27/11/2020
2 mins

ANSES, BRGM, Ifremer, Ineris, INRAE, IRSN, the Gustave Eiffel University and Public Health France sign a charter on openness to society

Through their research, expert appraisal and/or scientific and technical assessment activities, these eight public establishments share a common ambition: to facilitate a greater understanding of risks and how they can be prevented and reduced. They also share the same belief that this ambition should address growing calls from citizens, concerned about health and environmental risks, to take an active part in the knowledge and assessment of risks. In adopting this charter on Friday 27 November 2020 and in the same spirit of shared values, they are renewing their commitment to a process of openness and transparency towards society to benefit public debate and decision-making. 

Strengthened, regular dialogue is one of the essential pillars of public trust in scientific research and expertise. Adopted by several public institutions in 2008, the charter on openness to society has today been extended to new signatories: Ifremer and, as part of their respective reorganisations, INRAE and the Gustave Eiffel University. The eight signatory establishments, which are all committed to services in the general interest, share the same values of independence, transparency, and the scientific quality of their work. These values are based on the same requirements of competence, sharing and impartiality.

In signing this charter, they are reaffirming their determination to continue the process of openness and enhance their work by means of strengthened dialogue with society, through three commitments: 

  • assist society players with skills development;
  • share the available scientific knowledge;
  • increase the transparency of their work.

To achieve this, each organisation undertakes to deploy specific, long-term strategies to establish a productive dialogue with society through three shared objectives:

  • strengthen the ability of staff and students to engage with society;
  • identify and deploy the resources to enable society's involvement;
  • develop management tools and report publicly on the approach.

The signatory members are therefore united around this charter on openness to society and will share their good practices and feedback, and harmonise their actions towards a common goal: increasing the quality of their contributions to public policy-making and society. 

Find out more

See the press release (PDF)
Read the charter on openness to society(PDF) (in French)