A NEREUS workshop (the NETWORK OF EUROPEAN REGIONS USING SPACE TECHNOLOGIES)
will be held in Toulouse on 8, 9 & 10 June 2010. NEREUS is a network which currently unites 22 European regions and 17 associated members. The regions as full members share the governance of the platform. They were also the key drivers for establishing the network. Some European regions, including Midi-Pyrénées, which were already involved in the development and use of Space technologies in Europe, took the initiative to set up NEREUS. The importance of the regional dimension in space policies and programmes is growing steadily. Regions are a large market for space applications. In various areas of their management tasks as local authorities - from urban management to traffic - space technologies play increasingly an indispensable role. Regional authorities make a substantial contribution to Space policy, by creating services for the general public through new market initiatives and by their ability to ensure active participation by the various socio-economic stakeholders in their regions.
In addition to the regional actors, the associated members of NEREUS ensure a significant industry and SME dimension. A number of relevant research organisations help to broaden the spectrum of science player. The associated members come from various different sectors (telecommunication, navigation, earth observation) and various different actors of the value chain (from satellite manufacturers to service providers). By working together in a non-profit international association (AISBL), the European regions and their corresponding affiliated organisations can pursue the following goals: - speaking with one voice at political level in order to bring regional influence to bear on the planning and development of European Space programmes and activities related to infrastructures and applications;
- strengthening (implementing) and promoting partnerships and cooperation schemes between European Regions, with a view to developing shared or complementary strengths and assets;
- voicing needs of end-users;
- ensuring that the needs of end-users are correctly taken into account in the Space services provided by European Union programmes;
- raising awareness in the regions and among political decision makers for the impact of space technologies as a lead market and a solution provider;
- ensuring the availability of Space services across all regions, for the balanced development of the European Union and the full expression of its Space sector potential;
- helping to improve promotion of Europe’s Space activities in a context of increasing global competition;
- giving Europe’s citizens a greater role in shaping European policy and developing Space-service markets and increasing their participation.
Structure of Workshop: - Introductory Session: NEREUS
- Round Tables: NEREUS-Working Groups
- Plenary Session
At first, the workshop will be an opportunity to raise awareness among all national and international stakeholders in the Space sector participating in the Toulouse Space Show of the objectives, organisation and progress made by NEREUS. After a general presentation of the association, round tables will be organised by NEREUS working groups for this purpose, on the following themes: - Earth Observation/GMES
- Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GALILEO, EGNOS,etc.)
- TELE/SATELLITE COMMUNICATION;
- Education, Training and Communication (horizontal)
Following this, the workshop will be organised around presentations in a plenary session to enable direct contact and exchange between the different stakeholders: designers, users, regional authorities and institutional organisations. The presentations will cover the preparation and implementation (and the resulting feedback) of projects and services using Space technologies in the framework of activities undertaken by regional authorities and institutional organisations. The expression of territorial needs and the search for regional and institutional synergy will also be covered. Themes will include, but will not be limited to: Earth observation, navigation, Space-based telecommunications, education, training and communication. | |
