Chemistry in an ever‐changing Europe

An ever-changing Europe. An old continent, but one that has been in a constant state of change throughout the centuries.

Chemistry. Experiments, theory, science, research, abstraction, food, health, explosives, energy, innovation, materials, batteries, detergents, climate change, quality of water, environment, wine, cosmetics, sustainability, circular economy, renewable energy …

The geopolitical situation across Europe has been important for European scientists for centuries, and chemists are no exception. Until recently, Europeans might have believed that their continent was a safe and peaceful place, with ample opportunities for creativity and collaboration across different disciplines. The Russian invasion of Ukraine proved such a belief wrong. The rich diversity in Europe has once again proven to be its biggest strength, yet also a weakness. Irrespective of geopolitical dynamics, chemistry continues to provide solutions to new societal challenges. Good solutions can only be developed by collaboration across disciplines as well as across Europe (and beyond). And how does the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) contribute to addressing the societal challenges?

Since 2011, the European Chemical Society has been expanding its activities from its headquarters in Brussels, following more than three decades of its predecessor, the Federation of European Chemical Societies (FECS). By now, it is a recognised stakeholder at the European level at the crossroad of science and policy. Since 2021, EuChemS has been a member of the expert group “High Level Roundtable on the implementation of the Chemicals Strategy” set up by the Directorate-General Environment of the European Commission, and it has recently joined the “Zero pollution Stakeholder platform”, set up jointly by the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions. Additionally, EuChemS organises policy workshops on various topics relevant for the society, proactively contributes to wider initiatives, such as the Global Women‘s Breakfast and Stick-to-Science, and has released a statement on the Ukraine invasion. We share updates on the science-policy activities of EuChemS on our website as well as on our social networks – Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. We kindly invite you to follow us there or subscribe to our newsletters: monthly Brussels News Updates and quarterly Chemistry in Europe.

Furthermore, EuChemS, through its Professional Networks (Divisions, Working Parties), strengthens the chemistry community in Europe by organising scientific conferences in different subfields of chemistry and the flagship EuChemS Chemistry Congress. The 8^th edition takes place in Lisbon in August and September this year, with a rich scientific programme, complemented with dedicated policy sessions and awards. In addition to the EuChemS awards, the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh) also presents one of its awards, as per tradition. This underlines the important role and committed contributions that the GDCh has to chemistry at the European level since the establishment of FECS in 1970.

Last but not least, one of EuChemS’ strengths is the European Young Chemists’ Network (EYCN) consisting of early-career chemists with different backgrounds. They bring in enthusiasm, engage with new generations of chemists and hence are a strong insurance for EuChemS to continue supporting the development of chemistry as a central science.

Nineta Hrastelj and Floris Rutjes, Secretary General and President of the European Chemical Society (EuChemS)

LeitartikelSchlaglichtthema: Chemie in Europa