On behalf of the ICCR team I would like to wish all of you happy holidays, see you next year!

The 2009/2010 issue of the ICCR’s print ‘window to the world’ is now available on request and free of charge at office@iccr-international.org.

In essence, the newsletter gives an overview of the ongoing and prospective projects at the institute. After an editorial on the topical subject of the contribution of the social sciences to overcoming the recent crises, Andreas Schadauer und Ronald J. Pohoryles outline the future of the social sciences by reporting on the findings of two research projects (SSH-Futures and Platon +). This is followed by an article by Helen Santiago Fink and Michael Schmidt dealing with the crucial role of the building sector in European Energy Policy (ECO-BUILD). Michael Schmidt and Katherine Dolan then give a short report on the evaluation of European transport research (SITPRO +). The next article by Katharina Paul gives an introduction to new medical techniques in the neurosciences, a completely new field at the institute (HealthGovMatters). Liana Giorgi then examines the question as to whether arts festivals can be instruments for bringing together the citizens of Europe, or even of the world (EURO-FESTIVAL). In conclusion, Katharina Zwiauer presents the opportunities and hazards of biofuel production in the Sahel Zone (WIN-WIN).

Apart from these articles, Broadsheet also contains project updates, staff biographies and a schedule of events in 2009. We wish you great pleasure reading.