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Selection
of the new Director-General of DG Research Brussels, 4 April 2000 |
Philippe Busquin Commissioner for Research Brussels, 4 April 2000
Dear Commissioner, Firstly, we wish to thank you for the initial exchange of views you have undertaken with the trade unions on the subject of the document Towards a European Research Area. We appreciated your sense of dialogue and personal availability, revealed on that occasion, particularly with regard to the fears and growing unease of the staff expressed, once again, by all of the trade unions. Your arrival gave staff new hope: they interpreted your apparent inaction not as a way of endorsing the past, but as a sign of the wisdom and common sense of an experienced politician who is not prepared to act precipitately. At that point, the staff had hopes for real and deep changes. It has to be said, however, that after six months in place you have not come up with any concrete reform yet. Now, DG Research urgently needs a new start that could finally free its staffs energies, capacities, professionalism and enthusiasm. In this context, we wish to focus on the importance of imminent decisions relating to the selection of the new Director-General of DG Research. This selection has now turned into the message not to be missed if we are to regain credibility rudely shattered by past errors: clearly, the absence of any reaction of the scientific community regarding your document, as you mentioned at the meeting, is directly connected to DG Researchs current credibility crisis. The job description (as advertised in its bureaucratic language) appears as neutral. It is therefore essential that, in terms of their profile, experience and qualities, the incoming Director-General is capable of leading by their example and of fitting closely into the logic that you illustrated in your opening speech at the meeting held on March the 24th (which was also clearly expressed in the document we sent you). We would like to list the qualities which, we believe, should be deemed essential for the next Director-General to face the challenge of the European Research Area:
It is out of discussion that these features must complement the fundamental qualities of honesty, morality, seriousness, independence, impartiality and efficiency. Last, we shall express our sincere desire that the selection of the new Director General will introduce and mark from your side a genuine wish to start afresh. Yours sincerely, (signed) F. Ianniello Copies : Romano Prodi, Neil Kinnock, members of staff
at DG Research and the JRC |
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Membres du Comité Exécutif: Ianniello Franco, Adurno Giuseppe, Zorbas Gerassimos, Ravagli Alessandra, Uguccioni Bruno, Docherty Michael, Vassila-Souyoul Erica, Bochu Claude, Drevet Jean-François, Napolitano Raffaele, Crespinet Alain, Domingos Dias. |