Fondazzjoni Temi Zammit (FTZ), with the support of Forum Malta fl-Ewropa and UHM, is currently implementing a European project entitled “Say EU and... ACTION!”, funded mainly by the European Commission’s DG Communication through its Plan D for Democracy, Dialogue and Debate. The aim of the project is to generate a debate around issues which affect European citizens in their daily lives, highlighting their expectations and drawing conclusions for the attention of the national and European authorities concerned. The second in the series of four workshops and public debates dealt with Research and Innovation. It was held on Thursday, 24^th April, at the University of Malta, KSU common room.

The Lisbon Strategy has placed innovation, research and education activities at the top of the Growth and Jobs Agenda. Malta, unfortunately still does not fare well in terms of R&D and, to a lesser extent, innovation, when compared to other EU Member States. According to a Eurostat report on R&D personnel, Malta does not only have one of the lowest levels of full-time researchers in employment within the EU, but also one of the lowest ratios of female researchers. The European Trend Chart reports that a process of reflection and review is underway to improve the national innovation in Malta, but further efforts are required on innovation policy challenges.

All those involved in the field of research were invited to discuss this topic and come up with recommendations to remove obstacles to the uptake of research careers and to promote innovation. The workshop also provided the occasion to inform participants of the incentives available to Maltese researchers.

The first workshop in the Say EU and ACTION! project tackled immigration issues and was held on 29^th March.