No C 35/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 9. 2. 84 
Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on the adoption of a programme of 
assistance for the development of indigenous scientific and technical research capacities 
in the developing countries (1984 to 1987) 
(84/C 35/03) 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the Euro­
pean Communities No C 180 of 7 July 1983, page 7. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 24 June 1983 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic 
and Social Committee in accordance with Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the 
European Economic Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 
213th plenary session held in Brussels on 14 and 15 December 1983. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the Euro­
pean Economic Community, and in particular 
Article 198 thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council 
of the European Communities on 24 June 1983 for 
an opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision 
on the adoption of a programme of assistance for 
the development of indigenous scientific and tech­
nical research capacities in the developing countries 
(1984 to 1987)0), 
Having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau 
on 5 July 1983, instructing the Section for Energy 
and Nuclear Questions to draw up an opinion on 
the matter, 
Having regard to the oral report made by the rap­
porteur, Mr Beretta, 
Having regard to the opinion adopted by that Sec­
tion at its 85th meeting on 2 December 1983, 
Having regard to the discussions at its 213th plenary 
session of 14 and 15 December 1983 (meeting of 
14 December 1983), 
Whereas the proposed programme of assistance is 
intended to supplement the first Research and 
Development Programme for the European Econo­
mic Community in the field of Science and Tech-
(i) OJ NoC 180,7.7. 1983. nology for Development adopted by the Council of 
the European Communities on 3 December 1982; 
Whereas the two programmes contribute to achiev­
ing the fifth Community goal (reinforcing develop­
ment aid) as laid down in the framework pro­
gramme for Community scientific and technical 
activities (1984 to 1987) (2) on which the Committee 
gave its opinion (3) and in which it stressed the need 
to step up assistance with the transfer of technolo­
gies which facilitate adaptation; 
Whereas the memorandum on the Community's 
development policy of October 1982 places special 
emphasis on the need to develop in the poorest 
least-developed countries an independent capacity 
for scientific research and technical applications 
and the use of the whole range of science and tech­
nology in the service of development, 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
by a unanimous vote: 
1. Overall assessment 
1.1. The new programme proposed by the Com­
mission is an adjunct to previous Council Decisions 
0 Council resolution of 25 July 1983 (OJ No C 208, 4. 8. 
1983, p. 1). 
(3) OJ NoC 211,8. 8. 1983. 
9. 2. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 35/5 
aimed at boosting research in the Member States 
and LDCs in spheres of particular interest to the lat­
ter in the ambit of an overall research strategy. The 
Section regards this programme as both necessary 
and timely. 
1.2. The Committee views an independent R&D 
strategy as a prerequisite for economic and social 
development in the poorest countries. Yet, despite 
the financial assistance forthcoming to date, the 
Community has so far not been able to make syste­
matic use of scientific research for the purpose of 
promoting balanced and sustained development in 
these LDCs. 
1.3. The Committee therefore gives its approval to 
the Commission proposal, subject to the following 
comments. 
2. General remarks 
2.1. Aims and priorities of the proposed pro­
gramme are sound and consistent. The shortcomings 
lie in the discrepancy between these aims and the 
funds allocated. 
2.2. A Community research strategy geared to 
assisting research in the LDCs and hence giving 
increasing attention to the life-and-death problems 
confronting the inhabitants of these countries could 
encourage the mobilization of larger funds. The 
Committee has already advocated an increase in the 
resources devoted to the transfer of technologies 
which facilitate adaptation ('). 
2.3. The Committee is in favour of concentrating 
the scarce funds available for this stage of the pro­
gramme on the most urgent projects. It can be men­
tioned that the Pisani Memorandum ranks the 
promotion of indigenous, lasting development in 
the poorest LDCs as a top priority. The coordina­
tion of research assistance programmes with opera­
tions aimed at ending famine in extensive areas of 
the world is therefore most desirable. 
2.4. In the Committee's view, the Community 
should ensure that the development of the produc­
tive sectors of the LDCs economies is as well bal­
anced as possible. With this in mind, priority should 
(!) OJ No C 291, 8. 8. 1983, p. 9 (plenary session held on 
1 and 2 June 1983). not be given solely to schemes in areas, sectors and 
research centres which are already relatively adv­
anced. In order to ensure that the support provided 
by the Community leads to balanced development, 
there should also be discussions with the recipient 
countries. The advisory committee provided for in 
the draft Decision should play a major role here. 
2.5. Like the Framework Programme and the Pis­
ani Memorandum, the draft Directive puts the 
emphasis on agriculture and health. The Committee 
endorses this approach, and would stress that 
research into technology appropriate to the geo­
graphical and economic circumstances of the LDCs 
should concentrate on techniques adapted to local 
culture and traditions — which are just as much a 
key to successful development as research. 
2.6. If the ability of the LDCs to pursue rural 
development policies is to be strengthened, it is 
essential to exploit human and natural resources 
fully, to allow for local culture and traditions, and 
to involve the local population in development 
schemes from the outset. 
2.7. The Committee would therefore point out that 
the promotion of research in the poorest countries 
cannot stop short at equipping and improving labor­
atory facilities but must encompass the improve­
ment of extension services in general, along with 
health education and training. 
3. Comments on the financial and management 
aspects of the Commission proposal 
3.1. In view of the substantial contribution that 
judiciously tailored scientific research could make 
in tackling the immense problems inherent in 
development of the poorest LDCs, the proposed 
appropriations (albeit intended solely for agriculture 
and public health) would seem inadequate. 
On the other hand, the Committee is aware that the 
proposed appropriation is probably as much as the 
No C 35/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 9.2.84 
Commission could administer effectively at this 
stage, bearing in mind the staff complement envis­
aged. 
3.2. The Committee therefore feels that the pro­
jected appropriations should be seen as a minimum 
that could be increased if warranted by the consist­
ency of the projects concerned with the Com­
munity's development aid objectives. It is desirable 
to determine criteria for assessing the overall pro­
gramme's impact in development terms so as to 
ensure such consistency throughout its duration. 
In addition, for maximum effectiveness, the pro­
posed funds should be supplemented by other 
resources allocated for the transfer of technologies 
and the development and expansion of services. 
3.3. Experience bears out that efficient manage­
ment of external aid is of the utmost importance in 
ensuring that such aid serves the desired purpose of 
reinforcing local research institutes. In programme 
management attention should therefore be given to 
checking that funds are spent appropriately, that 
research projects are properly planned and that 
scientific standards are maintained throughout the 
implementation of each programme. 
With this in mind, the Committee recommends that 
the Commission staff responsible for managing 
funds should have some scientific training and 
experience of research in the LDCs. 
3.4. The proposed programme supplements the 
one approved by the Council last December but the 
Committee observes that the Commission staff res­
ponsible for managing the two programmes come 
under different directorates-general (DG XII and 
DG VIII). The staff members concerned will there­
fore have to liaise closely. Such liaison is particu­
larly important for the collation of data on the oper­
ation of the first programme and on research find­
ings, with a view to ensuring that action is as 
effective and constructive as possible. 
Done at Brussels, 14 December 1983. 3.5. To ensure optimum use of research findings 
the Committee advocates extending this appraisal 
— with the cooperation of national and interna­
tional (especially EEC) institutions — to the opera­
tional results and experiences of public, private, 
cooperative and voluntary centres and institutes 
already providing development aid. 
3.6. To avoid any risk of duplication, encourage 
research and step up exchanges of know-how and 
the practical application of technology, the Com­
mittee considers that projects and infrastructure of 
benefit to several countries in the same region 
should take precedence. 
3.7. The Committee would also stress the potential 
benefits, in terms of efficient programme manage­
ment and attainment of the desired aims, to be 
gained from improved exchanges and broader circu­
lation of information and closer coordination of the 
operations of Member States and the various inter­
national agencies active in this sphere. Regions that 
are geographically far apart may be grappling with 
the same problems. 
3.8. With particular reference to the urgency of 
tackling energy problems, the Committee would re­
iterate two recommendations already voiced in ear­
lier opinions: 
— agricultural and public health research needs to 
be backed by priority action in the energy 
sphere since the deforestation of extensive 
areas, by accentuating the desertification pro­
cess, is aggravating the plight of many LDCs, 
— research activities per se should go hand in hand 
with manpower training programmes so as to 
ensure widespread application of research find­
ings and maximum impact. 
3.9. Lastly, the Committee draws attention to the 
need to ensure continuity in Community schemes to 
support research in the LDCs once the proposed 
programme has come to an end. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Francis CEYRAC