The European Marine Board is an pan-European network of 35 national organizations involved in marine research which are either research funding organizations (e.g. research councils or ministries), research performing organizations (e.g. national marine research institutes), or nationally-based consortia of third-level institutes (e.g. university consortia). The European Marine Board develops common positions on research priorities for European marine science. It facilitates enhanced cooperation between stakeholders involved in supporting, delivering and using marine research and technology. The European Marine Board is registered as Belgian operational centre of the European Science Foundation which provides the Marine Board with legal status. The Secretariat of the European Marine Board is based at the InnovOcean site in the harbour of Ostend, Belgium, with office accommodation and support provided by the Flemish Government, through the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ).
Contents
- Mission Statement
- Aim
- Activities and Instruments
- Membership
- Governance
- The Board
- The Executive Committee
- The Secretariat
- References
The European Marine Board is a non-profit organisation which facilitates enhanced cooperation between European marine science organizations towards the development of a common vision on the research priorities and strategies for marine science in Europe.
Mission Statement
The Marine Board provides a pan-European platform for its member organizations to develop common priorities, to advance marine research, and to bridge the gap between science and policy in order to meet future marine science challenges and opportunities.
Aim
The European Marine Board facilitates enhanced cooperation between European marine science organizations (research performing and research funding organizations) towards the development of a common vision on the research priorities and strategies for marine science in Europe. The European Marine Board provides the essential components for transferring knowledge from the scientific community to decision makers, promoting Europe's leadership in marine research and technology. Adopting a strategic role, the European Marine Board serves its member organizations by providing a forum within which marine research policy advice to national agencies and to the European Commission is developed, with the objective of promoting the establishment of the European Research Area for marine research.
Activities and Instruments
1. Production of strategic publications on marine science issues:
2. Organization of marine science-policy conferences, events and workshops, including:
3. Hosting of thematic panels:
4. Participation in strategic EU projects (normally supported by the EU Framework Programme)
5. Ongoing information and advice to members on developments in European marine science and science policy. 6. Participation in external stakeholder Advisory Panels.
Membership
Three kinds of organizations are eligible for Marine Board membership:
Membership is open to eligible organizations from countries which are part of the Council of Europe. Membership is restricted to a maximum of three organizations per country.
Governance
The Marine Board comprises three layers of governance:
The Board
The Board consists of representatives of the 35 (March 2013) member organizations, each represented by a single delegate (or a nominated alternate). The Board meets in plenary twice per year in spring and autumn. The Board is the highest level of governance and makes decisions on activities, strategic directions and operational principles of the European Marine Board. Decisions are generally reached by consensus; voting is normally only required for ExCom elections.
The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee (ExCom) is composed of the Marine Board Chair, six vice-Chairs and the Executive Scientific Secretary (as ex officio member), who is the Head of the European Marine Board Secretariat. The Chair and vice-Chairs are elected by the Marine Board member organizations. The Chair and vice-Chairs do not represent their organizations at the Marine Board ExCom. They act in the best interest of the Marine Board and its objectives. The ExCom meets 3-4 times per year to provide oversight and guidance to the Secretariat in implementing ongoing Marine Board activities and to formulate strategic guidance to the Board on future activities and directions.
The Secretariat
The Secretariat supports the overall coordination and management of the European Marine Board and implements the decisions and activities approved by the Board and ExCom. Reporting directly to the Marine Board and ExCom, the Secretariat is responsible for serving as the principal focal point for the Marine Board member organizations and as a facilitator between the member organizations and the European Commission and other agencies. As a continuous task, the Marine Board Secretariat monitors marine research and science policy developments, keeping abreast of developments at national, European and global levels. Depending on the level of activity, core Secretariat activities require a minimum team of three Science Officers and an Administration and Coordination Officer, under the management of an Executive Scientific Secretary.