STOA Network

STOA is active in S&T policy networks on an international level. It is a founding member of the European Parliamentary Technology Assessment (EPTA) network, and maintains strong connections and actively cooperates with European institutions and organisations, including notably the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), DG Research and Innovation (DG RTD), Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM), The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE).

On a global scale, STOA has strong links with the STS (Science and Technology in Society) forum.

EPTA

This network was established in 1990 by STOA and five other Parliamentary Technology Assessment centres under the patronage of the then EP President Enrique Barόn Crespo. Its members advise parliaments on the possible social, economic and environmental impacts of developments in science and technology. EPTA also has as a mission setting up and strengthening technology assessment as an integral part of parliamentary decision-making in Europe.

European Commission

The JRC is the European Commission's in-house science service, providing independent scientific advice and support to EU policy.

DG RTD defines and implements European Research and Innovation policy with a view to achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy and its key flagship initiative, the Innovation Union.

STS forum

It was established in 2003 as an international network for dialogue on challenges and opportunities related to the application of science and technology and resolving problems related to it.

Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM)
The European Commission's Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) advises the College of Commissioners and the European Institutions by producing scientific opinions with recommendations and other forms of advice, based on an independent and authoritative synthesis of all scientific evidence on the topic.


The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE)
The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) advises the College of Commissioners on all aspects of policies and legislation where ethical, societal and fundamental rights dimensions intersect with the development of science and new technologies. The Commission may draw the EGE's attention to issues considered by the European Parliament and the Council to be of major ethical importance. Each EGE opinion shall be published and made available on the EGE website and be transmitted to the European Parliament and to the Council after its adoption by the EGE.