Shareholders, Supervisory Board and management bodies ...

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Annual Report 2008
Management report
Structural report
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Annual Report 2008
ForeSec – Europe’s evolving security: drivers, trends and scenarios — a project
commissioned by DG Research
This project uses the foresight approach to investigate potential challenges and future scenarios
for European security. After providing a comprehensive definition of security, the project addresses
key issues relating to energy supply, bilateral conflicts, communication networks and infrastructure.
These areas confront Europe with a wide range of new challenges, all of them related to technological
development. The project consortium consists of several leading European security research
organisations which have joined forces to create a common research platform (see www.foresec.
eu). Since security challenges and risks are perceived and evaluated in widely differing ways, the
first step in a highly participative process is to identify the various perspectives on risks, trends,
opportunities and scenarios. This involves cooperating with experts from governments, research
institutions, companies and civil society in 12 European countries. To facilitate collaboration, the
department organised a conference in Vienna from 2–3 July 2008 at which around 100 delegates
discussed a variety of issues. To complement this form of dialogue and further expand participation
in the foresight process, an online Delphi process was launched in autumn 2008. This enabled
various experts and stakeholders to evaluate key drivers identified during the workshop.
The findings were then used to create robust scenarios and visions for addressing new threats and
exploiting technological opportunities. Ethical, cultural and user related aspects were also taken into
consideration. The project outcomes can be used as a basis for recommendations and strategies
for governments, think tanks, research organisations and companies.