European Conference on Security Research SRC '07

Terrorism, organized crime, natural disasters and particularly severe accidents do not stop at European borders. The European Union therefore increases its activities in the area of security research.
The far-reaching concepts, ideas and research programmes of the European Union will be presented within the framework of the "European Security Research Conference SRC '07" in Berlin on 26 and 27 March 2007.The conference will be the launch event for the "European Security Research Programme" which will be published for the first time as a separate programme under the 7th Research Framework Programme 2007-2013. Representatives of numerous European Member States will explain their programmes and initiatives in the field of security research during the course of the conference. The Federal Government will present Germany's new national Security Research Programme.The first objective of European security research is to make a contribution to the security of citizens in Europe. The results of Europe-wide security research will contribute to recognizing the causes for threats to civil security early on and to taking effective countermeasures. At the same time, the competitiveness of Europe is to be strengthened.The conference motto will be "Security Research as a Service to Citizens, State and Companies". It will bring together the following players:

• researchers from science and industry
• industry (e.g. security technology, security solutions)
• operators of security-relevant infrastructures (energy, water, telecommunications, transport, health, financial system)
• authorities and organizations which are responsible for security
• ministries and directorates general with responsibility in security and research fields.

The conference with high-level international speakers will present the current status of civil security research in the European Union and opens up new perspectives for Europe in the conflict with international terrorism and other threats.The priority topics of the parallel meetings are:

• Security, innovation and technology
  How can security research reduce the threat posed by attackers and disasters? (protection from terrorism, organized crime and disasters as well as reaction to crises)
• Security and infrastructure
  How can security research reduce the vulnerability of society? (measures to increase the security of infrastructures and borders)
• Security and competitiveness
  How can security research contribute to increasing competitiveness? (development of pioneer markets, innovative procurement, the corporate and economic perspective of security)
• Security and society
  How can findings on the causes of radicalization and threats, together with innovative technology and strategies for action, contribute to a plus of security?

Plenary Speakers:

• Dr. Annette Schavan, Federal Minister of Education and Research
• Günter Verheugen, Vice President of the European Commission