National Enabling Technologies Strategy Expert Forum Summary of Second Meeting – 18 March 2011
At the second meeting of the Expert Forum, members reported on a range of activities that form part of the agreed workplan outlined at the first meeting on 22 November 2010. These include a program of industry foresight workshops, focusing on the uptake of the new enabling technologies, with a particular focus on bio- and nano- technologies, including their convergence with ICT and cognitive technologies. A workshop on the building products industry was held on 30 March. Other potential workshops will look at the uptake of enabling assistive technologies to enable older Australians to live independently, innovations in the pulp and paper industry, 3D printing, food and transport.
Another major project is the development of an Enabling Technologies Roadmap (ETRM), looking at drivers, opportunities, risks, barriers and disruptive potential arising from horizon 2 (lab bench) and horizon 3 (blue sky) developments over the next decade. The roadmap will also examine the potential contribution of these technologies to major national challenges, including climate change and extreme weather events, resource efficiency, health and ageing of the population, bio and food security, and the global competitiveness of Australian industry. The final draft ETRM will be made available on the DIISR website for public comment, which will be incorporated into the final ETRM report. The final ETRM report is expected to be completed by the end of November 2011. The Expert Forum is also considering how it will work with the Enabling Technologies Stakeholder Advisory Council to develop a regulatory framework to complement the ETRM. Plans are also underway to hold an annual foresighting event with wide public participation in October 2011.
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