EC Releases Strategy for Communication Outreach in Nanotechnology

On May 4, 2007, the European Commission (EC) released a document entitled Strategy for Communication Outreach in Nanotechnology, which is a working paper from the EC’s February 6, 2007, workshop. The paper includes recommendations for future European funding on appropriate communication and innovative approaches to engage the European civil society in a dialogue on nanotechnology, including:  surveying the public; developing new models and tools for communication; developing the role of choice-making process; and ensuring access to reliable information. Comments on the paper are due June 30, 2007.

The recommendations include:

1. Surveying targeted publics (especially tough-to-reach and youngsters) to identify their values, concerns, and expectations, communication models, cultural specificities, and rationalities;
2. Developing new models and tools for communication, dialogue, and engagement (especially those “light,” unconventional, and emotion-based, e.g., theatre, art, fairs);
3. Developing the role of choice-making process with appropriate new audiences, exchanging visions, scientific cultures, and mobility of practitioners in communication; and
4. Ensuring access to reliable information on ethical, social, and legal dimensions of nanotechnology, focusing on ways to mitigate the nanodivide in communication, and developing a free database on best practices by funnelling all information towards an international body.