European Parliament President Addresses RAND Europe Reception in Brussels

Jerzy Buzek MEP, President of the European Parliament, was the guest speaker at RAND Europe’s annual Brussels reception, 29 November. Michael Rich, President and CEO of RAND Corporation, also gave a short speech.

President Buzek acknowledged RAND Europe as one of Europe's leading research organisations. He paid tribute to the contribution RAND Europe makes to policy making, a process which he described as, ‘so important to our future — helping to offer real solutions to the real problems of our fellow citizens.’ Referring to the origin of RAND’s name — Research ANd Development — President Buzek said it was necessary to give higher regard to R&D in Europe’s policy priorities and public culture.

Turning to the economic crisis, President Buzek called for a redoubling of efforts to increase the intensity and the quality of research in many sectors. He identified the need to invest more in research and to train more researchers. He also called for more efforts to retain European research talent in Europe and to attract researchers from around the world.

The reception, held at the Résidence Palace in Brussels, was attended by around 100 people, including policymakers, business leaders, academics and representatives of charities.