.4 
21.3 
27.2 
14.1 
5.5 
17.5 35.0 
18.4 
10.9 
21.1 
14.6 22.4 
14.7 
26.7 
15.6 
7.6 
13.0 
Source: European SME Observatory, 1995. 
R&D expenditure and growth in jobs, 1973-1990 
Average percentage growth rates per industry in relation to total 
industrial growth for the 13 OECD countries 
2 -4 Stone 
o Non-ferrous 
metals 
Chemical 
Other means of transport O products 
Oil refining O O 
O Wood 
Ferrous metals 
o 
Textiles ot* 
-Q Shipbuilding Pharmaceutical products Computers 
o o 
Scientific 
instruments Radio, TV and 
O communications 
O Cars O et*uiPment 
Food O Aerospace 
1 1 1 
Non-electrical equipment 
Q Paper 
O Rubber 
T Electrical equipment 
Source: OECD 
STAN Database 
-1 0 1 
Relative annual growth of jobs 
o<f 
6. Visions of the future and priorities 
For the last thirty years, Japan and the United States have regularly carried out "foresight exercises" (studies for sci­
entific and technological future planning). Operations of this type have recently been launched in Europe (particu­
larly in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain). 
A comparison of their conclusions shows a high level of convergence in the priorities chosen when the subjects are 
merged at high and medium levels (optoelectronics and artificial intelligence; nanotechnologies and new and intel­
ligent materials; biotechnologies, molecular biology and neurosciences; environmental technologies and clean ener­
gy production technologies, etc.). 
In terms of economic and social objectives, two major themes emerge: 
the information society; 
sustainable development. 
These conclusions also converge with those of "Project 2025" undertaken at the request of 18 major organizations 
and companies in the USA, United Kingdom and Germany. Based on a critical analysis of 1500 foresight exercises 
carried out since 1970, this project has resulted in the drawing up of a list of 83 "high probability" hypotheses for 
the year 2025. The major themes include: integrated management of the environment and natural resources; inte­
grated management of human health; the advent of the "electronic global village "; intelligent manufacturing. 
Source: OECD Science Technology Industry Review, No 17, Special issue on Government Technology Foresight Exercises: The competitive posi­
tion of European science, technology and industry - an ESTA opinion in relation with the 5th Framework Programme; L'avenir hautement pro­
bable, 83 hypothèses sur l'année, 2025, Joseph Coates, Futuribles, April 1996. 
O *£•" 
7. Society's needs and market prospects: Some examples 
Sustainable development and the environment 
There can be no sustainable development without research playing its part. Among others, two of the major problems 
to be solved are water resources and the impact of transport on the environment. At European, as at world level, the 
environment represents a potentially important market. 
Water: a rare resource 
Water is becoming a rare resource in Europe and in the world. 65% of the water drawn from rivers, lakes and aquifers 
in the world is used by agriculture. 1 000 tonnes of water are needed to produce a tonne of wheat. An additional 
27 million cubic metres are needed to feed the 90 million people being added to the world population every year. 
20% of European surface waters are under threat. 60% of farmland presents a concentration of fertilizers and pesti­
cides which is hazardous to the water quality in its vicinity. Between 15 and 30% of the water collected in Europe is 
lost in the course of its distribution. 
Source: Commission staff working paper on Research-Industry Task Forces (SEC(96)568)/The state of the planet 1996. 
Transport costs 
In the space of 50 years, the world population has doubled while the number of private vehicles has increased ten­
fold and now amounts to about 500 million. At this rate there will be 1 000 million cars in the world by 2025 or 2030. 
In Europe alone the number of cars is expected to increase by 25% between 1992 and 2005. 
Transport accounts for 30% of final energy requirements and is responsible for 25% of all CO2 emissions. Road 
transport alone represents 80% of the CO2 produced by transport. The total cost of problems other than health prob­
lems attributed to emissions from transport is estimated at between 0.3 and 0.4% of GDP. 
Source: Commission staff working paper on Research-Industry Task Forces (SEC (9 6) 5 68)/The Economist, 22 June 1996 "Living with the car": a 
survey. 
The world environmental market 
Estimates in $ '000 million 
Year 
North America 
Latin America 
Western Europe 
Eastern Europe/NIS 
Asia & the Pacific 
World total OECD 
2000 
125 
-
78 
21 
42 
300 ECOTEC 
2000 
147 
5 
89 
9 
63 
320 ETDC 
2000 
217 
-
188 
25 
138 
580 Environmental 
Business 
International 
1998 
199 
10 
132 
27 
49 
426 
Source: OECD (1992); ECOTEC (1994); ETDC (1994); OTA (1994). 
*\ 
Biotechnologies 
The market for biotechnology-based products is one of the fastest growing in the world. In terms of the number of com­
panies, jobs, turnover or research expenditure, American efforts in this area are currently much greater than their 
European counterparts. 
Global Sales for Biotechnology-Based products 
10 year Projection (1996-2006) - in 1996 $ Billions 
Specialized 
fields 
Agriculture 
Human 
diagnosis 
Human 
treatment Non­
medical 
diagnosis 
Source: Consulting Resources Corp. 
EU vs US BIOTECH SECTORS 
(Ecu Millions) 
Europe US 
Financial 
Turnover 1 158 9.663 ~ 
R&D Expenditure 605 5.859 ~ 
Industry 
Number of Companies 584 1.308 
Number of employees 17 200 108.000 "~~ 
Source: Ernest & Young BioBusiness 
10 
VI 
Health 
Europe's population is becoming older. By the year 2020, over a quarter of people will be more than 60 years old, while 
those under the age of 20 will constitute only just over one-fifth of the population. The consequences of this trend in 
medical and public health terms are important. 
EU population by age group (%) 
0-19 
~~20-5S 
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 
Source: Eurostat, Europe in figures 
Throughout the world, infectious diseases affect hundreds of millions of people and kill tens of millions. 
Populations Affected by Various Infectious Diseases, 1993 
Disease Deaths Incidence 
Acute Respiratory Infections 4.1 million 248 million 
Diarrheal Diseases 3.0 million 1.8 billion 
Tuberculosis 2.7 million 8.8 million 
Malaria 2.0 million 300-500 million (prevalence) 
Measles 1.2 million 45 million 
Hepatitis B 1.0 million 2.2 million 
HIV/AIDS 700000 2-3 million 
Cholera 6800 380000 
Polio | 5500 110000 
Source: WHO, 1995 State of the World 1996 
11 
-** 
The information society 
Europe has entered the information society. The number of connections by private individuals and firms to the Internet 
and the market for CD-Rom drives is increasing at a steady pace. American firms are currently producing most of the 
CD-Roms available 
The Internet Market in Europe, 1994-2000 
Number of Households with Internet Access (Milhons) 
• Spain 
• Italy 
• France 
B United Kingdom 
DGermany 
• Rest of Europe 
Source: European Information Technology Obsen'atoiy EITO 1996 
Homes equipped with CD-Rom drives World production of CD-Roms in 1995 
In gUllions of units 
40 
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 
Source: Inteco 1994 Source: TPFL Publishing, Facts & Figures 95 
12 
'^ 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(96) 332 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 15 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-96-356-EN-C 
ISBN 92-78-06929-9 
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