The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

The Council of Europe is an international organisation set up in 1949 and based in Strasbourg. Its main role is to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law throughout its 47 member states. Its Parliamentary Assembly, made up of over 600 national parliamentarians, acts as a forum for examining a whole range of issues which are instrumental in shaping tomorrow’s societies.

The Parliamentary Assembly – and in particular the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media – provides a European-wide forum for parliamentarians to exchange views on the consequences for society of scientific and technological choices. It tackles the political aspects of the problems facing modern society as a result of scientific and technological development. It endeavours to make the authorities aware of the impact of scientific and technological decisions. It also aims to improve dialogue between political decision-makers and the scientific community.