Since May 2019, a new worldwide initiative has made it possible for TA organisations all over the world to exchange information. ITA Director Michael Nentwich sees the foundation as a milestone: "For the first time it is possible for experts from technology assessment to exchange and network on a global level. We are pleased to be a founding member of this initiative, which was initiated largely through the efforts of our partners at ITAS in Germany in cooperation with Fraunhofer ISI and the Dutch Rathenau Institute".
Autonomy, information exchange and training
The aim of the organisation will be to become even more involved in the social consequences of new technologies. Technology assessment, i.e. research into the consequences of technology not only for the economy but also for civil society and the environment, is not a matter of course, emphasises Nentwich: "Paying attention to people's well-being in technological development is a thought that is closely linked to democratic awareness and the principle of co-determination. GlobalTA already includes countries with more hierarchical structures. One goal is therefore to repeatedly plead for the inclusion of the Council of Independent Experts in national research policy".
"We want to bring risk analysis and consequence research into politics. We can also imagine training local institutions within the network: How is technology assessment done? What experience has there been in countries where technology assessment has been practised for decades? In any case, the fundamental question is: How can technology be handled in a socially acceptable way?"
Russia, Australia and Mexico already on board
Since May, the network has already had 21 members, including institutions from Russia, Australia and Mexico. While the parliamentary TA network EPTA focuses on the work for parliaments, globalTA is also open to institutions that do not work directly with parliaments, such as think tanks or universities. Officially, globalTA will be presented to the public at the next international TA conference, which will take place from 4 to 6 November 2019 in Bratislava.
By: Denise Riedlinger