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International Conferences > International Politics
73a/09: Rules for Dwarfs
Risk Regulation of Nanotechnology and its International Context
International Conference, 30 November – 2 December 2009
Program pdf >
| Subject | Program | Conference Logistics | Registration | How to get to Loccum |
Subject 
Nanotechnology is increasingly prevalent in consumer products. Risks and benefits of nano-enabled products, however, are controversial, turning their use into a political concern beyond expert discussions. Manufacturers in the United States and Europe are required for the first time to submit risk assessments for some of their products prior to introduction into the marketplace. In spring, the European Parliament’s Schlyter Report critically assessed the EU Commission’s work on nanotechnology; it also passed bills regulating the use of nanotechnology products in food and cosmetics. In Germany, the federal government’s Nano Commission established a working group on regulation for its second phase of deliberations. The government’s Advisory Council on the Environment starts on a study devoted exclusively to nanotechnology regulation.
The key question is, how the potential risks of nanotechnology products can be dealt with effectively without hampering technological progress and economic prosperity in this sector. This challenge is amplified by the lack of research results on the risks of nanotechnology.
This new technology can only unfold its full economic potential, if rules for its use in Europe and elsewhere do not result in new barriers to trade. The political task, therefore, is the development of mutually compatible regulatory approaches in Europe and the United States despite their history of divergent approaches to gov-ernment regulation of new technologies under conditions of uncertainty.
We convene actors from Germany, Europe, and the United States to link previously separated regulatory debates. Participants will develop regulatory recommendations for German and European politics in frank and open discussions. This includes the prioritization of regulatory approaches and principles to guide the development of compatible regulatory systems on both sides of the Atlantic.
You are invited to participate in these discussions among experts from politics, business, academia, media, and civil society. Conference languages are English and German; translation services are provided.
Dr. Marcus Schaper, Conference Organizer
Dr. Fritz Erich Anhelm, Academy Director
Progam
| Monday, 30 November 2009 | |
| 15:30 h | Coffee and cake |
| 16:00 h | Welcome and Introduction
Dr. Marcus Schaper, Evangelische Akademie Loccum Regulatory Trajectories in the United States and Europe „Regulating Nanotechnologies in the EU and US“ Panel Statements and Discussion |
| 19:30 h | Where do We Go Now?
Plenary Discussion |
| 21:00 h | Gemütlichkeit and Informal Discussions |
| Tuesday, 1 December 2009 | |
| 09:30 h | Preliminary Risk Assessment
Prof. Dr. Arno Scherzberg, Universität Erfurt Problem Risk Assessment The „P-Word“ – The Precautionary Principle and U.S. Environmental Politics |
| 11:15 h | Risk and Precaution
Plenary Discussion |
| 13:15 h | Optional: guided tour of the Loccum Monastry (founded 1163) |
| 15:30 h | Concurrent Working Groups
WG1: How much State do we Need? WG2: Registration and Authorization – no Data, no Market? WG3: Transparency – Who Has the Right to what Information? |
| 19:30 h | A View from across the Atlantic
Dr. Richard Canady, Senior Advisor, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, Washington |
| 20:00 h | Principles for Transatlantically Compatible Rule Making
Plenary Discussion with Speaker and Working Group Moderators |
| 21:00 h | Gemütlichkeit and Informal Discussions |
| Wednesday, 2 December 2009 | |
| 09:30 h | Compatible Nano Regulation in Europe and the USA - Next steps
Reflection by the conference observer Niels Boeing, free-lance journalist |
| 10:00 h | Political Initiatives: What Role for German Politics?
Discussion with Policy Makers |
| 12:30 h | Lunch and end of the conference |
Conference Logistics
| Conference fees | € 160 including accommodation and meals; a reduction to € 80 is available for students (up to 30 years old) and the unemployed with proper identification |
| Registration | Please register by email to Karin.Hahn@evlka.de. Alternatively, you can register online (in German) at programm/anmeldung.html. Forms for registration by mail or fax are included with the conference flyer, available at program.pdf Evangelische Akademie Loccum |
| Payments | Payments should be transferred to the bank account of the "Kirchlichen Verwaltungsstelle Loccum", while indicating your name and the date of the conference
Evangelische Kreditgenossenschaft Hannover |
| Conference Coordinator | Dr. Marcus Schaper, Tel. +49 57 66 / 81-1 09 E-Mail: Marcus.Schaper@evlka.de |
| Secretary | Karin Hahn, Tel. +49 57 66 / 81-1 13 E-Mail: Karin.Hahn@evlka.de |
| Public Relations | Reinhard Behnisch, Tel. +49 57 66 / 81-1 05 E-Mail: Reinhard.Behnisch@evlka.de |
| Travel | Loccum is located 50 kilometers west of Hanover in Lower Saxony. The nearest airport is in Hanover (HAJ). The nearest train stations are in Wunstorf, Minden and Nienburg. Detailed directions will be sent to all registered participants and are available online at connect.html.
A bus shuttle service from Wunstorf station to the Academy is available on 30 Nov at 14:50 hrs. Please indicate on your registration whether you would like to make a reservation. |
| Accommodation and Meals | Participants will be accommodated in single rooms or double rooms, if preferred. All meals are served at the Academy. By prior arrangement, rooms and meals may be available before and after the conference. Please indicate vegetarian preference with your registration. |
| Regular Timing in the Academy | 08:30 h Morning Prayer 8:45 h Breakfast 12:30 h Lunch 18:30 h Supper |
