Emerging Technologies in the Context of "Security": Issued in the Framework of Science and Technology Foresight

On 12 December 2003, the European Council adopted a European security strategy ?A secure Europe in a Better World. This document provides the framework for European concerted activity in the field of security and, more specifically, activities to anticipate and cope more effectively and efficiently with new security threats such as terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, failed states, regional conflicts and organized crime. The need to effectively undertake action in the field of security, was emphasised by a series of recent events caused by terrorist activity as in Madrid and London or by natural disaster as the Tsunami. The European research community responded to this need. In March 2004, the European Commission launched its Preparatory Action on Security Research (PASR) and the Group of Personalities advocated in its report Research for a secure Europe, the creation of a European Security Research Programme (ESRP). Of particular relevance for preparing the content of this ESRP are the so-called road-mapping activities that the European Commission has contracted under the first call of the PASR.