'Less bureaucracy' pledge for Italian space agency

Article Abstract:

A reform of the Italian space agency Agenzia Spaziale Italiana began in Mar 1997 with a new president and new rules geared toward a less bureaucratic approach. The move comes after years of chaos and crisis characterized by enormous costs and withdrawal of funding from space scientists. The regulations, which were approved in Feb 1997 by research minister Luigi Berlinguer, create a science directorate within the agency and accord greater clout to scientists in the strategic and financial planning of research. A more strategic spending thrust will also prioritize areas of prior investment such as the international space station.

Italy, Management, Astronautics and state, Space policy, Italy. Space Agency

---

Germany extends academic-industry competition plans

Article Abstract:

German federal research ministry is launching a series of competitions for financing the best academic and industrial researches. The competitions will allow the research community to identify leading research projects by itself and to set up closer relations between the industry and state-funded institutes. The Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie, representing German industry feels that research programs, which they call Leitprojekte should be in strategic social and economic areas. However, basic research could lose much of its finance, if funds are directed towards strategic researches.

Economic aspects, Germany, Finance, Industrial research

---

Conservationists seek compromise over new threat to Galapagos

Article Abstract:

The Ecuador government's decision to restrict immigration to the Galapagos archipelago has found favour with conservationists. However, a move to allow economic activity in the country's national parks and marine reserves may adversely affect biodiversity conservation plans. Ecuador's National Congress has already approved a bill that proposes reduction in the status of all national parks. The bill extends the marine reserve by 40 miles but has no provision for exclusive economic zones. Significantly, the law also prevents nongovernmental organizations from selling souvenirs.

Laws, regulations and rules, Environmental aspects, Ecuador, Observations, Natural history, Biological diversity, Biodiversity, National parks and reserves, National parks, Galapagos Islands

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Soap opera reaps prize for its clean message. Georgia court bans biology textbook stickers. Access all areas
• Abstracts: Labour party pledges to end privatization of UK laboratories. UK Labour Party seeks votes through pro-science image
• Abstracts: Row over plan to treat plants as 'pesticides.' Genome panel defends researchers' - and families' - interests. $100m payout after drug data withheld
• Abstracts: Gloom deepens for Australian researchers. Free market is advocated for Australian universities
• Abstracts: Fly (almost) south young bird. Resonance effects indicate a radical-pair mechanism for avian magnetic compass

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.