Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe Technik und Umwelt Institut für Technikfolgenabschätzung und Systemanalyse (ITAS)
	TA-DATENBANK-NACHRICHTEN
	Nr. 1, 7. Jahrgang - März 1998

European Participatory Technology Assessment: Towards an Integrated Understanding of the Role of Participation in Technology Assessment.

A programme of six European national technology assessment organisations with partial funding from the European Commission TSER-Programme

von Leonhard Hennen, ITAS/TAB

The aim of this programme is to advance the understanding of the role of participation in technology assessment, and to design guidelines for the implementation of participatory methods at relevant decision-making levels. Based on the experience with participation at the involved organisations and the consultation of a broad range of interested people, the programme seeks:

• to develop a theoretical framework on the role of participatory technology assessment
• to compare the current state-of-the-art of participatory technology assessment in different European countries
• to identify new areas of application
• to give recommendations on the use of participatory technology assessment at transnational level.

Structure

The Programme is made up of two parts: In the first part, the involved organisations develop a theoretical framework for critical evaluation at a first international workshop, to be held in Copenhagen (DK) in September 1998; in the second part, the revised framework is used to conduct a comparative analysis of the practice and experience of participatory technology assessment in the involved countries. The result of this research is presented at a second international workshop, to be held in The Hague (NL) in March 1999, where avenues for using participatory technology assessment in other European cultural contexts and at European Union level are explored. Publication of the findings is envisaged.

Procedure

The Programme is based on an interactive and iterative approach to analysis. The two workshops not only serve to disseminate findings, but equally to receive input into the ongoing research. Thus, the team of involved partners welcomes any suggestions, comments and the active participation of those interested in the subject area.

Further information

www.tekno.dk, or from any of the following addresses:

Denmark:
Danish Board of Technology
Antonigade 4
1106 Copenhagen K
Tel.: + 45-33-32 0503
Fax: + 45-33-91 0509
(J. Ejlsted, L. Klüver, Coordinators)

Austria:
Institute of Technology Assessment
Austrian Academy of Science
Postgasse 7/4/3
1010 Vienna
Tel.: + 43-1-51581-582
Fax: + 43-1-513 1145
(W. Peissl, H. Torgersen)

Britain:
Centre for the Study of Democracy
University of Westminster
100 Park Village East
London NW1 3SR
Tel.: + 44-171-468 2265
Fax: + 44-171-388 0914
(S. Joss, Assistant Coordinator)

Germany:
Institute for Technology Assessment
and Systems Analysis
Research Center Karlsruhe
P.O. Box 36 40
D-76021 Karlsruhe
Tel.: +49 (0) 721 / 608 - 23979
Fax: +49 (0) 721 / 608 - 24806
(L. Hennen/TAB, F. Gloede/ITAS)

Netherlands:
Rathenau Institute
Koninginnegracht 56
P.O. Box 85525
2508 CE The Hague
Tel.: + 31-70-342 1542
Fax: + 31-70-363 3488
(J.v. Eijndhoven, R.v. Est)

Switzerland:
Technology Assessment Office
Swiss Science Council
Inselgasse 1
3003 Berne
Tel.:+ 41-31-322 9963
Fax: + 41-31-322 8070
(S. Bellucci)