OUR PURPOSE

  To serve the public good, we aim to inspire and motivate all stakeholders—business, government, scientists, ngos, the public, the media and others—to play their part responsibly in realising the benefits of nanotechnology, minimising risks and involving the public in deliberation about the social, ethical, health and environmental issues it raises.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

  Nanotechnology is likely to have a huge impact on all our lives. Not just because of the new and sometimes life changing products it may help create or even the potential risks which may arise from the use of some nano materials or applications, but the ways it, in combination with other technologies, may alter our societies, our attitudes and our approach to our world.

Because of this, we believe it is essential that everyone, particularly the general public, is aware of the nanotechnology, has access to information about its uses and has the opportunity to help shape the way the technology develops. We believe there is a need for an impartial voice in the debates around nano and we will strive to avoid creating concern or confidence where it is not appropriate.

OUR STRATEGY IS:

— To ensure easy access to clear and balanced information on nanotechnologies and the products it enables.— To act as a catalyst for the involvement of the general public in shaping and contributing to the debate about nanotechnologies and the direction of current and future research.

— To stimulate others to play their part in the responsible development of nanotechnologies and nano-enabled applications.

— To be a trusted forum for reflection about some of the social, ethical, health and environmental issues, in which all stakeholders can and do participate.

— To stimulate and promote the development of "socially beneficial" applications of nanotechnology.

OUR PLAN OF ACTION

  Our plan of action will evolve as we continue our process of research, engagement and involvement with opinion formers and the general public. However, an opinion former consultation sponsored by the UK government (DIUS) inspired our plan for a number of important areas of work with which to begin:

— www.nanoandme.org—a website for consumers.

—  The hub of public engagement and communication for the general public.

—  Comprising easy to understand, impartial information on nano, including the range of stakeholder perspectives and current and future social, ethical health and environmental aspects.

—  Highlighting ways people can get involved and contribute to the debate and shape its development.

—  Including database of current UK consumer products using nano, the classification and definitions used in the different sectors and the benefits and any potential risks.

— Public engagement programmes

—  The UK is considered a world leader in public engagement with nanotechnologies.

—  We would like to take this engagement to its next stage as the facilitator and catalyst for deeper and more specific engagement, in particular around the social, ethical and environmental aspects of current and future applications and the direction of research.

—  We would work with opinion formers and the public to prioritise the key issues and design a dynamic engagement programme. This may include direct groups such as citizen's juries, or through media partners, You Tube debates, polling and website interaction through Nanoandme.org. We would also hope to work with existing initiatives (eg East Midlands NanoWhat project), to include social and ethical issues in their programmes and where appropriate publicise these initiatives.

—  We would articulate the "business case" for public engagement to help businesses and universities understand why public engagement is important and how to do it.

— A trusted forum for reflection—Debates and events on social and ethical issues

—  We would undertake deliberative research with opinion formers to prioritise the areas for debate around the wider social and ethical impacts of nanotechnologies and help shape the information available on the consumer website.

—  We propose holding a series of debates, both "live" and internet run which explore these issues with opinion formers and the general public.

—  We may also facilitate dialogues for others—eg nano labelling—where our independence adds value.

— Stimulate others to play their part in the responsible development of the technology

—  Our approach to this area is still under discussion. However we see some valuable contributions through:

—  Ongoing involvement with the Responsible Nano Code through Steering Group members participation in oversight group and support of its aims.

—  Through the Responsible Nano Forum website providing information and interaction with opinion formers on "what is responsible nanotechnology" and what organisations can do to discharge their responsibilities.

—  Initiatives to effectively promote and support responsible nano—eg The Responsible Nano Awards, to highlight responsible behaviours, initiatives and partnerships.

— Stimulate and promote the development of "socially beneficial" applications using nano.

—  Our most appropriate contribution to this area is also still under discussion. However we feel that not enough is done to stimulate the socially beneficial aspects and are seeking ways to do that. Eg

—  Research to articulate UK priorities for beneficial applications (eg like the Foresight Challenges), including opinion former and public engagement.

—  Engage with business leaders, government and scientists to promote these priorities (eg CEO dinners with the Centre for Tomorrow's Company, initiatives with KTN's etc).

—  Partnership broking—with ngos, business and government to support highly practical ventures to support the priorities. (Eg arsenic measurement tech in Nepal with Practical Action ngo)

THE WAY WE WORK—WE ARE:

  Inclusive—this is demonstrated by the multi-stakeholder governance of the organisation, our commitment to balanced debate and bringing stakeholders together to develop solutions.

Trustworthy—this is demonstrated by the importance we give to the integrity of our information and communication; our commitment to transparency and disclosure and the direct and clear style of our communication.

  We are mindful of the responsibility which comes with a focus on the public good—ensuring scientific integrity, avoiding bias or sensation, avoiding creating either concern or confidence where it is not appropriate and avoiding "favour" in terms of stakeholders or points of view.

  Challenging—these other values do not prevent us from also being challenging without favour or bias. A multi-stakeholder approach can result in watered-down perspectives, stagnancy and bureaucracy. We aim to create an organisation that can retain its dynamism and energy despite these potential constraints, which is actually more enlivened because of our structure and the way we work.

  Enthusiastic—we love what we do and we think it is important. This enthusiasm for our work shows—you will find it in our humour, our honesty, a "can do" attitude and a dedication to solving problems, clearing blockages and smoothing feathers to get the best outcomes we can.

1.  Who is Involved?

  The Director of the Forum, Hilary Sutcliffe, has significant expertise running small and "virtual" companies over a 12-year period, both as an executive director of Addition, Shared View and Responsible Futures and as a non-executive director of the Ethical Investment Research Service. She also has experience in working in communication, public engagement and in corporate responsibility over a period of 27 years, in the UK and USA, working in the field of nanotechnologies since 2006. She previously ran the secretariat for the Responsible Nano Code and is author of the paper "An uncertain business: the technical, social and commercial challenges presented by nanotechnology", sponsored by the Royal Society, Insight Investment and the NIA.

The Managing Director of the Forum—Graham Broadbelt has extensive experience in management and operations for organisations similar in many ways to the Forum, being previously managing director of the think tank Demos and the community involvement charity Common Purpose.

TRUSTEES AND THE STEERING GROUP

  The direction of work for the Responsible Nano Forum is set by a multi-stakeholder Steering Group and delivered by a small executive group and strategic partnerships, while the formal Board of Trustees of the charity will oversee its governance and organisational competence. The Board of Trustees is currently being appointed, but it will be multi-stakeholder in its make up. The Steering Group is comprised as follows: (shown here in alphabetical order):

Mr Frank Barry, Unite Union
Mr David Baxter, Lead Researcher, Emerging Risks, Lloyds (Insurance)	Ms Karen Folkes, Head of Public Engagement with Science and Technology, DIUS	Arved Luth, forumnano (A group of German SMEs seeking to build their reputation for responsible nanotechnologies
Mr Stuart Challenor, Trading Law & Technical Manager—Tesco	Professor Richard Jones, FRS, EPSRC Senior Strategic Advisor for Nanotechnology, Professor of Physics, University of Sheffield	Gene Matthews, Leigh Day Solicitors
Ms Rachel Crossley, Director, Investor Responsibility, Insight Investment	Dr David Grimshaw, Head of Prog: New Technologies, Practical Action	Dr David Santillo, Senior Scientist, Greenpeace International
Dr Robert Doubleday, Dept Geography, University of Cambridge
March 2009