OPECST - Office Parlementaire d´Evaluation des Choix Scientifiques et Technologiques

Structure of the Office

The Office is a joint delegation of the two assemblies, consisting of eighteen deputies and eighteen senators, selected in such a way as to ensure proportional representation of the different political groups.

Organisation of operations

Matters can be referred to the Office by the bureau of either assembly, either at the request of the chairman of a political group or at the request of 60 deputies or 40 senators, or by a special or permanent commission. The submission of matters to the Office is restricted to Members of Parliament, and they alone can decide whether or not it is worthwhile to start a programme of study on a given subject.

The Office is assisted in its work by a Scientific Committee made up of 24 leading people chosen for their expertise in scientific and technical fields.

OPECST assists the French Parliament in many ways by :

-Publishing reports focus on current science and technology issues and aim to anticipate policy implications for parliamentarians;
-Conducting public hearings to stimulate debate on a wide range of tropical issues;
-Organising symposiums to deepen information of Parliament.

For a detailed presentation of the Office methodology see :OPECST's practice as regards scientific expertise.

For a detailed presentation of the Office in english see : http://www.senat.fr/opecst/english.html or http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/documents/index-oecst-gb.asp.

A power point audio slide show is also available in english.

Please note that OPECST's work programme changes several times a year - see :http://www.senat.fr/opecst/eng/index.html or http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/opecst/index.asp.

Active Projects:

• Assessment of research on stem cells (art.26 of the Bioethic law)
• Impacts on the Mediterranean Sea due to climate change, hydrocarbons' and earths
• Research and international cooperation in the French Southern and Antarctic Land
• Situation of the research in the field of prevention and treatment of obesity

Planned Projects:

Address

Chairman: Mr Claude BIRRAUX, Deputy
First Vice-President: Mr Jean-Claude ETIENNE

OPECST
Office Parlementaire d´Evaluation des Choix Scientifiques et Technologiques
Assemblee Nationale 233, Boulevard Saint-Germain
F-75355 Paris Cedex 07 SP
Tel: +33 1 40 63 88 15
Fax: +33 1 40 63 88 08

Contact:
Sénat : Mr. Philippe Waguet
Assemblée nationale : Mr. Philippe Jabaud

E-Mail : opecst@senat.fr
opecst@assemblee-nationale.fr

Homepage : http://www.senat.fr/opecst/english.html

http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/documents/index-oecst-gb.asp