Synopsis of 2004 Pan-European Interactive Forum

In the Autumn of 2004, the Institute For Science And Health hosted a Forum (Congress) to address important research-related issues of keen interest for present and future endeavors in the Tobacco Science and Health Program Initiative. The 2004 Pan-European Interactive Forum titled " Perceptions and Realities in Funding Health Research Related to Lifestyle Factors Underlying Human Disease in the 21 st Century " was intended to gain the European perspective on identifying issues related to human disease in the new millennium. Participants had a role in essential discussions leading to the development of an enhanced research agenda for present and future research. Issues of risk perception and assessment, research collaboration and funding, data credibility, and public perception and policy represented a critical focus for the Forum discussions in contexts involving alcohol and beverage consumption, industrial chemicals and toxicology, and issues concerning nicotine, tobacco, and tobacco smoke.

More than 60 experts gathered in Prague, Czech Republic on Nov. 4-5, 2004 to attend the 2004 Pan-European Interactive Forum. Participants included the academic research community, public health and policy leaders, and industry representatives. The event kicked off with keynote presentations on 'Risk Assessment' and 'Risk Perception' given by Drs. Diether Neubert from Charité Univ. Medical School, Berlin, and Britta Renner from the Univ. of Bremen.

Highlights included panel presentations on regulatory, industrial, and public health issues, case studies on issues concerning the mechanics of research endeavors, and several open forum discussion sessions.

"It was an excellent opportunity to hear issues discussed from a variety of differing perspectives", said Dr. Gerald Rupp, Vice President for Research at IFSH. "We were able to gain a clear understanding that public perception IS indeed reality, whether that perception is accurate or not. One goal for the future will be to more closely align public perception with the actual reality of conducting scientific research on sensitive topics concerning public health."

An especially vital component of the discussions was determining the European perspective on establishing useful working collaborations between different constituency groups while maintaining high levels of data credibility and acceptability. "Collaboration between academic- and industry-based scientists will be essential for future research, especially in light of changes in the global research funding landscape", said Rupp.

"We saw vigorous interaction regarding perceptions of research conduct, peer recognition, data credibility, and cross-community collaborations that appear to differ depending on the source of research funds." There was a strong sense that we need to develop and enter an era in which scientific research can be performed in an openly collaborative environment and result in credible, useful data that benefits the human condition regardless of where the funds originate.

Support for this conference provided by:

• Institute For Science And Health