GENERAL INFORMATION
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organization for developed countries adhering to the principles of representative democracy and free market economy. Its goal is to shape policies that foster economic and social prosperity in the world.
The OECD provides a forum for governments to co-operate, compare policy applications, find answers to common challenges, define good practices and coordinate their policies. The OECD Secretariat is based in Paris and, together with governments, collects data, monitors trends and carries out analyses in an effort to understand factors influencing economic, social and environmental change, in order to foresee future developments. The OECD monitors many sectors including trade, taxation, employment, education and skills, entrepreneurship, public administration, agriculture, the environment, as well as research, technology and innovation. It is considered to be one of the largest and more reliable sources for statistical data and analyses worldwide.
Research, technology and innovation matters fall under the responsibility of the OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). This body contributes significantly in the interdisciplinary analyses carried out by the Organisation on topics including value chains, innovation strategies, productivity and inclusive sustainable development. It also provides evidence-based support for policy options, carries out evaluations of national innovation systems, develops powerful methodologies including the Frascati και Oslo Manuals and provides access to open official databases for analyses and surveys, including the Structural Analysis (STAN) database and the Inter-Country Input-Output (ICIO) Table system. For the 2017-2020 period, the Directorate monitors a critical dimension of the OECD’s «Going Digital» flagship project on the effects of digitalization and new technologies on the 21st century society and economy.
The DSTI Directorate oversees the following Committees and Working Groups:
- Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP): the main OECD committee and guiding entity in the STI field;
- Working Party on Innovation and Technology Policies (TIP): implements OECD activities in the technology and innovation field;
- Working Party of National Experts on Science and Technology Indicators (NESTI): responsible for matters concerning research and innovation indicators;
- Global Science Forum: focuses on international co-operation matters;
- Working Group on Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Converging Technologies (BNCT), for the respective sectors.
The GSRI monitors the CSTP, TIP and BNCT proceedings and a National Documentation Center delegate is a member of NESTI. You can find useful information on the GSRI participation in OECD work here.
