network of european regions using space technologies: an update on the nereus constitution
- Paper number
IAC-08.E8.5.2
- Author
Dr. Marianna Morelli, CORILA Consortium for Coordination of Research Activities Concerning the Venice Lagoon System, Italy
- Coauthor
Dr. Pierpaolo Campostrini, CORILA Consortium for Coordination of Research Activities Concerning the Venice Lagoon System, Italy
- Year
2008
- Abstract
The space research and development programmes give a consolidated model for international cooperation. They represent a good framework to develop and enhance different initiatives at global, regional, and local level. The impact of space activities covers different areas of interest such as: the development of earth observation applications for environmental monitoring, risk prevention and management, the development of satellite communications and information systems, the precision of global satellite positioning and navigation systems, the utilisation of ground segment engineering. These activities involve also the regional and local governments. This is particularly evident if we consider the competences of the European regional governments. Several European Regions already deal with a number of issues in areas linked to space activities. They are users of satellite data for environmental management, agriculture, emergencies and security. They contribute significantly to the creation and support of clusters that bring together manufacturers, as Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), higher education institutes and scientific research centres. They promote the process of transferring technologies from the research to the commercial sector. They are involved in the installation, development and maintenance of space infrastructures. In line with this reflections, a number of European regional governments supported by the Committee of Regions launched the idea to create a Network of European Regions Using Space technologies – NEREUS. This Network is an International non-profit Association according to the Belgian Law. The idea has been launched for the first time during the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) Conference organised, by the Austrian Government, during its EU presidency, in Graz on 19-20 April 2006. During the NEREUS Constitutive Assembly, held in Toulouse on 18 December 2007, more than 20 European regions signed the Political Charter of NEREUS. The First General Assembly is now scheduled for June 2008. The aim of this paper is to review the course of the initiative since its launch in April 2006. The main purpose is to analyse and assess the legal basis for the cooperation between European regional Governments, taking into particular consideration the framework of the international space law. Therefore we shall focus the paper on the main aspects of the Network in order to give an up-date on the work done for its constitution: the conclusion of the Political Charter, the signature of the Statute, the definition of the organizational structure, the objectives and the procedural methods, the definition of the cooperative activities and the common projects within the Network.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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