The Netherlands took presidency over the Council of the EU until July 2016, followed by Slovakia and Malta. This 18month timetable puts great pressure on the Dutch to deal with the refugee crisis. For half a year, the country will have to tackle the various challenges. In a programme drafted with Slovakia and Malta, which will take the next two presidencies from July 2016, the Netherlands focused on a number of priorities in the area of Research and Innovation. An innovative Union focused on growth and jobs is one of the three starting poins for the 2016 Dutch Presidency. Innovation will have to top the EU agenda if the Union wishes to remain an economic powerhouse, according to the government. The Netherlands mentions several points, amongst which: effective implementation of European research and innovation programmes, supporting applied research while maintaining scientific excellence; the evaluation of the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (2007-2013); the joint establishment of large-scale research facilities for the ERA; rapid development in science (Science 2.0 or Open Science); enhance the impact of science; advance Open Access to scientific publications and the use of research results; encourage public-private partnerships and the involvement of SMEs, to ensure scientific knowledge is used in tackling social challenges. and Soňa Jarošová.
Noc ze čtvrtka 16. na pátek 17. června 2016 byla v hlavním městě ČR naprosto výjimečná: byla totiž svědkem první „Noci filozofie/Nuit de la philosophie“ v Praze a ve střední Evropě., From June 16 to 17, 2016, the Night of Philosophy presented a wide audience with a round-the-clock program of short and long lectures, debates, readings, art shows and performances, screenings and concerts gathering 55 leading international philosophers from the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia who focused on the topic Images, Sciences and Politics. This very first Night of Philosophy in Prague, organized by the CEFRES Platform with the support of the French Institute and under the patronage of the Czech ministers of Culture (MK), Education (MŠMT) and Foreign affairs (MZV), took place in two locations: the Trade Fair Palace of the National Gallery in Prague and the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague., and Jana Olivová.