More money to the research!

 

In his opening speech at the ESTIV2008 Congress promised Lars Leijonborg, The Swedish Minister of Education and Higher Research, more money to the research.

 

Read his speech from the opening of the congress below:

Therefore, the Swedish Government has recently proposed investments in research and innovation which will entail successive increases in central government support during the period 2009-2012, to reach a permanent increase of 5 billion Swedish Crowns in 2012. The largest increases will benefit research into medicine, technology and the climate.

I am proud to say that this is the largest, single extra investment ever to have been made in Swedish research! The investment is also considerable by international standards. And despite the fact that many countries in the European Union have expressed the ambition to reach the one-per-cent goal in accordance with the Lisbon strategy, few countries have actually, like Sweden, made binding budget decisions to that effect.

I would also like to mention that since 1981, the Swedish Government has provided funding for research to develop alternatives to animal experiments. From 2009 the budget for this purpose will increase.

To conclude: I have read that within the aims and purposes of this congress, you will explore new technical and scientific challenges with respect to in vitro toxicology. A lot of people in many countries are following your efforts with high expectations. I  would like to wish you good luck in your important work!