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Å®ÉúСÊÓƵs in France issued an alternative Manifesto for Research this
week in response to the government’s so-called national consultation on
science policy, which ended in Paris on Monday. The researchers held their
own consultation conference in protest at the government’s plans.

The manifesto calls for more money for civil research and a greater
effort to recruit young scientists to fill the gap left by a wave of retirements
expected over the next decade.

Its authors are also disgruntled with the way the government has organised
the debate, claiming that the opinions of scientists are not being heard.

Francois Fillon, the research minister, said he would have added his
own name to the manifesto, which was signed by 1200 scientists, if it had
not heaped criticism on his actions.

‘It’s extremely general, not very innovative and very conservative,’
he said. ‘I could have signed it.