Reflections on Brain Science and the Meeting of Minds initiative by experts and stakeholders involved in the Meeting of Minds project

- Expert neuroscientists reflect on Meeting of Minds outcomes
- Online webmeeting with expert panel on ethics
- European Stakeholder workshop of 18 July 2006 held at ESOF: 'Connecting Brains and Society: lessons learnt and future developments'
- European Stakeholder Workshop of 6 December 2005 : the issues at stake in developments in neurosciences (includes input from experts, EU policy makers and NGOs)
- First European stakeholder workshop of 6 June 2005: introducing the project and first results
- Video interviews of scientists and experts working at the frontier of brain science
- Selection of statements from experts and stakeholders on Meeting of Minds and brain science

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Expert neuroscientists reflect on Meeting of Minds outcomes
A panel of 16 leading brain scientists from across Europe were invited by the King Baudouin Foundation and the European Dana Alliance for the Brain to cast an independent eye over the citizens’ recommendations. Their intense one-hour online discussion sessions revealed a high level of support for public discussions about brain science but also challenged some ideas.

The experts were delighted that Meeting of Minds had chosen to explore their subject, being somewhat frustrated by the general lack of awareness of the complexity of the brain, its workings, disorders and the tremendous importance of research. They saw the Meeting of Minds' enormous potential for raising people's awareness of their work and its implications. They also acknowledged a need to improve their communication with the public, including as a means of obtaining more funding.

However, they also challenged some ideas, such as the notion of having lay persons monitor brain research. Moreover, some experts regretted that not enough was being done to foster practical applications of neuroscientists' research findings. The panel had high expectations that the implementation phase of Meeting of Minds would help to insure that their recommendations were applied in practice.

A Synthetron report summing up the neuroscientist’s input on the general outcomes of Meeting of Minds and some specific recommendations can be downloaded here.

The participants debated anonymously.

Online webmeeting with expert panel on ethics
Specialists have agreed that the Meeting of Minds proposals uphold basic human ideals such as tolerance of diversity, care for the sick and the dignity of the mentally ill, that could easily become forgotten. This is possibly its greatest contribution, they said.
European Stakeholder workshop of 18 July 2006 held at ESOF: 'Connecting Brains and Society: lessons learnt and future developments'
On 18 July the King Baudouin Foundation organised a workshop at the Second Euroscience Open Forum (ESOF) in Munich (Germany).

At the first ESOF conference in 2004 the King Baudouin Foundation (KBF) had convened a workshop on the objectives and method concept of the European Citizens' Deliberation on Brain Science; two years later, July 2006, Meeting of Minds presented the outcomes of this innovative public deliberation experiment, supported by the European Commission, in terms of policy and method impact. The purpose of the workshop was to have a critical discussion on the outcomes and lessons learnt from this innovative public deliberation experiment, focusing on both the content and the method.

Programme of the session
Summary report (pdf, 257 kb)


European Stakeholder Workshop of 6 December 2005 : the issues at stake in developments in neurosciences (includes input from experts, EU policy makers and NGOs)
On 6 December 2005 the Meeting of Minds partners organised a workshop with MEPs, EU Commissioners, experts, public policy makers and representatives of research organisations and civil society in the European Parliament.
The aim of the workshop was to raise awareness amongst key EU policy, health and research stakeholders about the issues. It also aimed to create a link between the Meeting of Minds project and current EU policy initiatives, such as the discussion underway on the proposal for a 7th EU Framework Programme on Research & Development and the upcoming EU-wide consultation on mental health.

The meeting was co-hosted by two MEPs, Linda McAvan and Jules Maaten.
The participants reflected on the ECD process and the European Programmes in Public Health and Research and discussed crucial issues such as responsibility, human agency, the increasing trend towards medicalisation and the need for (EU) regulation in the field of brain science and research...

Highlight on some of the experts and policy-makers discussions.

Here you will find a summary report of this meeting and the complete minutes of the presentations and discussions.


First European stakeholder workshop of 6 June 2005: introducing the project and first results
On 6 June 2005, the Meeting of Minds partner organisations welcomed in the premises of the King Baudouin Foundation, some 25 representatives of research, civil society, industry and public policy-making. The aim of this workshop was to create synergies between the Meeting of Minds project and the various stakeholders' activities. During the meeting, participants reflected on the ECD process, the results of the Convention, and provided some clear messages to the citizens.

For a list of stakeholders attending the meeting please click here.

Video interviews of scientists and experts working at the frontier of brain science
What do scientists and experts working at the frontier of brain science think is possible and desirable? What do they consider to be pressing issues for debate and what do they think of Meeting of Minds?

Here you can watch the video-taped interviews of experts who attended an International Workshop 'Connecting Brains and Society' held in Amsterdam in April 2004.

The proceedings of this Amsterdam Workshop were recorded and edited in the book 'Connecting Brains and Society' that can be downloaded here (1118 KB). You can also download a summary of this publication (28 KB).


Selection of statements from experts and stakeholders on Meeting of Minds and brain science
Find out what experts and stakholders say about the developments in the field of brain science and about the Meeting of Minds project.