Comparative Table of Parliamentary TA Institutions
DENMARK - THE DANISH BOARD OF TECHNOLOGY
Work Procedures and Methods
DBT conducts technology assessments with a view
to generating debate and clarification among the target groups – these being
politicians, industry, NGOs, experts, citizens, etc. – depending on the issue
at stake. This also includes groups in society which do not necessarily already
see the need of debating technology.
To assess the functionality of actual
technologies is not the task of DBT. Instead the focus must be on opportunities
for and impacts on people, the environment and social conditions. The objective
is to clarify dilemmas and conflicts. This does not always mean that technology
assessments have to conclude in recommendations for a solution; technology
assessments may provide knowledge, identify joint views, conflicts and options
as a step towards finding a solution.
DBT draws on the best available expertise – in
the widest sense – and often across professions and sectors. Expertise may be
found among the traditional academia, but it may also be found among
stakeholders, users, consumers, and lay people. This wide concept of expertise
ensures that many types of knowledge and different values and interests are
represented in the assessments.
METHODS
DBT considers it an essential task to contribute to the development of
methods for assessing technology, especially in connection with methods
involving the citizens, users and employees - those affected by the
technology in question. DBT applies different methods for assessing
technology:
- Experts may conduct analyses which offer an overview of the issues.
If experts are requested to make assessments, DBT normally makes
certain to consult several experts with different approaches, possibly
by establishing an interdisciplinary working group.
- Citizens may formulate objectives, visions, requirements and needs.
This can be facilitated by having participants criticize existing
conditions and formulate visions and actions which could help solving
problems. Or, a panel of citizens might question a panel
of
experts at a conference and prepare a final document presenting
requirements and formulating objectives for the applications of a
technology. Scenario workshops and consensus conferences are examples
of such methods.
- Technology assessment may also present information to the
participants to give them an opportunity to debate an issue, thereby
providing them with a background for making their own assessments.
Thus, education of the general public could be considered a method of
promoting the population´s own opportunities for assessing technology.
PROJECTS 2011
The 2011 work plan of DBT includes the following issues on which projects are initiated:
- Energy producing buildings
- Citizens´ engagement in energy supply and consumption
- Harmful chemicals
- Denmark as a pioneering country - responsible innovation
- Long range waste management strategy - from waste to resource
- Privacy protection in the "Internet of things"
Besides, DBT is working on externally financed projects, for example:
- PACITA - EU project aiming at capacity building on TA in Europe. DBT is coordinating the project
- DESSI - development of a decision support system on security investments. EU project, DBT as coordinator.
- 5 simultaneous Citizen Summits on the future health care system, arranged together with the 5 regions in Denmark.
- A Citizen Summit on the Danish biodiversity action plan, arranged with the Ministry of Environment
- Involvement of employees in welfare technology innovation - made for the Danish Welfare Fund.
- BaltCICA - involvement of stakeholders and citizens in
strategizing on increased water levels. EU project, involving the
countries around the Baltic Sea.
Chapter Work Procedures and Methods - all countries
Country Report Denmark
| © EPTA, version 20 Oct 2012; provided by ITA |